Moving is never an easy task, but when you are moving far from your home, this job can be particularly stressful. As long-distance movers, we have a few tips that will help make your move out and move in a little bit easier.
1. Start Packing Early
As you as you know you’ll be moving, get the packing process started. Grab some boxes and start packing up any non-essential items. Start packing cooking equipment you don’t often use, out-of-season clothing, knickknacks and photographs. Anything you don’t absolutely need can be packed early on, so get started and pack a few boxes every day.
2. Color Code Your Moving Boxes
Grab a pack of multi-colored permanent markers and color-code all of your boxes. This will make it easier for you and your long-distance movers when they reach your new home. For instance, you might use a red marker for everything kitchen-related, while you use a blue marker for the master bedroom.
Once you reach your new home, put up a sign by each door indicating the color code so that movers know where everything goes. Even if a box or two ends up in the wrong place, it will be easy for you to see, just by looking at the ink color, where that box should be. There are also color-coding packing tapes that list the rooms where boxes should go, so consider searching for these helpful items, as well.
3. Describe The Contents
While color coding can ensure that your boxes end up in the right rooms, providing a brief description of the contents will be helpful as you unpack allowing you to begin unpacking essential items first. If you really want to get organized, number your boxes and write down the contents on a separate piece of paper or on a spreadsheet on your computer.
4. Save Money With Used Boxes
People constantly are giving away free boxes and packing materials on social media sites, such as Facebook. Join a local online Facebook garage sale group or look on sites such as Offer Up and Let Go to see if people have used packing materials. Boxes and packing paper is expensive and this can save you’re a bundle. Even if you buy new boxes, bubble wrap and packing paper, shop around for the best deals and buy items that are on sale.
5. Use Creative Packing Materials
If you are packing fragile items, consider using tablecloths, towels, sheets and pillowcases to help keep these items safe. This can reduce the amount of packing materials you use and save some money. While this won’t be practical for all of your fragile items, it could be a good way to pack some odds and ends.
6. Make A Donation Pile
Moving is the perfect time to start decluttering your life. Designate some of your boxes as donation boxes and place anything you don’t use in these boxes. Call a local charity and have them send a truck to pick up the boxes as well as any furnishings you don’t want to keep. Long-distance movers partially fix their charges based upon the amount of stuff you intend to move, so moving less can translate into paying less for your move. As a side note, you also might consider selling some of your items online. After all, why not make a little extra cash and use it to pay your long-distance movers.
7. Set Personal Items Aside
Pack several suitcases with clothes, toiletries, medicines, extra phone chargers, personal documents and other items that you need to keep with you during your drive to the new place. It’s wise to bring enough clothing to last you for a few days after you move into your new home, so that you don’t have to worry about unpacking more clothing and toiletries in those first few days after the move.
It might seem obvious to pack these items, but our real tip is to put these items in your car on moving day before your long-distance movers arrive. Otherwise, it’s possible that these items will end up packed in your moving truck. Either put them in a pile with clear signage that these items are not to be moved, or place them in the trunk of your car.
If you need long-distance movers, the team at Move 4 Less is here to help. We have been helping people with local and long-distance moves for more than 20 years. To get a moving quote, go to our homepage and fill out our Get A Free Quote form, and we will get back to you shortly with a cost estimate.
