When planning a long-distance relocation, each one of us thinks about the most important things to do before moving. It does not matter how much stuff you own, or how far is your new location; you’ll need a good plan to pull it all off. Remember, time is your most significant resource, so try to use the best of what you have. To help you out, we’ve prepared a checklist that could make your cross country relocation much more straightforward. Let’s check it out.
Tip Number One – Look for a New Home First
Finding a perfect home is quite challenging as it requires a lot of research and planning. Your future place should suit all your needs. It should be big enough and have all the necessary amenities so that each member of your family feels comfortable.
When choosing a new place, it’s not just about the house itself; you should think about its location, too. One of the best tips is to pick a neighborhood that’s safe and well organized, and if relocating with kids, choose a location that offers open spaces, such as parks, suitable for your kid’s outdoor activities.
When deciding where to move, consider the location of your future work, your kids’ schools, and public transportation. It takes a lot of effort to find a perfect home, so if you still didn’t find it, but you have to move anyway, consider finding temporary housing. Once you settle, you will be able to relax and continue with your search.
Finding a perfect house should be the number one priority on your checklist.
Picking the Relocation Date Is One of the Most Important Things to Do Before Moving
When picking the most convenient date for relocation, you should consider a few factors. Those who are relocating with kids, should think about the period after the school year is over, and try to arrange that their first day at their new job is around the picked date. In case your first day at the new job is unnegotiable, ensure that your relocation plan is created according to it.
On the other hand, if your first-day is negotiable, arrange that the relocation date is far enough from it, so you can finish all regarding relocation and be ready for the first working day.
Keep in mind that summer is the peak of the moving season; therefore, we suggest you contact a moving company as soon as possible. Relocating between October and April is more affordable, but it is more difficult due to bad weather conditions.
Your checklist should include deciding a precise date of your relocation.
Create a Budget Plan and Schedule Tasks
Relocation to a different state is a complicated and stressful process. To avoid losing much energy, consider creating a moving plan, and try to stick to it.
Your plan should contain a list of all the tasks you should finish before the relocation day comes. Try to list all the big projects, and then divide them into smaller ones. Set the priorities and define the deadline for each one.
Sticking to the timetable will help you keep track of how you are standing with finishing tasks; it can even help you speed up the overall process.
The Importance of Having a Budget Plan
One of the essential things regarding relocation is a budget plan because getting organized to move includes having enough financial means. When making a budget plan, decide if you are going to hire professional movers, or you are going to move by yourself.
Those who decide for a professional cross country moving company should think about the expenses for services such as moving and packing, relocation rates and additional charges. On the other hand, organizing a DIY move requires renting a truck, buying gas, paying for parking, and lots of other smaller expenses that tend to pile up.
The budget should also include the cost of boxes and other supplies, insurance, and post-move expenses. Bear in mind that relocation always comes with some unplanned situations, so consider having some kind of emergency fund.
One of the most helpful tips is to create a budget plan.
Sort Out All Your Belongings
Deciding what stuff you are going to bring to your future home is quite tricky, but you have to be realistic. Think about your next living space and try to imagine what belongings will fit perfectly, and to which you have to say goodbye.
Be honest to yourself; there are items you haven’t used for a while, so you probably will not use it in your future home either. Therefore, sorting your belongings by the functionality, price, and sentimental value will make transport much more straightforward and cost-effective.
Don’t Forget to Create an Inventory List
After you’ve decided what items are going to be part of your future home, start making a household inventory list. With a catalog of all your belongings, you’ll see how much it will cost you to move them, and how to organize their safe transportation.
Bear in mind that an inventory list should be as detailed as possible. When listing an item, write down its type, value, condition, and destination room. All this information is crucial when choosing the kind of services you are going to use and what type of insurance to purchase.
The inventory list will be quite helpful both when you pack and unpack.
Sell or Give for Free All the Items You’re Not Planning to Move
Unwanted stuff should not be thrown away if they are still functional. Just because you don’t need something does not mean that it could not be useful to someone else. Take a box or two, place all that stuff you are not planning to move in it, and consider adding a new task into your checklist—organize a garage sale.
The Benefits of Organizing a Garage Sale
Belongings you’ve decided to leave behind may be an excellent reason for organizing a garage sale. Everything, be it outdated and outgrown clothes and shoes, old kitchen appliances, books, or equipment, can be sold or even donated.
Garage sales can have a positive impact on your relocation budget. It might not be much, but it will serve you. Belongings you don’t sell, you can give for free to those in need and make them happy.
You should know what stuff you are going to take to your future house, and which one you will leave behind.
Make Sure to Collect Important Documents on Time
Having all your documents in one place requires a lot of work, so collect them earlier. If you are thinking about how to organize important papers, consider having all your personal, property-related, and financial documents near you. Don’t forget to gather all medical and school records and all necessary documentation, too. All essential papers should be copied and adequately packed.
Your checklist should also serve as a reminder to collect all the necessary documents.
Contact Relevant Institutions and Inform Them About Your Long Distance Relocation
Because one of the most important parts of relocation is the change of address, you should inform all relevant institutions about it. Besides notifying the post office, you should inform your credit card company, bank, insurance company, and your attorney.
Switching Utilities and Canceling Subscriptions Should Also Be in Your Relocation Plan
Before you relocate, don’t forget to arrange that your current home’s utilities are switched off a day after you move. Canceling cable, internet, and landline phone is another important thing you should do before the relocation day comes. Keep in mind that there might be some cancelation fees, so include these costs into your budget plan.
You’ll need gas, electricity, and water once you arrive in your new home, so arrange with service providers to turn them on before you move in. Installation deposits and costs are possible as well.
Arrange to switch off utilities in your current house, and turn on in your future one.
Purchase Moving Supplies and Find the Best Way to Pack All Your Belongings
Packing is an essential part of every relocation. It is time- and energy-consuming, but it will not cost you a lot of stress with a good organization. To pack all your belongings properly, purchase adequate supplies. Consider purchasing boxes of all sizes and try not to overstuff them. Those who are relocating on a tight budget should look for free or cheap moving supplies.
To ensure the safe transport of your beloved stuff, you’ll need packing paper, a lot of cushioning material, and tape. These are the supplies that will keep your belongings in place and prevent any damage. Keep in mind that labeling each box is one of the most useful tips for unpacking.
Be Extra Careful With Valuable Things
When preparing valuable items for the move, you need to be extra careful and use high-quality packing materials. It is advisable to have your valuables with you instead of entrusting them to the movers.
In case you own heavy, yet valuable belongings such as large paintings, or antique furniture, inform your mover about that and consider purchasing extra insurance. If you have to relocate items such as pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, or grandfather clocks, contacting specialized movers might be the best solution.
Purchasing adequate materials will ensure the safe transport of your belongings.
Don’t Forget to Inform All Your Friends About Your New Location
Before going away, you should spare some time to be with your loved ones. Gather all your friends and family and inform them about your new location. Ensure that you’ll stay in touch, and it would be nice to announce that they are all welcome into your new home.
Organize a Dinner Party
Saying goodbye to your friends and family is never easy, especially if you are going far away. To make things a bit easier, consider organizing a dinner party and invite all your loved ones. Your family and friends will be thrilled to come and spend some quality time with you.
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on it. Pizza, beer, and some music will do the job. It’s essential to spend as much time as possible with people you care about and have some fun.
Organize a going-away party, and let your friends and family know everything about your future location.
None of This Matters Much Without a Reliable Cross Country Moving Company
Moving to a different state will be much more comfortable with the help of qualified professionals. Hiring a reliable moving company will save you a lot of hours, and you will not be stressed about whether your belongings will be safely transported to your new home.
Besides moving services, professional movers can help you prepare your belongings, so consider finding ones who can provide you with packing services. Those who are planning to ship their vehicle should ask for the auto transport service, and if you can’t take all your belongings at once, find out if the company offers storage services.
As we have said, cross country relocation is an overall complex process, and if you want to make it as smooth as possible, start planning it as soon as possible, and go step by step. Everything will turn out just fine, just stick to your checklist, and you’ll be ready to go.
