Embarking on an interstate moving journey? Although very exciting, this process can feel like a challenge without the proper know-how. Fortunately, once you know what steps to take, you can experience a streamlined relocation experience to your new state.

Whether you’re headed a state away or across the country, we’ve got you covered with our complete interstate moving guide. 

Preparing for an Out-of-State Move

Moving to a different state doesn’t have to feel daunting. If you check these nine tasks off your checklist, your move is sure to be a success!

• Plan in Advance

An interstate move involves careful coordination, so start planning as early as possible. Ideally, you should begin at least two to three months before your move date. This gives you plenty of time to organize, research options, and handle any unforeseen issues. Start by creating a checklist of tasks and a timeline to complete each one. If you’re moving during the busy summer months, plan even earlier to secure the best moving options.

As you plan, you should also create a budget before you dive into the process. Interstate moves can be costly, so outlining all anticipated expenses—including moving company fees, packing materials, vehicle shipping, and more—will give you a clear idea of your finances. Set aside some funds for unexpected costs that might arise during the move.

• Book Movers

Booking movers in advance is essential, especially for an interstate move. Start researching reputable moving companies and reading reviews to find the best options. Look for companies experienced with interstate moves, as they’ll better understand the logistics involved, including regulations, route planning, and timing. During the search, obtaining quotes from at least three providers is always advised. When you select a moving company, confirm their insurance coverage and any additional services they offer, such as packing assistance or vehicle transport.

• Declutter Your Home

Moving is the perfect opportunity to sort through your belongings and eliminate clutter. Decluttering will make packing easier and reduce moving costs, as movers usually charge based on the weight or volume of your items. Plus, it will allow you to enter your new space with a clean slate. Sort through your items room by room, dividing them into categories: donate, sell, trash, and keep.

Consider hosting a garage sale or listing items online to sell any valuable items you no longer need. Not only will this minimize the amount of items you’re moving, but it’ll also give you extra funds that can go toward moving expenses.

• Update Your Address

When you move, it’s important to notify important parties about your new address. Start by filing a change of address with the postal service to ensure your mail is forwarded to your new address. You should also update your address with your bank, credit card companies, healthcare providers, employer, and any subscription services.

If you’re moving to a new state, you’ll likely need to update your driver’s license and vehicle registration. Some states have specific time limits for updating these documents, so research local regulations to ensure you follow the required guidelines. 

• Pack with Care

Packing is one of the most time-consuming parts of any move, and it’s crucial to allocate enough time to do it properly. Start by gathering all necessary packing supplies: sturdy boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, and markers for labeling. For fragile items, utilize extra padding or specialty boxes to protect them during transport.

As you pack, remember to keep essential documents, valuable items, and irreplaceable belongings in a separate, secure box that you’ll transport yourself. For each room, begin with items you use the least and save everyday essentials for last.

• Label Everything

Labeling your boxes clearly can make unpacking much smoother once you arrive at your new home. Write the contents and the intended room on each box, and add a brief description of what’s inside. For fragile items, clearly mark boxes with “fragile” on more than one side. Using a color-coded labeling system can also be helpful. Assign a color to each room and use colored tape or stickers on the corresponding boxes. This makes it easier for movers to place each box in the right room, saving time during the unpacking process.

• Disassemble Furniture

Disassembling large furniture pieces before the move can help save space and reduce the risk of damage. Start with beds, desks, tables, and any other pieces that can be broken down. Keep all screws, nuts, and bolts in labeled plastic bags, and tape them to the corresponding furniture pieces to avoid losing them.Consider consulting your moving company if you’re unsure about disassembling specific items. Many movers offer this service and have the expertise to handle delicate or complex furniture pieces.

• Ship Vehicles

For long distance moves where you either don’t want to drive your car or have more than one vehicle to move, consider hiring a vehicle transport service. There are various options, including open or enclosed transport, depending on your vehicle and budget. Start researching vehicle transport companies at least a few weeks before your move, as some require advanced booking. As with your moving company, be sure to check that the transport company is licensed and insured. Take photos of your car’s condition before shipping to document any existing scratches or dents, so you have proof in case of any damage during transport.

• Bring an Essentials Bag

Pack a separate bag for moving day with all the essentials you’ll need for the first couple of days in your new home. Include toiletries, clothes, chargers, important documents, snacks, and medications. If you’re traveling with pets or young children, pack a bag for their necessities as well. Having these items easily accessible will make your first few days in your new place more comfortable. This way, you won’t need to rummage through boxes to find daily essentials, allowing you to settle in smoothly and unpack at your own pace.

Successfully Tackle Your Interstate Relocation

By following these steps, you can successfully complete your interstate relocation. Looking for a trusted moving company to help you get there? Trust Coral Springs Moving & Storage, South Florida’s dependable movers since 1974.

We have experience facilitating residential and commercial moves across all distances, so you can trust that our knowledgeable team will get the job done effectively.

Request a free quote online or call today to learn more!

Embarking on a moving journey? As you plan and prepare for your upcoming relocation, you may find that you want a moving company to help you simplify the process. But how can you ensure you choose the right movers for your needs? Although many moving companies exist, not all of them offer the same caliber of high-quality solutions.

To find the right movers for your relocation, it’s crucial to know what you should consider as you complete your search. Learn how you can find your ideal moving company in seven simple steps in this guide.

• Thoroughly Research Your Options

The most effective way to find the right moving company is to thoroughly research your options. Once you’ve found a few options to choose from for your relocation services, the next step is to uncover more information about these professionals. Your research should go beyond the company’s website, diving into other sources to verify their credentials and read candid feedback. Ensure any movers you consider can offer the full selection of services you’re looking for, such as packing and storage solutions in addition to your moving needs.

• Verify the Company’s Licensing and Certifications

Any trusted moving company worth considering for your relocation will have the necessary licenses and certifications readily available for customers to verify. These movers will have a federally mandated United States Department of Transportation license number to be allowed to facilitate interstate relocations, as well as a license number from the state Department of Transportation. Drivers also need to have a commercial driver’s license to legally operate a moving truck for these companies.

• Check Standing with Better Business Bureau

In addition to licenses and other credentials, it’s crucial to verify that any moving company you work with is in good standing with the Better Business Bureau. If movers have multiple unresolved complaints with the BBB or have a poor rating, this is a sure sign that you should look elsewhere for your moving solutions. On the other hand, if a company is a Better Business Bureau accredited business, this adds an extra layer of assurance that these movers will provide top-tier services for your move.

• Read Customer Reviews

Customer reviews can be one of the most effective ways to gauge the quality of a company’s relocation solutions. Candid customer feedback provides an unfiltered way to learn about a person’s experience with a company’s services and gain insight into both the positive and negative aspects of their experience. You can find reviews on Google and Yelp, among other review platforms, allowing you to easily ascertain the general public opinion of a company. You can also ask friends and family who they have relied on for their moving needs in the past and learn about their experiences—another effective way to gain insight from first-hand experiences.

• Request Estimates from Several Companies

When seeking moving solutions, you should always request estimates from at least three moving companies to ensure you find the fairest price for your desired services. Keep in mind that a moving company should never provide an estimate sight unseen; in-home estimates are the industry standard and are necessary to properly assess the scope of your move. Although you should obviously steer clear of movers that overprice your services, it’s also important to be wary of those who provide a suspiciously low estimate, as this can be a sign of poor services or additional fees to come. 

• Ask Questions During Your Assessment

During your in-home estimate, be sure to ask any questions that may arise so you can properly understand the scope of their services. Some of the questions you might want to ask will cover topics such as liability coverage, what’s included in the total price of the services, the expected timeframe, opportunities for savings or discounts, and more. You should also ask whether the company provides binding estimates, which means your price would not increase on moving day.

• Steer Clear of Any Red Flags

Ultimately, as you search for movers, you should always vigilantly look for red flags and stay away from any movers who seem suspicious. Some of the most common red flags include:

• No physical location
• Large deposit requirements
• Providing estimate sight unseen
• Incomplete or blank contract
• Unmarked moving trucks

Be mindful of these warning signs and more to ensure you are working with a trustworthy moving company for your relocation.

Ready to Pick Your Moving Company?

With these steps, you can successfully find a moving company worth investing in. Looking for movers in South Florida? Work with Coral Springs Moving & Storage for your upcoming relocation.

Since 1974, Coral Springs has provided top-rated moving, packing, and storage solutions to families and businesses in South Florida and beyond. Our team of moving experts will work with you to provide dependable services as you embark on your move. Request a free quote online or call us today!

Preparing for a relocation can be a tedious, stressful process, and knowing the best way to approach the task is crucial for a smooth move.

Wondering how to avoid blunders that could make your move more difficult? We’ve compiled a list of the 10 most common moving mistakes to avoid. By being aware of these top pitfalls, you can successfully steer clear of them and approach your move like an expert.

Find out which mistakes you should avoid in our list below!

• Skipping the Decluttering Process

Before any move, people typically recommend decluttering your home to ensure you don’t spend unnecessary time and energy packing belongings you no longer want or need. Although this can feel like it isn’t a need if you’re in a rush to pack for your move, skipping the decluttering process is always a mistake. By investing time in a declutter before you start packing, you will find that you spend less time packing and ultimately drag extra clutter with you to your new home. Instead, take the extra time to get rid of the items you no longer want, and create a clean slate for your new home.

• Procrastinating Preparation

Unfortunately, no matter how you spin it, preparing for a move is a time-consuming task. There are many ways to streamline the process and improve your efficiency, but for the most part, you can’t cut corners. Many people make the mistake of procrastinating ahead of their move, pushing off the preparation needed to facilitate a stress-free relocation. This generally results in rushing, disorganization, and a much more stressful process. Always take as much time as you can to get ready for your move, instead of delaying.

• Packing Without Protection

As you relocate to a new home, keeping your fragile items safe is crucial to avoid damage and financial losses. This means taking the time to get the necessary packing materials and utilizing the proper packing techniques to sufficiently protect your items, whether it’s electronics, glassware, antiques, or any other sensitive item. Never skip this part of the process, as it will only result in damaged items—and ultimately a headache to deal with when you arrive at your destination.

• Insufficient Labeling

When packing your boxes, consistently labeling is key to remaining organized. Ultimately, being organized during your move allows for a less stressful, smoother relocation process, and it can save a huge amount of time when you unpack. Many people make the mistake of getting lazy about their labeling, either writing labels without much detail or forgoing the step entirely. This is a major mistake, as it will only slow down the unpacking process.

• Skipping on Moving Insurance

Moving companies provide moving insurance with their services as mandated by federal law, but this provided option is only released-value protection, the basic carrier liability. Released-value protection only covers up to 60 cents per pound, and for valuable items, this is nowhere near the full value of the item. When you want to make sure your most valuable belongings are insured, it’s crucial to invest in full-value protection. This offers peace of mind and financial protection in the event of loss or damage in transit.

• Forgetting to Forward Your Mail

As your move approaches, you should notify important parties about your new address. This includes employers, insurance companies, banks, and other parties you would receive important correspondence from. However, to ensure nothing slips through the cracks, setting up mail forwarding with the postal service is crucial. This will make sure you receive all your mail to your old address for up to a year following your relocation.

• Belatedly Booking Movers

If you’re looking to hire movers for your relocation, booking in advance is of the utmost importance. Especially during the busy season from May to September, movers will have limited availability, as companies’ schedules quickly fill up due to the volume of relocations. To ensure you receive the dates you need for your move, avoid procrastinating and book with your desired movers as early as possible. As an added bonus, booking in advance can sometimes result in discounts—so be sure to handle this step as early as you can!

• Underestimating Necessary Supplies

Moving to a new home requires a large amount of packing supplies, including boxes, bubble wrap, moving blankets, packing tape, and more. When you get your supplies, try to assess your needs as accurately as possible so you don’t run out of these crucial materials in the middle of packing. You may even want to overestimate to avoid any delays that could be caused by running out of supplies early.

• Overpacking (or Underpacking) Your Boxes

When it comes to packing your boxes, keep Goldilocks in mind—you want your boxes to be filled not too much, not too little, but just enough. While overpacking can result in crushed items or broken boxes, underpacking can result in lots of jostling in transit and damage to your belongings. Instead, be mindful about filling your boxes with just enough weight and space taken up. If you have extra space in a box that shouldn’t be loaded with more weight, filling with soft materials or bubble wrap can allow you to prevent movement in transit.

• Haphazardly Packing

Last but not least on our list of moving faux pas is haphazardly throwing items into boxes, instead of packing your items carefully. By rushing to pack your belongings and simply shoving them in boxes without any real organization, you end up increasing the chances of damage in transit and ultimately make unpacking more difficult. Take the extra time to organize your boxes and set yourself up for success when you unpack in your new home.

Move Like an Expert by Avoiding These Mistakes

By avoiding these moving mistakes, you can successfully relocate to your new home like an expert. Looking for a trusted moving company to help you get there? Trust Coral Springs Moving & Storage, South Florida’s reliable movers since 1974. We offer highly-rated moving, packing, and storage services for local and long distance moves, allowing customers to enjoy streamlined relocation solutions.

Request a free quote online or call us today, and learn more about our top-rated services at affordable rates!

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!