The Complete Checklist for Long-Distance Moving

Any move requires careful planning and coordination, but moving long distance may demand even more strategy. How so? First of all, you’ll likely need to refine your schedule more carefully when moving a long-distance. Consider the time it will take to pack and load your items, make the trip to your new home, and then unload.

You’ll also need to select a moving company with the skills and experience required to complete a long-distance move. Some moving companies specialize in local relocations and don’t have the capacity or infrastructure in place to navigate a longer distance. Other long-distance moving companies may charge higher fees or surcharges for services. Requesting service information and detailed quotes from several long-distance moving companies can help you gauge your options and determine which works best for your needs.

And if all of that sounds like a lot of work, don’t worry. Allied Van Lines’ moving experts are here to help with a comprehensive long-distance moving checklist, plus a few top long-distance moving tips.

Best Strategies to Help You Prepare for Your Long-Distance Move

Use the following prepping and packing strategies to make the long-distance moving process simpler.

Organize and declutter. Sort your items into keep, donate, or discard piles. You may even plan a yard sale or garage sale to lighten the load before you begin packing.

Pack non essential items first. A month or so before your move, begin packing nonessential items like rarely used kitchen appliances or off-season clothing. Even a few boxes a day will cut down on the work required closer to moving day.

Label boxes as you go. Carefully label each box with its contents and intended room to streamline unloading and unpacking in your new home.

Clean your home. Deep-clean your home or call in professionals to scrub baseboards, dust the ceiling, and make every corner of your property sparkle for its new owners.

Make a plan for specialty items. Work with your moving company to decide on the best way to ship specialty items like artwork, sculptures, pool tables, or musical instruments.

Transition utilities and services. Call your utility service providers about a month before you move and ask them to shut off service to your current home. You’ll also need to contact providers in your destination to activate service.

Change your address on all paperwork. Ensure you’ve alerted all relevant parties about your address change, including financial institutions, the Canada Post, and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). Then, begin changing your address on important documents, such as your driver’s license, provincial or territorial health card, vehicle registration, and any other relevant immigration or citizenship documents.

Long-Distance Moving Day Checklist

Get ready for moving day with this comprehensive, long-distance moving day checklist.

1. Set an Alarm

Give yourself plenty of time to wake up, make a cup of coffee, and get dressed before your movers arrive. Plan to wake up early—and even consider setting multiple alarms to ensure you and your family don’t oversleep and wake in a panic to a moving crew on your doorstep. Waking early can eliminate any unnecessary rushing as you prepare to leave your home for a new space.

2. Review Moving Checklists

Glance over your moving checklists before your moving crew arrives. Ensure you’ve completed all necessary tasks, ranging from changing over utilities to setting aside important documents, medications, and valuable items to keep on hand for your trip.

3. Pack Any Remaining Items

Once you’re certain you’ve accomplished all outstanding items on your to-do list, it’s time to pack up any remaining items in your home. More than likely, you’ve packed up the bulk of your belongings in preparation for your move, but you may have essential items, perishables, or favorite snacks or toys for your children or pets lying around.

Take some time to pack everything into a box or suitcase. If you haven’t already, place prescription medications and important documents, like your passport, driver’s license, cash or credit cards, or airline tickets, in a bag you plan to keep on your person. You may also choose to put together bags for your children and pets. Include your kids’ favorite snacks, electronic devices, small toys, and spare changes of clothing. And don’t forget to put pet dishes, collars, leashes, food, and treats in a bag for your furry friends.

Finally, ensure all perishable items have been discarded or put into a cooler if you plan to bring these items with you to your new home. You may also use some cooler space to store snacks and beverages for the road.

4. Welcome Your Movers

When your movers arrive, show them into your home and point out any items that require packing or crating, such as large pieces of furniture or specialty items. Chat with your crew foreman to understand the logistics of the day, and ensure everyone knows their role.

5. Provide Any Required Assistance

More than likely, your trained movers will be equipped to finalize packing items, disassemble furniture, and load the trucks. Even so, try to stick around for as long as possible. Your moving crew may have questions about certain items. It may also provide enhanced peace of mind to watch the team load everything into the truck.

6. Do a Final Sweep

Once your moving crew has moved everything into the truck, take some time to walk around your home one last time. Throw out any remaining garbage, do some quick spot-cleaning if necessary, and ensure you don’t leave any personal items behind before heading for your new home.

7. Oversee Unpacking

Once you’ve arrived at your new property, start by giving your moving crew a walkthrough. Be sure to point out which rooms you’d like items to go into and answer any questions they may have about where to place items. You may consider having food and beverages available for your team, too.

8. Tip Your Movers

After your moving crew has moved all your items into your home and reassembled furniture, consider tipping the team. While tipping is optional, it’s an extra way to express your thanks for a long day of hard work.

9. Unpack the Essentials

You may be tempted to start unpacking everything as soon as possible, but give yourself and your family some time to settle in and rest first. Unpack the essentials, order some food for dinner, and enjoy a “picnic” on the floor of your kitchen or living room on the first night in your new home.

10. Set Up and Settle Into Your New Home

Once you’ve had some time to ease into your new home, begin unpacking in earnest. Start with the most used rooms, like the kitchen, bathroom, and bedrooms. Once you’ve gotten everything set up there, move to the less commonly used rooms, like offices, craft rooms, or guest bedrooms.

Take your time, and allow yourself to come back to finalize the décor after you’ve gotten the bulk of your items set up and the boxes removed. Remember to either store, donate, or recycle your moving boxes, too. That way, they’ll get a second life—and you’ll get rid of the extra clutter around your new home.

Getting ready for a long-distance move? Allied Van Lines can help. Request a free, detailed quote from our expert team today to get started.