You probably heard that long distance relocation can be a tiresome and long process, but don’t let that stop you from embarking on a new adventure. When you know how to move efficiently, you will be able to organize every step of the way, while successfully avoiding the most common mistakes.
When you know the answers to questions like When should you start packing to move, and How to sort your belongings, you will have your priorities in check, and that will speed up the process. To help you be even faster and more efficient, take a look at the list of useful tips and tricks we created for your big relocation day.
Moving state to state will be ten times faster if you are organized. That’s why you need to create a to-do list with all the essential chores long before you get to the point of sending your stuff off to a new home. Write down every task, from hiring cross country moving professionals to obtaining proper supplies.
Are you wondering how do you move efficiently with the help of a checklist? Easily, the list keeps you from forgetting important things, and at the same time, it reminds you not to procrastinate.
A large section of your checklist should be about packing. Go from one room to another and write down how many supplies you will need to box everything up. Note if you have some bulky furniture that needs disassembling or some fragile valuables that require extra protection.
Boxing up your entire life seems a scary and almost impossible task, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be. Even though there are some tasks during the interstate relocation process you can do on your own, hiring a long-distance moving company is the way to go if you want to make everything run smoothly.
Experienced state to state movers will know what kind of equipment and materials to bring and wrap around your belongings, so you don’t have to lift a finger. They will disassemble bulky furniture and hoist those objects that can’t fit through the door. However, if you’re afraid that you will fall victim to relocation scams, research long-distance movers until you find those that seem reputable and trustworthy.
When you Google “long distance movers near me“, you will probably see that there are more than a few companies in the vicinity. The lack of options is not the problem, figuring out how to choose a moving company should be your main concern.
Go online and read through the reviews people left about their experience with movers, this is where the websites like Yelp come in handy. When you narrow down your search, contact selected companies, and ask for a free quote. Keep in mind that picking professionals with the lowest quote doesn’t mean you will save up. Those companies tend to have plenty of hidden costs that will make the whole process more expensive than you thought it would be.
When you finally pick reputable relocation professionals to help you move across the country, consider taking advantage of their additional services. Do you have a vehicle that you want to take to your new home? Use the car shipping service professionals offer and let the movers handle your precious four-wheeler and transport it to your new home.
Also, if you caved and decided to move to a smaller home, you might need a place to keep stuff that can’t fit in your new residence. Ask the movers about their storage service, and leave your belongings in their safe facilities instead of postponing your move until you find the place for the extra stuff.
Relocating from one place to another with a lot of furniture won’t be fast nor efficient. That’s why you should get rid of things you don’t need long before you start boxing up the belongings. Go from one area to another, check to see if you have double objects, those that you never use or broken ones, and start sorting them. Make three piles:
When you are done sorting through stuff, you may wonder, “Where can I donate clothes for the homeless?” Those things that are still in good condition can be donated to one of many charities like Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity. By giving away extra belongings, you are not only lowering your overall relocation costs, but you’re also helping out people in need.
Furthermore, if there are some items charities won’t take, you can collect them and organize a garage sale. Let the neighbors know when you are planning to do it, and you will easily have a successful garage sale. This way, not only will you get rid of extra stuff, but you will earn some money.
If you’re aiming for efficient relocation, getting various boxes and other materials is a must. When decluttering is done, you’ll probably be able to tell just how many boxes of different sizes and other common supplies you should obtain. Remember, always buy a bit more than you think you need. You can easily return or give away extra materials while running out of them in the middle of packing can slow down the whole process.
When you’re looking for the cheapest way to move out of state, getting free supplies is kind of mandatory. Stop by local liquor stores and check if they have some materials to give you. Since they usually work with glass, their containers tend to be ticker, and you can use them to box up fragile items. Also, call friends and ask if they have some materials to give you.
The packing process would go much smoother if you organize your items. Depending on the amount of stuff you have, you can go two ways – sorting by rooms or sorting by categories. If you want to up your packing game, consider doing both. Each room can be a category on its own, but you can make piles of similar items within it. For example, if you are relocating during winter, leave warm clothes for the end, and first pack shirts, flip flops, and hats. However, if you are relocating during summer, heavy coats, scarves, and boots should be sorted and packed as soon as possible.
Create order in the chaos that is a house filled with boxes. Every time when you seal the box, label it. That way, you will always know which box belongs to which area. You can use color-coding while marking your crates. Just apply colored duct tapes or markers on the visible spots, and you won’t have a problem unpacking in your new home.
If you want to take your organization skills a step further, mix color coding with a number system. As you are putting items in the container, write them down in a Google document, and then assign a number to the box. This way, the color will tell you the area your containers are going in, and the numbers will show you what items are exactly in it. The mix of two labeling techniques will shorten your unpacking time. You won’t have to dig through all kitchen containers looking for a corkscrew; you will know exactly where it is.
Moving interstate means you will basically have to pack up everything you own and transport it to the other state. All of that work can be overwhelming for just one person, and it can cause moving stress.
Being at the end of the rope won’t be good for your health, and that’s why you should share your chores with friends and family. They can lend you a helping hand when it comes to packing, loading the truck, and even lifting some heavier boxes.
Get as many hands on deck as possible, and the move will be stress-free and efficient. Additionally, having friends and family around you while preparing for the relocation can be a perfect way of saying goodbye.
While organizing everything, you may forget to pack the bag of essentials for the first night in your new home. Since you probably won’t unpack everything when you get there, being prepared will save you the trouble of digging through things and looking for bedsheets or toothbrushes.
Pack chargers and documents and carry them with you, but also, a change of clothes, toiletries, and towels. All of these will make your first night in the new place more enjoyable.
When all the boxes are loaded onto the truck, all that’s left is cleaning the old place. To make the whole process faster, set aside mop, sponges, old rags, plastic bags, and cleaning products. When all the stuff is gone, you will be able to reach the surfaces you couldn’t before.
If you don’t have cleaning supplies, you can DIY some out of the everyday items in your kitchen. For example, Coke can clean the toilet, just pour it, and let it sit for an hour and flush. You can also pour lemonade kool-aid in the dishwasher to clean it, and you can spray vodka on mattresses to kill funky odors.
During the whole relocation process, there are so many things you have to do, that’s why all kinds of tips and tricks are greatly appreciated. If you have a lot of tiny screws and brackets, keys, and other small, commonly forgotten items, get Ziploc bags to store and transport them. Also, if you have a big fridge in your old place, start defrosting if a few days before the relocation, that way, you will be able to clean it properly without rushing. Which brings us to the next piece of advice – stop buying groceries at least five days before you have to leave your old location.
Finally, when you unload all of your stuff, the first you should do is make a bed. That way, no matter how much work you have to do, you will at least know that you will fall asleep on clean bedsheets. Furthermore, if you apply all of these tips, your relocation will go smoothly, and it won’t tire you out completely. You might still be in the mood to order some food, kick back, and finally relax in your new crib.
