If you are moving cross country, you need to prepare correctly. Preparing can save you a lot of time and reduce the stress you face. If you are unsure where to start, there are certain steps that you can take to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible.
Lighten The Load
The first step you need to take to prepare for a cross country move is to lighten the load. These moves are calculated in part by weight, and the lighter your load, the less you will pay. Lightening your load will also reduce the amount of packing and unpacking you face.
To do this, you need to work through each room in your home and decide what you can get rid of. A good rule of thumb is to sell or donate anything that you have not used in the last year. The only exception to this will be sentimental items such as heirlooms and ornaments. The items you want to get rid of can be sold online, or you can donate them if they are still in working order. If you come across anything that is broken, you will need to get rid of it.
Make Your Travel Arrangements In Advance
One thing that is of utmost importance is that you need to book movers for your move across the movers, as your moving dates approaches near the prices will go up, visit 9kilo.com cross-country movers to get quotes from the best movers. Another thing a lot of people forget when planning a cross country move is where they will be staying. The last thing you want is to book the last minute because this will increase the costs and reduce the options. Once you have fixed your moving date, you need to start arranging your travel and accommodation.
If you are going to drive to your new home, you need to book accommodation on the road. If you are going to fly, you need to book your tickets as soon as possible. The earlier you can book everything, the cheaper it will be, and you will have one less thing to worry about.
Create A Packing Plan
Packing for a long-distance move should not be done as and when you have time. This will leave you rushing to get everything done and could result in poorly packed boxes. When this happens, there is a greater chance that your items will be damaged in transit. Of course, many cross country movers will pack everything for you to ensure nothing is damaged as they will be liable for this.
If the movers are not going to pack everything, you will need to create a packing plan. This plan needs to detail which rooms are going to be packed first and when they need to be packed by. It is recommended that you start packing in the rooms that you use less and only pack essential rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom last.
If the movers are going to pack your items, you should still have a packing plan. The plan should detail when each room is sorted, and items sold or donated. It is important that you only have what you want the movers to pack in each room on moving day.
Inform The Right People
When you relocate, there are a lot of people and organizations that you need to inform. It is recommended that you create a list of all the companies that have your physical address and plan when you are going to notify them. You should look at notifying them in the week leading up to your move.
If you have children, you will need to inform the school about the move and contact their new school. You will need to obtain a transcript from their old school and provide this to the new school. You also need to get your medical information from your doctor, as this needs to be provided to your new doctor.
You also need to contact the utility providers to ensure everything is set in your new home. The last thing you want is to arrive at your new home to find that there is no water or electricity. You generally need to contact these providers weeks in advance to ensure everything is in place when you arrive.
There are a lot of things you need to do to prepare for a cross country move. You must lighten your load and have a plan for packing. You also need to tell the right people about your move to limit any future issues.