Long-distance movers like G Metz Moving helps people relocate to a different state. They offer full-service moving options as well as portable containers for those who are selling their home and want to store furniture until it sells.

Finding the right moving company for a cross-country move can be a challenge. Choosing the best long-haul moving companies have to offer can save you money and make your move as stress-free as possible.

During a long-distance move, items are handled by multiple teams of people and packed into trucks that drive across many miles. This can put your belongings at a higher risk of damage, especially if the boxes are not well cushioned. You can help prevent this by using bubble wrap to protect fragile items and by packing dishes, glasses, and mugs inside of clean dish towels, which will add padding. This simple packing hack will make the difference between a breakable item making it to your new home safely and one breaking in transit.

Invest in some high-quality boxes and packing supplies. Avoid using complimentary boxes from local stores and opt for those designed specifically for moving and/or packing. This will ensure your belongings are safe in transit, and it will also make unpacking a lot easier for you and the movers.

When packing, be strategic and pack items of varying sizes into the same box. This will keep the weight of each box down, making it easier for movers to carry and stack. It will also help you get rid of any unwanted or unneeded items before your move. Consider holding a garage sale or donating any items you no longer use to a charity.

If you’re packing your own boxes, label them clearly with a broad-tipped permanent marker. Be sure to include the room they should be placed in at your new home, a list of items contained within, and a bill of lading number when applicable. This will make it much easier for movers to locate and place your belongings at your new home, saving you time and stress.

On your day of moving, don’t forget to grab some food and water to stay hydrated. Long-distance moves can be incredibly stressful, and it’s important to remember to take care of yourself during the process.

Hire a Mover

Long-distance moves require different skills than local ones. There are many more miles to cover, and there are other little details like notifying your insurance agency, post office, utility companies, Social Security Administration, and others that must be done correctly to prevent any problems along the way. Choosing a full-service moving company will ensure that everything is taken care of for you.

While selecting a mover, be sure to get a few quotes and read reviews before you decide. This will help you get a good idea of the types of services offered by each and what kind of pricing structure they have. You should also ask how they calculate their prices to make sure you don’t end up paying more than you expected.

It’s also a good idea to check if your potential mover is FMCSA-accredited, which means that they have the proper authorization to transport goods across state lines. This will protect you from shady companies that are known to hold your belongings hostage for additional fees.

Lastly, make sure that your potential mover offers background checks for their employees. This will allow you to know who you’re letting into your home and whether they have any history of theft or damage.

If you have a lot of extra furniture and other items that you’ll need to stage your house for sale, then using a portable container may be a good option for you. This will give you the flexibility of having your items stored away while you sell them and then transporting them to your new home when it’s ready. This will save you time and money in the long run.

Do-It-Yourself

If you’re moving long distances, it’s important to plan ahead. Make sure you’ve made arrangements for lodging at either end of your trip. This will save you from having to deal with last-minute cancellations and allow you to avoid local events that may interfere with your travel plans. You should also notify your credit card company of your trip; this will prevent them from accidentally shutting off your card while you’re away.

Depending on the size of your move, it might be more cost-effective to rent a truck and do it yourself instead of hiring professional movers. However, it’s still important to know what you’re getting yourself into before deciding to go DIY. Make sure you have the proper packing materials and tools to protect your belongings. Packing supplies like bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and tape are available from most moving companies or can be found at your local hardware store.

Before you start packing, sort through your items and separate them into keep, donate or sell, and trash piles. This will help you get rid of unwanted items and make the unpacking process easier. Lastly, it’s a good idea to make a bag or bin for emergency items that you will need during the move. This could include toiletries, phone chargers, and a change of clothes.

It’s also a good idea to use furniture sliders and straps when moving large items. This will reduce the amount of pressure put on them during transit and prevent damage to your items and property. Finally, it’s a good idea to consolidate your belongings as much as possible so that you don’t have too many boxes in the truck. This will also help the movers move your items faster and more safely.

Change your address.

Changing your address is an integral element to consider when planning a move. This can help avoid problems with mail delivery, billing, and maintaining important connections. Typically, it is advisable to notify as many entities of the address change as possible, both before and after the actual move. This can include banks, employers, or other sources of income; electricity and water service providers; delivery services that frequently send items to you, like magazines, newspapers, or subscription boxes; and memberships at gyms or clubs. It is also wise to inform any government agencies that are associated with ID documents such as drivers’ licenses or passports.

The first entity to be informed of the new address is the post office. This can be done online, and it is advised to do so a week prior to the actual move. This will ensure that any mail that was supposed to be sent to the old address is rerouted to the new one. It is also recommended to update any other service providers, like gas, electricity, and cable. This can help to avoid any issues with billing, and it can also assist in reducing utility expenses.

Finally, it is a good idea to clearly label all of your boxes with your name and the destination address. This will prevent them from being mixed up with other boxes or accidentally dropped off at the wrong location. This is particularly essential when moving long distances, as it can often be difficult to keep track of which box is whose. It is not uncommon for a family’s belongings to be packed in the same truck as those of other families, and it is not always possible to distinguish between them.

Tip Your Mover

Whether you’re moving to another city across the state or to a different country, long-distance moves require special skills and planning. With all the boxes, supplies, and packing required, the entire move can be expensive. Here are a few tips for making your long-distance relocation as affordable as possible.

As with any service industry, it’s customary to tip movers. In fact, it’s almost considered rude not to do so. The amount you should tip depends on the quality of their work and how much your move costs. Most people recommend tipping a crew of movers at least 15% to 20%.

You should consider their arrival time, how quickly they finished, and how carefully they handled your items. Also, if they worked extra hard or went out of their way to help you with something specific (such as disassembling and rebuilding furniture), you should increase the amount you give them. Likewise, if they showed up late, were rude, inefficient, or damaged your belongings, you should decrease the amount you give them.

Once your movers finish their work and have successfully loaded your belongings in the truck, you should distribute the tip evenly to each member of the crew. You can either hand them their own tip or give it to the foreman, who can then distribute it to each team member. This will minimize the potential for dishonesty or some movers taking a higher cut than others.

You can also show your appreciation by offering them snacks and beverages on moving day, writing a good review online, and letting them know you appreciate their efforts. These long-distance movers are working to make your relocation as easy and stress-free as possible, so don’t forget to show them some gratitude!