September 10, 2024 Posted in Prepare for the Move
Milly Andrews

Born and raised in Portland, Milly has had a lot of experience moving and writing about the relocation process.

How Far in Advance to Schedule Movers for a Cross Country Relocation?

Even those who have never moved know how tiring and stressful it can get. This is especially true when you need to cross several state borders to get to your new destination. That is why many people decide to hire professional help, but how far in advance to schedule movers to ensure successful relocation? If long-distance moving is in your near future and you hope for the best outcome, keep reading and find out.

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Facilitate your relocation experience by booking professionals on time

Depending on the specific company you choose, the time of the year you plan to relocate, and the size of your inventory, you’ll need to schedule moving services between three months and a few weeks in advance. However, for the best results when relocating to a new state, it’s best to book your chosen company at least two months prior to your desired date. It will provide you and your company enough time to deal with all the complicated logistics of long-distance moving.

You Snooze, You Lose – The Importance of Timing

Whether you’re relocating to a new city alone or with your whole family, deciding to uproot your whole life and relocate miles upon miles away can be as terrifying as it is exciting. After all, relocation is considered one of the most stressful life events. Luckily, there is a way to get a huge part of the pressure off your back, if not all – by hiring cross-country movers.

Out of 28 million moves in 2022, nearly one-fifth were out of state

However, if you want to do it right, how far in advance do you need to schedule movers? When booking professional help, the right timing can greatly impact the outcome of the whole process – and make it a lot easier for you.

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How Far in Advance to Schedule Movers?

If you’re aiming to get the best moving experience and absolute peace of mind and book a specific relocation date that suits you the most, it’s best to hire professionals at least two to three months in advance. Intestate moves demand a lot of logistical planning, so scheduling movers this early on will give both you and them plenty of time to organize a relocation and execute it without a fault. However, if you find you don’t have that much time on your hands, make sure to give them a call at least four weeks before your chosen date.

In order to organize a stress-free relocation, the long-distance company you hire needs to be reliable. That being said, keep in mind that the most reputable professionals, such as Cross Country Moving Company, are booked months in advance. Therefore, the first task on your to-do list would be to set the exact date – and then start looking for trustworthy long-distance moving services.

Think About the Size of Your Move, as Well

It’s not the same whether you wish to relocate just a few relocation essentials or plan a big move with all of the things you own. The bigger your household inventory is, the earlier you should schedule professional help. The logic behind it is simple – a larger packing list requires more relocation day preparations, more effort, and a bigger workforce. If you want to move your three-bedroom home and try to book a company very close to your desired date, it’s possible they won’t be able to fit you into their schedule.

What Is the Best Time of Year for Cross-Country Moving?

Studies show that most people organize their moves between May and September – and that’s when demand for moving companies is at its highest. So, if you’re looking for the best time of year to move and can be flexible, it would be wise to avoid the summer. Not only will you reduce the moving costs, but you probably won’t need to book a specific date three months in advance – if you plan a winter move, several weeks ahead should be enough.

At the same time, if you’re able to book a date in the middle of the week and around the middle of the month, do so. The demand for professional relocation assistance is the highest during the weekends and at the beginning and the end of the month, so the companies are a lot busier during these times.

Benefits of Booking a Cross-Country Moving Service Early On

Lower Relocation Costs

When it’s time to move, there are many relocation benefits you can get by scheduling long-distance movers on time – saving money being the top one. Professionals will most likely charge you more when you try to hire them closer to your desired date. Therefore, if you have a tight relocation budget or are simply looking to reduce costs when relocating state-to-state, it’s best to book them in advance. That way, you can ensure the best possible rates and deals.

More Time for Research and Estimates

When you start looking for professionals on time, you won’t have to make a deal with the first available company and, quite possibly, stumble upon hidden fees or some of the many other common moving scams. On the contrary, you’ll have just enough time to go through all the potential companies and look for their rates, recommendations, and additional services. Moreover, you’ll be able to ask each of them for estimates, compare them, and make a deal with the company that fits your needs and budget the most.

Choosing the Day That Works Best for You

If you start organizing a relocation on time, you’ll be able to set the date that fits you the most. For example, as we said earlier, weekends are more popular options for most people than weekdays. Therefore, if you need to relocate during the weekend because of your job or school, you can lock in your desired date with your chosen company and relocate worry-free.

Customizing the Moving Process to Your Needs

When you’re relocating to a new home with the help of professionals, you’ll need to decide whether you want to get some additional help from them in the form of storage, packing services, and so on. If you start your research early on, you’ll be able to find and book a company that can provide all the cross-country moving services you require.

A Stress-Free Experience

With numerous deadlines and details, an interstate relocation demands a lot of planning. Trying to do everything at the last minute will not only prove to be extremely difficult but will surely result in several relocation mistakes, with more or less severe consequences. However, when you start organizing everything on time, including getting all the help you need, you’ll be able to prepare for a move without too much headache.

How to Research and Choose the Right Help When the Time Comes?

We’ve talked all about the importance of booking professional assistance in time. However, before you make a deal with a specific company, you should ensure you’ve chosen the best possible service – and it can be challenging. So, what should you look for when researching cross-country moving companies? Here are some moving hacks to keep in mind:

  • Read reviews and recommendations – ask those who moved recently or simply go online and see what people have to say about the companies you’re considering;
  • Contact multiple companies – don’t go with the first long-distance moving company you stumble upon, but make sure to ask for several estimates in order to compare them;
  • Check for license and insurance – in order to check if the relocation company is legitimate, you must obtain their license and insurance information. The easiest way to do so is to get a DOT number and check the company’s credentials with the FMCSA;
  • Beware of red flags – don’t choose companies that ask you to pay the whole sum upfront or, for example, those who can’t answer all of your relocation-related questions with ease.
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Hiring trustworthy professionals is necessary for a worry-free experience

Movers Are Booked – What Now?

So, you’ve listened to our advice and booked a trustworthy company on time – what is your next step? Scheduling is just the beginning of this process – there is still a lot of work to be done. Besides setting a date and budgeting, you also need to declutter and get rid of all the stuff you own but do not need, notify others, change your address, and so on. Those are all the tasks that need to be done by you and not the professionals. Make sure to leave enough time to finish them and avoid unnecessary haste.

Delegate Tasks as Much as Possible

Moving cross-country isn’t for the faint of heart. No matter how much thought you put into organizing this type of relocation, you’ll find your relocation checklist seemingly endless. In order to give yourself as much peace of mind as possible, it would be wise to look for a company that offers more than just basic long-distance moving services.

Make sure to book professionals who are able to pack all of the items from your inventory list. Keep in mind that packing fragile items, furniture, and other tricky household goods can be stressful and time-consuming. By getting professional packing help, you’ll free a lot of your time – time that can be used for finishing other important tasks on your to-do list.

If you plan on shipping a car to a new state, auto shipping services can also be a good solution. Instead of losing time and sleep over driving your car to a new state, let professionals transport it safely to your new destination and be worry-free.

It would also be wise to choose a company that is able to offer you storage services. It is especially important if you don’t know what to do with some of your belongings or if your new home is not ready yet. A reliable relocation company should also provide you with relocation insurance and, therefore, worry-free transport of all of your household inventory.

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The more help you get, the easier this process will become

With the Right Help, Even a Cross-Country Move Can Become Effortless

Choosing the right long-distance moving services when relocating can truly make or break your move – so why risk it? Don’t make these challenging times even more so! We at Cross Country Moving Company are here to aid you from the start of your relocation journey to its very end. Our experts have years of experience in interstate relocations and are able to provide you with the best moving experience there is. All you have to do is contact us and schedule our services on time.

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