A long-distance move is exciting, whether it’s for a new job opportunity, a dream location, or a fresh start. Unlike a local move, moving across the country or state can take up to two weeks. Safely moving your belongings to a new city or state can be more complicated and expensive than moving nearby. That’s why a long-distance move requires adequate planning, organization, and careful execution. In this blog, we will explore the common mistakes people make during long-distance moves, along with the most effective solutions for a smoother transition.
Challenges of Long-Distance Moving
A move is considered long-distance when it is over 400 miles. A long-distance move might be a cross-country move, interstate move, or long-haul move, depending on the distance and location. Here are some of the challenges of long-distance moving:
1. Packing Difficulties
While packing might seem easy, packing items for transport over long distances requires the right materials. Packing valuable items, collectibles, bulky furniture, and dishes can be tricky and time-consuming. If your belongings are not packed thoroughly, they are more likely to be damaged during loading, transportation, or unloading.
2. Loading & Unloading
The next challenge is loading and unloading your furniture. This task requires proper techniques and equipment to lift and transport heavy items safely. Without moving equipment and enough people to help, you can easily strain your back or damage your furniture. If you don’t know how to maximize space in the moving truck, you can end up wasting space and spending more on your move than you need to. If you have staircases, narrow doorways, or tight corners, you may have trouble maneuvering furniture out of the house or into your new home.
3. Assembling and Disassembling Furniture
Protecting furniture during an interstate move is a common concern since heavy furniture and appliances may need to be disassembled and reassembled at the new location. Large and bulky items often need to be taken apart to fit through doorways and into moving trucks. This process requires the right tools and expertise to prevent damage or injuries. Even when properly disassembled, furniture can still get scratches, dents, or other damages if it is not properly protected during transit.
4. Theft
There is always a possibility that your items will be stolen from the moving trucks during overnight stays or extended breaks along the way. Your valuable items may require special attention and, in some cases, separate transport or secure storage solutions to avoid loss.
5. Scheduling and Transportation
Scheduling a long-distance move and keeping it on schedule can be a challenge. If you underestimate how long it will take to pack or if the moving trucks are delayed, your move can be significantly slowed down. It can be a challenge to plan your route carefully, accounting for potential detours and road closures and coordinating trucks, movers, and your own travel plans.
Unforeseen weather, such as heavy rain, snow, or storms, can cause hazardous driving conditions, increasing the risk of accidents and damage to your items. Additionally, poor road conditions, such as construction, traffic congestion, and detours, can lead to unexpected delays and require rerouting, which can be stressful and time-consuming.
Common Long-Distance Moving Mistakes
Here are some common long-distance moving mistakes that may make your move more stressful:
1. Packing Too Late
The most common mistake people during a long-distance move is waiting too long to start packing. Underestimating how long it takes to pack can result in rushed and disorganized packing and increases the risk that you’ll forget or damage items by mistake.
2. Booking Movers Last Minute
Another frequent mistake is booking moving services at the last minute. When you wait till the last minute, moving companies may not be available on the date you need to move or may charge more. Remember, moving companies often get booked up quickly, especially during peak seasons.
3. Over or Under Packing
People often forget to leave themselves time to declutter before they move. This may make it difficult to pack quickly or result in increased expenses if you are paying to move furniture and belongings you do not really need.
4. Overlooking Expenses
Long-distance moves often come with hidden costs that can easily be overlooked, including the following:
- Packing supplies
- Fuel
- Tolls
- Temporary housing or storage
- Food during transit
- Unexpected expenses such as repairs or replacements for damaged items
5. Insufficient Packing Supplies
Your fragile items, including glassware, electronics, instruments, and artwork, require extra care and padding to prevent scratches and damage. Larger items like furniture also need to be wrapped in moving blankets and secured to avoid dents or cracks. Not having these supplies while packing can delay your loading and unloading process or cause damage during transportation.
6. Lack of Insurance Coverage
It’s important to have insurance for your belongings during a long-distance move, especially if you are transporting any valuable items. While many moving companies offer basic coverage, it may not fully protect valuable items. Additionally, your home insurance may not include coverage for your belongings during a move.
Strategies to Overcome Long-Distance Moving Challenges
Here are some tips that you can use to make your long-distance move easier:
1. Create a Detailed Moving Plan
Make a comprehensive long-distance move checklist that outlines every step of the moving process, from packing, loading, and transportation to settling into your new home. Set clear timelines and deadlines for each task to ensure that nothing is left until the last minute. A detailed moving plan will help you stay on track and reduce stress by providing a clear roadmap for the entire journey.
2. Create a Moving Budget
Always create a moving budget to avoid surprise expenses and overspending. Get a detailed quote for the moving services you require, and don’t forget the cost of packing supplies, insurance, and storage.
3. Declutter Before Packing
Declutter before packing, donate, sell, or discard any belongings you no longer need. This way, you will reduce the volume of items you need to pack and move, efficiently reducing the time and cost associated with moving.
4. Proper Handling of Fragile Items
For proper handling of fragile items, use high-quality, specialized packing materials, including bubble wrap, packing paper, and study boxes, to cushion delicate items. Label boxes containing fragile items clearly to ensure they are handled with care. When packing, make sure to fill any empty spaces in your boxes with padding to prevent items from shifting.
5. Travel Arrangements
Making travel arrangements in advance can help you avoid last-minute stress and complications. Whether you’re driving or flying to your new home, plan your travel itinerary and book any necessary accommodations or flights well ahead of time. Ensure that your travel plans streamline with the arrival of your belongings to avoid any delays or inconvenience.
6. Using High-Quality Packing Materials
Always buy high-quality packing materials, including durable boxes, strong packing tape, packing paper, and protective materials (bubble wrap, cushion, and moving blankets), to prevent any damage. These materials will offer better protection for your items during transport, especially fragile and valuable possessions.
7. Adequate Insurance Coverage
For items with high financial or sentimental value, you may want to purchase additional insurance to cover any potential losses or damages that may occur during transit. Many moving companies offer free basic coverage that may not fully cover the value of your items.
8. Hire Professional Movers for a Full Service Move
Hiring a professional moving company Serenity Moving Services can simplify your moving process and reduce stress. Experienced movers have the skills, equipment, and knowledge to handle your belongings safely and efficiently. They can also assist with packing and unpacking, loading and unloading, transporting, assembling, and disassembling, ensuring a smoother and well-organized move.
Conclusion
Long distance moves can be smooth and secure if you plan ahead carefully. Decluttering your belongings, buying the right packing supplies, and budgeting ahead of time can help you know what to expect. If you have a lot of furniture or valuable belongings to pack and transport, consider hiring a moving company. At Serenity Moving Services, we provide reliable, safe long distance moving services to help you transition smoothly to your new home. Call us to learn more about our long-distance moving solutions, and book a move with us today!
