Monthly Archives: September 2024

Cross Country Moving Guide

Moving from coast to coast? Cross-country moves can feel daunting, but by following the right steps for the process, you can successfully relocate with minimal stress and maximum efficiency. If you’re curious about the best way to approach your cross-country relocation, we’ve got you covered. Follow our complete moving guide to make your relocation feel like a breeze!

  • Start Planning Early

The most important step for a successful cross-country move is to start planning early. Moving is a complex process, especially when you’re headed far away, and giving yourself enough time allows you to tackle each task without the added pressure of rapidly approaching deadlines. Begin planning at least 8 to 12 weeks in advance—or even earlier if you have the luxury. Early planning gives you the flexibility to handle unexpected issues and avoid rushing.

  • Enlist the Help of Experts

Cross-country moves require more logistical planning than local moves, which means professional assistance can be a very helpful asset. Enlisting the help of an experienced moving company that specializes in long-distance relocations is a great way to make your move feel easier. These companies have the resources, equipment, and expertise to safely transport your belongings from coast to coast. Additionally, some moving companies offer full-service options, including packing, unpacking, and vehicle transportation, which can offer even more valuable assistance. Carefully research your options and obtain quotes from multiple companies to secure the best price available.

  • Book Movers Early

Once you’ve selected a moving company, book them as early as possible, especially if you’re planning to move during the peak moving season. High demand during the summer months can lead to limited availability, higher costs, and fewer options. Booking early allows you to lock in your preferred moving date and avoid last-minute surprises—plus, it offers peace of mind to know you have this task checked off of your to-do list. You might even snag an early booking discount!

  • Declutter Your Home

A cross-country move offers the perfect opportunity to declutter your belongings. The more items you bring to your new home, the more expensive your move will be. If you have a lot of items you no longer want or need, these added expenses can be easily avoided. Take the time to go through each room and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. Hosting a garage sale or selling items online can also generate some extra cash for your moving expenses.

  • Create a Budget

Moving across the country can be expensive, so creating a budget can allow you to manage costs more effectively. Factors to consider include the moving company’s fees, transportation costs, accommodation during the move, and packing supplies. Additionally, you may need to account for extra services such as packing assistance, vehicle shipping, or temporary storage if your new home isn’t immediately ready. A thoroughly planned budget will help you keep expenses in check and prevent unexpected financial strain during your move.

  • Acquire Moving Supplies

You will need to gather the right packing supplies to ensure your belongings are safe and secure during the move. High-quality boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and heavy-duty tape are must-haves for any relocation. For fragile items like glassware or electronics, invest in specialized packing materials. You’ll also need markers for labeling and plastic wrap for protecting large furniture items. By using the proper supplies for your move, you can ensure your items are protected, decreasing the risk of damage during transportation.

  • Get Moving Insurance

Long-distance moves carry more risks due to the distance traveled, so investing in moving insurance is a wise choice. While most professional movers offer some form of coverage, it might not fully protect your high-value items. Depending on how many valuables you have, you can determine whether additional insurance is right for you. If you do have many valuables, moving insurance can provide peace of mind that your belongings will be compensated in case of damage or loss during transport. Check with your moving company to fully understand their coverage options, and consider purchasing additional insurance if you’re moving expensive items.

  • Notify Important Parties

Before your move, notify important parties of your address change. This includes updating your mailing address with the post office, your bank, credit card companies, insurance providers, and any subscription services. If you have kids (or are a student yourself), inform their school about the move. Don’t forget to update your driver’s license and vehicle registration as well, since each state has its own rules for address changes.

  • Schedule Utility Termination and Activation

In the weeks leading up to your move, schedule the termination of utilities at your current home and the activation of utilities at your new residence. Utilities include electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable, so make sure you cover all your bases. Give your providers at least two weeks’ notice to ensure a smooth transition. Coordinating these services ahead of time prevents disruptions when you arrive at your new home, which is important for a smooth transition.

  • Pack with Extra Care

Packing for a cross-country move requires more attention to detail than a local move. Items will be in transit for an extended period, so packing everything securely is essential to mitigate the risk of damage. Wrap fragile items in bubble wrap or packing paper, and cushion boxes with soft materials to prevent movement. For your sensitive items, clearly label boxes as “fragile” when necessary. Another important consideration is to avoid overpacking boxes, as this can cause items to get crushed. For electronics and appliances, use their original boxes if available.

  • Label Everything

Proper labeling is key to staying organized throughout the moving process—and staying organized allows for a much less stressful experience. Clearly mark each box with its contents and the room it belongs in at your new home. This makes it easier for movers to place items in the correct rooms and simplifies unpacking. You can even color-code to help with room placements. Whichever method you prefer, it’s crucial that you label everything thoroughly.

  • Keep Inventory of Your Items

Creating an inventory of your belongings is a wise idea for a long-distance move. Keep track of what you’re moving, especially valuable or fragile items. This can be as simple as taking photos of your items before they’re packed or creating a detailed list of the contents of each box. Having an inventory helps you stay organized and can be crucial in case of any loss, damage, or disputes with the moving company.

  • Disassemble Furniture

For large pieces of furniture, such as beds, dining tables, and desks, disassembly is often necessary to transport them. Breaking down furniture into smaller components helps to prevent damage during transit and makes it easier to load into the moving truck. Keep screws, bolts, and other small parts in labeled bags, and tape them securely to the furniture pieces to avoid losing them.

  • Ship Automobiles

If you have multiple vehicles or don’t plan to drive to your new home, you’ll need to arrange for automobile shipping. Some moving companies offer vehicle transport services, but you can also use a specialized auto transport service. Whether you’re shipping cars, motorcycles, or recreational vehicles, it’s crucial to research companies and choose one that is licensed, insured, and experienced with cross-country vehicle transportation.

  • Confirm All Bookings

In the days before your move, confirm all your bookings, including your moving company, transportation, accommodations, and any other services you’ve arranged. This can give you peace of mind and ensure everything is set up as expected.

  • Keep Essentials with You

On moving day, pack a separate bag or box with essentials you’ll need during the move and for the first few days in your new home. This might include toiletries, a change of clothes, important documents, medications, and chargers for your devices. Having these items easily accessible will save you from having to search through boxes after your lengthy travels.

 

Complete a Successful Long Distance Relocation

Ready to head across the country? By following these steps, you can experience a streamlined cross-country relocation. For all your cross-country moving needs, count on movers you can trust. Coral Springs Moving & Storage is South Florida’s premier moving company.

Since 1974, we have provided top-rated moving, packing, and storage solutions to customers in Coral Springs and beyond. Our team can facilitate moves of all sizes and distances, catering to the varied needs of all our clients.

Request a free quote today, and discover how we can make your cross-country relocation easier!

storage services

Benefits of Seasonal Storage

Storage units offer a wide variety of convenient solutions for those seeking extra space. These secure facilities are excellent places to easily store an array of items according to your individual needs—including seasonal storage goals. How can you utilize these units for seasonal storage needs? What benefits do they provide when used for seasonal storage solutions?

If you’re considering how a storage unit can effectively address your seasonal storage needs—whether you need space for seasonal decorations, clothing, or any number of household items—we’ve got you covered. Discover a few of the many perks of seasonal storage below!

  • More Space in Your Home

First and foremost, seasonal storage solutions allow you to create more space in your home. By moving your seasonal belongings out of your home and into a dedicated storage unit, you will gain the ability to take advantage of the extra space now freed up in your home. This means your once-cluttered closets or storage areas will now have space for storing other items or simply for staying open and organized. This can be a huge advantage to make your home feel more spacious. Without even moving, you can upgrade to a bigger space!

  • Enhanced Organization

Utilizing seasonal storage solutions allows you to enhance the organization of your home and of the storage unit itself. First, your home will have less excess clutter, and in turn, you can keep your belongings carefully organized with the extra space you now have. This neater space can feel like a major upgrade! Additionally, by moving your seasonal items to a storage unit, you can take advantage of this space by organizing its contents. Gone are the days of crammed closets and basements. With carefully labeled boxes and plastic containers and even added shelving or racks, you can ensure your storage unit stays meticulously organized so you can easily find the items you’re looking for. This ease creates a much better organizational experience in your home and storage unit alike, reducing stress as you increase order and organization.

  • Reduced Clutter

Your storage unit can greatly reduce the amount of clutter in your home. Say goodbye to overstuffed closets and random items taking up space around your home! A storage unit for your seasonal belongings can transform an overcrowded space into a clutter-free, spacious area—sometimes even more so than you initially anticipate. Reducing the amount of items in your home automatically makes tidying up a lot easier, allowing you to keep everything neat without extra items sitting around. Everything can have its own space once you decrease the amount of items in your home.

  • Safely Store Your Items

Another significant advantage of storage units is the fact that they keep your items safe and secure. Storage facilities typically feature robust security systems and fire-protection systems, which provide valuable peace of mind while your items are stored there. You can rest assured that your belongings are sufficiently protected during their duration in these secure units, thanks to these state-of-the-art systems. Plus, many warehouses offer climate control technologies, meaning your belongings will be kept in the optimal environment to stay in good condition. With this decreased risk of damages or other issues, you can feel confident when you utilize a top-rated storage unit for your seasonal storage needs.

  • Convenient Access

When you use a storage unit for your seasonal storage, you can conveniently access your items at the storage warehouse whenever you need them. Most storage facilities offer 24/7 access to your unit, so no matter when you have time to go grab the items you need, you can easily do so. No need to wait for your belongings! Although it may feel less desirable to go outside of your home to retrieve your belongings, this organized space can make things much easier. Plus, choosing a conveniently located storage facility can ease these worries.

  • Cost-Effectiveness

Although the storage unit itself is an investment each month, this cost is minimal in comparison to the alternatives. Realistically, without using a storage unit, limited options exist for other ways to gain space. You can declutter, but if the items you need are still taking up too much space, decluttering won’t do too much. After all, getting rid of items you actually need and use won’t be useful. The only other option is to upgrade to a home with more storage space, but this is a major financial commitment that understandably isn’t accessible to many people. Instead, storage units provide cost-effective options that allow users with various needs to enjoy their benefits without breaking the bank. This small cost each month can make a huge difference.

  • Flexibility and Customizability

Storage units provide a flexible, customizable solution for your seasonal storage needs. If you need more space, you can rent more—simple as that! You aren’t limited to a finite space, which provides the option to expand or decrease as needed. Additionally, you can customize your unit to suit your needs. Storage units can be outfitted with shelving and racks, among other customizations, which allow you to organize your belongings easily. However you want to configure your unit, these versatile storage spaces provide the ability to tailor them to your individual preferences and goals.

 

Count on Seasonal Storage for Your Home

When you need extra storage space for your seasonal items, storage units provide the perfect solution. These versatile, secure units allow you to conveniently store your belongings through a cost-effective solution, meeting all your needs with ease. Looking for a dependable space to store your belongings in South Florida? Count on Coral Springs Moving & Storage, the top-rated moving and storage company in Broward County. We have two high-quality storage facilities in South Florida, available to accommodate your storage needs, whether you need short-term or long-term solutions. 

You can enjoy clean and convenient personal and commercial containerized storage in our 15,000+ square feet of warehouse space. Plus, with the constant monitoring of our facilities, you never need to worry about the safety of your items. Our top-rated moving, packing, and storage services are designed with our customers in mind to ensure they have the best experience possible. Interested in working with us for storage solutions or for other moving or packing needs? Request a free quote online or call us today, and discover more about our affordable services!