Are you a resident of San Diego that’s looking to relocate across the country? GPS Moving services can assist you. Their moving company will answer all of your questions, give you a personalized moving day plan and help you have a smooth and easy transition when it’s time for you to move.
Below we share the answers to some common questions that first-time cross-country movers have when they’re making plans to relocate. Additionally, should you have any further concerns, please contact us, we’re available to help!
What to do Before a Cross-Country Move?
You have to prepare yourself and your home when you’re about to do a long distance relocation.
Here are a few tips to get you going in the right direction:
#1 Start early: Give yourself plenty of time to schedule your movers and allow time unpredictable circumstances. You don’t want to schedule your movers too late and then if something pops up it derails your move-in timeline.
#2 Make a plan and stick to it: This includes creating a budget, checklist, and keeping your tasks organized to help make the transition as hassle-free as possible.
#3 Cleaning: Start cleaning about 4 weeks in advance so that you don’t have to do everything at once. This is helpful to both you and the movers when they come to load your things into the truck.
#4 Sell old items: If there’s anything you don’t absolutely need, you should just sell it. This helps with recovering some of the money you’ll pay for moving services and cuts down on clutter.
#5 Organized Packing: Make sure that you pack your things in an organized manner that makes it simple.for the movers to load and unload on moving day.
*For this tip remember that there are some items that you can’t transport using moving services.
What should you not pack when moving?
- Bleach and other chemicals such as ammonia
- Fireworks
- Batteries (lead-acid)
- Gasoline
- Kerosene
- Motor Oil
- Matches
Do Interstate Movers Have a Minimum Size Requirement?
Before you start making your plans to move, take into consideration that the company you choose may have a minimum size requirement in order to service you. Most times, this won’t be a problem when you factor in furniture; nonetheless, it helps to have all the little details sorted before you begin making a checklist of what you’ll need to move long distances.
The average minimum size requirement for a long distance move is 1,000 lbs. This is about the same as a small studio or 40 medium-sized boxes.
It’s also noteworthy that the summer season is considered to be the peak moving period for many. From May-August, you may find that some companies that offer moving services will increase their minimum from 1000 lbs to 2,000 lbs. Some moving companies may go as high as 3,500 lbs. That is the equivalent of a one-bedroom apartment.
How Do I Choose Cross-Country Movers?
In order to perform a move across state lines, the moving company must be both licensed and insured. Selecting a moving company in the San Diego area can be challenging because it’s a big city with over 1.5 million people, and there are a lot of options. There are a few ways that you can narrow down your choices; here’s what you should be looking for before you commit to a moving company.
- Strong profile of successful cross-country moves from previous clients
- Good online reviews
- Look for a address that you can find online in case you want to visit; this helps to ensure that they’re a legit company
- Check for a positive FMCSA complaint history
- Active licensing and insurance
- Friendly staff
- Professional environment
- Good communication
- Safe facility (this is more applicable to those who may enlist the help of the company for storage services)
These are some of the best qualities of a good moving company. If you can check these things off your list, you may have found the perfect moving company to suit your needs.
What is the best day of the week to move?
If you’re relocating, especially across the country, you’ll want to choose a day of the week where there won’t be a high demand, which could result in higher rates. Due to work schedules, most people choose to move during the weekend, starting with Friday. Should you want to move long distance, choose Monday-Thursday.
How long does it take to move a car across states?
The answer to this question mainly depends on how far away you’re moving. If you’re going from coast-to-coast, make sure you make other arrangements for traveling; automobile transportation takes 1-2 weeks. So if you get your car shipped after you move then you may want to familiarize yourself with public transportation routes.
Should you visit a moving company before booking?
It’s a good idea to see if you can schedule an appointment ahead of booking the moving company so that you can get a feel for how they operate. Positive and professional energy goes a long way when entrusting a company with all of your valuables. You’ll want to be sure that they are helpful and attentive to your wishes from the beginning of the process until they’ve delivered your belongings to your new location.
Are There Additional Fees When You Move Long Distances?
Here are some unexpected situations that could cause the moving company to charge additional fees:
- Additional stops (if you don’t plan everything accordingly on moving day and you have to make more stops than were anticipated, it may cost extra from the company)
- Fragile items that aren’t packaged well (If you haven’t packaged your fragile items properly, the moving company may ask to repack for you on moving day, that’ll be an additional fee per box)
- Not ready to move (if you’re not ready to move when the company arrives, it means your move will probably take longer, which will result in additional fees)
- Adding more things to the inventory (you can’t add more stuff to your list when the movers arrive without expecting more fees as well; be sure to get rid of that stuff or be prepared to pay a little more)
Are There Any Good Moving Companies in San Diego?
While we at GPS Moving respect our competitors, we hope that you’ll choose us for your long distance moving needs. We’re a family and we treat our customers like family as well. We will be punctual and we will ensure your satisfaction from start to finish. If you or someone you know may be interested in relocating for work, school, or just a change or scenery, GPS Moving is here to help.