Preparing for a Long-Distance Move
Moving long distance is undeniably a major undertaking. Fortunately, help does exist. A trusted premier relocation service can simplify a large part of the process and alleviate some of the stress you may feel building up as the time of your move gets closer. Consider It Moved, works with you to create a seamless transition into your new home. We understand that moving is quite personal and that each move comes with its own set of circumstances. We take the time to understand you as an individual and what you have going on in your life leading up to this big change. When we know what moves you, we can more easily move your belongings in a way that has moving and navigating this big change easier for you.
Most moves, especially long-distance moves, are accompanied by other major changes taking place, and we believe that is important to take care of yourself during this time of change. Having experts handle the logistics is a much more efficient and effective use of your time and resources. We truly believe that your experience moving residences can be one that has your belongings seamlessly moved into your new home while you spend time focusing on all that you have going on in your life.
If your resources don’t allow, or you are set on doing everything yourself, there are a lot of moving pieces to consider, so here are some things to keep in mind to make your move easier.
Declutter and Organize Ahead of Moving Day
We like to call this phase “prep and purge”. It doesn’t make sense to move things that you no longer need. You will spend both time and money packing them up and unpacking them again in your new space. Now is the time for a fresh start and an opportunity to create a new home that you love.
It’s a good idea to plan for this undertaking. We recommend working your way through your home and separating items into the following categories:
Move
Donate
Sell
Store
Toss/Recycle
How set this up to be successful:
Set aside some dedicated time. It’s best to schedule this on your calendar to make sure that it happens. If you can coordinate with family members to work on their sections at the same time, even better - it becomes more fun to make a day of it. Be sure to include small celebrations along the way like ordering in a favorite lunch and taking a break together. When you take real breaks, you will find you have a larger capacity to focus when it’s time to focus.
Call donation places in advance. Donation places may only accept specific items. Make some calls before you begin, to figure out who takes what. Some places will take household goods but not books. Other places will not take electronics. Every vendor is different so have a plan in place before you start so that you can separate items for where they need to go.
Gather supplies. Helpful items include:
Boxes & Tape
Trash Bags
Sharpies
Post-it notes
Get help. Going through your items can be a lot of work both physically and emotionally, so be sure you have some support in place. Consider it Moved assists with this and clients tell us how helpful it is to have someone working with them on this part of the process. There is a reason that things are in the back of your closet - often it’s because you don’t want to see them. Or sometimes, you dig up things you have forgotten about like an old photo album and get sidetracked looking through the pictures. People who are not as emotionally connected to your belongings can help keep the process on track.
At Consider It Moved, we help with sorting, donating, and arranging for the sale of your items. Once you have completed the prep and purge and you have selected all the items that will be moving with you, it’s a good idea to do the following:
Create an Inventory List
A luxury moving company can work with you to create an inventory of your possessions so that everything is accounted for and arrives safely to your new destination. This list is also the key to having an organized packing plan and will make the setup of your new place go faster so you can settle in seamlessly. An inventory list is also necessary if you have items that will be sorted to go to a second location such as storage or second home.
Hire Trusted and Vetted Professionals
With many miles of highway between where you are now and your new space, you need a quality packing job to help cushion shifting weight from the bumps and curves along the way. It’s important to remember that if you pack your own boxes, the movers are not responsible for any damaged items. Professional movers are trained to properly pack your items and it’s a great time to step back and let them do their job. If you have art or antiques be sure to let the movers know and make sure it’s something that they can handle. Often times they don’t realize what items are valuable unless you point them out. Particularly fragile items should be crated for a long-distance move and fine art should be handled by an art mover rather than a long-haul company. Consider It Moved helps clients by bringing in trusted and vetted movers who will price jobs fairly and take excellent care of your items. We oversee all aspects of the move from pre-move to packing and unpacking and organizing so that you don’t have to worry about the details.
Clearly Label All Boxes
While packing, all boxes should be labeled with a description of the contents and the final room destination at your new location. At Consider it Moved, we like to make it a best practice to look in every box before it’s taped up to make sure that contents going to different rooms are not mixed together. This will be a tremendous help to you, the movers, and anyone else unpacking when you arrive at your new destination.
Don’t Skimp on Insurance
Even when you have the best relocation company handling your move, there is always a risk of breakage during transport. Prepare yourself for any situation by getting the appropriate amount of coverage for your belongings. If you aren’t sure about the right amount of coverage, consult with your insurance broker about the types of policies available. Movers will always ask if you would like insurance and you should know in advance if you’d like to accept their coverage. It’s a good idea to check your homeowner’s policy to see if your items are covered there as the insurance you purchase through a mover is often minimal.
Keep Valuables and Important Documents with You
Even with the most trusted movers, it’s good to keep important documents and valuables with you. Hang onto the following:
Passports
Birth Certificates
Banking information
Jewelry
Cash
Pack a Bag
Unpacking and setting up your new place takes a bit of time and you don’t want to go that long without essentials. You or your team of experts will need a few days to unpack, so even if you plan to live in your space before everything is unboxed, you’ll want easy access to the things you use regularly. Pack a suitcase as if you were going to be out of town.
Include the following:
Clothing
Toiletries
Medications
Gym clothing
Bedding
Toilet paper
Water bottle
A favorite pillow or other sleeping comforts
Entertainment items like a tablet or laptop
Move Children and Pets Out First and In Last
Kids and pets can feel overwhelmed during a transition time (just like adults!) It will be a bit chaotic while your home is being both packed and unpacked and this is often unsettling and upsetting to them. They will need your attention and if you know that you will not have undivided time to spend with them, it’s best to make other arrangements for them while you are focused on the task at hand.
At Consider it Moved, we recommend that you spend time doing something fun with them while we get your home both packed up and set up. However, if you are doing it yourself, you will want to arrange a playdate or have someone who can watch them off-site at least for a good portion of the day. Consider having a familiar friend or babysitter on these days to help during this potentially stressful time. This allows for a calmer move experience that will help children and pets transition to their new surroundings without the trauma of strangers and boxes everywhere. Hiring a luxury moving specialist like Consider It Moved takes the busywork out of the equation for you giving you time to be present which will ease the transition for all members of your family.
Do Research on Your New Area
There is always an adjustment period involved in a long-distance move and in addition to setting up your new house, there are other things that you can do to make your new location feel like home. Before you move, research places like restaurants, parks, playgrounds, gyms, kids’ clubs and schools. Check to see if your new area has a neighborhood association which can help you meet people. There are clubs to join in most towns – book clubs, dining clubs, running clubs – and many other types of social organizations. Once you find your new favorite market, restaurant, coffee shop, or whatever is important to you and your family, you’ll be on your way to feeling at home!
Spending the time to get acquainted with your new city will help ease the transition and bring excitement to the adventure ahead. Consider It Moved’s personalized concierge services can also help you find resources in your new area allowing you to get settled more quickly.
NYC Long-Distance Move Specialists
Consider It Moved provides premier long-distance move services. We take care of all phases of your upcoming relocation, including planning, vendor management, packing, organization, unpacking, organizing home staging, and so much more.
Our company handles all the logistics of your move so that you can focus on what moves you. With more than 20 years of white glove luxury moving experience, we are able to anticipate every need that may arise. Contact us today at (646) 693-6616 to begin your move preparation and learn how we can make your move a pleasure.