What People Often Overlook When Planning Local Distance Moves

People move to a new home, on average, almost a dozen times in their lifetime, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Most of those moves are local and represent exciting milestones, like upgrading to a larger family home or landing a top-floor condo with those amazing South Florida views.

These new beginnings, though, can be tainted with the stress of moving all of your belongings. Many people go into a local move believing it’s easier than a cross-country move. And while it’s true you won’t need long-distance movers, a local distance move still has plenty of pitfalls. The following is a list of the tasks people overlook when planning local moves.

Decluttering Unwanted Items

Whether you’ve been in your current place for a year or 30 years, you have things you won’t want in your new place. Packing and transporting them will only add to the cost and time needed for your local move. Instead, when you donate or throw away these items, you’ll declutter your mind, too.

How Much Time It Takes to Pack

We’ll say it again: you have more stuff than you think. Even after you purge unwanted items, you’ll still have plenty to pack for a local move.

It also takes longer to pack these items than you think. From taping flattened boxes back into shape to wrapping every breakable item, packing your home for a move is time-consuming. That’s why it’s important to start early.

“Just Across Town” Is Still a Big Change

Even a few miles can put you in an entirely new community, especially in populated South Florida. A short, local move oftentimes means new schools, grocery stores, and neighborhoods.

You can prepare for this change by pre-buying your favorite hard-to-find items and picking up takeout menus from nearby restaurants so you can order in on your first night in your new home.

Preparing Kiddos and Pets for the Move

Even a move in the same neighborhood is a big change for children and pets. A new home with unfamiliar sights and sounds outside can cause fear and anxiety. Use the following steps to prepare kids and pets for the new move.

• Make sure pet microchips and collar tags are updated with your new address and information.
• Inform the school and caregivers of the upcoming big change so they can help kids manage their stress.
• Spend a day exploring the new neighborhood with your children before moving day.
• Purchase crates, carriers, and leashes so that pets can travel safely between locations.
• Pack an overnight bag for the kids so their favorite pajamas and toys will be within easy reach at the new home.

The Sanity-Saving Joy of Labeling Everything

Six months. That’s how long it takes to unpack after moving, according to Realtor.com. If you’re like us and can’t imagine going that long without your favorite spatula, then you’ll want to carefully label all of your boxes. Labeling everything, including which room the box belongs in, will help ensure you’re unpacked before the seasons change.

Logistical Preplanning

Don’t underestimate the importance of working out the logistics of your move ahead of time. A poorly thought-out moving day can drag on and take much longer than necessary.

Plan ahead for the following:

• If you’ve rented a moving truck, map a suitable route for the larger vehicle.
• Measure doorways in the new home.
• Plan how you’ll move large items up the stairs.
• If possible, use a measuring tape to preplan furniture placement in the new home.

Hidden Expenses of a Local Move

The cost of moving can really add up if you don’t make a plan. Take the following steps to keep costs under control.

• Call the utilities ahead of time to inquire about transfer fees.
• Make a week’s worth of freezer meals for your first week in your new home to avoid ordering in.
• Call local businesses to see if you can reuse their discarded boxes.
• Put frequently used items in boxes that are easy-to-find and labeled so that you don’t buy something you can’t find.
• Get a quote from South Florida movers. Once you factor in your time, hiring local movers is often comparable to a DIY move. You’ll feel less stress and fatigue, which always translates into smarter spending.

The Value of Hiring a Local Moving Company

It’s easy to think that hiring a moving company is unnecessary when the move is just across town. But hiring movers can save you time, money, and stress. Here’s how.

Insurance Against Expensive Breaks

If your buddy breaks the glass in your curio cabinet, there isn’t much you can do. But if something breaks when you hire professional movers, you’re covered. Just like long-distance movers, local moving companies are insured against property damage. That means you don’t have to absorb the cost of expensive breaks.

Liability Insurance

Moving can be hazardous for your breakables. But it’s downright dangerous for you and your friends. A strained back or a broken foot can potentially cause missed work. And as the homeowner, you could be liable for any costs associated with an injury. In any case, a moving-day accident would put a damper on your new beginning.

Get Back On Your Routine More Quickly

When you hire a moving company, you’ll be able to take fewer days off from work and get back on your routine more quickly. A DIY move is hard work. Loading and unloading are physically demanding and can take a long time if you don’t have enough people to help. Then, you have to carry everything into the rooms in which it belongs.

Even after all that, you’re still not done. After working hard all day, you still have to return the moving truck you rented. The whole process can take longer than a day and leave you exhausted.

Allegiance Van Lines: Florida’s Trusted Local Distance Movers

Packing up and moving all of your belongings requires a long checklist. When you hire Allegiance Van Lines, your to-do list will get much shorter.

We offer outstanding service and competitive rates. Most importantly, we’ll treat your belongings with care. Call our team at (561) 210-5120. Rest easy knowing our moving rates are competitive with no hidden fees when you receive a free Florida moving quote.