This is What You Need to Know About Long Distance Moving

When it comes to long-distance relocation and local moving, the lengthier distance isn’t the only difference between the two. While you should always plan ahead for any move, moving further away requires additional planning, organization, and know-how. Here are a few differences to keep in mind if you have a long-distance move in your future.

Tipping is Different

 

With short distance moves, you often have one crew doing everything from packing your old home to unloading in your new location, but this isn’t the case with long distance. A long-distance move often consists of two crews—one that moves you out and another that moves you in. So you need to take this into account when you are tipping your movers.

Ideally, you want to tip anywhere for 10% - 15% of your total. But this could also increase or decrease depending on how satisfied you are. Figure out the percentage of your total move, calculate your tip amount, then split it between the crews. It is easiest to give it to the foreman or supervisor of each team and they can distribute it among the workers. Additionally, you may also want to offer water to the workers or even a snack, especially if it is a hot day. These gestures aren’t always accepted, but they are always appreciated.

Small To Dos Matter More

 

When you are moving out of the city, you will have more loose ends to tie up. For example, you will have to return any library books or rented items before you leave, cancel any local memberships, and you should also give back any borrowed belongings to friends and family.

These small details can easily slip your mind when you have larger moving tasks to deal with, so consider making a moving checklist. This list should include both big and small tasks that you need to get done for your move. Write down everything, from buying tape for boxes to finding a real estate agent, then assign a rough “due date” to each to-do. This list is not only a great way to stay organized, but it can help you feel less stressed since you will know exactly what needs to get done and when.

Not Everything is Worth Taking

 

Cheap furniture takes up room in the moving truck and may not be worth the hassle. So try decluttering before moving to shed a bit of weight and zero in on what you really want to keep. You can always sell unwanted items to help fund your move or donate them.

Have a book collection? If your move is getting charged by weight, then books are often cheaper to ship. USPS has a Media Mail option specifically for this where you can pack your books into a flat rate box and send them on their way.

Pet Vaccination Updates are Critical

 

If you are moving with pets, you need to plan a visit with your vet to ensure that your dog’s and cat’s vaccines are up to date. From state-to-state, the vaccination requirements vary and your pet could be denied entry if they don’t have what is needed. And this doesn’t just apply to your destination state, but also any others you are passing through. At this last vet appointment, you should also ask about:

Anxiety Remedies: If your pet is known to stress out during long car rides or flights, ask your vet if there is something you can do to make their transition easier. This may include using a pheromone collar, a weighted vest, CBD, or some other type of medication.

Medications: If your pet is on any medications, make sure to get a refill that will last you until you have an appointment with your new vet.

Records: Get a hardcopy of your pet’s medical records. Chances are these records will get digitally forwarded to your new vet, but you should have a physical copy on hand for your journey, along with a certificate of health. Especially if you are leaving the state.

You Need to Be Extra Diligent When Hiring Movers

 

Renting your own truck and taking care of a move DIY style is always an option for a local move, but with long-distance moving there is a lot more to consider.

         -         Do you want to be driving a large truck hundreds or thousands of miles?

         -         Can you tetris everything into a truck in a way that it fits and is safe from damage?

         -         Can you back the truck in where needed?

For these reasons, it can be best to hire long-distance movers with the knowledge, equipment, and experience to get the job done. Just be extra thorough when you look at credentials. While you should check any moving company for their legitimacy, experience, and reviews, longer moving jobs carry a heftier price tag, so there is more potential for fraud.

To ensure you are hiring a good long-distance moving company, be sure to check their:

Reviews: Look at multiple sites to see what past customers are saying about them. Yelp and the company’s Facebook page are both excellent places to start. You should also take a look at www.bbb.com, which will not only give you reviews but an overall rating of the business as well.

License: Interstate movers need a license number issued by the United States Department of Transportation. Ask for it and then check the U.S Department of Transportation website. Once you input the number, you will also be able to view any complaints filed against the company.

History: You want to find a company with extensive experience. Finding a company established at least 5 years back is a good sign that it isn’t a scam. Plus, this also helps assure that your belongings are in experienced hands.

A long-distance move is taxing and comes with a few intricacies that you don’t find with local moves. However, that doesn’t mean that they are something you can’t handle. By planning ahead, staying organized, and knowing what to expect, your move can be a great success and you can be enjoying your new home in no time.