Essential Tips for Moving Cross-Country
If you’re moving across the country, you might be overwhelmed by everything there is to do before — and on — moving day. If so, you might want to consider hiring a cross-country moving company, like Allied Van Lines, to assist you with your move.
A professional cross-country moving company can not only help you by packing, loading, unloading, and transporting your belongings, but in several other ways too. From creating custom crating for fragile items to arranging car or boat transport, count on Allied to make the move more manageable and enjoyable.
Preparing for a Cross-Country Move with Allied Van Lines
At Allied, we know that planning for a cross-country move isn’t easy. If it seems like too much to manage, don’t worry. Our expert relocation crews at Allied can help with expert cross-country moving services, no matter how large the move. Take a closer look at the process for planning a cross-country move with our household moving company, plus some of our best tips for moving cross-country.
Effective Planning for Moving Cross-Country in Canada
Ready to start planning your cross-country move? Here are some helpful steps to get you started.
- Create a moving checklist. Your moving checklist should include high-priority items like your moving timeline, a plan to determine which items you plan to keep and which you intend to store or donate, purchasing packing supplies, and scheduling professional packers and movers. If you’re not sure where to start, your Allied relocation coordinator can help.
- Coordinate with your moving crew. Depending on your needs, your Allied moving team can help with everything from boxing up your belongings to loading, transporting, and unloading items at your new property. We can even coordinate short- or long-term storage in secure facilities throughout Canada. You tell us your timeline, and we’ll make the move happen.
- Determine the most efficient packing plan. You’ll meet with your moving crew supervisor before packing begins, allowing you time to develop an efficient packing plan. We’ll work with you to sort your belongings and label boxes to suit your needs, too.
- Make a plan for kids and pets. Moving can be stressful, especially for your children and pets. Consider necessary plans like transportation, but also think about ways to make the move easier. You may even pack bags of essential items for your children or pets, such as snacks, books, beloved toys, or games for your kids. Your pets may also enjoy treats, a comfy bed or blanket, and toys to play with during the move.
Efficient Packing Strategies for Your Cross-Country Move
Our expert packers and movers at Allied have the knowledge and expertise to pack your belongings efficiently and securely. We employ special techniques to make the most of our packing materials and truck or storage space. When needed, we can even create custom crating to protect oversized items, artwork, or other fragile belongings.
All that said, there are a few factors you can consider before packing for a cross-country move:
- Lean on your moving checklist — and split up the work. Rather than trying to pack everything in one day, break packing into scheduled chunks so it feels more manageable. For instance, you may decide to pack one room per day.
- Label bags and boxes. This is especially true if they contain fragile items. You can also colour-code your boxes to make it easier to sort them by room when you arrive at your new home.
- Pack carefully and tape well. Take your time packing to ensure your items are safe and secure during transportation. Investing in high-quality moving boxes will reduce the risk of breaking or spilling. Make sure to tape boxes well, too. You may even consider using plastic bins rather than boxes for easier stacking and increased durability.
- Keep the essentials within arm’s reach. Moving day can be chaotic, so make sure you set aside any necessary items — like personal identification, plane tickets, passports, medication, electronics, and chargers — and pack them carefully in a bag or box you plan to keep on your person.
Have more questions? Check out our team’s favourite moving resources for more insights and tips for moving cross-country.
What to Expect on Moving Day When Moving Across the Country
More than likely, moving day will start early. If possible, it’s a good idea to finish preparations the day before. On the morning of your move, gather any final belongings like toiletries or bedding and get ready for your moving crew to arrive!
When you partner with a household moving company like Allied, your team of professional movers will follow your moving plan to the letter to ensure everything is packed carefully and loaded into the truck.
Depending on your needs, your team can manage everything from packing boxes to loading the truck and ensuring your items won’t shift or move during transit. We can also help shuttle any items designated for storage to one of our secure facilities and provide unpacking assistance when you reach your destination.
Cross-Country Moving Options: Transportation and Logistics
Experienced cross-country moving companies like Allied Van Lines are generally able to provide the following moving options for a cross-country relocation:
- Car and boat transit. Do you have a car or boat that you have no way of transporting across the country? Hire a moving company you trust to take your vehicles the long distance. This means you can fly to your new location without worrying about how your vehicles will get there. At Allied, depending on the size of your vehicle, it will either be placed on the moving truck with the rest of your belongings or on another truck.
- Shuttle services. A reputable cross-country moving company can provide a small truck to transport your belongings between your old home and new home or to storage.
- Piano moving. If you have a piano or some other valuable instrument that’s not easy to move, find movers who can do it. You’ll want a cross-country moving company like Allied that has experience with virtually every type of piano, the equipment to get the job done, and the crew to do it without requiring your assistance.
- Assembly and disassembly. There are some belongings that are difficult to prepare for moving, including swing sets, waterbeds, grandfather clocks, and certain pieces of furniture. Our team can disassemble these items for you and reassemble them when you get to your new location.
- Storage. Although you could rent storage space from a random storage unit near your new home, why not hire a cross-country moving company you trust to supply the space instead? Allied can provide short-term and long-term storage, as well as storage-in-transit, which is helpful if your new home won’t be available immediately upon your move.
- Crating. You may be able to pack your own belongings for your big move, but what do you plan to do with items like artwork, delicate collectibles, and electronic equipment? Because these belongings need special treatment, Allied offers custom crating to protect anything fragile and valuable.
Settling Into Your New Home After Moving Cross-Country
Moving cross-country is a huge endeavour. But once you’re settled into your new space, it will all be worth it. There are even a few things you can do to make settling in easier, such as switching utilities immediately. That way, you can go inside, turn on the lights, and make a quick meal or take a hot shower without any delay.
If you’re working with a professional moving crew, your team can make sure boxes are sorted and placed in the proper rooms, too. This will make it easier for you to begin unpacking and turning your new house into a home.
Start Your Cross-Country Move with Confidence!
The next time you move, consider lightening your load! Count on Allied’s expert cross-country moving team to take some of the burden – or all of it – off your shoulders. When you’re ready to get moving, reach out to your local Allied Van Lines team.