Enjoy our list of sixteen commonly asked questions by families preparing for their cross-country moving adventures. From organization to the planning and preparation, no question is too simple to ask ahead of time.
Top Questions For Top Families
For an upcoming cross-country move, you need to know the right questions to ask so that you can feel knowledgeable. Moving halfway across the US means that the logistics can get overwhelming.
From packing up your home to coordinating routes and deciding whether to hire professionals, there are many important things to consider.
Asking the right questions will help you stay organized, save money, reduce stress, and help you get to your new home in the best way possible.
1. What’s the Best Time of Year to Move Cross-Country?
September/ October after the school year has begun and mid-week is the best time weather-wise and is cost-effective. The best time to move cross-country really depends on your personal needs and preferences. Overall, the summer months (June to August) are the busiest for moving companies, which also means they’re the most expensive as families want to get the relocation out of the way before the new school year.
Moving in the spring and fall, (September and October), is a great alternative as the weather is still nice in most of the USA, and moving costs will be lower. Winter is another option, but take into account the harsh weather conditions and where you are moving from/to.
2. Should I Hire Professional Movers or DIY?
This question depends on your budget and opportunity costs. Factor in all the details to get your answer.
This is really of the most important decisions in a cross-country move. Professional cross country movers will save you significant time and effort, particularly when it comes to packing, handling large furniture, and transport.
If you have a tight budget, doing it yourself by renting a truck or using a moving container can save money if you have the manpower paid by beers and pizza. Think about all the factors such as the cost, convenience, and time involved in work with a DIY move to make the right choice for your needs. Moving APT would be glad to assist you with either option
3. How Much Will a Cross-Country Move Cost Me?
On average, long-distance moving costs can range from $2,000 to $5,000 or more. It all depends on where you are coming from and going to.
The cost of a cross-country move will vary based on the distance between your current and new home, the number of items you’re moving, whether you’re hiring professional movers or doing it yourself, and the time of year you book your move. You can request a binding estimate from almost any moving company to real a real idea of pricing.
4. What Services Do Professional Movers Offer?
Professional moving services offer everything from packing and unpacking your home to loading and unloading, furniture disassembly, and storage options. Some services, like Moving APT, let you pick and choose the services you want to build an ala carte move, while others bundle them into packages.
5. What Size Moving Truck or Container Do I Need?
Choosing the right size for your moving truck or container to fit your home is key for a cost-effective move. Moving companies offer calculators and even agents to help you estimate the size based on the number of rooms in your home and the volume of things.
For a typical two-bedroom apartment, a 20-foot truck may suffice, while bigger homes might need a 32-foot truck or even more space with a moving container.
It’s better to overestimate the space you’ll need than to underestimate and have to repack things or go back twice. Moving APT has agents specialized in this that would be glad to help.
6. How Do I Pack Smart for a Cross-Country Move?
Smart packing for a cross-country move requires planning. Start by organizing your things and deciding what to keep, sell, donate, or get rid of. Label boxes by room or category and create an inventory list to help track your items. Pack essential items separately so they’re easily accessible too.
7. What Items Can’t Be Moved Cross-Country?
Certain items cannot be transported by professional movers due to safety regulations or practical reasons. Flammable materials like gasoline tanks, cleaning materials that are harmful to the skin, and propane tanks, as well as perishable or open food, are not allowed to be moved by law.
As well movers may refuse to take plants in the truck as they are prone to falling and leaving dirt all over the truck.
8. How Do I Protect My Highly Valuable Things For the Move?
Important and expensive pieces like jewelry, artwork, and critical documents need a little extra attention during the move. Consider adding additional insurance coverage or taking valuable items with you personally in your car during the move.
9. How Do I Change My Address and Update Important Documents?
Before your move, make sure to update your address with the U.S. Postal Service, your bank, and credit card companies. You can do this online at USPS.com to be sure your mail gets forwarded to your new address. Additionally, update your address on your driver’s license, voter registration, and insurance policies.
10. How Long Will It Take to Move Cross-Country?
If you’re driving the truck yourself, the move could take four to six days from coast to coast, depending on the route and stops along the way.
If you’re using a moving company, expect delivery times to range from 7 to 21 days. Some companies offer expedited delivery for an additional cost. It all depends on where you are coming from and where you are going.
11. Should I Pack My Car for the Move or Ship It?
Driving your car will allow you to travel at your own pace with your own rest stops and it will be cheaper if you’re moving a short distance.
However, shipping your car may be a better option if you’re moving a long distance to avoid wear and tear and be able to fly. Moving companies and specialized auto transport services can help with shipping cars if this is the route you choose to take.
12. How Do I Settle In Once I Arrive?
Start by unpacking essential items first, such as your bathroom go-tos, bedding, and kitchen basics. Take your time setting up your home room by room. Introduce yourself to neighbors and explore your new area to find your new favorite local spots.
13. Do I Need To Tip the Movers?
Tipping your movers is expected and appreciated. A usual tip is $50 to $100 per mover, depending on the size of the job and the level of service they give you.
Consider the complexity of the move, whether the movers went above and beyond, and how long it took them to complete the job so they were away from their families. Tipping is technically optional but is expected nowadays and should be budgeted for.
14. How Should I Stay Organized?
Create a checklist of tasks and set deadlines for each step of the moving process. Moving APT has quite a few guides about this. Use spreadsheets or notes on your phone to track your inventory.
The main tip to staying organized is labeling every single box with its contents and the room it came from. Keeping everything in order will reduce stress and help you feel more in control of the move.
15. How Do I Move With Pets
Your furry family members are the most loved yet don’t have a say in the move.
Prepare them by booking a doggy sitter or doggy daycare for the day of the move so that you aren’t stressed about them getting lost while things are astray and to avoid them being stressed from the changes in their common spaces.
Your pets need to feel they have their safe space since their surroundings have now changed, so they don’t get stressed out.
16. Where Can I Find Cardboard Boxes For My Move?
There are ways to buy or even take free cartons. Most movers are happy to deliver you boxes for a fee when you book with them or ask them to throw in a few for free.
You can also buy them at hardware stores. Another option is to go to grocery stores and request their boxes from their daily deliveries. You might even want to consider buying plastic cartons instead if you will keep some things in storage.
