Cross Country Moving Checklist
We understand that cross country moving seems like a challenging and difficult
journey. Now that you have taken the decision to move cross-country, you want to
avoid a disorganized and stressful move at all cost. If this is your desire, then you
need to be prepared. If you haven’t got it all figured out yet, you might want to
start putting in the hard work now. Quality Express Van Lines has put together a
helpful checklist for you.
When it comes to cross-country moves, time is a luxury you do not want to toy
with. You are most likely going to be doing a lot of things on an extremely tight
schedule. You have a lot of belongings to pack. Also, you are working extra hard
to put certain things in place at your destination to ensure a soft-landing for you
and your family. This might include transferring your kid’s school records or
arranging for a storage space to contain your belongings for a while. It is a whole
lot of work to do and this is why you need to stay organized to get ready on time.
To help you in planning and organizing your cross country move, we have
compiled a smart moving checklist which we are happy to share with you. This
will help you to figure out what you need to do months, weeks, days and even
hours to your relocation.
Two Months Ahead of Moving
If you haven’t started already, two months prior to your moving date is a good time
to swing into action. Here are things you need to do:
Figure out a Budget: In order to create a picture of your entire moving expenses,
you need to figure out a budget ahead of time. This will ensure you are not
overspending. You want to budget funds for movers, storage spaces, hotel
reservations and more. Now is the best time to do that.
Create a Move File or Moving Binder: Now that you already know that you will be
incurring some expenses, you want to keep track. You also want to organize your
to-do lists and keep it within reach. This is the essence of a moving binder. With
this, you can keep all your receipts in a place and reach out to them when needed.
Research and Approach Moving Companies: Arriving on this page means you are
already taking a step in the right direction. Congratulations! You need a reputable
and licensed mover who is authorised to move in and out of your destination. Also,
you need to check if they have the right insurance cover for you. The good news is
that you won’t have to do all that hard work as Quality Express Van has it all
figured out. When you contact us, we will be able to provide you with an
appropriate quote and an in-home estimate for a moving service well-tailored to
your need.
Sort Your Belongings: You might want to do away with some items, especially
because you can cut down your moving expenses by doing so. Sort your
belongings into different piles and mark the ones you intend to keep, donate, sell or
dispose.
Begin the search for a House: This is the best time for you to figure out where you
will be staying at your new destination. Research the neighbourhood and contact a
few real estate companies for directions.
A Month to Moving
Now that you have activated your moving plans, it is time to move a bit faster and
put some more key things in place. One of the things to do at this point is to
arrange sitters for your kids and pets so they don’t get in the way and probably get
injured on the move day.
Take an Inventory: A home inventory is necessary for organization. It will also
help in keeping up with the belongings you wish to keep as previously sorted.
There are a few mobile apps with the functionality to take pictures of your
belongings and tag them. You might want to try out an inventory management app
like Sortly. In addition, an inventory could help facilitate insurance claims.
Book a Cross-country Mover: By now, you should have decided for a mover out of
the several options presented by our team. After making a decision, this is the best
time to book and schedule your move. If you are still having difficulties with
booking a reputable mover, contact us without wasting more time. We are long
distance movers with years of experience in the moving industry.
Begin the Packing Process: The clock is ticking fast and everything is just working
out as planned. A month to your move is neither too early or late to kickstart your
packing. Purchase your moving supplies if you haven’t done that and start boxing
up your things. Move from a room to the next and get your pieces of stuff together.
While at this, ensure to label each box for easy identification and unpacking.
Time to Inform your Landlord: While some may choose to inform their landlords
earlier, giving a month notice should be sufficient. If you are yet to inform the
owner of your rented space, you should do that right away.
Three Weeks to Moving
Yippie! It is 21 days to your move and now that everything seems to be working to
plan, there are still a few things to do:
Visit Your General Practitioner: Do you have a medical condition and have been
placed on certain medications? You want to ensure a smooth transition of your
medical records and enough supply of medications. A few weeks to your move
date is the right time to visit your doctor for an extra supply of meds to last you till
you find a new doctor.
See a Vet: If you have furry companions, you want to ensure they are in good
health during after your move. Take them to your vet for a check-up and ask for a
refill of any medication your pet takes. Tell your vet about your plan and they will
be able to offer appropriate advice. You should also get your pet’s medical records
at this point.
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Organize a Yard Sale: Remember those items you sorted a few weeks ago and
tagged “sell”? Now is the right time to bring them out and do the actual selling.
You can do a sale via online platforms like eBay or letgo. If you have any item left,
you might want to donate them to charity.
Two Weeks Ahead of Move Date
Change Your Address with the United States Postal Service: You do not want your
mails to get into the wrong hands. You should avoid that by filing for a change of
address with the USPS. In addition, notify your bank, insurance company and
others about the change. In addition, you should consider cancelling your
newspaper delivery service and change the address of any service you are
subscribed to.
Transfer or Stop Your Utility Service: Scheduling a utilities “stop service” is
necessary if you do not want to get billed for another person’s consumption.
Utilities in this sense apply to internet, gas, water, electricity and so on.
Transferring your accounts to your new address might be the better option if you
are moving locally.
A Week Ahead of Move Date
Take Your Car for Checks and Servicing: This is necessary if you will be driving
to your new location. You need to ensure your car is in good shape ahead of the
trip.
Return All Borrowed Items: This includes library books. You should also retrieve
any item you have lent others at this time.
Check up on your mover: If you deal with a reputable broker like Quality Express
Van Lines, you may not have to do this. Our Cross Country movers will call you to
confirm your details including the move date.
Finish Packing: To avoid a last-minute rush and to ease unpacking at your new
location, conclude every packing a week before your move. You should also set an
essentials box aside to be kept within reach.
Two Days Ahead of Move Date
Withdraw Enough Cash: You will need some cash to pay the movers and also
cover some miscellaneous.
Prepare Your Appliances and Equipment: Empty and defrost your freezer and
refrigerator Disconnect your washing machine and dishwasher from the power
source and water lines. Ensure you clean up and dry them out. If applicable, drain
equipment of oil and gas.
Clean-Up: Dispose of any trash and clean your apartment. In some instances, you
need to do this if you want to claim any deposit you have made.
Check up on your Travel Agent or Transport Company: If you earlier made
reservations for your move, confirm your reservations. Make changes if necessary.
The Moving Day
Here comes the D-day and everyone is excited. You have put in a lot of work over
the last 2 months to arrive here. You do not want last-minute contingencies to ruin
your weeks of hard work. Prior to the arrival of the movers, drop off your kids and
pet with pre-arranged sitters for safeguarding. Other steps you need to take are
listed below:
Drop a Note For the Next Occupant: Leave your contact information for the next
occupants for stray mails and left behind items to be sent to you. You should also
leave the same information with a family or friend so they could reach you in case
of an emergency.
Verify Your Movers and Sign the Bill of Lading After Loading: When your
movers finally arrive, check their identity and ensure it matches the details on your
estimate and confirmation. You will be presented with an inventory after loading,
check if it matches your inventory and signs the bill of lading.
Last-Minute Checks: Inspect every room and cabinet to ensure you are not leaving
any valuable item behind. You should also check your utility readings and take
note. Finally, turn over the keys.
With this checklist, we are confident that your next cross-country move will be
hassle-free. We can make the experience more enjoyable for you with an array of
verified cross-country movers in our network. Contact Quality Express Van Lines
and request free quotes for your upcoming cross-country move.