Changing towns and moving to a new place can be a huge decision that causes stress for many families. Several long-distance moving mistakes can add to this stress and make things more overwhelming than they need to be.
If you and your family are about to pack up and move cross country, we think it’s best that you check out our guide of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them for a smoother move.
1. Taking the Move Lightly
A long-distance move is not the same as moving up the street from the current home you live in. Several additional factors need to be considered, but might be overlooked if you treat it the same as other moves.
Will you arrive to the new home at the same time as all your belongings? Have you made arrangements to obtain your keys before the move or the day of the move?
Do any of your items need to be placed into storage to help make your move better? These are a few of the questions that you need to think about because sometimes they can throw a wrench in your plans if you’ve not taken the time to think ahead and plan accordingly.
Having a checklist of things you need to plan for will save you time and money if unforeseen costs arise.
2. Not Packing Properly
Sometimes the way you pack things in a truck doesn’t matter. That is if the trip isn’t long and your items won’t be in boxes for long, but a long-distance move is much different.
It’s essential that you take the time to purchases the proper moving supplies and carefully pack your things. This will ensure that none of your items are broken or damaged as you move from one place to another.
Most moving companies in your area have packing supplies for sale to customers at reasonable prices. If you’re not willing to pay for moving supplies, there are several online applications where you can search for people in your area that have supplies they’ll give away for free.
If you’re not sure what the best way to pack your belongings is, we recommend either asking a close family or friend to help you pack. Or you could always check online for useful packing tips.
3. Forgetting to Label Boxes
While you’re packing, it’s easy to think that you’re going to remember what you put in each box. The truth of the matter is after a long day of traveling and moving things out of the truck, the last thing you’re going to remember is which box you put your bedsheets in.
To ensure that you don’t run into this problem, you should always label your boxes after you’ve packed them. We recommend writing what’s in the box in big, bold letters in at least one or two places on the box.
This way, all you’ve got to do is pick up the box and read it. After that, you’ll know exactly where the box goes and what’s in it.
4. Doing It All Yourself
As we’ve mentioned before, moving can be both overwhelming and stressful. Not to mention once everything gets underway, it’s easy to forget something that’s crucial to the entire move.
To remedy this situation before it becomes an issue, you should hire professional movers. Professionals can offer you services that include loading the moving truck and delivering your belongings to the destination.
It might cost you some extra money for a complete moving service, but in the long run, it will save you more than you even know.
5. Not Scheduling Your Move-In Advance
We understand that things slip your mind, and you might not have reserved your moving truck in advance before moving day. Sometimes you might get lucky and find a place that has a truck you can use, but typically this doesn’t happen.
One of the first things you need to do when moving out of state is schedule your moving truck before the day arrives. This reduces the likelihood of you reaching moving day and having no way to get your things from point A to point B.
It also reduces the chances that you’ll have to pay an extra fee for booking the truck at the last minute. When you book in advance, it also helps the moving company to prepare for your reservation, ensuring that the truck is clean and has the gas you need to get across the state.
6. Not Setting a Timeline
Some people think that you can toss everything into boxes at the last minute and get the show on the road. You need to take time to set realistic deadlines for when all of your belongings need to be packed.
By setting a timeline, you give yourself the ability to sort through everything and decide what you’ll keep versus what you’re going to toss or giveaway. Not setting a timeline can leave you with an overabundance of items racing against the clock to get everything packed.
Long-Distance Moving Mistakes and How To Avoid Them
There are several long-distance moving mistakes that people make regularly. Some mistakes include waiting until the last minute to pack your belongings and not taking the time to schedule your moving van ahead of time.
Speaking of things you need to do, why haven’t you contacted Muscle Man Moving yet? We have what it takes to help your transition from one place to another easier for everyone involved.
Get your free instant quote today.