Are you thinking about moving across the country? While starting an adventure in a brand-new area of the United States can be exciting, completing a nationwide relocation is typically a more tedious and time-consuming aspect involved in any long-distance move.
Fortunately, there are many steps to take in order to keep your move stress-free and streamlined! Foster Van Lines, a trusted moving and storage company based in the Bay Area, has completed more cross-country moves than we can count. Below are our pro tips for making sure your interstate relocation is swift and seamless!
1. Begin Planning Early
While any move requires ample planning and coordination, the further you're headed, the more organized you'll want to be ahead of time. For long-distance moves, we suggest starting to make a plan of action at least 2—3 months in advance, but beginning the process as early as 6 months out will ensure you get to work with the best movers and get the best rate.
2. Declutter Ahead of Moving Day
The cost of local moves and long-distance moves are calculated differently. For relocations of 400 miles or more, your movers will likely base your estimate off of the weight and volume of your shipment, as well as the mileage to your end destination. With this in mind, it's easy to see how downsizing your items ahead of moving day can make a big difference for your final price!
We suggest going through the rooms in your home one at a time, and placing each item in piles such as "Keep", "Throw" or "Sell". For items that you want to sell or donate, some places to consider include:
- Host a Garage Sale
- Donate to a Secondhand Store
- Sell Items on Online Platforms
- "Free" Box at the End of Your Driveway
3. Create and Stick to a Budget
Because nationwide moves involve more time, resources and crew members than local relocations, they tend to be more expensive. For homeowners that don't want to break the bank during their interstate move, consider creating a budget early on.
Once you've landed on a budget that best suits you and your needs, you can call around to multiple moving companies in your area to start collecting quotes and see which team offers services that fit your price range, helping you to stick to your budget and goal!
4. Set Aside an "Essentials Bag"
Local moves can typically be completed within one day, but if you're headed across the country, it may take anywhere from 10—21 business days for your movers to get your items to your final destination. Because of this, our experts strongly urge folks to pack a bag of essential items that they'll want access to while waiting for the rest of their shipment to arrive.
While many household items, such as decor, clothing or seasonal items, you can make do without until their arrival, there are plenty more that you'll want to keep in a bag that's by your side from the beginning of the move through the end, such as:
- Medications
- Important Documents
- Change of Clothes
- Phone Charger
- Toiletries
- First Aid Kit
- Snacks and Water
To get where you're headed without any hassle or hiccups, let our team at Foster take the lead on your nationwide relocation. We've been in business since 1941, giving us the expertise needed to complete successful relocations of all shapes and sizes.
As agents of North American Van Lines, we're part of a strong moving network that gives us access to personnel, technology and other resources throughout the nation, helping us relocate customers anywhere with ease and efficiency. Reach out today to learn more, and to receive a free estimate on our long-distance moving services!
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