7 Tips for a Long-Distance Move
An interstate relocation might feel quite daunting and stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. You can get through the transition without many battle scars by following these tips:
1. Plan Way Ahead of Time
Moving long distance is a huge event in your life. To ensure it’s a smooth process, you need to plan. This starts with contacting long distance moving companies as soon as possible. To make sure the company you want is available when you need them, three months in advance of your move is ideal. That’s especially true in the summertime, when movers are at their busiest. This early planning also helps you prevent forgetting anything you need to do before the move.
2. Make a To-Do List
Part of planning ahead should involve listing all the things that need to get done for the move to be successful, and the order you need to do them. Following that list will make things much easier as you prepare for this major transition.
3. Do Your Research
When you contact moving companies, don’t just pick the first one you come across to get it out of the way. Not all movers are the same, and you need to make sure to find the right fit for your needs. That includes making sure the one you choose is licensed and bonded. You also need to ensure that your belongings are insured against loss and damage while in their care. Also, be sure to get full disclosure of the costs involved in your move. Dave’s Detroit Movers is a great place to start your search for movers. We’ll pair you with licensed and insured moving companies in Detroit that offer long distance moving service to and from The Motor City.
4. Get an In-Home Estimate & a Quote in Writing
When a moving company provides you with an in-home estimate, they send a representative to your home to survey everything you’re moving. This enables them to be accurate when quoting a price for your move. If a company instead insists on providing an estimate over-the-phone, move on down the list of movers. In the moving industry, over-the-phone estimates for interstate moves are frowned upon. It’s one of the top methods movers scam unsuspecting customers (think bait-and-switch). It’s your legal right to request an in-home estimate and get the quote in writing!
5. Reduce Your Clutter
The cost of moving your belongings out of state is based on their total weight. That means the more you take with you, the more expensive your move becomes. That’s why this is a good opportunity to clean out your closets and drawers, separating everything into a pile of things to keep, donate, and sell.
6. Put Labels on Your Boxes
When doing your own packing, make sure to label each box. You can write both its contents and where it will go in your new home on the outside of the box. This will help movers when both loading and unloading, making your move more organized and speedier.
7. Think About Furniture Placement in Your New Home
Your planning should include considering where your furniture should go once you move. Think about how or whether it will fit in the new space. This includes knowing the dimensions of the new place, as well as disassembling the furniture for the trip if needed. If your new space is smaller than the one that you’re leaving, consider storing, selling, or donating furniture that would be too bulky.
Moving out of state doesn’t have to be a hassle. At Dave’s Detroit Movers, it’s our goal to help you start your next chapter on a stress-free note by shouldering the responsibility of your move for you. Call us now to get started with free moving estimates from Detroit’s best long distance moving companies.