75 WAYS TO SAVE TIME AND MONEY ON LONG DISTANCE MOVES

DIRECTION AND PREP

1. DO IT YOURSELF:  This not always the cheapest route to go.  If you decide you are not using a local mover or interstate mover, make sure you have proper help and equipment to do your move.  This can get very costly if you are not well prepared and know what you are getting yourself into.
2. RENT A TRUCK:  If you are not moving with a moving company.  Make sure you reserve the truck well in advance of your move date.  Call and confirm your truck rental a week before and a day before.  Check with the rental company about down payments and additional charges for mileage, etc. ahead of time.  Inspect the vehicle at pickup, so you are not charged for someone else’s damage on the back side.
3. GET FURNITURE READY:  The more stuff you have ready to go, disassembled, taken apart, broken down and wrapped up, it will speed up the moving process, and make things on move day go a little smoother.
4. ELECTRONICS UNPLUGGED:  It is a good idea to unplug electronics, refrigerators, and appliances at least 24 hours prior to moving.  Make sure all items are at room temperature during the move.  Most manufacturers will recommend this especially when it comes to appliances .
5. PORTABLE STORAGE CONTAINERS:  This can save you money when you can’t move in directly to your new home.  Some companies will drop the container and pick up in all 50 states.
6. FORGET THE PLANTS OR TAKE THEM YOURSELF:  Plants are more of a hassle than anything.  Most interstate movers will not take them due to state laws, pests or parasites on equipment, or equipment getting dirty.  Give them away or take them yourself if you cannot part with them.  A mover may charge if your plant tips in their truck, and their equipment gets dirty.
7. JUNK OLD PAPERWORK:  Make sure you go through old junk papers.  Discard any old newspapers, magazines, mail.  These unnecessary items not only add to your packing, but may add to your moving costs also.  It’s a good idea to purge if you can.
8. CLOTHING:  If you don’t wear it, get rid of it.  It’s a good idea to donate, or discard any articles that are not worn.  Rather than taking it with you and adding time to your packing, moving, and more money, donate, dispose, or give to someone who may be in need or a charity.
9. CHILDRENS TOYS:  The old saying out of sight, out of mind is a good one to use when it comes to children’s toys.  Get rid of clutter, you can also donate items that the kids don’t need to a charity.  This is a good way to get your children get involved with helping other kids in need, if they are having a hard time parting with their unneeded toys.
10. ADULT TOYS:  Same rule goes for adults, whether it’s exercise equipment, old cds, dvds, bikes, etc., if you don’t use it, why move it, this only adds to your moving costs, along with headaches by having to move bulky items, or not having a place for it.
11. CLEAN OUT THE GARAGE:  Get rid of tools, and equipment that you do not use.
12. FOOD:  It’s a good idea to try and use all the food in your cupboards, and eat everything up in your fridge, freezer prior to your move so nothing is wasted.  You can always go grocery shopping when you get into your new place and then it is one less thing moved.  You don’t want to move frozen or refrigerated items on an interstate move with household items.
13. DISPOSE OR DONATE OLD RUGS AND FURNITURE:  Dispose or donate items that aren’t going to be used.  Local charities, Craig List, E-Bay or “to the curb” are options.  Remember one man may use what another man doesn’t cherish.
14. SWINGSETS/TRAMPOLINES/KIDSOUTDOOR SLIDES/HOUSES:  This stuff will save you money especially if you leave them for the new owners.  If you have to take these items, it’s a good idea to have everything taken apart and ready to go.  This will save you time on your move along with moving costs.  Remember this will add weight to your shipment. If using a mover to do this portion of the move, make sure you let them know if disassembly and reassembly is required or not so they come properly prepared.
15. POOL TABLES:  Hire a 3^rd party service when it comes to your pool table for disassembly and reassembly or sell it with your home and get a new one at your destination, especially with long distance moving.
16. HOT TUBS:  Have the hot tubs drained and ready to go, and if having your interstate mover take it, make sure they look at it ahead of time so it is included with your move.  You can view tips to move a hot tub article on assistance with this.
17. MUSIC INSTRUMENTS:  Wait till after your move to have your instruments tuned .
18. HAZARDOUS ITEMS, EXPLOSIVES:  Movers cannot take these by law, so dispose of them prior to your move.
19. MOVING SALE:  Host a garage sale, moving sale, estate sale.  There are many people who will cherish your unneeded items, plus you can make some extra cash while doing so, along with helping someone else save some money.
20. BASKETBALL HOOPS AND FLAG POLES:  Instead of going through the hassle of moving these items, leave them for the new owners, and include them with the purchase price, this will save you time and money on moving costs.
21. POOLS:  Leave pools, do not move.  This will cause more headaches then you will want to deal with.
22. CLEAN HOUSE:  Make sure you do a deep cleaning of your house; you can hire a cleaning service that specializes in moving out cleanings.  Make sure carpets, walls, appliances are clean and ready for the new tenants.  This can save you on additional fees that can be charged to you, or closing issues you do not want to deal with.
23. MOUNTED SHELVES AND FIXTURES OF THE HOME:  Leave items that are built or mounted onto walls. You do not want to leave the new owners or tenants with lots of holes or damage to walls.  This will avoid unwanted charges to you because of repairs.

ORGANIZATION

1. HAVE AN AGENDA AND BE ORGANIZED:  Have an action plan for the move day, closing times, picking up vehicle, babysitters, movers, flights, etc.
2. CONTAINERS/BOXES/TUBS: Have all containers packed, closed up and sealed, so they are ready to go, and are able to be stacked.
3. MARK BOXES WITH DESTINATION ROOM AND CONTENTS:  Mark containers on 2 sides of the box, also make sure to mark if the container is “fragile” or not.
4. FLOOR PLAN:  Have a layout for where your furniture is going to in your new location.  This will save you time.  You may want to do a floor plan and measure out if big bulky furniture will fit, so you do not have to worry about storage, hoisting, disposing, etc.
5. WARDROBE BOXES:  Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes.  This is an inexpensive way to move clothing, and most moving companies will allow you to rent these inexpensively or include the rentals for free during your move.
6. LEAVE CLOTHING IN DRESSERS:  Leave clothing in dressers, make sure they are not overstuffed, and that it is clothing only.  You do not want anything in drawers that will rattle around, no loose items, no valuables, nothing too heavy that will cause your drawers to get damaged.
7. EMPTY DESK CONTENTS:  Make sure to pack items that are in a desk to avoid damage, and loss.
8. MOVE JEWELRY AND HIGH VALUE ITEMS YOURSELF:  Make sure you move any valuables, jewelry, etc. yourself. Your mover is not liable for missing items if a high value inventory has not been performed.
9. FILE CABINETS:  If it is a lateral, remove all contents, and if a 2 drawer or 4 drawer legal file, it’s a good idea to at least remove the top drawer or 2, depending on how full they are.
10. MEDICINE:  Don’t pack your medicine in a carton that will be loaded on the truck or your movers will take.  Keep these items with you, or have enough to last you 30 days or a medicine container on hand.
11. TRANSFER MEDICATION AND HAVE BACKUP REFILLS:  Make sure to have your medication transferred to your new pharmacy transferred and back up refills in case your new physician cant get you in right away.
12. LOCKER CLEAN UP:   Clean out lockers (gym, work, etc) you do not want to leave your items and have to worry about having them shipped after wards.
13. AVOID 411 CALLS:  Try 1-800-free-411 or looking items up in a phone book or internet if you have a computer.
14. DO WALK THROUGH WITH LANDLORD AND BUYERS:  Do a walk through with buyers and landlord to avoid charges, take pictures or videos to confirm condition.
15. COLLECT SECURITY DEPOSITS:  After doing a walk through, collect your security deposits.
16. KEEP A FILE WITH CHARITY RECEIPTS, MOVING EXPENSIVE ITEMS:  Keep a file with charity receipts, moving expenses, home improvements, etc, you may be able to write these off on your year end taxes.
17. CANCEL OR TRANSFER SUBSCRIPTIONS:  You can cancel or transfer subscriptions to your new location, so you are not paying unnecessary dues or not receiving what are paying for.
18. CANCEL OR SELL MEMBERSHIPS:  You can cancel or sell memberships like clubs, gym, etc.
19. TRANSFER ALL LEGAL DOCUMENTS AND CLOSE ACCOUNTS:  Bank accounts, insurance policies, safety deposits boxes, etc, make sure this is all done ahead of time especially when moving out of state.
20. UTILITIES:  Notify all utility companies of shut off and turn on dates, have appointments scheduled.
21. CHECK HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE AND KNOW WHATS COVERED DURING YOUR MOVE:  This can help you make the correct insurance decision if you are using a mover.
22. NOTIFY SERVICE PEOPLE:  Make sure you notify service people like cleaning services, lawn, pool maintenance, and discontinue services and pay your final invoices.

THE MOVER AND LOGISTICS

1. ALLOW ENOUGH TIME WHEN SELECTING YOUR MOVER:  Make sure you give yourself enough time to select a mover, and you can research all options, and do the proper due diligence.
2. GET MULTIPLE QUOTES:  It’s a good idea to get multiple quotes, especially when traveling interstate, make sure you get an on-site estimate, to compare pricing and services offered.
3. SHOW THE MOVER EVERYTHING:  Make sure you are as accurate as possible, that way your quote is accurate.
4. BE CAREFUL OF A COMPANY WHO OFFERS TOO MANY FREEBIES:  If it sounds too good to be true, most likely it is, make sure to get your quote in writing.
5. ARRANGEMENTS FOR PETS:  Make sure you have arrangements made ahead of time for your pets especially when traveling long distance.
6. ARRANGEMENTS FOR KIDS:  Make sure you have a plan for your kids on moving day.
7. SELECT A MOVER BY GETTING REFERRALS, BBB, and LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES:  This will help you save time or stress by going with someone that is recommended to you or has a good background.
8. VEHICLE SERVICED:  Have your vehicle service especially if driving long distance ahead of time.
9. EMERGENCY KIT:  Have food, blankets, diapers, kid’s toys, favorite items nearby or at easy access to save time and money, also first aid kit is helpful also.
10. HAVE ENOUGH CASH AND CREDIT CARDS ON HAND:  You never know when you will need to access cash or credit cards, also to have money if you are using mover to be able to pay for the services, truck rentals, fuel, etc.
11. USED BOXES:  You can save money by getting boxes from grocery stores, friends, moving companies will sometimes sell them, etc, and this will save you from having to purchase new boxes.
12. MOVING KITS:  Some movers will sell a moving kit, and will have everything you need for packing; this will save you on having to buy everything individually and is usually cheaper than having to buy them alone.
13. MOVING BLANKETS/PADS:  Use quilts and moving blankets if moving yourself to avoid damages to your furniture.
14. PAPER-PADS VS MOVING BLANKETS:  If having to move your items into storage, paper pads are a more cost efficient way of having your items wrapped; most movers will offer this to you, if not you should ask.  Paper pads are usually a 2 or 3 ply brown paper wrapping and is much less expensive than moving blankets.
15. FLOOR PROTECTION:  Have floor protection down during the move to avoid damage. Rosin paper can be used for hardwood and can be found at a home improvement store.
16. PARKING SPACE FOR TRUCK:  Make sure the truck is able to get close to the building or you may incur a charge for a shuttle.
17. ELEVATOR RESERVATIONS:  Make sure you let the mover know there is an elevator, for long distance moves; there are sometimes additional fees for this, also confirm your elevator reservations with your building, your building may require a deposit or charge you for use.
18. PEAK VS. NON PEAK:  Different times of the year for interstate moves can cost more than others; generally summer is usually busier than the winter, so rates may vary a bit.
19. BACK-HAUL:  If you are not concerned when your items will arrive to, you can save some money by doing a back-haul (this is where your shipment is on a truck, with multiple shipments, and the moving company will tell you when they are picking up and delivering).  Call to get quotes from movers headquartered in your destination city.
20. SATELLITE SYSTEMS AND TV MOUNTS:  Its easier and cheaper to leave, and purchase a new one than worrying with the hassle of moving them.
21. BINDING QUOTE:  Get a binding or “not to exceed” estimate, some states will allow these as well as for local moves.
22. GUARANTEED DATES OF DELIVERY:  Get exact dates of delivery so you are not wasting time and money trying to take scheduled days of work off.
23. PAYMENT OPTIONS:  See if your mover has different incentives for payment terms.  Surcharges for credit cards or if cash discounts exist.
24. PAYMENT TERMS:  Find out timing of payment terms.  Most interstate movers will not start unloading until payment is secured.
25. WITNESS A REWEIGH:  Make sure you witness the weighing of the truck, also, make sure if the level of fuel in the truck’s tanks is the same at both the empty weight and loaded weight.  Diesel fuel weighs 5lbs per gallon.  An empty weight with empty fuel tanks combined with a loaded weight with full fuel tanks can affect the weight of a shipment by up to 1500lbs.
26. TIPPING:  Although not mandatory, it is customary.  Don’t be pressured into tipping but if on a multiple day move, tipping part on the front end and part on the back can build rapport also.  If you do tip, have cash on hand, most movers will not want tips on credit cards or the extra step of a personal check. This again will show a friendlier attitude.
27. DO A WALK THROUGH:  When doing a walk through, make sure all of your items are reassembled and parts are present, if you choose to reassemble it yourself, and that items are where you want them to be.
28. INSPECT THE VEHICLE:  This can help show that nothing has been left behind.
29. INVENTORIES CHECKED OFF:  Make sure if inventories have been used they are checked off.  It’s better to check off the inventory yourself for control purposes.  If items aren’t checked off the list on the bill of lading or circle etc and confirm with the driver or crew leader with signatures.
30. PROTECT YOUR RIGHT AT THE END OF THE MOVE:  Sign all necessary documents.  Get copies of inventories.  Do a walk through with the crew leader to check furniture, walls, floor condition, any damages, or missing items should be on the inventories or bill of lading.  This doesn’t insure any remedy, but it doesn’t hurt. The type of insurance, etc you took with the mover does play a part but documenting damages, etc, helps assign responsibility.