Long-Distance Moving Checklist For New Families

Speak to anyone who has made a long distance move and 90% of the time, they will talk about how stressful it was. Moving long distance is quite different than moving just around the block. If you think about it, you can’t just easily run back to your old house to pick up something you forgot to pack or quickly take care of an issue. You need to get it right the first time, otherwise, you will definitely get stressed. Even if you hire out long-distance moving services, you still have to do quite some work on your own.

Here at Alpha Moving and storage, we believe that moving long distance does not have to be stressful at all. It only requires advance planning. Being one of the top-rated New Jersey Movers means that we have had a lot of experience, that’s why we’d like to offer some tips you can use when creating your long distance moving checklist.

8 weeks Before Your Long-Distance Move

You’re probably thinking that 2 months is still enough time before you actually start drawing up your moving plans, aren’t you? Well, we believe that it’s never too early to start planning. The good news? We’ve got your back

1. Create a Moving Folder Online to Store Everything

All your quotations, receipts, and records pertaining to your move should go into this folder. Throw all these into one folder for easy access and easy reference.

2. Find a Moving Company That has Great Long-Distance Moving Reviews

Take a week or two to do thorough research. Ask friends and family for referrals as well. Most moving companies that have great reviews won’t hide their reviews as well, so simply searching for them on Google or Facebook will offer a good selection of reviews.

3. Draw Up a Realistic Moving Budget

You don’t want to have hired a moving company only to discover that you cannot afford their services. Getting a quote for services and then budgeting an additional 25% on top of that is a great rule of thumb.

4. Start sorting through all your belongings

Chances are, you will have a yard sale or set up an e-commerce site to sell off whatever you do not need. Plan for this early. The money you get, however little, can help you out during those first weeks after your move. Also, you will declutter your storage.

7 Weeks Before Your Long-Distance Move

5. Purchase Your Moving Supplies

Buy packing material such as boxes (of different sizes), bubble wrap, markers, tape, scissors etc. While you may have to make some trips the day before or the week you start packing, grabbing the majority of your supplies early means you’ll be able to pack slowly over time.

6. Set a Target Moving Date

Rather than having an arbitrary period of time of when you will move, commit to a date. This will also allow you to ask for time off from work on that day or days. Plan to move just before the weekend so you can have the weekend to settle in.

6 Weeks Before Your Long-Distance Move

7. Notify Your Kid’s Schools

It’s always a good idea to let the school know in advance that you are moving and that your kids will have to change schools. Ask if they can recommend another school in the area you are moving to. Most importantly, ask for your kid’s transcripts. Their new school will ask for these.

8. Get Copies of Your Medical Records

Check with your doctor to get copies of your whole family’s medical records. This will help you get your new doctor and dentists situated after you move.
5 Weeks Before Your Long-Distance Move

9. Book a Long-Distance Moving Company

By his time, you have already gone through quotations from several New Jersey Movers. Schedule in-home estimates with potential movers and finally, pick one. Make sure you can hire someone you can trust and who is licensed. Give them information about the date, time and details of your move.

4 Weeks Before Your Long-Distance Move

10. Pack Any Non-Essential Items and Furniture

Box up the things you won’t need right away. Make sure all the boxes are labeled.

11. Start Closing Out Utility Services at Your Current Place

Change the address for any subscriptions you have opted for and set up new utilities at your new place of residence.

12. It’s Time to Tell Your Landlord or Rental Company

Normally, for rentals, a month’s notice is required when you are moving house. Find out from your current landlord when you can have your security deposit returned.

3 Weeks Before Your Long-Distance Move

13. Plan Your Food Situation for the Days Before and the Days After the Move

Use up anything that you do not want to take with you and anything that may be open. Go through your pantry and only leave food that you will consume within the next three weeks and non-perishables that you will carry with you. Give out whatever food you are left with after this.

14. Take Care of Your Pets’ Moving Needs

Make sure they all have ID tags for their collars. Request for their vet records and get whatever pet medication they may need. If you are moving out of the country, make sure your pets get all the necessary vaccinations they may need.

15. Change Your Mailing Address

Fill out a change of address form on the USPS website. Notify all concerned parties of your change of address. This can include mailing addresses for magazines and Newspapers, your work and other mailing companies.

16. Transfer Your Insurance Policy

If your current home is insured, begin the process of transferring insurance to your new home and find out if there are any other changes to your initial agreement with your insurer.

17. Take Care of Your Car

Get your car serviced, especially since it is a long-distance move. Speak to your vehicle insurance company about transferring your policy. If you need to get your car shipped, book your move now.

2 Weeks Before Your Long-Distance Move

18. Pack! Pack! Pack!

This is the time to start boxing everything. Make sure you label all your boxes. Color code all the rooms of your new house and use the same color stickers to put on the boxes that contain stuff that goes into the corresponding rooms. Make sure you clearly mark any boxes that contain fragile material.

19. Keep your valuables in a safe place.

You do not want your family heirlooms to go missing so put everything you hold dear together so you can transport them yourself

20. Clean your new house in preparation for your move.

Have it scrubbed down so that it is spick and span when you arrive.

1 Week Before Your Long-Distance Move

21. Make Enough Food to Last You the Week Before You Move

Check online for easy recipes you can try out and refrigerate for a week. After this, leave out only the utensils you will use for that week. If you can, try using disposable utensils for that last week so that you don’t forget anything. Remember to pack food for your moving day because you will not be able to cook immediately you arrive.

22. Pack an Essentials Kit

Moving can be tiring and chances are, you won’t unbox all your stuff for the first few days. Pack a kit of things you will use right away and don’t load it on the truck.

1 Day Before You Move

23. Clean Out Your Fridge and Freezer

Check your cupboards and pantry for any left-over food. You don’t want to accidentally leave some food in your freezer or cupboards that can rot or go stale.

24. Keep All Your Important Documents Handy

Make sure to keep any essential documents within reach in case there’s a question about moving contracts, dates or pricing.
It’s Moving Day!

25. Work With Your Movers to Verify Everything They Put in the Truck

Have a register of all that is going in the truck and tick them off one by one. Take a final sweep of your house, making sure you haven’t left any bulbs in their sockets. Work with your movers to ensure a seamless move.

Ready to Start the Long-Distance Moving Process?

With Alpha Moving & Storage, we aim to make your moving experience as seamless as possible. If you’d like to start the process, get in touch with our dedicated team and they can help!