Acclaimed Moving and Storage are proud providers of local, cross country, and international moving services. Our committed expert staff offers specialty full-service packing, moving, and storage solutions for homes and businesses. If you are planning a cross country move, here are 5 key steps to help see your plans through:
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Itemize
The first step to planning your move is to go through your household or office and determine what you are going to keep. Have a thorough deep cleaning session and gather up any goods you want to sell or donate.
It’s a good idea to make a list of what you are taking with you both to get a more accurate quote from moving companies and also to better account for everything after you’ve moved. -
Research
There are a few aspects to research when planning a cross country move. You will need to file a change of address with the USPS, IRS, and possibly other service programs. There is an online database of different change of address forms available at http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Services/Change-Of-Address.shtml.
You may also need official state forms if you are planning on bringing pets or plants on your cross country move. Most every state has specific laws regarding bringing pets into the state. Take your pet to a veterinarian to have them checked up and to discuss what you need to do to meet the requirements of your destination state.
Bringing plants across state lines may require a gypsy moth inspection certificate from the USDA (which can be found at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/). Some plants are banned from crossing state lines altogether, consult the USDA website for more information.
Dangerous, flammable, corrosive, and explosive goods are illegal to move and should be disposed of properly. Visit http://www.earth911.com to find nearby disposal locations for hazardous or recyclable goods.
Of course one of the most important aspects of planning a seamless cross country move is finding the right moving company. Acclaimed Moving and Storage offers a cross country moving service that can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Consult with our customer service representatives today or fill out an online quote, or even arrange for a free consultation with an expert relocation consultant. No other full-service moving company can compare to the quality, professionalism, and standards with which our expert staff performs. For these reasons and more Acclaimed Moving and Storage is one of the premiere interstate movers– across every state line.
Another point worth researching is the possibility of your cross country move being tax deductible. There is an official IRS breakdown of the requirements to deduce moving expenses available at http://www.irs.gov/publications/p521/index.html.
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Coordinate
After you’ve done some research you’ll have a clearer picture of how long the preparations will take. You may want to give yourself at least 2 months to plan your coordination. You will need to have your utility services shut off (and may need to close out service with your providers completely) as well as your financial and insurance policies updated. You also need time to pack and will need to book your cross country movers in advance. The best way to make sure your personal affairs are in order by moving day is to make a comprehensive list of every institution you need to tend to and check them off as you go through.
Things to consider:
- Utilities
- Internet
- Banks
- Insurance
- Schools (have your child’s transcripts transferred to their destination school)
- Medical (consult your doctor to discuss your options)
- Pet and Plant inspections and certification
- Federal and State Forms
- Book your Moving Date
Also make note of any other personal matters that need attention beforehand.
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Pack
Plan out your packing so you aren’t doing too much work at the last second. Give yourself a couple weeks to pack your household or office room by room and prioritize the order in which you pack based on the usefulness of each room.
You can save money by packing your household yourself but if you want extra peace of mind for your valuable electronics, art, and furniture then let the expert movers at Acclaimed pack your valuables with high grade packing materials and custom-built moving crates. You can always consult with an Acclaimed expert for advise on packing for a cross country move.A Few Tips:
- Pack relatively heavy/solid items together, or at the bottom of boxes
- Keep heavier boxes at the bottom of stacks
- Pack everything tightly with no room for items to roam
- Use plenty of protective packing material. Bubble wrap is recommended not only for its superior quality but also for the easier accessibility to everything, as opposed to packing peanuts or newspapers.
- Pack small and fragile items into their own boxes with plenty of protective wrap, and place smaller boxes together in a box of a manageable size
- Consider using uniform sized boxes
- Never pack a box over 40-50 lbs.
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Travel Safely
Your personal matters have been arranged, your house is packed, your cross country move is booked– you’re ready to start moving. It’s important to remember to plan the best arrangements for you and your family or team. Compare price differences between driving and flying. You can also have your car delivered to your new location– another service offered by Acclaimed Moving and Storage. If you are moving somewhere that encounters extreme weather you may want to consider having a backup plan in case your flight is delayed or roads are closed, or trying to book your moving date around a season with calm weather. With the right coordination, your cross country move will be an enjoyable and successful trip!
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