Moving out of state is not something to be taken lightly. There are a lot of things that can go wrong, but many of these things can be avoided with proper planning. To ensure that you have planned and prepared your out-of-state move correctly, you need to use a checklist. There are certain things that you need to include in your checklist to make your move as smooth as possible.
De-clutter Your Home
One of the first steps when moving out of state is to de-clutter your home. Long-distance moves such as interstate moves will cost a lot of money, and one of the factors in the cost will be the number of items you are moving. The less you have to move, the cheaper the move will be, and the easier it will be.
When it comes to de-cluttering, you should start with the items you rarely use. As you consider these items, you need to think about the last time you used them. If you have not used the item in a year, you should get rid of it. The only exception to this will be items of sentimental value.
Create A Budget
After clearing out your home, you need to think about your budget. The American Moving and Storage Associations states that a professional interstate moving company can charge as much as $4,300 for a move. While your costs can be lower, you need to know what you can realistically afford. This will come in handy when it comes to choosing the best moving company. The price will also vary depending on the location, as movers in Little Elm TX are likely to be much more affordable than their peers in Los Angeles, CA, for example.
The budget that you create should not only include the cost of the moving company. You also need to consider additional charges such as storage, temporary accommodation, and insurance. You need to consider what you can realistically afford, because you do not want to break the bank with this move.
Choose A Moving Company
When it comes to finding best movers in USA, it is recommended that you start looking for a moving company three months before the move. These companies are in high demand and will be fully booked during peak times. If you wait too long to choose and book a company, you could find yourself working with a less-reputable moving company.
To start the selection process, look at the reputation of the company. Check that they have a USDOT number and if there are any official complaints against them. Only when this has been done should you get an in-home inspection from them.
In-home inspections are essential with interstate moves. You should not use a moving company that does not do this because you could end up paying much more than you expect. During the inspection, the company will determine the size of the move and if there are any problems such as narrow doorways and a lack of elevators. The estimate you get from the in-home inspection will be more accurate.
Create A Packing Strategy
This is a checklist item that you might not have to worry about depending on the moving company you choose. Some interstate moving companies will insist on packing your items themselves. This is done to protect them from any claims of items being damaged in transit.
If the movers have packed the items, you will generally have better recourse should something be damaged in transit. If you have packed everything, the moving company could claim that the items were damaged because of your poor packing skills. This will make it harder to claim against their insurance and could result in you never getting compensation.
If you are packing everything by yourself, create a strategy for this. You do not want to leave the packing till the last minute. Your strategy should be to move from room to room, starting with the rooms you use the least and ending with the essential areas such as the kitchen. The schedule should also have a timeline for when each room should be completed.
Change Your Address
With packing and getting the best-rated movers organized, you can easily forget about having to change your address with businesses. One of the main address change tasks you need to complete is the change of address form with the United States Postal Service. This will ensure that you get all of your mail even when it is sent to your old address.
You need to make a list of all the businesses you need to change your address with. This should include your bank, the DMV, the IRS, and other online services. Most companies in USA will allow you to change your address online, but you need to verify this.
Transfer Your Utilities
Transferring your utilities needs to be put into motion before your moving date. You will need to have the utilities at your current home switched off on the day before the move. This is the date when the utilities should be turned on at your new property. You do not want to arrive at your new home only to find that you have no electricity or water.
Certain utilities will have to wait until you are in the new home to be turned on. This will include your phone and internet. However, you can start preparing everything beforehand to ensure that you have the shortest possible wait time.
Get Your Medical Records
Medical records are something that most people forget about unless they have a chronic illness. This is something that you need to get when you move to a different state. Having your medical records will make it easier for your new doctor to treat you.
To get your medical records, visit your doctor. They will be able to provide a full current record, but it might not be free. State laws will limit the amount you can be charged, and you need to determine what this is in your state.
There are many tasks that you have to complete for an out-of-state move. Choosing the right moving company is only one item on the list. Having a good checklist will ensure that you do not forget anything and move with greater confidence.
