Long distance moving can be a stressful and overwhelming experience, particularly when relocating your entire household across state lines or even internationally. With so many details to manage, it’s easy to overlook critical aspects of the process.
Here are five common mistakes people make during long-distance moves and how you can avoid them.
1. Procrastinating
One of the most common mistakes during a long distance move is waiting too long to start planning. Long distance relocations are complex and involve more logistics than local moves, such as organizing transport across state lines and accounting for potential delays. Procrastinating can lead to rushed decisions, missed details, and a stressful move.
How to Avoid This
✔ Start Early with a Detailed Plan: Begin planning your long distance move as soon as possible. This includes setting your moving date, arranging transport, and understanding the specifics of your new location.
✔ Get Your Goods Inspected: Getting your goods inspected in person or virtually ensures a more accurate moving estimate. Without an inspection, movers might miss important details about the size, weight, or special handling needs of your items, which could lead to unexpected costs or delays.
✔ Choose Written or Binding Estimates: A binding estimate for a long distance move is the ultimate way to avoid surprise costs. It is a big red flag if the mover refuses to give you a written estimate or says they’ll figure out the cost after loading. A “phone quote”, “ballpark estimate” or a mover’s “rate quote” is not an estimate. Be sure your estimate is based on actual or virtual inspection of your household goods.
✔ Book Your Movers in Advance: A long distance move requires more coordination with a moving company than a local relocation. Scheduling your movers early ensures that you have the flexibility to select a date that works best for you and avoids any last-minute scrambles for availability.
✔ Do Not Pay a Deposit: Payments are expected upon delivery, which helps you maintain control of your move.
✔ Organize Your Belongings Gradually: Instead of packing everything at the last minute, break the process down over weeks. Start with non-essential items and gradually pack up your home.
2. Improper Packing Techniques
Packing for a long distance move isn’t just about fitting everything into boxes—it’s about ensuring your items are safe and secure for the journey ahead. Improper packing, such as using inadequate materials or rushing the process, can lead to damaged belongings, especially over long distances. Fragile items, fine art, or large furniture are particularly at risk if they aren’t handled with care and precision.
How to Avoid This
✔ Use Professional Packing and Crating Services: For delicate or high-value items such as fine art, antiques, and electronics, using custom crating services is crucial. Professional craters will design and build secure crates to safeguard your belongings from damage during the move.
✔ Wrap Furniture and Specialty Items with Care: Large items like furniture, home theater systems, or musical instruments require specialized wrapping techniques to ensure their safety during a long-distance move. Professional movers can handle this for you, ensuring that all your bulky and delicate items are thoroughly protected during loading, transportation, and unloading.
✔ Label Fragile and Valuable Items Clearly: Fragile items such as glassware, crystal, or collectibles should always be clearly marked for extra care. Professional packing services not only ensure your belongings are packed securely but also that they’re treated with the care they deserve throughout the move.
3. Overlooking Insurance and Protection
During a long distance move, the likelihood of accidents or damage increases simply because your items will be on the road for a longer period of time. Many people overlook the need for sufficient coverage, which can result in financial losses if something is damaged or lost.
How to Avoid This
✔ Choose Full Value Protection: While basic coverage may cover only a portion of your items’ value based on weight, full value protection provides more comprehensive coverage. If anything happens to your belongings, this plan ensures they will be repaired, replaced, or compensated at full value.
✔ Understand What Your Valuation Covers: Not all policies are the same, so it’s important to carefully review what your policy covers. Make sure you’re aware of what items are protected and what situations the valuation applies to, especially for valuable or fragile items.
✔ Opt for Additional Protection Measures: Some moving services offer additional protection, such as entryway and hallway coverings, disposable booties for the crew, and specialized wrapping for fragile furniture. These precautions help prevent damage both to your belongings and to your home.
4. Choosing the Wrong Moving Company
One of the most significant mistakes during a long distance move is selecting a moving company based solely on price. While it might be tempting to go with the cheapest option, poor service can lead to delays, damaged items, or even loss of belongings. Choosing an inexperienced or unreliable company often results in far more headaches than anticipated.
How to Avoid This
✔ Research the Company’s Credentials: Look for movers with a proven track record in long distance moves. Check for certifications, customer reviews, and ensure the company is experienced in handling moves across state lines or internationally. Companies that operate commercial vehicles hauling cargo in interstate commerce must be registered with the FMCSA and must have a USDOT Number.
✔ Ask About Their Packing and Moving Procedures: A trustworthy moving company will have certified labor that undergoes comprehensive training on packing, loading, and moving. This ensures your belongings are handled professionally and with care, minimizing the risk of damage during the long trip.
✔ Ensure You Get a Personal Move Coordinator: Having a dedicated move coordinator assigned to you will make the process smoother. A move coordinator serves as a single point of contact, ensuring your move runs on schedule and addressing any issues that arise along the way.
5. Underestimating the Logistics of a Long Distance Move
Unlike local moves, long-distance relocations come with added logistical challenges. From navigating interstate regulations to coordinating delivery times, there’s a lot to manage. Many people underestimate these factors, resulting in unnecessary delays or added costs.
How to Avoid This
✔ Consider Interstate Moving Regulations: Different states have varying regulations when it comes to transporting household goods. Make sure your moving company understands these rules and handles all necessary paperwork to avoid any legal issues or delays.
✔ Schedule Deliveries with Flexibility: Long-distance moves require precise timing for pick-up and delivery. Build flexibility into your schedule to account for potential traffic, weather conditions, or other unforeseen circumstances that could delay delivery.
✔ Use Professional Movers with Global Expertise: If you’re moving internationally, ensure the moving company has experience in navigating customs and handling logistics on a global scale. This includes managing documentation, import/export regulations, and coordinating delivery to your new country.
How to Make Your Long Distance Move Seamless with Clancy Relocation & Logistics
Moving long distances can be challenging, but with the right team by your side, it doesn’t have to be. Clancy Relocation & Logistics offers a range of services designed to take the stress out of moving, ensuring your belongings are handled with care every step of the way.
Here’s how partnering with Clancy can make your long distance move a seamless experience.
1. Personalized Move Coordination
One of the key ways to simplify your move is by having a dedicated move coordinator. From the moment you schedule your free in-home estimate, a personal move coordinator will be assigned to you to manage every aspect of your move.
2. Comprehensive Protection for Your Belongings
With Clancy’s ClancyProtect service, your furniture and household items are wrapped and protected with professional-grade materials to ensure they stay secure throughout the journey. Additionally, ClancyAssure coverage provides full-value protection, giving you peace of mind knowing that your items are insured against any potential damage or loss.
3. Packing, Crating, and Storage Solutions
In addition to moving, Clancy offers expert packing and crating services to protect even the most fragile or valuable items like fine art, antiques, or electronics. Their professional packers will ensure your belongings are securely packed for the journey.
Make Your Long-Distance Move Stress-Free with Clancy Relocation & Logistics!
Ready to make your long-distance move seamless and hassle-free? Trust the nearly 100 years of expertise at Clancy Relocation & Logistics to handle every detail of your relocation, from packing to delivery. With personalized move coordination, full-value protection, and a team of certified movers, we ensure your belongings are in the best hands.
Contact us today for a free household moving estimate and experience a stress-free move, whether you’re relocating across the country or internationally!