Moving to the other side of town can be a very different experience from moving to another province or to a different country. If you’re in for a big change, it pays to start preparing as early as possible. From packing smart to knowing what to pitch, moving is an adventure. All you need is a reliable plan.
1. PREPARE WELL IN ADVANCE
Because there are so many steps involved in planning and executing a long distance move, you’ll need more time. The more complicated your move, the more time you’ll need. Prepare a detailed moving schedule and task list.
2. DETERMINE YOUR BUDGET
Before you start planning too much, you should sit down and figure out how much you can afford to spend on your
Montreal moving service which will help determine how you can move in terms of whether you’ll hire movers or rent a truck and move yourself. Remember that a long distance move will always be more costly. Not only is there the travel costs between your old and new home but also the time and higher cost services you may need to hire.
3. INSURE YOUR BELONGINGS PROPERLY.
A lot can happen to your stuff over hundreds or thousands of kilometers in the back of a truck when it’s being loaded and unloaded by a number of crews. Moving is a high-risk industry; according to statistics from the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA), “More than 80% of all moves have no claim filed”- in other words, up to 20% do. Be ready for something to go wrong, and get the proper coverage. Determine well before your move if you want to purchase full-value coverage or stick to basic coverage. If you’re unsure which is better for you, your moving company will explain the differences between the coverages, and you can make a more informed decision.
4. KEEP ITEMS YOU’LL NEED UPON ARRIVAL WITH YOU.
It’s common for delays to occur when you ship your belongings across the country. Keep the most important documents and all basic necessities such as clothes, sleeping materials, hygiene products, and a few other things to keep yourself sane while you wait for the moving truck to arrive.
5. DON’T PACK FOOD OR LIQUIDS.
Even non-perishable food runs the risk of getting crushed, or otherwise tarnished or ruined, or worse: attracting vermin. Food will attract unwanted stowaways (the furry and creepy crawly kind) to your shipment. Don’t pack any food (or anything perishable). Likewise, even well-sealed containers of liquid might get jarred open, resulting in an unwanted seepage on all of your belongings. With long-distance moves, you not only run the risk of getting your own stuff all wet; other people’s belongings are on the same truck as yours, and your liquids could get onto their belongings too.
6. MARK YOUR BOXES WITH YOUR NAME AND PHONE NUMBER
Moving trucks which service long distance moves have a variety of different peoples’ belongings on the truck. In order to keep your stuff from getting lost, make sure to mark all of your boxes with your name and phone number. In the event one of your boxes is mixed in with another shipment, the movers and other clients will notice immediately and contact you.
7. BE AWARE OF THE “DELIVERY WINDOW.”
The nature of long distance moving and the logistics involved in delivering a number of shipments to varied destinations has too many moving parts for the moving companies to be able to pinpoint a precise delivery hour. Generally, the company will provide a “delivery window.” Pay very close attention to your contract as some companies have a delivery window that can in some cases be in excess of 20 (business) days. Take along adequate shoes and clothing to keep yourself sane until the end of the delivery window, and consider what you might need in the event the truck encounters an unexpected delay. (Dynamic Moving Montreal can provide a guaranteed delivery date as an added convenience.)
Long distance moving can be a stressful experience if not handled by a good moving company. Make sure to do your research and select a
Montreal mover that you feel comfortable with. Let the adventure begin!
