Interstate Moving Blunders

Mistakes to Avoid when You Move Across the Country

Lindsey Russell
Moving across the country can be a nerve-wracking experience. Here are interstate moving tips that people should keep in mind. It is best to reduce as much stress as possible as the process of moving is stressful enough.

When planning a large interstate move, don't use a "pack it yourself" moving company. Moving in this way is always way more trouble than it is worth. Spend a little bit more money in order to have people to do the packing for you. You won't be completely worn out when the time comes to leave for your new home. You will also be less likely to have your items damaged in the move. Best of all, by not packing the moving truck, one might just save their relationship or marriage.

Another big piece of an interstate move is your car or truck. There are times when there may be a delay when a company can pick up your vehicle. Even if it is necessary to delay the entire move, don't trust anyone to ensure that the automobile moving company picks up the vehicle. If a person is in a situation where the vehicle won't be picked up from the home until after the moving date is set, do whatever you can in order to have the date of pickup moved up or resort to delaying the move. Never trust anyone else to ensure that your vehicle will be picked up in a timely manner. Companies that transport vehicles constantly change the dates that they will pickup. One can't really rely on someone else to be there for them, unless, of course, it is parents or other family members.

The above issue highlights one of the biggest headaches of moving across country. You can't trust the dates given by the moving companies, vehicles or otherwise. When moving date is set with moving companies, a person simply can't count on the dates given, no matter how much they try to reassure you. Do whatever you can in order to be flexible. The more flexibility built into the schedule, the better off people will be. It isn't a good idea to rely on a company to move on a certain date only to be disappointed and have everything thrown off schedule.

In addition, housing at the other end of move can be an issue. Never assume that you can move in exactly when you'd like. When making arrangements to move into your new home or apartment, realize that things can occur at the last minute that may cause a delay. Make sure to have a back up plan. You may have to stay with relatives or at a hotel for a few days (maybe even a few weeks). You don't want to end up completing your interstate moving project only to find that you have no place to stay, and might not have one for quite some time. Of course, then there is the issue of all of your household items too.

Another good rule of thumb when making an interstate move is not to pack anything of value in your vehicle. If tempted to use vehicle(s) as extra storage space, just don't. The items won't be covered by insurance and there is a great chance that those items will be damaged during transport. In fact, ensure that everything is out of the vehicle before they haul it away. The whole idea simply isn't worth the risk at all.

Sometimes, you think that your items are protected during an interstate move when they really aren't. One can't assume that he or she has any recourse if something goes wrong. Throughout the moving process, don't necessarily assume that insurance will cover the damage that actually occurs. Moving companies cover themselves very well legally. The best bet is to ensure that your items are properly packed. It is also important to read all paperwork and legal wrangling well in advance of entering any contract. You doesn't want any nasty surprises if something does go horribly wrong.

One of the most important aspects of any interstate move is how people plan on getting to their new home. While it may be tempting, never drive across country to the new location. Do yourself a favor, if planning to move from Texas to Michigan, don't drive. Moving across country is one instance in which it is a good idea to fly. You will thank yourself later. Chances are that people are already very stressed out from the move and are in no mood to drive a vehicle for several hours on end after moving all of their belongings. While flying isn't exactly easy these days, it is much better than driving to a new location. At least you can fall asleep once you are on the airplane.

Moving across country is one of the most stressful things in life. It takes a toll on a person and all of their possessions. Unfortunately, there are few ways to truly protect oneself from unscrupulous movers. A person can do a lot of research on the company and still get taken for a ride. In addition, it always costs way more than expected. If possible, allow several months in order to plan the move. Whatever you do, try not to get overwhelmed. It is a very large undertaking, but with some great organizational interstate move tips, you can make moving go much more smoothly.

Published by Lindsey Russell

I graduated from Michigan State University May 2004 with degrees in Supply Chain Management and Spanish. Lately I've been creating websites and blogging. I spend too much time online. I've been busy gettin...  View profile

  • Don't try to use a "Do-It Youself" moving company when you are moving a long distance.
  • Don't rely on dates giving to you by the moving companies.
  • Never leave your vehicle when you assume that it will be picked up within a day or two.
Did you know that there are many moving scams out there? There are times when you can wait up to a month before you receive your items.

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