Relocating across the country can be an exciting yet stressful experience. And if you are in thinking about relocating you probably want to know how to prepare for a move so this process can be less stressful. Follow our guide and see how to get ready to move.
First things first – you will need a detailed plan of the move, including budget, timeline, and all the packing preparations (such as downsizing and decluttering). With a good plan, we can guarantee that this whole process will be much easier, faster, and, most importantly, without any unnecessary stress. Here is what you need to do.
Preparing to move means you need to be well organized and good at planning, but even if organization is not your stronger side, our guide is here to help you get everything in order. Start by making a rough timeline of the move. Buy a binder and start writing down all the things you need to do before relocating to another state. In this binder, you will keep everything regarding the relocation, from budget to contracts with an auto transport company.
The next step is to create a relocation timeline and here is what it should look like.
| Date | Task | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 8 weeks before the move | Research moving companies | Get quotes, check reviews, and book a moving company |
| 7 weeks before the move | Find a real estate agent or contact the landlord | Arrange the buying and selling of the house |
| 6 weeks before the move | Sort and declutter | Go through belongings, donate or sell items you don’t need |
| 5 weeks before the move | Start packing non-essential items | Pack items you won’t need immediately, label boxes |
| 4 weeks before the move | Notify change of address | Update address with USPS, banks, utilities, and subscriptions |
| 2 weeks before the move | Pack essentials and valuables | Pack items you'll need immediately and keep valuables separate |
| 1 week before the move | Final packing and cleaning | Complete packing, clean current home |
Once that you have made a timeline, it is time to make the budget. Here is where you will predict all the expenditures you will have when relocating to a new state, from finding and hiring movers to arranging car shipping. Luckily, most relocation costs will be well known once you ask for quotes from movers, but you will have to do research to see how much money you will have to set aside.
Also, research the cost of living in a new city and calculate how much money you will need on a monthly basis. Then multiply this number by three, so you are covered for at least three months. This is especially important if you are relocating without a job. Go on the website Numbeo, find the city of choice, and see how much money you will need for rent, food, utilities, and other expenses.
Whether you decide to do a DIY relocation or hire a company to do the job for you, you will have to set aside money for this purpose. On average, you will need somewhere between $1,500 and $7,000, depending on the services you choose, destination, and amount of items you plan to bring. For people who are relocating alone, especially if they are in their 20s, relocating without professional help is probably the best option. All you need to invest in is a couple of six-packs and large pizzas, and your buddies will pack you in no time.
However, for people who are relocating their entire household and are moving with kids, hiring professional moving services is probably the most cost-effective option. Furthermore, even with professional services, people can choose less or more expensive options. For example, most companies will offer partial and full packing services, which means you don’t need to hire movers to pack the entire house, only some items like fragiles or furniture.
Also if you have more family cars, you can use the open trailer option and ship all the vehicles at once. On the other hand, if you have luxurious vehicles, like some oldtimers, you can use an enclosed auto transport option that will cost more, but the vehicle will shipped in the safest way. So, it all depends on your needs and circumstances, and a trustworthy company will have a ready solution for every possibility.
So, when you have in mind what kind of services you need, it is time to find the company to relocate you. Ask friends and family members if they moved recently to give you recommendations. Do online research, too, and see what company can provide you with all the services you need.
For example, if you need a car shipping company, find one that can provide you with all the options, from moving and packing services to door-to-door auto transport and terminal-to-terminal car shipping. For instance, if you hire USA Auto Transport, you will get the whole package and all the services you need, including storage.
When talking about how to prepare for moving, packing would be one of the most time- and energy-consuming parts. But still, it is something that needs to be done if you decide not to hire professional help. If you are ready to do this job alone, here are a couple of tips that can help you make this process much easier and more efficient.
To ensure that you don’t overdo it and that you have enough time to finish everything, make sure you start packing early. This means you start with decluttering and downsizing a couple of weeks before the moving date. This way, you will have time to even organize a garage sale and to earn money on the unwanted items.
The second step is to go through belongings and get rid of all the items you don’t need anymore. This is a great opportunity to finally get all the junk away and start afresh with new and modern items. Get rid of all the items you don’t like and that have not been in use for more than two years. And, while you are decluttering, go through documents and organize them as well. Also, now is a good time to make an inventory list of all the items you plan to bring with you.
This may sound like too much and you probably think cardboard boxes from a local store are all you need. And this is true, in a way. However, if you want to make packing easier, investing in good quality materials will pay off. For example, if you buy containers specialized for wine glasses, you will spend less time packing and protecting those glasses. Here is what you need to get:
When you start packing, the best is to start with the items you don’t use at the moment. For example, if you are moving in winter, pack summer clothes first and vice versa. Also, start with the room you don’t use that often and pack that room first. Then, go one room at a time and pack all the items you will not need in the next couple of weeks. The week before the relocation day, you will have to pack the remaining items from each room.
Another important part of good packing and even better unpacking is to label everything. Once you are at the destination, everything will be chaotic. The boxes will be everywhere and if they are not labeled correctly, you will have a hard time finding anything. So, when you start packing, follow the inventory list and label everything correctly.
Aside from packing and all the relocation logistics, it’s crucial to organize administrative issues before the move. First you will have to sell your house and house hunt in a new city. This is probably the most crucial part. If you are planning to sell and buy a new property, it would be good to start with this process as soon as you decide to relocate, especially if you plan to sell a house without an agent. If you are renting, you will have to notify the landlord about the move and find a new place to live in a new city.
Another important aspect is to inform the employer about the move. Or, if you are relocating for a job, find out what the new employer offers. The most important thing you need to arrange is health insurance. Also, there are government and non-government entities you will have to inform:
If you plan to ship cars across the country you will have to do some preparations as well. The car shipping company will tell you exactly what you need to do to prepare a car for shipping, but in most cases, they ask the same things.
You will have to provide a copy of the car title, insurance, and other documents.
Then you will have to clear the car of all the items, which means you will have to remove gas from a tank as well. In most cases, you will have to leave a little gas so the company can put the car on the trailer.
Then, you will have to clean the vehicle inside and out and take pictures of the interior and exterior so that you can claim insurance if there are any damages. Once you arrive at a new state, you will have to change the car insurance policy and plates.
Once the movers have packed everything on the truck, it is time to do some move-out cleaning. Get all the debris from packing in the junk and clean the house from top to bottom. Leave some cleaning supplies like paper towels, universal cleaner, mop and bucket, vacuum cleaner, and any other cleaning supplies you think you will need.
This is especially important if you are renting a place since most landlords will want you to leave the place impeccable. But if you don’t have time to do this, hire professional cleaning services to finish the job for you.
As you can see, moving preparations demand a lot of effort, time, and energy, so if you wish to have a smooth and easy transition, the best course of action is to hire a professional to assist you. Because, aside from relocation logistics, you will have a lot of things on your plate to finish. Be free to contact us, USA Auto Transport, ask for a car transport quote, and book our services today.
