Without a solid game plan, moving long distances can feel overwhelming. There are a lot of things to juggle and plenty of decisions to make. For example, when do you pack items you use daily, and should you take your favorite queen mattress along?
Although it may be a challenge to accomplish everything within the allotted timespan, there’s no need to worry. With some planning and organizational strategies, you can make moving long distances smooth and relatively stress-free. Here are six tips to help you when you’re planning a long-distance move.
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1. Create a Schedule
One of the best ways to keep your moving under control is to create a detailed schedule of your move. To create an effective schedule, work your way backward. Start with the day you need to be out of your old home, and then figure out how much time you’ll have to pack.
Creating a schedule not only allows you to manage everything effectively, but it will also ensure you don’t forget the small details or important tasks. Even forgetting to make a phone call to the moving company can throw everything off-kilter.
Set a realistic timeline, and write every large and small task on your schedule. There should be time to donate items, declutter, and change your address at the post office. Whenever you think of another task, add it to your schedule so that you don’t forget about it.
You should also add some “breathing room” in case some unexpected setbacks occur. This way, your schedule doesn’t have you working frantically against the clock. A schedule lets you set priorities, too. You can schedule big tasks first and take care of smaller tasks later on.
2. Declutter First, Then Pack
The first thing to do before you start packing is to declutter your home. Think of it as an in-depth spring cleaning. Throw away anything you haven’t used in years or anything you don’t see yourself using. Now is also the time to go through your closets and donate the clothes you never wear.
The less you take with you to your new home, the easier your move will be. If you’re holding onto some items for sentimental reasons, ask yourself when you last looked at them. If you don’t think you’ll miss something, this is a good time to let it go.
Getting rid of anything you don’t need or want will also make your packing easier. You’ll need fewer boxes, and you’ll have whittled your belongings down to the essentials.
Remember, you can always shop for bedroom furniture sets or find the best mattresses after you’ve settled into your new home. Alternatively, if you invested a lot in your bedroom sets and mattresses, it may be preferable to take them with you. These are the decisions to make now rather than later.
3. Hire a Moving Company
If you’re moving nearby, it may be more economical to simply hire a small moving van and do everything yourself. However, for a long-distance move, a professional moving company can make a world of difference.
Movers can help carry your piano and furniture down flights of stairs without breaking anything. They also carry insurance to cover any item that should break during the move.
Let the movers load and unload your belongings into a moving truck while you focus on other logistics, like scrubbing stains off your walls or fixing minor damage to leave the home you’re moving from in good order.
When you hire a moving company, the movers can also ensure that everything is packed up correctly. And if it isn’t, they can provide additional boxes or moving supplies that can protect fragile items. Hiring a moving company can take a huge weight off your shoulders and make the process a lot easier.
If you worry about the cost, do some research and find affordable options. Read online reviews, too. It’s important to find a balance between affordability and convenience.
4. Get Packing Supplies
Gathering packing supplies isn’t necessarily exciting, but it’s certainly a game changer. It may not be necessary to buy a ton of boxes, either. Some stores readily give away their boxes once they have finished unloading their supplies.
Getting free packing supplies, such as boxes or containers, from stores can save you a lot of money as well. Besides boxes, you’ll need heavy-duty tape, markers, and labels. For fragile items, get bubble wrap, and for bedding, get mattress covers and furniture pads.
5. Pack Room by Room
Staying organized is essential when you’re packing. Try to pack room by room, starting with the rooms you seldom use. One area that’s easy to forget is your storage shed. Start clearing out the items you’ve stored there and packing the essential ones.
Then, move on to the guest room. Rooms like the kitchen or your bedroom should come last. But once you do get to those rooms, pack items you rarely use into labeled boxes. Packing one room at a time is a simple tip that can help you stay organized and save you time.
6. Calculate the Cost of the Move
Moving isn’t only stressful, but it can also become quite expensive. The average cost to move across the country ranges from $2,000 to $8,000, depending on which moving service you use.
Even if you decide to do everything yourself and rent a moving van, there’s the cost of the van, fuel, and hotel/motel costs when you need to stop for the night. Calculating how much you’ll need beforehand can prevent surprises that could put a big dent in your wallet.
When you’re creating a moving budget, remember to plan for unexpected costs. These could be things like last-minute repairs or an extra night at a hotel as you’re driving to your new home. Once you’ve created your budget, make sure you have the money in the bank or a line of credit you can tap.
Making a Stressful Time Easier
A long-distance move doesn’t have to involve nonstop stress. If you stay organized and manage your time and money efficiently, it can be a rather smooth transition.
These six tips will allow you to strategize and tackle one task at a time, ensuring you tick everything off and remain in control throughout the moving process. If you prepare correctly, moving can be an enjoyable transition to the next chapter of your life.
