5 FAQs About Long-Distance Moving, Answered
Long-distance moving is more difficult than moving locally. You may not have the option of moving your home or business in small stages or even of visiting the end destination before you move. If you’re moving to the other side of the state or the other side of the country, you likely have several questions about what to expect. Here are some of the most common we see:
Q: Should I Hire Professional Movers?
A: Yes. Professional movers with proper credentials and licenses have the skills to protect your belongings, the experience to move efficiently, and the knowledge of how best to move cross country.
Q: Do I Need Moving Insurance?
A: Like any kind of insurance, it is better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Moving insurance can be a boon if you experience any unexpected problems during your move, such as a traffic accident with the vehicle carrying your property. Though most homeowner’s policies don’t cover a move, you may be able to get special coverage.
Q: Would Renting a U-Haul Be Cheaper Than Hiring Movers?
A: Maybe. If everything goes perfectly, it could be cheaper. However, renting your own moving vehicle and driving yourself may ultimately end up costing you more than it would to hire professionals. U-Haul typically charges a flat rental fee depending on the size of the truck, then charges an additional fee for the number of miles you drove the vehicle. Once you finish with the vehicle at your destination, you refill the gas tank before dropping it off at U-Haul. A cross-country trip in a U-Haul may only cost a few hundred dollars, but you also need to factor in gas, lodging during the trip, parking fees, and you could face liability for damage to the U-Haul in an accident.
Additionally, you may damage precious or valuable items that a professional would not know how to properly store and move.
Q: Will I Need to Move All at Once?
A: If you have the chance to move little by little to your new place, this can take a lot of the stress out of your final moving day. However, this may not be an option if you’re moving across the country. Luckily, a professional mover will have the movers, equipment, and the vehicles necessary to complete a move in a single trip in most situations.
Q: Can I Ship My Possessions Across the Country?
A: Shipping some of your stuff across the country isn’t a realistic way to move, but it could help you get smaller pieces of your move handled. You would need to coordinate shipping times and delivery times with your arrival at the new house; you don’t want packages sitting on your new home’s doorstep while you’re still driving across the country. Shipping can be a great way to recover forgotten items if you leave personal belongings at a relative’s house or forget to empty a closet at your old house until after you’ve left. You could ask the selling realtor, friend, relative, or neighbor near your old home to pack up your stuff and ship it to your new place.
If you’re planning a move across the country soon, Certified Relocation Solutions in Hackensack can help you prepare with a free in-home survey or a quote for your move. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with long-distance relocations.