Long distance moves generally cross state lines or are 400+ miles. Once a move crosses a state line, it falls under the jurisdiction of the federal government and is regulated by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.
When a move is designated as Long Distance, the carriers switch from charging by time to charging by weight and distance. This has implications for your decisions as a mover.
Reduce the Weight
Given that carriers price long distance moves by weight, it is evident that the less you move, the lower your cost will be. Household movers are commonly told to reduce the number of items they have to move. This advice is particularly true with long distance moves as it directly impacts your cost.
Things You Won’t Use
You can reduce by leaving behind things you simply will not use. But, also consider things that you may want to replace in the near future.
Rather than move larger items now only to replace them in a few months, sell them before the move. You’ll save money on the move and be able to replace the items at your destination.
Items that Won’t Fit
Determine if everything will fit in the new home.
Two homes of approximately the same size may be configured such that the same furniture cannot work easily in both. Create a small, to scale layout of the rooms in your new home, as well as to scale cut-outs of your current furniture. Does that couch still fit? How about that bookcase? Or try a room design app to see if your stuff will fit.
Again, it will be cheaper to reduce before the move than after you move, so be sure the items you want to keep will fit in the new place. You may be better off parting with them before the move.
Changes in the New Home
Once you’ve moved into a new home, it’s likely you’ll want to make changes. Some might be minor. Other changes, might be very disruptive.
When you move a long distance, you leave behind a network of friends and family that can help you manage the disruption. There is no one to look after the kids, give you a refuge from the chaos that comes with changes in your home, or just be there to lend a hand.
If you can, have some of the more significant alterations done before you move. Settling in will be much easier.
Refinishing floors or replacing carpet can, and should, be done before you move your furniture to the new home if at all possible.
Painting the walls is easier without furniture to move or cover. Making these changes before the move will make the changes and move easier.
Your real estate agent may be able to make recommendations or introductions to reliable, local resources for handy-man work or contractors.
Utility Connections
One challenge for moving a long distance is understanding the local utilities. From state to state there are different regulations. But even from municipality to municipality, resources can vary.
In some parts of the country, electricity provides power for heating as well as cooling, while others use natural gas to power furnaces. In the northeast, oil is often delivered for heating, while many rural areas use propane. Your heat source can change by the town.
Water can be private wells or municipality supplied. Similarly, sewer may be private septic or municipal. You may be familiar with one source, but need to learn about a different type of water/sewer utility in a new home.
As soon as you know where your new home will be, learn about the local utility providers. Your real estate agent should be able to provide you with the correct utilities as well as let you know about oil or propane providers if they are the fuel source for heating. Do not put off learning about and contacting the local utilities. The time to establish connections and deliver fuel will vary, and you want to be on the list as early as the services allow.
Ready to Relocate
There are some aspects of moving that are shared in local and long distance. But, long distance moving has some unique challenges. If you start early, these challenges don’t have to be overwhelming.
This is true with selecting a long distance moving company as well. Contact us if you’re in need of the top Florida long distance movers, and we will help you plan your move and provide a free estimate of your moving costs.