Long distance moving is different than moving across town. After all, if you forget something, you can’t just run back to your old house to take care of it or to retrieve an item that didn’t get packed. You need to get everything right the first time.

Long Distance Moving Checklist

Moving long distance doesn’t have to be stressful. It does, however, require a little more advance planning than when you’re moving around the corner. Below are just a few items you’ll want to include on your long distance moving checklist.

1. Decide what items you’re moving. If you’ve lived in your current home for more than a couple of years, you’ve likely accumulated things that you no longer use or want. Moving is a great time to get rid of those items. You don’t want to pay to move things you never use. Start this process as early as possible.
2. Get your packing supplies in order. You’ll also want to get an early start by getting your boxes, packing material and shipping tape together. You don’t want to have to stop packing because you’ve run out of boxes. Most big box home improvement stores and office supply stores sell boxes and packing material.
3. Use up perishable items. Another item to have on your long distance moving checklist is to use up those perishable items and items that can’t be moved to your new house. That includes frozen food, household cleaners, paint and bug sprays.
4. Make sure all of your furniture will fit. If you have large furniture pieces, it’s a good idea to get the measurements of your doorways in the new house to make sure that your big furniture will both fit in the house and fit through the doorways. You don’t want to get all the way across the country only to find that you can’t get your sofa or your piano in the door.
5. Start packing. Packing belongs on any long distance moving checklist and it’s never too early to start packing your possessions for your move. Minimize the inconvenience by packing those items first that you use less frequently, such as holiday decorations and seasonal clothes. Label the boxes as you go along, so you’ll know which room they belong in when you arrive at your new home.
6. Change your address. Another important item for your long distance moving checklist is to change your address with the post office and other companies which whom you do business. This includes your bank(s), you brokerage, your insurance company, your credit card company, among others.
7. Confirm arrangements with the moving company. Your long distance moving checklist should also include a call to your moving company a few days before the move to confirm the details of the move (times, places, cost, etc.) You’ll also want to make arrangements to pay your moving company and to have enough cash to tip the movers (10 to 15 percent of the total cost is a fair tip.)
8. Contact utility companies. You’ll want to make sure that you have lights, heat and water when you arrive at your new home. In addition, your long distance moving checklist should include making arrangements for your the utilities in your existing home to be disconnected or transferred into the new owner’s name.

Moving with Red Ball

To learn more about creating a long distance moving checklist, contact Red Ball at 800 733-8139 for a free quote. We have been helping people like you move across the state or across the country since 1919. We operate in all 50 states and are adept at offering quality service at an affordable price.