10 Tips for Planning a Long-Distance Move

1. Create an Inventory of What You Own

Make a list of all the furniture, appliances, clothes, and other items you own. It's easier to tell what you have if it's consolidated into an inventory list, versus trying to remember everything that's sprawled throughout your home.

2. Decide What to Keep vs. What to Get Rid Of

Go through your inventory list and determine what items are necessary to keep, compared with the items you're willing to part with. Consider how much room you will have in your new living space to avoid overcrowding your new home.

3. Declutter Unwanted Items

Get rid of the things you no longer need by:

• Giving unwanted items away to friends or family members
• Listing items for sale online
• Having a garage sale
• Donating to thrift stores or organizations in your area
• Recycling worn or damaged items

4. Organize Your Belongings Before Packing

When you're ready to pack everything, it's helpful to group similar items that belong in the same room together before you begin putting anything into boxes.

5. Pack Your Boxes Carefully

When packing your belongings, be sure to use plenty of packing supplies like paper, packing peanuts, or air cushions to protect your items. Fill each of your boxes completely, as any empty space can cause items to shift during the move and increase the risk of damage. If you need help getting your current home all packed up, consider professional packing services.

6. Label Your Moving Boxes

Take the time to label all of your boxes clearly with your name and phone number to ensure all of your boxes are dropped off at the correct location. You can also number your boxes and label them with the room it belongs in to help your movers unload and place your belongings into the correct locations of your new home.

7. Create a Moving Checklist

Now that all of your things are packed up, make another list to keep track of all your boxes. You can add on to your original inventory list to note which items were packed together, their box number or label, and which room in your new home they belong in. Keep this checklist handy and reference it after your moving truck arrives at its destination to make sure all of your boxes are accounted for.

8. Hire the Right Moving Company

To make sure all of your belongings arrive safely and in perfect condition, it's important to hire the right moving company for the job. Research, request estimates and compare a few moving companies before you make your decision. At this point, it's also important to consider purchasing moving insurance for extra protection on all of your items.

9. Decide How to Move Any Vehicles

Depending on the distance of your out-of-state move, you may want to simply drive your vehicle(s) to the new location. Or, if it's considerably long-distance, you may want to ship your vehicle(s) to your new home and make other arrangements to travel by air or rail.

10. Plan Around the Delivery Window

Your moving company will quote you an estimated delivery window for your truck to arrive at your new home. Remember that you might arrive much sooner than your moving truck, so be sure to bring any personal necessities with you and make a plan to sleep on an air mattress or check out local restaurants for meals while you wait for the rest of your belongings to arrive.

How CT Moving and Storage Can Help

At CT Moving and Storage, we pride ourselves on taking the best care of you and your belongings during your move. Contact us today to learn how we can simplify the moving process and assist you on your out-of-state move from start to finish.