There are some invalid fields. Please check your fields and try submitting the form again.

Thank you for submitting your online payment.

Long distance moving checklist

Please fill the form below or just call us at 877-270-3202

Get a Free Moving Quote

MM slash DD slash YYYY
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden
Hidden

three people sitting in the back of the van

Well moving, in general, can be a very stressful event in people’s lives – especially moving long distances. It’s an entirely different thing to pack for a move across the neighborhood – but the bigger the distance, the bigger the worry. There are many things that you should make sure to bear in mind when planning your long distance relocation. If you fail to take this process seriously, you are going to stand a great chance of carrying out your relocation in a way that would make you feel like you would rather forget it. And this is not what you should aim for. Therefore, let Number 1 Van Lines help you with your long distance moving and make it just a tad more bearable! Here is what your checklist needs to contain!

Basics of every long distance moving plan

With long distance moving, you will need to plan better and in advance. Winging it is not an option here. So the safest option is to call residential movers Toronto to help out. When you’re making a plan, everyone is present and included. No one should be left in the dark about moving plans. Your plan must start a few weeks before the move. Each week holds a new kind of task for every family member. Before long distance moving, making a plan or a checklist if you will is mandatory.

a woman writing a long distance moving checklist
Come up with an inventory list

Some things are absolutely necessary for your long distance moving checklist and these are:

  1. Getting more than one moving estimate
  2. Getting your documentation in order
  3. Settling your utilities
  4. Purchasing insurance

These are the most relevant, and no move, long or short distance can go without settling obligatory things. Getting Number 1 Van Lines for the job is a must.

Getting more than one moving estimate

The first thing that you should do when you decide to relocate is to pick one of the long distance movers in Canada that are going to help ensure that you move with ease. While this may sound like a pretty easy job, it is not always like that. Simply, there are many moving companies out there. Therefore, making out which moving company is trustworthy can sometimes be easier said than done. 

However, the truth is that with some preparation, you can also choose the moving company for you. There are just two things that you need to do in order to choose correctly. The first thing is to know what it is that you are after. On the other hand, you should make sure to conduct small market research. This does not mean that you need to come up with a SWAT analysis or anything similar. You just need to obtain more than one moving estimate. Preferably, at least three.

Once you have them, you should go ahead and compare the offers that you have received. Then, you are going to be able to decide which moving company meets the requirements that you have set. The next thing that you should do is to hire them.

Get your documents sorted out

Packing is one of the most important aspects of any move. However, it is not the only thing that you are going to have to worry about. You should also take the time to prepare your documents for moving. Unless you do this, settling into your new home or office is going to be very difficult and time-consuming.

Obtain medical documents before your long distance moving
Make sure to obtain transcripts from your doctor

Some of the most important documents that you need to have ready on a moving day are doctors’ notes. Choosing a new doctor in the city that you have relocated to is easy. Getting him or her up to date with your medical condition, the procedures that you have had, and the illnesses you have been through is going to be very difficult without your medical documents accessible to your new MD. Therefore, you should take the time and let your current doctor know the time that you are going to be moving. Ask the doctor’s office to prepare a transcript of your notes in advance. This way, you are going to have them on you before long distance movers Toronto has to offer come and pick you up. This means that you will have them on you on time.

So, make sure to do this ahead of the move. Do not put it off. It is only going to make your move more difficult.

Plan your own long distance move

Apart from securing help from trustworthy movers, we need to talk to you about planning your relocation with the help from long distance movers Hamilton has to offer. Given the fact that you are the one who is the subject of the move, you need to be the subject in the driving seat as well. How do you do this you ask? All that you need to do is to come up with a moving plan and implement it.

The moving plans come in all shapes and sizes. Some people like having them physically in hand. Others like having them written on their computers and accessible online. Whatever your decision is, you should stick to it. 

image of a highway
Long distance moving can be tiring, hiring movers will help you tremendously.

The moving plan that you will create needs to contain all of the tasks that you need to complete in order to be ready for when the moving day arrives. Therefore, write down what you need to compete. Then, divide the moving plan into smaller sections. Each of these sections should receive a timeframe for completion. As time passes by and your process of preparing for the move advances, you need to check whether you are still on track time-wise. In the case that everything is still fine – great!

However, should you realize that you are falling behind on the schedule, you should make sure to revise your plan. Address the issues that have arisen. When you have dealt with them, adjust the moving plan and keep on implementing it. If you carry this process out with the necessary diligence, you can bet that you are going to be ready when the moving day comes.

Decide what comes and what goes

Long distance moving means not everything is going with you. Before the relocation, the decluttering part must happen in your home. And the same as with the plan, everyone must be included. There is no way you are going to need absolutely everything you own now. The burden of having to bring all that is not only physical, but it’s also psychological as well. Do not dwell on the past, and leave everything you do not love behind.

There is no need to throw everything away. Make three piles of the clutter in your home: throw, sell, donate. Having a garage sale is a great opportunity to gather some money for packing supplies before your long distance move. Moreover, learn how to store the items you are keeping and donate what you think will be of use to those in need. And what is clearly broken and has no use anymore, goes in the trash.

declutter before Long distance moving
Make sure to declutter on time

Buy packing supplies for your long distance moving

Packing supplies aren’t just cardboard boxes, and if you are moving long distances, you will need much more. Some of your belongings will need special care for a long trip ahead. Use your money earned from a garage sale to buy boxes, containers, air-filled wraps, etc. For some of the packing supplies, you can find suitable substitutes in your home. The tricks of saving money when moving are using blankets and towels as covers to protect fragile items will save you some money.

Long distance moving can be costly sometimes, but there are a few tricks here and there to save up. Local liquor stores have a lot of cardboard boxes early in the morning when the goods arrive. Pop by one afternoon and ask if they can save some for you. Go in the next morning to pick them up. Make sure you label every box you pack. Make the job of unpacking easier for yourself later. Trust us, you will be exhausted after the move.

Are you going to need professional moving help?

Some of you may be able to easily pack on your own. However, this is usually a bit farther from the truth. Plenty of people realize too late that they could use professional help when moving to Ontario. When this happens, moving is going to become far more unpleasant than it used to be. So, in the case that you are uncertain about your packing skills, you should make sure to take into serious consideration the option of hiring professional moving help. While this may seem like an unnecessary expense, it most certainly is not. It is the best way to ensure that all of your items survive the move. And if they do, you are going to be able to use them right away!

Plan your eating schedule

Well, yes, there are more things you should plan, such as your eating schedule. Perishable foods are not meant to travel, especially not long distances. Having that in mind, plan your meals ahead so the food doesn’t go to waste. If you have a lot, a dinner party is always an option.

Apart from food, some hazardous materials are also not meant for long distance moving. Fuel for your mowing machine will do your neighbor better now than you. Do not risk it by bringing the fuel, some flammable cleaning supplies, etc with you. Either throw them away or give them to a neighbor.

husband and wife
Make sure to eat and stay hydrated

Pack your box of essentials for long distance moving

Packing a box of essentials is absolutely mandatory, especially with long distance moving.  A bag of essentials would be a bag, box, or luggage of everything you’ll need in the next few days. Planning to unpack right after you move is a rookie mistake. As we said, you will be exhausted.

Pack some basic hygiene equipment for a night or two. Some utensils, canned food, and a change of clothes. If you are sleeping in your new home right away, pack linens as well. Some people like to sleep in a hotel for a night or two, to give themselves time to clean first. Unpacking on dusty shelves is not a clever move. What should also be at hand are the documents we mentioned. Everything from your medical records, to your pet records, school files, etc. Everything super important is coming with you.

Make an inventory list

Long distance moving, can be a problem sometimes. Hiring reputable moving companies is an important part of this whole deal. Whether you hired Hamilton movers or not, making an inventory list is a smart move. This is for your own peace of mind first. And if something happens then an inventory list is a lifesaver.

to do list
Come up with your to-do list on time

As well as packing, making an inventory list when moving is a must and should follow the room-by-room rule. Perhaps it is easier if you know where to buy a personal planner. We know it sounds like torture, going and writing down everything you own. But it’s better to be safe than sorry later. If something gets lost, damaged, or stolen, an inventory list is your ticket out. Taking pictures also helps. Store pictures of valuable belongings before the move on your phone. That way you can get your money back as well if something happens. Not to scare you or anything, this is just smart thinking.

The long distance moving is doable!

Long distance moving is a new thing for many of you. However, it does not have to be scary. We hope we have helped you organize and plan this whole maneuver. Take the time and decide what you are going to do and when. Track your progress as you go. Adjust when you need to and keep on going! The rest is up to you, your family, and the moving company of your choice. Good luck!