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Major Differences Between Planning A Local Vs. An Interstate Move

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Anyone who has moved before can testify that it takes a lot of effort, planning, energy, and time to complete. It is true whether you are moving nearby or across the country. It is important to remember that no two moves are the same. When it comes to local and interstate moves, there are some differences to take into consideration when getting prepared for moving day.

What is a local move? Before you get started on planning, it is essential to establish whether you are moving locally or long distance. Ideally, a local relocation is that of anything under 50 miles. This number can vary depending on what state you live in and the moving company you choose to hire.

What is a long-distance move? If your move will cover more than a hundred and fifty miles or across state or provincial lines, it will often be considered an interstate move by the moving company you choose to hire. You do not have to move across an entire country for it to be considered a long-distance move. Any move that will require significant mileage is considered long-distance, which you need to prepare for accordingly.

How to best prepare for your move will require determining whether you are moving locally or long distance. Below are some of the factors that will vary significantly between moving nearby and far away from your current home.

Moving Costs

The most significant difference between planning for a local move or an interstate move is the cost. If you hire local movers, their services are often priced per hour or by the size of their crew. The more belongings you have to move, the more it will cost. When moving long-distance, extra costs will need to incur to move your stuff. Moving companies will often charge based on the number of things they will move, how much it weighs all together, and how far they will transport it.

If you plan to move without a moving company, you need to plan similar considerations for such as rental truck costs, miles to be driven, and days you need to rent it.

Legal Regulations

When moving locally, many of the moving companies you can hire will already be familiar with requirements and regulations on utilizing moving trucks and offering their services. When moving long-distance, moving companies may need to have you fill out additional paperwork, complete permits, and pay for insurance. Both you and the moving company you hire will need to meet all legal requirements for each state you travel through on the way to your new home.

Personal Checklists

If you move locally, the chances are good that it will not be difficult to acclimate to the new area. However, long distances may require more personal preparation and research. Do some research beforehand to get familiar with the city or state you will be moving to shortly. Ensure your family has access to everything you need and are familiar with the locations of local hot spots.

Moving Quote Process

Most moving companies will quote you over the phone with an hourly rate if you are moving locally. The average hourly cost for most local movers is $25 an hour per crew member. This amount can vary depending on any additional services that are requested.

An interstate move, on the other hand, is generally quoted by an in-home estimate. Charges are quoted based on weight, trip mileage, labor cost, and any additional services performed.

When working with long distance movers, be sure to understand the quote process. Most movers propose moving quotes as binding, not-to-exceed, or non-binding estimates.

  • Binding estimates are quotes you agree to pay, depending on a projected weight. At times, your moving company can revise this type of calculation after the actual move depending on any additional services rendered.
  • Not-to-exceed estimates are commonly known as “price guaranteed” and are similar to binding estimates in that you agree to pay a specific price. The difference, though, is that the quote depends on the actual weight of the move. Often, not-to-exceed estimates are lower in cost than binding estimates.
  • Non-binding estimates are the least common of the three estimate types. With a non-binding estimate, the final price you pay could be more than they assessed. There is no cost assurance with this specific type of quote.
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Six Unbeatable Tips for Reducing Your Moving Costs

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Knowing how to plan and organize a move properly can keep relocating from becoming an ordeal. Whether you are planning to move across the country or just down the street, the following tips may help to ensure a smoother and more stress-free experience.

1. Get an Early Start

Leaving things to the last minute is a common mistake, one that often has disastrous consequences. An earlier start allows more time to plan, pack or to deal with any unexpected complications that may crop up along the way. The earlier the start, the more leisurely the planning and packing stages are likely to be.

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2. Simplify by Getting Rid of Clutter

Having less to move means packing, loading and transporting the household can be done more easily and for less overall cost. Having a garage sale or donating unwanted items to charity prior to a move are both great ways to reduce clutter. Wasting time, effort and money to transport items that the household may have little to no use for is a misstep that you would do well to avoid.

3. Keep a Master Packing List

With so much going on and so many issues that all require attention, getting distracted during the move is very common. Creating and maintaining a master packing list and labeling each box with a list of contents helps to ensure that nothing gets overlooked, misplaced or left behind. Being able to check the status of every box at a glace or to track down and locate a specific item during or after a move can be done with far greater ease by those who keep a master list.

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4. Seek Help From a Professional

An extra pair of hands is always helpful during a move, but there are times when only a professional service provider will do. For those who are considering or who have already decided to hire a professional, shopping around in order to compare prices and service options can help to offset the cost. Try www.cheapmoversminneapolis.com to compare rates on licensed moving companies in Minnesota. Electing to do business with a second-rate service provider or a mover who is unable to offer competitive rates could lead to no end of future problems and potential complications.

5. Pack and Ship Valuables Separately

Fragile items that may be easily damaged and valuables that may be costly to replace should be shipped separately if at all possible. Making a separate trip just for these items or deciding to mail or ship them to a new address rather than transporting them alongside the other household belongings is an idea worth considering. Keeping all valuables stored in a safe out of the way place during a move is often the best approach to take.

6. Pick the Best Moving Day

Scheduling the actual day of the move may seem like a minor detail, but it is never a concern that should be left to chance. From truck rentals and the availability of moving services to traffic and weather forecasts, there are a number of factors that may need to be considered in order to determine the best day for a move.

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Finding more tips and ideas for a stress-free move can often be very worthwhile. A little planning can go a long way, and those who make staying organized a top priority can avoid many of the most common moving mistakes.

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Ten Things to Keep In Mind Before the Movers Arrive

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Here you’ll find a list of ten things you should keep in mind before the movers arrive to help the experience go as smoothly as possible.

1) Organize Your Belongings

  • Organize your belongings a few months in advance of the day the movers will arrive.
  • Determine what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of.
  • Contact the moving company to see if there are any items they will not move.
  • Put aside important items to keep with you when you, such as medication and documents.

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2) Set Aside Travel Items

Depending on the length of the trip to your new home, you may need to pack essentials to bring along with you. Make sure to pack a bag with extra clothing and toiletries for the trip.

3) Clean Items Before You Pack Them

Cleaning the items you plan to keep is important. You won’t feel like wiping down your belongings and washing bedding when you finally reach your destination.

4) Make a Detailed Inventory of the Items You’re Going to Entrust to the Movers

Make a detailed list of every item that will be in the mover’s possession. Be as specific as you can and write down any information about the important items. You should take photos of your belongings as well. The photos should be close-ups of the items that show as much detail as possible.

5) Sort and Label Boxes Appropriately

After you have sorted and organized the items that you will entrust to the movers, make sure to pack them in a way that will make the unpacking process easier when you reach your destination. One way of packing your belongings is by room. This will make it easier for the movers to know where you want your boxes placed at your new destination.

6) Put Away Items You Don’t Want Loaded

Put items that you plan to transport with you or items that you’re leaving behind in a separate room to prevent them from being loaded accidentally. You should mark items that are too large to move to prevent confusion.

7) Prepare for the Movers

Reserve or clear a parking spot near the entrance of your home if possible. You should also warn the movers about things such as narrow roads near your home, relevant parking rules, and narrow staircases or doorways inside your home before they arrive.

8) Prepare Your Home

Place a protective covering over your floors to protect them from damage during the move. Walls can be covered in old sheets to protect them from scratches.

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9) Make Sure Children and Pets Are Safe

Moving heavy furniture and stacks of boxes around small children and pets is dangerous. If you are unable to have someone else watch them, place children and pets in an area that is out of the way of foot traffic.

10) Double-Check Everything

Go through your entire home one more time to make sure that you didn’t forget to pack anything. Check every drawer and cabinet, and be sure to check the refrigerator, so you don’t leave behind any nasty surprises for the next resident.

A Few More Things to Keep in Mind

Now that you’ve taken care of the essential details, you’ll want to cover all your bases. It doesn’t hurt to have a few contingencies in place because you never know what can happen on moving day. Many things are out of your control, and that can be frustrating. But as long as you take care of things you can control, you’ll be less stressed when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Have Backup Movers

It hurts to admit, but even the most reputable movers sometimes have scheduling hiccups. You’ve probably heard some of the horror stories of movers that never showed up. Although it is a rare occurrence with a reputable moving company, it does happen more often than you might think. So just in case, the movers are unable to show up for any reason, you’ll want to have a backup.

One of the things you’re often told to do before moving is to make a list of the top 3 or 5 movers. That’s usually how you pick the mover you’ll end up going with. With that in mind, it’s always a good idea to keep another two options as a backup. Many local movers offer last-minute or even same-day services, which will come in handy if your original movers don’t show up.

A Smile Goes a Long Way

Keeping a positive attitude is much easier said than done. But there is a lot of truth in the fact that keeping a friendly demeanor will keep you in good spirits through a stressful and potentially frustrating moment.

Even though it may not seem like it, it’ll also give a more pleasant experience to the movers. They’re already working hard and dealing with stressful situations day after day; being friendly, approachable, and keeping a sense of humor will lighten the mood. Not to mention it’ll make the moving crew more amiable to do a better job in taking care of your things or even as far as doing a bit of extra.

Be Considerate of Your Movers

Keeping the movers motivated is something that you can help with. Sure they’re being paid to do the work, but that doesn’t mean you need to be uptight about it. Preparing snacks and drinks can help in boosting morale. Since it’s already provided, it’ll be less likely that they’ll try to take breaks as an excuse.

Remember that movers are people too, so don’t prevent them from basic needs like a bathroom break. If you have more than one bathroom, you can designate which one they can use freely, but make sure it’s stocked with the basic necessities.

A Little Extra For The Road

When the movers do a good job, it’s a good idea to let them know. After all, you’ll definitely give them an earful if they do a sloppy job, so in the same way, be open with your compliments as well. Obviously, the best kind of encouragement is a tip, so it’s a good idea to have extra cash on hand.

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