3 Tips For Managing A Long-Distance Move
Moving a long distance is challenging because you can't make multiple trips across town between your old and new property; instead, you have to get everything packed up and ready to go for the moving truck. When the moving truck leaves, you will want your house to be empty, except for a few cleaning supplies. That requires a higher level of planning than is required with a local move, where you could conceivably make multiple small trips across town.
1. Start By Decluttering
With a big move, you don't have to have to pack up things that you don't need. The first step in ensuring that you are only packing what you need is by cleaning and decluttering each room in your home. This can take a while, so be sure to give it the time that it deserves.
In each room in your home, give yourself at least an hour to throw away things that are trash. Then, box or bag up anything that isn't trash but that you don't want or need anymore. Set yourself a timer so that you don't get too caught up in reminiscing as you go through each room in your home.
You don't have to do this all at once. You can make two passes through each room. One where you get rid of things that are easily identifiable as junk, and another where you really go through everything. This is a task you can do weeks before your move, allowing you time to get rid of the items you don't need anymore.
2. Get Rid of Furniture
The next thing you need to do after you go through all the things in your house is to take a second look at the furniture. Do you have any furniture falling apart or broken, but you keep it around because you don't want to bother replacing it? Now is the time to let that furniture go.
Next, look at the new home's layout that you will be moving to, and map out where all your current furniture will go. Get rid of anything that will not fit in your new home.
You will be paying for both the space and weight of the items you are shipping, and furniture is big, bulky, and heavy, so you shouldn't ship any furniture that you don't love.
3. Take Packing Seriously
With a long-distance move, your belongings may end up being put on more than one truck before they reach their destination. They will be jostled around for hundreds or thousands of miles in the back of a truck and handled multiple times. That is why how you pack is so much more important when you are making a longer move.
You will want to purchase moving boxes made from strong cardboard; don't source boxes from random people. Purchase specialized boxes for kitchen items and clothing. Use packing tape that can create a strong seal and keep the boxes together. Invest in bubble wrap and packing paper.
Take your time to wrap and cushion each item inside of the box carefully; you don't want your items to have space to move, which creates the possibility of damage.
When it comes to moving long-distance, you will want to declutter and get rid of items you don't need. Evaluate your furniture and get rid of any pieces that are not in good condition or that you don't need or don't like that much. Finally, invest in proper packing supplies and ensure that you pack boxes so that items can't move around. With a long-distance move, you only want to pay to move items that you care about and need, and you need to ensure those items are properly packed up.
Contact local movers to get more tips.