Long-distance moving can be a very stressful time, but Canadians seem to be moving more and further than ever. If you want to join this trend, there are ways to make it easier on yourself and allow yourself to survive the process.

What you need is some long-distance moving tips, and below we have provided them. Seven pieces of advice from experts that should help you make any long-distance move with the least trouble. So, read on and learn how to make the whole process easier on yourself.

1. Choose the right moving company

Make sure that you end up putting your possessions in a company you can trust. There are many reasons for this, including:

Speed

A professional moving company with good employees will be able to load, move and unload your possessions with both high pace and safety. If you lose out on either of those things, everything you own might either become left behind or damaged.

Paperwork

When you start moving, you will want to engage with a moving company that knows what they are doing and can take the work off your hands. They might be able to give you advice on what to sign when to sign it, and also how to make the whole process move faster.

Organization

You will want to engage with people who can plan and pack your belongings with the least hassle. At the same time, getting people who can handle insurance and logistics without problems will also be a lifesaver.

2. Downsize

Nobody wants to think about “Marie Kondo-ing” their possessions when they are about to start a life in a new area. But that is one of the best ways to prevent difficulty in the long run.

Look at everything you own, one by one, and try to work out if you love it and want to keep it around. Some things might be truly sentimental, but others you might only be keeping “just in case”. Be harsh about this, and get rid of whatever you do not need, and it will reduce the long-distance moving cost.

You do not need to throw it out, you could sell some of it, or donate it. You could even give some loved items to others as gifts, allowing someone else you know to cherish them as something to remember you by when you leave.

3. Get insurance

Some people forget this part, and it can often hurt them if something goes wrong. Moving insurance is a system that will reimburse you should the worst happen and your items get damaged or lost during the moving process.

You might have many different options available to you depending on where you are moving from or to. Thus, you should talk with long-distance moving companies to see what they have to offer.

4. Keep important items and documents on hand

When you are halfway across the state and you need your new home’s documents, you do not want to have packed them away. Instead, keep everything you might need over the next week in a plastic folder or somewhere else on hand.

You could also photocopy several of them beforehand and make sure a copy is in the hands of every vehicle that is moving. This will prevent you from needing to dig through boxes during the move, or even during the unpacking process.

Examples of the documents and items you might need include:

5. Move when it is quiet

You may not always have the opportunity to choose when to move. But if you do, then you are lucky. You might be able to save yourself a lot of time, effort, and money during travelling.

Talk with your moving company, many of them have different rates depending on when they move your belongings. Also, try to plan to make this move during a time of the year when you are not too busy, as this will reduce your stress. If you can combine these two into one, then all the better.

6. Research where you are moving to

This works on two levels:

House

Look at the plans of your new house and know exactly where you want everything to go. By giving this plan to your movers, they will be able to load and offload the van with the least hassle. Also, you will have already planned the location of the sofa, TV and other things you might want on that first day.

Local amenities

Make sure you have a list of local places you want to check out where you are moving to. More specifically, you will not want to cook a gourmet meal when you first arrive. So, have a list of take-out locations you or your family will be ok with ordering from on that first day.

7. Start planning straight away

When you know you are going to move, you should begin prepping. If you leave it to the last minute, you are going to be rushing around and end up making the whole process too much to handle. Also, look into long-distance moving services and start making plans for who to go with.

Make a packing plan, so you know how many boxes you need. Make an employment plan if you do not have an idea of what you will be doing already. Also, have a hotel plan, in case something comes up in your new home that is not quite what you intended.

“To be prepared against surprise is to be trained. To be prepared for surprise is to be educated.” – James P. Carse, Author