Month: November 2019

Are you planning to move?

Moving requires preparation to ensure it all goes smoothly. Long-distance moves pose different challenges than a local move.

Keep reading to learn all about local vs. long-distance moves!

A Guide to Local vs. Long-Distance Moves

Knowing what to expect when moving locally as opposed to moving far away can help planning for your move easier.

Let’s compare!

Short-Distance Moves

Moving short distance, referred to as a local move, can mean shifting one street over or skipping over a few towns. Local moves don’t cross state lines and are usually less than 60 miles.

With local moves, you often have friends and family available to help with the entire moving process. For many, the self-move is a great option when staying local. But, there are advantages to hiring a residential moving service, including taking the pressure off your family and friends, ensuring items are properly packed, and doing the heavy lifting

With a local move, you will likely be charged by the hour for the movers, and possibly a fee for the truck and equipment. 

Long Distance Moves

A long-distance move usually means changing states. With these moves, you should hire a professional moving service.

The pricing for a long-distance move is different than that of a local move. Rather than an hourly rate, professional movers will charge by weight and per mile. 

Professional estimators will come to your home to assess the items to be moved, and provide an estimate for the weight. Be sure to review the estimate carefully so that it includes all the things you want the moving company to transport.

The distance of your move will impact the time between pick up and delivery. What may also impact the timing is the size of your move. To be more efficient, movers may combine smaller moves into a single load if moving a greater distance. So, the time to drive between your old home and new home may not match with the delivery time. Be sure to discuss the delivery date with your movers before you sign any documents.

Also, note that you may need to follow special requirements for moving your pets across state lines. Expectations vary from state to state, so look into this before making the move. Many long-distance moving companies can help point you to the right resources.

International Moves

For international moves, you will need help with packing and transporting.

International moves involve special packing and crating, ocean shipping, and longer timeframes. But, they also require a much more complex set of paperwork. Each country has different rules about foreign shipments, moving personal belongings, and setting up residency. Be sure you are familiar with the necessary documents.

Relocating to another country, discovering the new culture, and learning the country’s national language is all very exciting. By hiring professional movers, experienced in international relocation, you can spend more time learning about your new home and less time worrying about the details of the move.

Congrats on Your Move!

Moving may take a lot of work, but it also brings you to an exciting new page in your story! Understanding the difference between local vs. long-distance moves will help you know what to expect during your move.

We want your move to go as smoothly as possible. Request a free quote for our services that you may require!

 

Moving can be stressful, fun, and also life-changing. But no matter how many times you do it, it always comes with a unique set of surprises. It’s essential to be as prepared as possible when making any move, big or small. And the more you know, the more ready you’ll be for whatever might come your way.

To fill you in and help prepare you for your upcoming move, here are nine fun moving facts that might surprise you.

1. Who Moves?

A lot of people move each year, but the typical people on the move are married couples between 25 and 44 with one to two children.

2. Life Beyond the City 

A 2019 census shows that many millennials are discovering a quieter country life. In particular, they’re leaving cities like San Fransisco, Las Vegas, and Washington D.C. Seeking family-accessible amenities, they tend to be moving to the suburbs and more affordable, metropolitan areas.

3. Skip the Rush

Historically, the most popular months for moving are May through September. The beginning and end of each month also tend to be busier than the middle of the month. If you’re able to avoid these times, your move could be a lot easier and possibly a bit more cost-effective. 

4. Neighborhoods Are Key

Daily commute time is a prime factor for most when selecting a new community to move to. Understandably, few enjoy the hustle and bustle of traffic and long distances to and from work.

Also, parents often place the quality of the local school districts on the top neighborhood wishlist.

5. Movers’ Rights

If you’re working with a professional mover, make sure they give you Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move. It’s a free guide that is required by law to be given out by professional movers and contains helpful information for first-time and experienced movers alike.

6. Weigh-in

The weight of your belongings may not be the first thing you consider when moving, but it can really add up and may be important for longer distance hauls. In fact, an average move weighs over 6,000 lbs, and a five-bedroom house can be as heavy as 15,000. To save time and costs, declutter and downsize before you start packing.

7. So Many Boxes

It’s hard to determine how many boxes you’ll need for any one move, but there are some numbers out there to help you along. Roughly, for an average-sized move, you’ll need five big boxes, eight medium, and ten small to pack up a single room. 

Pack heavier things like books in small boxes and save the large boxes for lighter items like blankets and pillows.

8. Just Next Door

We know that people like to move a lot, but it turns out a lot of them don’t move very far. The average distance of a move is only 32-miles, meaning many people stay in the same state, or at least very close to it, most of their lives.

9. Why We Move

According to one survey, the main reason 16% of people move is to upgrade to a better home than the one they already have, while 11% are establishing their first home. Job transfers are also up there, along with 5.5% who want a quicker commute. There are certainly a lot of worse reasons to move.

Looking for Moving Tips?

Now you know a little bit more about the ins and outs of moving, and you’ll be much more prepared for the big day. And if you’re looking for more tips, lists, or information on moving, please contact us anytime and visit our website for up-to-date moving facts and statistics, as well as services.