2 Month Preparation Plan for Your Long Distance Move

If you have an upcoming move, especially an interstate move where you are moving a long distance, it is of critical importance to have a well thought out plan. While local moves also require good planning, you don’t typically have as many things to think about as you do with a long distance move. If you forget something with a local move, the travel time is not an issue like with an interstate move. With over 100 years of moving experience, Palmer Moving Services is the moving company that understands what it takes to have a successful long distance move. This guide will provide you with a high level planning timeline and a list of key things you should accomplish for your move that starts about 2 months before your anticipated move date. For even more information on specifics of packing and the moving process, please consult our in-depth moving guide. 

 

Two Months Prior to Move

Starting at about 2 months before your planned departure, begin to get yourself organized. A good way to do this is by setting up a binder or folder to organize all your important moving documents. If you want to keep things digital you can use a note taking app on your mobile phone and organize important information electronically in various notes for each key aspect of the move. Most note applications also allow you to embed photos if you want to take pictures of document or receipts so have a digital copy with you at all times in case the hard copy gets lost or damaged. 

Your moving documents should include things like receipts, your moving company contract and key dates, travel documents, utility information, lists for what you plan on moving and what you are leaving behind, and any other paperwork that may be important for your move. Review the measurements of your existing furniture and double-check that the furniture you have now will fit in your new home. While organizing your house, determine what things you will need to bring with you and what you can leave behind. After deciding what can be left behind, you can sell, give away, or donate items you won’t be taking with you. 

Finally, you can get a head start by beginning to pack items that won’t be of much use to you before you move. Determine what you will be packing yourself and what you will leave for the professional movers. 

One Month Prior to Move

When you are one month away from the big move day, begin contacting any current home services you are using. Call your utility providers and notify them of the cancellation that will take place following the move. If you are renting or selling a home, make sure to coordinate the utilities with the landlord or new owners so that the new occupants can maintain continuity of the home services if they desire. Keep in mind that you may need to keep the utilities on for a few days after the move for cleanup and repairs which are hard to do without electricity and water.

Contact your current healthcare providers (doctors, dentists, etc…) that you currently visit and get all necessary documents from them. Make sure you have what you need to be ready to transfer medical documents, schooling records and personal insurance records. Fill out change-of-address forms for any mail you may receive. Also make sure you have thought through any bank accounts and other financial services you may want to close and/or transfer to your new location. Be sure to check for any tax assessments you may have. 

Three Weeks Prior to Move

With three weeks until your move, begin to have any appliances that you need to move serviced. Make any travel reservations that you may need. If you have not already done so, cancel or make arrangements to transfer your TV/Cable provider. Contact your local service provider for phones, internet, and cable information for your new home. 

Two Weeks Prior to Move

Two weeks before your move, run through your items and make sure you don’t have any items borrowed from neighbors, friends, or family. If anything is, return those items. Gather any items from friends that you may have loaned them. 

One Week Prior to Move

Closing in on the final week before your long distance move, start getting ready for the long road trip ahead of you. Start putting things aside that will make the car trip with you and pack suitcases. Finalize any payments to your moving company. Start any final house cleaning and repair work you need to do before moving out. The day before moving, finish all of your packing and you’ll be ready for moving day! 

Moving Day

On moving day, double check every room to make sure you haven’t left anything behind. Make sure to look in all cabinets, closets, attics, and crawl spaces. As you leave make sure to lock all windows and doors, turn off or turn down any gas appliances (i.e. water heaters), turn the heating or cooling to an appropriate temperature, and turn out the lights. If applicable, make sure to leave and keys and garage door openers for the new occupants in an agreed upon space. 

You did it! Enjoy your moving day experience as you start your journey to your new home! 

If you have any questions on them moving process, please feel freeto contact our long distance moving experts at Palmer Moving Services. With over 10,000 successful moves each year, Palmer is the right moving company for all your moving needs.