It is said that moving is the third most stressful event in life, behind only divorce and death. Interstate moving is extra stressful for movers. Long distance moves often require the need to hire interstate moving companies to provide vehicles and equipment. But interstate moving does not have to be so difficult and nerve wracking. When dealing with interstate movers and packers, here is some advice that can help make the process simple, easy and stress free for everyone involved.
1. Have a Packing Plan
Once it is decided that you are going to make the move across state lines, you should start planning how to pack everything. Start collecting cardboard boxes and organizing all your belongings. Loading everything as efficiently as possible will save space and time. Packing is like a game of Tetris, leaving open spaces in between the blocks is going to lead to failure!
2. Figure Out What Can Be Left Behind
Some interstate movers and packers do not transport all types of items. Things such as pets, cleaning chemicals, liquids and foods, or hazardous materials are often not transportable by professional companies. Make sure you figure out what has to be transported in your own vehicles, or left behind, before the moving company arrives.
3. Storage
If you are going to be leaving some items behind, it is important to figure out what is going to happen to those items. Make arrangements to have important untransportable goods put into in a storage facility or left behind at a the house of a friend or family member. If you do not plan on storing extra possessions, make sure they are properly disposed of before moving day.
4. Label Boxes!
Labeling boxes during the packing stage will save everyone a huge headache. Labeling box contents and where they should be stored upon arrival will make life a lot easier for the moving company. Marking damageable items as fragile will also save you a lot of potential heartbreak.
5. Make a Budget
Before hiring a professional moving company, make sure you know how much you can spend. This may determine exactly how much you can bring or how much help you will get. Professional interstate movers and packers can be used at almost any stage of the moving process, but at a cost. Getting friends and family to help with packing, loading and unloading can save on labor costs. Maximizing space usage will also cut down on the size or number of vehicles you will have to rent.