Today’s lifestyle is mobile and that could mean a cross-country move. Maybe the move is for a job or to get closer to family or maybe retirement is in the picture. It isn’t as simple as having a moving van back up to the house and carry out your belongings. Nor is it just across town. After all, just how much stuff do you really want to move? Advance preparation will ease worries, confusion, stress and financial issues.
Here are the steps in preparing for your cross country move:
- Start by sorting through everything. Have a system. One room could hold boxes and bubble wrap or paper you will need for packing. If you have a hired a moving company, you can get extra boxes and wrapping paper from them. If not, find a source for sturdy even-sized boxes. Ones that copy paper comes in are a great size, usually have hand holds, and you can’t be tempted to put so much stuff in them that it takes a fork lift to move them.
- Another room could be for stuff you know you want to take. Make piles of things you will be using and other piles for those mementos that need to go along but will probably be kept in storage or in boxes for a while. Know which boxes will be important to find first in your new home.
- Label everything. Use permanent markers to label the ends, sides, and top of each box. You don’t know which side will be the easiest to spot, so label everywhere. Give the contents of the box, where it needs to go once you get to your new home, and whether it goes into storage or is to be used now.
- If your moving company is going to pack your china, crystal, and breakables…let them. If you are packing them, be sure to wrap everything in several layers of paper or in bubble wrap. Label these boxes as fragile.
- When you have items that are not going with you, decide if you will have a garage sale or if you will donate them to a charity. Either way, get them out of the house so they do not confuse the packing or take up unnecessary space.
- Know which boxes go with you in your vehicle. Keep in mind some things will be necessary to get your hands on before the cross country movers get there. Pack enough clothes for the length of time you will be on the road then add a couple of days worth to that.
- Talk to your moving company to find out the route the van is taking. Get a tracking number and a phone number for the driver, if possible. Find out the estimated delivery date of your belongings.
- Once everything is packed and loaded, you can hit the road knowing your stuff is on its way.
Source: Ehow.com
