A cross-country move might seem daunting yet it is certainly feasible if you plan ahead, adjust your expectations and obtain help from professional movers. If you try to perform a DIY (do it yourself) move without assistance from experienced movers, you run the risk of turning into a nervous wreck. Ask for assistance from the moving experts and your cross-country move just might be executed without a hitch. Let’s take a look at a few tips that will help you make a seamless cross-country transition.

Consider the Logistics of the Move

If you are like most people, you own an abundance of furniture, electronics and valuables. Moving each and every item by yourself will likely prove to be an insurmountable challenge. Consider whether it makes sense to “start over” by selling your large items before the move. Most people find it is more financially prudent to hold onto their valuables and pay a moving service to transport them to the new location. After all, furniture and electronics are not cheap. Though re-buying each of these items would simplify the move, it would also likely bust your budget. Ally with a professional moving service and you won’t have to rent a massive truck and haul your heavy items in and out.

Declutter Your Living Space

Do not attempt to transport every single item you’ve acquired over the last couple of decades. Declutter your living space in the months and weeks ahead of your move. Create piles with labels like “sell”, “save” and “donate”. Give extended thought to whether an item is really worth keeping. If you haven’t used it in years and have no plans on using it after your move, sell it or donate it. This way, you won’t have to jam as many items into boxes and you’ll spend less on moving costs.

Box Quality Matters

Though high-quality boxes will cost money, they are certainly worth the expense. Invest in durable boxes that will safeguard your valuables and you won’t have to worry about the integrity of your possessions during the move. Perform some research to determine which boxes are the sturdiest. You might even be able to find some reliable boxes for free at schools, banks or manufacturing plants. Once the boxes are packed, label each with a list of its contents. Reinforce the list with laminate and/or tape. This way, the unpacking process will be quite easy once you arrive at your destination. If you decide to hire a moving service, take pictures of your valuables while packing to prove their pre-move existence and condition.

Organize all of Your Important Paperwork

We have all lost track of important paperwork in the past. It is imperative that you locate and organize such paperwork before moving. Collect documents like your birth certificate, passport, automobile registration and insurance policy. Put them in organized folders and keep them on your person during the move. This way, there is no chance that they will be damaged or lost during the moving process.