moving with little notice

Are you moving across the country for the very first time, and feel a bit nervous about moving all your belongings such a long distance? These tips can help you get through the move and to your destination with all your belongings safe and secure.  

Get Moving Quotes Early

A long-distance move can be difficult to pull off on your own, which is why you are going to want to hire a moving company to handle it for you. However, you'll want to get quotes early for your moving day so that you can plan ahead. This is definitely not something that should wait until the last minute because then you'll be scrambling to find a long-distance mover that is available to travel to the destination you are going to.

Purge What You Don't Need

What makes a long-distance move different from a local move is how the movers charge you for their time. You'll not only be paying based on the number of miles that the movers need to travel but your belongings will be weighed and you'll be charged per pound. This is quite different than how it works with local movers, where you are billed for their time per man-hour of labor.  

That's why it is going to help to purge all of the things that you don't need prior to the move. If you plan on getting a new couch once you move into your new home, then consider selling the hold one prior to moving. Narrow down your clothes to those that you still wear, and get rid of clutter that you don't need anymore. Sell, donate, or recycle items so that you are only moving with the stuff you want to take with you.  

Label All Your Boxes With Your Name

Another thing that is unique about long-distance moving is that your belongings will likely be put on a truck with other families' items. To avoid any potential confusion, it is best to label your moving boxes with your name. While the moving company will likely have a system in place to prevent any confusion from happening, labeling boxes will give you some peace of mind that there will not be an unexpected mix-up. 

Consider Shipping Your Car And Flying

Since a cross-country move can take several days of traveling, consider shipping your car and flying to your destination. If you time it correctly, you can arrive at the same time that your long-distance movers arrive with all your belongings.