Ask the moving experts: “What are your best tips for moving long distance?”

At U-Pack, our moving consultants do so much more than just answer phones. They’re expert problem solvers with years of experience helping people move long distance. We asked them to share their best moving advice, and they gave us tips to make your move cheaper, easier and smoother whether you’re moving with your family or by yourself.

Long-distance move tips that can help you cut costs

U-Pack consultants speak with customers every day who are trying to stick to their moving budget. They’ve got some creative ways to keep long-distance moving prices low.

Make sure you’re comparing similar services when comparing prices

“Learn everything you can about a company, so you know what to expect with their service. And, make sure when you compare that you’re looking at similar services. In some cases, one company’s price may be lower, but you also may be getting a lower level of service.” said Michael, five years’ experience.

If you’re in the research stage, check out how moving long distance with U-Pack works and compare to other moving companies.

Consider how the style of your home may change

Don’t pay to move anything you no longer want. “Different areas of the country have different decorating styles. For example, you might not want your light and airy beach furniture once you move from Florida to Vermont. Don’t pay to ship it if you’re going to replace it,” said Meredith, 14.5 years of experience.

Watch for deals on packing materials

“The importance of blankets and tie-downs should not be underestimated. Properly prepping items inside the trailer helps keeps everything safe and secure,” said Meredith. Long before your move, start comparing the price of moving supplies and watch for discounts and sales.

Take time to load everything well

Protecting your items means you won’t have to replace them later. Consultant Josh, with 15 years of experience, said, “While it’s tempting to throw everything into the trailer or Cube, it pays to take time to stack items well and tie them down.”

Tips to make long-distance moving easier

We understand there are lots of parts at play during a long-distance move. You’re coordinating plans for your household goods, family travel, changing jobs and schools, and so much more. These tips can help you work smarter, not harder.

Learn the right way to pack and load

Long before moving day, go over the packing and loading tips so you’re prepared. “Prep work is the most important aspect of making a move easier. Don’t wait until the equipment shows up to start getting prepared. Be proactive. You’ll be glad you did,” said Kent, ten years’ experience.

Use a checklist

Keep track of all the small tasks, like transferring medical records and changing your address, with our comprehensive moving checklist.

Have a variety of different-sized boxes on hand

Make sure boxes are full, so you don’t have any wasted space. “Lots of different sized boxes will provide the opportunity to fill in space and maximize your capacity,” said Cecil, eight years’ experience. “It’s sort of like playing a live puzzle stacking game, where you want to make everything fit together well.”

Hire a cleaning crew

Don’t waste precious time scrubbing. Instead, call in the pros to clean. You can utilize them for the place you’re moving out of, your new home, or both.

Ways to make your move smoother

These tips will hopefully prevent any issues and save you time.

Keep important stuff with you

“Don’t pack documents, medicines or specific clothes that you’ll need before your shipment arrives. Take them in a carry-on,” said Josh. “If you need paperwork or uniforms to start work or school, make sure you don’t pack those into the moving truck, so they’re with you and available when you need them.”

Inventory your boxes

Keeping track of what goes into each box is tedious, but your future self will thank you when you can find just what you’re looking for without opening ten boxes.

Make a floor plan

If you know the layout and size of the rooms, draw out a plan for the furniture so you can carry it directly to the correct spot.

Take photos as you pack

“Before you take anything apart, take a photo of it, so you can easily put it back together,” said Donna, seven years’ experience. “And if you’re trying to pare down, take photos of sentimental items. Days later, if the photo brings the same feeling as the item, you can keep the picture to reflect and find a new home for that sentimental stuff.”

Think about your taxes

Moving to another state can complicate your taxes since you may have to file in two states. Before moving, talk with your accountant or tax professional to ensure you have everything in order.

Tips for long-distance moving by yourself 

If you’re moving alone, we have a couple of extra tips to help you through the process.

Call a maintenance worker

If you have repairs to make (either at origin or destination), consider hiring a contractor to help. Don’t waste your precious time and energy fixing things that could quickly be hired out.

Use a dolly for heavy lifting

While it’s always best to have help loading and unloading (either friends or a moving crew), a dolly can help if you’re trying to go it alone. Be sure to strap items to the dolly to prevent them from shifting during use. “Dollies are essential for moving big furniture and appliances. Make sure to purchase one or borrow it from a friend. You can always sell it after you unload,” said Kent.

Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need

If you’re tackling a long-distance move by yourself, give yourself plenty of time. It will take you longer to pack, load and unload alone, so this isn’t the time for procrastination.

Take any help you can get

Even if your friends can’t help on moving day, if they can come over while you’re packing or unloading, an extra set of hands will make the work go so much faster.

Get personalized service from a U-Pack moving consultant

When you move with U-Pack, our consultants delight in helping you every step of the way. From choosing the right moving equipment to ordering moving supplies, their support and knowledge are unlike anything you’ll find from other moving services. Call us at 844-362-5303844-594-3077 or get a quote online to get started planning your move. If you have any questions about these moving tips or anything related to long-distance moving, let us know in the comments below. We’re always here to help.