We have all been there at some point in our lives, making a large relocation. It is a process which can be stressful and daunting. But at 5 Star Moving & Storage, we have an exciting and motivating concept when it comes to this task, and our moving city to city guide will lead you in the right direction with ideas that make a smooth transition from point A to point B and everything in between!
The first step is to CREATE YOUR BUDGET and do your homework on HIRING PROFESSIONAL MOVERS.
You absolutely must have a budget in mind and quotes from moving companies to avoid any unseen future payment issues. Take an honest inventory of your stuff including furniture, large and heavy items, and valuables. If you don’t have the time or energy to do this move yourself and you have a mountain of things to move, your desire for a professional moving company will be top of the list.
Be straight forward with your moving company on what you can afford, where you will be relocating, your time allowance and the importance of the safety of your belongings arriving at their destination. Get referrals, references and quotes before you commit to anything.
A useful chart to use as a guideline for moving city to city and estimating the cost can be found here. You simply punch in where you are moving from and to, the size of your home or apartment, choose from a variety of options such as insurance and packing services, and boom! You have a quick estimate. Of course, this is just a guideline to give you an idea of what you may end up spending, and ultimately you want to get binding quotes from reputable and honest moving companies such as 5 Star Moving & Storage.
If you want to save a bit of money and you have the time, start early by packing up your household items that you don’t need or use at the moment. This is also an excellent opportunity to declutter and get rid of some items you maybe didn’t even know you had and clearly have no use for anymore. Hey, maybe you can even make some money along the way by selling items online or having a garage sale or even giving to charity. Be sure to box and label your items clearly and store them in an area that is out of the way, such as a spot in the closet or garage.
ORGANIZATION is one of the best things you can do for yourself when planning a city to city move or any other move for that matter. Ensure that you cancel current subscriptions, forward mailing addresses, cancel gym memberships, inform clients and friends, get utilities canceled and any medical or school records you may need for the future obtained. If you have children or pets, be sure to make some arrangement before the move that will be easy for everyone involved. Set aside a full day to do all the paperwork and complete tasks to keep your move stress-free on all levels.
So now you are left with the heavy stuff and no idea on how to keep it dent free and scratch free. This is where your professional movers come in. Allow them to do the heavy lifting and packing. They have all the materials and equipment at hand to make a thorough and safe move such as lifts, dollies, blankets, foam, plastic wraps, boxes and more. They will secure and pack your items in air ride vans that support and protect your belongings no matter how far or bumpy the distance is. Be certain to ask questions about the drivers and their credentials, after all, they will be transporting your personal belongings and everything you own.
Keep in mind when researching your quotes that there may end up being some extra charges along the way. Be sure to have a little buffer for some added extras which may include, unforeseen packing material, tips for your movers, moving insurance, perhaps gas costs with the moving company and the time of year can also affect the costs. Summertime tends to be peak season. A good moving company will give you a complete and accurate quote and keep you informed along the way of any unforeseen circumstances. 5 Star Moving & Storage also provides storage units if you cannot move everything at once and discounts for seniors, veterans, and AAA members, so be sure to see if you qualify.
Know your rights when making a big move and check with your local Better Business Bureau on Consumer tips as well as The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration on protecting your move by hiring reputable moving companies, fraud info and your rights. And most importantly, be there to answer questions, ask questions and supervise everything that is going on. After all, getting a fresh start, shouldn’t mean you must start over because things didn’t go as planned.
A quick reference checklist is a must when moving day, and here are some main points to NOT overlook.
- Ask for recommendations and referrals from neighbors on moving companies
- Research reputable moving companies that qualify according to the guidelines and regulations
- Have estimates from at least three moving companies and compare them thoroughly
- Be sure they are an interstate mover
- Insure your belongings and ask about their damage policy
- Know your rights by picking up the handbook, Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move
- Be present on a moving day, read documents thoroughly, give directions to the driver, inspect the inventory process of your goods, take a final look inside of the van and a photo with your phone, stay in contact with your movers till they arrive at the destination.
- On delivery day, do not sign any papers of completion until you are satisfied and have inspected everything and supervised the unpacking process.
- Have FUN! After all, this is a new chapter and a new beginning.
By following these steps, you’ll soon be sitting down, relaxing with a cool drink, and enjoying your new city and home, perhaps a new career or school. Of course, 5 Star Moving & Storage is always just a phone call away. We offer residential moving services, whether you’re going across town or across the country. We can even help with packing! Get in touch for a free quote.