5 Mover Tips for Every Big-Time Move Across Country

Moving is complicated at the best of times. Moving across a few states or from coast to coast presents difficulties more serious than a local move. We want to address this seriousness along with finding solutions to five potential problems.

1. Lighten as Much of The Load As You Can

Most moving companies charge by the weight of the load. You’re already giving away or donating to Goodwill what you can. Consider donating furnishings and buying replacements when you get to the new house.

There are apps on which you can sell your furnishings to make a little extra money. This will make the moving van will be lighter, thus cheaper, and you’ll have a chance to make your new house (you bought while looking for Boulder Colorado homes for sale) look like something Chip and Joanna Gaines would do.

2. Record the Condition of Your Belongings Before and After

Sometimes moving companies log two moves on one truck. The other family’s belongings could shift on the truck, which could damage your belongings. Here’s an extra tip for packing your belongings.

Because some moving companies log two moves on one truck, it makes sense to label your boxes accordingly. Label each box with your name and new address. Then list what’s inside the box. Log each box on your master moving log. That way, if a box goes missing, the moving company can contact the other client, get the box(es) back, and forward them to you at your new address.

Take pictures of the items in each box. Take pictures of the sealed, numbered, and labeled boxes. Take pictures of the boxes when they’re loaded on the truck. This will give both you and the moving company a pictorial record in case something goes missing or is damaged during the move.

3. Think Carefully About Moving Insurance

Every moving company offers moving insurance. The snag to that is that while the insurance does indeed cover your belongings, it safeguards the moving company from being sued if your belongings are damaged. Belongings that are actually on the truck are protected, but not belongings on the way to or from the truck.

The smartest thing to do would be to use a third-party insurance company. Their rider will protect you, not the moving company. This is where those pictures we discussed above will come in handy. A third-party insurance company has no interest in anything but not paying out on damages. It might not be cheaper, but it will be way fairer.

4. Transportation

You could fly to the new city and have your car transported there. You could drive to the new city with your most important belongings in the car with you. That would be your important papers, medicines, precious belongings, and your emergency box.

Since you’ll be in your new city before the moving truck, it makes sense to pack the car with a few days’ worth of clothing, personal grooming items, any pet items like pet beds, grooming items, and food. Don’t forget to pack enough food and water to get you and the family through the trip.

5. Contact Information

There will be times when you’ll want to know where your moving truck is, and how long it will be before it arrives in your new city. The moving company will have contact information on the drivers. They will be happy to find out what you want to know.

It’s a good idea, though, to have that email or phone number yourself. It gives you a better sense of security knowing where your belongings are along the route. Remember to tip your drivers upon unloading the truck.