Changing residences is often challenging, and the challenges grow exponentially when you add a significant moving distance. The best movers in Montreal can help make the process go as smoothly as possible by providing advice and services. Learn more about how to plan a long-distance move.
Start Planning Now
If you find out you have a long-distance move coming up, start planning for it sooner rather than later. Create a moving timeline with goals to achieve as you lead up to the actual moving date to help spread out all that needs to be done.
Planning is extremely important to the success of the moving process. Waiting until the last minute to make decisions about your move often results in stress and mistakes. When moving a long distance, minimizing the room for error from several time zones away is next to impossible.
One of the biggest advantages of devising an early plan is that you can adjust it as circumstances change. Even having a basic plan in place gives you a great starting point.
If you’re tackling a long-distance move for a new job or similar major life change, you may have multiple tasks to complete before you commence the actual move. You might have to find a place to live or prepare for your job. Make planning the move a priority so it doesn’t get lost in the shuffle of everything else vying for your attention.
Research Long-Distance Movers
Not every moving company will be able to move you across the country or a significant distance. When wondering how to plan a long-distance move, one of the best things you can do is to take the time to research the benefits and capabilities of various moving companies.
Ensure they follow all local, provincial, and national regulations when moving your property. If you have unusual items that you’ll be moving, specialized equipment and handling services may be necessary. For example, if you need help moving personal vehicles or things like riding lawnmowers or ATVs, select a moving company that can handle these items.
Our moving company carries all the licences, equipment, and insurance required to move your items safely and in accordance with the proper regulations. We encourage you to read through our testimonials to learn more about our services from people just like you.
Make a Plan for the Pets
If you have pets at home, you’ll need to figure out how they will move across the country comfortably and safely. Pay attention to things like the following:
- Which vehicles will transport the pets
- The kennels or safety harnesses you will need
- Where to keep leashes in the vehicle so they’re close at hand
- Making extra stops for potty breaks and exercise
- Ensuring your pet has a microchip and is up to date on all vaccinations
- Finding pet-friendly hotels along the way if needed
- Whether your pet needs medication to help with anxiety about travel
- Having a second person in the vehicle to help with pet control
Build in extra time for travel if you have pets with you. You’ll almost certainly have to stop more often than you expect.
If you cannot move your animals yourself, you may need to hire a pet transportation company.
Start Packing Early
When figuring out how to plan a long-distance move, make a list of items that you’ll need up to the date of the move. You could start packing any other items you own that aren’t on the list now.
Do some packing every night, and you’ll have a better chance of staying ahead of the work. It always takes people longer to pack for a long-distance move than they think it will, so the earlier you can start, the better.
If you don’t have time to do the packing, you can hire our expert movers to help. By hiring our team, you can rest assured that we will protect and pack all your items safely and get them to their destination intact.
Make a Plan for Packing
If you plan to pack yourself, you’ll want to start gathering boxes and packing materials. Ask friends whether they have any leftovers to save money on new boxes. You should also have plenty of cushioning materials on hand for delicate items to keep everything free from damage.
Our moving company can supply you with all the boxes, tape, moving blankets, and packing materials you need at a fair price.
As you pack, clearly mark the boxes and totes with directions and instructions. Also, mark items that need to remain upright or that cannot be stacked with other boxes.
You may want to write directions on the boxes in several different places. If someone is looking at a stack of boxes from the side, having the directions only on the top flaps of the box will not help.
Track Items You’ll Need Immediately or En Route
One key step is to figure out which items you’ll need during the trip to your new location. Make a list of the items you need to unpack first upon arrival, too.
You’ll want to mark these items clearly on boxes or in storage totes when packing. Figure out where these items will go or how you’re going to transport them so you always have access to them. Some of the items you may need en route or immediately upon arrival include:
- Medications
- Charging cables for electronics
- Personal care items
- Pet supplies
- Favourite toys for children
- Changes of clothing
- Financial or personal identification items
- Cash for tipping service people
- Medical and vaccination records for children and pets
Use your smartphone to take photos of key documents or store contact information you may need upon arrival.
Some people hire our moving professionals to pack most of their items, choosing to pack the items they know they’ll need themselves. Following this process helps you keep these items handy.
Disassemble Extra Furniture
If you have furniture you don’t need to use before the moving date, start disassembling it now. Some pieces of furniture don’t come apart, but extra beds or similar items are easier to move when disassembled.
Make a Plan for Unloading
Some people find it helpful to make a drawing of the new residence and determine where larger items will go. Having this information in hand makes it easier to pack at your current residence. You’ll know exactly what directions to write on each item as you pack.
Additionally, spending some time thinking about how the unloading process will go can help you decide whether you need to donate or sell some of your current items. If your new residence doesn’t have the space for some items you currently own, determining this before you spend time and energy packing them is helpful.
Talk to Our Long-Distance Moving Company Early
It’s a good idea to schedule a meeting with our moving company as early as possible. Rather than trying to figure out how to plan a long-distance move all by yourself, our team can provide packing tips and a moving checklist to help you. You can ask us any questions you may have about the process and how to make it go smoother.
By contacting us as early as possible, you’ll reserve your spot with our team. The earlier you reach out to us, the smoother your long-distance move should go.
Make a Plan for Donations or Sales
You may not want to take every item you have at your current residence to your new residence. Make a list of items that you want to sell or donate. Remember, you have to pay for the move by the weight of your items, so there’s an incentive to move fewer items you don’t need.
When packing boxes or organizing items for the long-distance move, keep a tote handy for items you no longer want. As the tote fills up, you can take items to the local donation area to simplify the decluttering process.
If you plan to sell items, list them online as early as possible to give buyers time to reach out about them. You don’t want to be within a day or two of moving while still having several items you haven’t sold yet.
You need to plan how to discard or recycle items unsuitable for donation or sale. If you need to rent a dumpster, do so well before moving day. You don’t want the moving truck and professional movers trying to navigate around a dumpster.
Decluttering before moving day is the ideal situation when you are having our professional movers pack for you.
Trust the Team at Discount Moving for Your Long-Distance Relocation
When you are wondering how to plan a long-distance move, the moving company selection you make is vital. Avoid falling victim to moving scams by trusting the experts at Discount Moving for your long-distance relocation. We provide a moving strategy for your cross-country and cross-border move and deliver advice and services that reduce stress. Call us today at (514) 933-3555 to discuss what we can do for you.
