The interstate moving process is one of the most challenging moves to go through. Whether you are moving from one state to another or across town, the process can seem daunting. You might have to pack and unpack, arrange an appraisal, and coordinate paperwork and tax forms. The interstate moving process is also challenging because it is much harder to track down the right movers for your situation than it would be if you were moving locally. This is because there are definitely less interstate moving companies than local ones. Trying to find the right movers, then having them agree to use your services can be a very time-consuming process.
Challenges of Interstate Moving
Interstate moving has a couple of difficulties that are unique from local moving. Some of these challenges include:
- Costs - The cost of interstate moving is more than it would be for a local move. Whether you hire movers to make the actual move or you go through an interstate mover, you are going to pay considerably more than if you moved locally. This is because the company will charge extra to cover its cost of doing business over long distances and also because they have to find, hire, coordinate and manage movers who can get across the entire country without having this information provided by the customer all at once at the beginning.
- Safety - This can be a particular challenge for parents with children. How can you be certain you are hiring a safe, responsible moving company? This is especially important if you have kids. Some of the worst things that could ever happen to a family would be having their kids kidnapped or lost in a move. It isn't likely, but it is enough of a possibility that you need to take extra care when selecting your mover. You might have to pay for an additional child safety seat or find out where a company does not allow kids on its trucks so that you can plan the move accordingly.
- Government involvement - There are many forms to fill out and laws to abide by when using an interstate mover. There will be forms that you must fill out, and there may be additional paperwork that bypasses local authorities. For example, if you are moving your business to another state, you might need to notify your state government office of the move before it is completed. All of this will come with its own extra cost.
Tips to Make Interstate Moving Easier
If you are moving across the country, whether it's to a new state or just to a different zip code, moving is nowhere near as easy as it is when you move locally. The extra costs, paperwork and safety issues can make the process feel overwhelming. There are some steps that you can take to make interstate moving simpler and less stressful.
- Try to pick a moving company that specializes in interstate moves. These are the companies that will have knowledge of moving across the country, and they know how to navigate the options for problems that arise when moving between states or countries. These companies can provide better service and save you money because they understand the benefits of being able to hire movers from different states.
- Research places in your new state that you want movers to come from. Ask both local and state officials which companies they recommend as trustworthy and reliable, learn more about their services, and then use this information when making your decision about which company to use.
- Be realistic with your time frame. If you tell your movers that you will need to be moved into your new home by a certain date and that this is important because of your job or school, it is much more likely that they will take the time to make sure the move happens on time. Asking for this kind of commitment from the company and its employees is just common sense.
Conclusion
Interstate moving is a complicated process that includes many steps, some of which are not necessary for local moves. Relying on one interstate mover can be difficult because there are not as many competitors as there would be for local movers. But as long as you do your research, try to find a company with experience in this area and don't set unrealistic time frames, you should have an easy transition from your current home to your new one.
