Out of State Moving Tips

Let’s face it- moving is difficult. It doesn’t matter if you’re from out of state or just across town; moving is complex, and it always seems to happen at the worst time possible. But there are some things you can do to make your move easier for both yourself and those around you.

In general, people are always willing to help out with a move. You may have friends who can help load and unload your boxes, or maybe someone knows of a truck that they aren’t using that you could rent.

Here are 10 things you should do to make sure your move goes as smoothly as possible:

1- Make Lists

Make lists of everything you own, then list everything that needs to be done in the upcoming weeks. Start early and try to keep yourself organized. Trying to stay on top of things will save you a lot of stress once it’s time for your move. A pack of 3×5 note cards or index cards is a perfect tool to keep on hand for making lists.

2- Start Packing Early

Unless you plan on living out of boxes permanently, it’s time to start packing up your belongings now. The best way to do this is to find an area in your house that is easily accessible (such as the center of the room) and create a staging ground. This will allow you to see where each box needs to go and how much more packing has been left for that room. You may even decide you need another trash bag after all! Pack things away and move them often because if you leave them in the middle of the floor too long, they’ll get dirty or possibly damaged, and it will take more effort to move them.

3 – Get Rid Of Things

Before you start packing up all your stuff, take some time to go through all your possessions and get rid of as much as possible. We always tend to value the things we own because they have personal significance (we bought them, or someone gave them to us), but really, is your old lamp worth spending countless hours searching for? Probably not. Not only will getting rid of things reduce how much crap you have to pack and load/unload during the move, but you’ll also be surprised what it does to reduce stress. Don’t have the strength to get rid of your old microwave? Ask friends and neighbors if they’ll take whatever you’re not using anymore.

4 – Organize Your Things

Make bins for all your belongings before packing them up. Try to keep things grouped by room- socks in one bin, bed sheets in another, etc. Not only will this make unpacking a lot easier when you get to your new home (you won’t have to walk through piles of clothes to reach the kitchen), it will make each box lighter, so it’s easier on the person; moving it! You could even label each box with a marker- that way, and the movers can see where the boxes go once, they get to your new home.

5- Make Sure Everything That Needs To Be Packed Is Already in Boxes

This may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how often people forget this step. If you need to buy moving boxes, do it before you start packing! Remember not to pack anything that already has its box (you don’t want too many heavy items). Also, remember that packing papers and newsprint can be flammable, so don’t use those for packing non-breakable items like glass or porcelain.

6 – Get Estimates From Movers

If you’ve never moved before, I bet you don’t know how much your move will cost. Don’t let the movers quote you an outrageous price, then have them tell you that it’s across town – get an estimate on paper and stick to it! Do some research a few out of state movers to narrow things down before calling and ask for quotes from them.

7- Moving Insurance

Again, if this is your first time moving, the chances are good that you haven’t heard of moving insurance. It’s basically exactly what it sounds like- separate from any other insurance policy you may already have, a moving insurance policy covers move-related damages or loss. This might not be something you want to spend money on, but remember that a lot of furniture can get damaged in the moving process, so it’s a good idea to protect your belongings!

8 – Make It As Easy On Yourself As Possible

Seriously- try not to do anything unnecessary before or during your move. You’ll have enough on your mind with all those boxes and getting ready for the big day! If you’re looking for some advice, I would say one thing in particular: don’t stock up on perishables like milk or eggs in anticipation of moving unless you plan on eating them quickly (it takes about 24 hours after they expire for bacteria to spread). Most movers won’t bring any food items into an apartment because it could make them sick.

9 – Keep An Eye Out For Free Moving Boxes

These are the best, especially when you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to buy moving boxes! To find them, visit your local businesses that offer packaging services (i.e., cardboard moving packaging). You can even call stores like Walmart or Target to see if they have an extra box lying around somewhere! If you know of any places like this around town, ring them up a few days before your move and ask if they’ll save any boxes for you.

10 – Get Everything Wrapped Up Before The Movers Come

One last thing- make sure everything you want to be taken gets wrapped up or packed before the movers arrive (even smaller things like pillows). Remember, anything that doesn’t need to be moved needs to stay put. Also, make sure all TVs are switched off, and all furniture is pushed away from doors/hallways/stairs (this isn’t strict, but it’s nice to keep your movers happy).

Conclusion

If you’re planning to move out of state, many things need to be taken into consideration. From what kind of moving service provider, you’ll want to use down to how much stuff is coming with you- it can feel like an overwhelming process. We hope this article has helped demystify some common misconceptions about packing up and getting on the road so your next big adventure will go off without any problems!