Tips For Moving Cross Country

Moving across the country is a scary enough event on its own without having to worry about moving all of your belongings. When you start thinking about getting all of your stuff moved without damage and all in one piece, it may seem like an extremely challenging feat. Before you begin loading up your boxes with possessions, it's a good idea to have a plan. To lessen the amount of challenges you will have to face, you should consider a few tips on relocating your belongings across the country.

Considering the Method

If you are a young college student without a lot of belongings, you may consider simply packing up your car and moving. This is probably the least expensive way to get everything where it needs to go. This method is also great if you are a young couple and are leaving everything behind to start anew. If you have plenty of possessions that need to be shipped, a professional moving company is probably the answer. If you have the money, one option to help you save time is to have the moving services company pack, move and unload everything for you. 

When choosing a moving company, be sure to explain that you are moving cross country, because you may find some movers that only handle local moves. It's a good idea to get several estimates on your move before choosing which one you will use. Choose a company that is bonded, so your items are protected against damage in the move. Make sure your quote includes all services, so there are no surprises at the end of your trip, and get a delivery time frame in writing, so you can be sure your belongings arrive when you do.

Lessen Your Load

Moving cross country can be very expensive, so it's a good idea to downsize and take only the things you absolutely need or want to keep. Anything that you do not use on a regular basis and anything that does not have sentimental value needs to go. Start going through each room at a time. Create a pile of items to keep, one to donate or sell, and one to trash. Any items you have that are still in good condition can be sold at a yard sale to help make money for your move. After your yard sale, you can donate the rest of the items you no longer need.

Obtaining Good Boxes

Moving cross country is a rougher ride on your belongings than simply moving across a city. Consider this when choosing your boxes. The moving company will probably have boxes you can buy, or you can check with local manufacturers or grocery stores for boxes they no longer need. The boxes should be as uniform in size as possible, which makes them easier to stack securely. The boxes also need to be pretty thick and sturdy since they will be susceptible to rough roads and possible damage when traveling that far.

Itemize Your Assets

The further you are traveling, the more at risk your property is for damage. For this reason, you need to itemize everything you are moving. As you pack your boxes, use labels to identify what is inside the box and keep a written log of everything. You should also take pictures. If anything happens, you can provide proof to your insurance company in order to receive compensation for the loss.

Moving across the country can be a breeze if you follow a few simply tricks to organize and pack. Once you've decided how your items will ship and you get them packed and on the truck, you can sit back and enjoy the rest of your move.