What to Know When You’re Moving Across the Country

March 18th, 2020

A cross country move can be a large task if you don’t carefully plan for it. There are many moving parts to a long distance move, such as packing up for the move, coordinating the move, booking with a moving company, unpacking and settling into your new place, among other necessary tasks. A long distance move should be well thought out, planned and carried out to achieve success. It’s easy to make a mistake, but fixing it might cause you more trouble than you would like. You want to avoid as much frustration as possible when a cross country move is on your to-do list. Here are some things that you should know when planning a move across the country.

Travel as Light as You Can

If you plan on hiring a moving company for your interstate move, the weight of your possessions will factor greatly into the cost of the move. The more items you pack up in the moving truck, the higher the cost will be for transporting those items. The truth is that cross country moves can cost a pretty penny and saving money where possible is a smart move. Don’t try to pack and load every single item you own into the moving truck. Think about needs and wants and what’s trash. Donate what you can to places like Goodwill that accepts gently used/worm items. Also, make use of online marketplaces and consignment stores to rid yourself of some items and lighten the load a little. Take the opportunity to purge.

Let Family Help

Your cross country move may include your family, which can make an already tough move more difficult. However, don’t be afraid to use family members who have the ability to work to pitch in where needed with the packing. More hands on deck, the quicker you can get things done.  If available, get your spouse and kids to play their part; if you have a particular technique that you are using for packing, be sure to demonstrate to them how to do it before starting. If the kids are old enough, allow them to help pack up their own rooms, starting with non-essentials. The essentials can be packed last.

Book Travel Arrangements in Advance 

The last thing  that you want to do when planning a cross country move is to leave tasks until the last minute. That is the worst thing that you could do that could make your move twice as difficult. Book travel arrangements ahead of time. Start by doing your research and do diligence when looking for a moving company. Plan to schedule your move 1-3 months in advance, along with all the travel details. You want your move to be a success, so plan ahead. 

Get More than One Quote For Moving Companies

Moving companies typically offer competitive rates and as such, you should shop around before making a final decision on a moving company. It’s best to get quotes from roughly three or four moving companies so you can compare prices and choose the best offer. Some moving companies may offer special services, discounts and prices, so be sure to speak to a company representative specifically so you can have your questions answered. 

Ensure Moving Company is Licensed and Insured 

Having a reputable moving company to help you with your move is more important than a cheap rogue mover that cuts corners. Moving scams are nothing new, but there are ways to spot one when you know what red flags to look for. For example, a moving estimate that sounds a little too sweet of a deal may be something to think about. Furthermore, with a cross country move, you should ensure that the moving company that you are interested in is licensed and insured to do interstate/cross country moves. You can find out if a mover is licensed to perform cross country moves by visiting the FMCSA’s database where you can check for their U.S. DOT number. Don’t forget to verify if a moving company insurance before booking with them.

Get Moving Insurance

You should do everything in your power to protect your valuables when moving cross country. It’s important to review the valuation coverage available provided by the moving company. The typical basic protection, that often comes free of charge, doesn’t cover much. It’s perhaps best to get “full value” insurance protection that will make your mover responsible for the cash value of any damaged or lost items during the transportation process. You can also opt for full comprehensive moving insurance coverage, which is often best obtained from a third-party insurance company.

Contact Us

To make your cross country move run smoother, plan your trip well and keep things organized. RARE can help you with your moving needs by providing movers that are reliable, who will make your trip much easier with all around high-quality service. Rest easy knowing that RARE Moving & Storage is insured and licensed, leaving you in good hands for a successful transport of your possessions.