Cross country moving can be an exciting experience, but it can also be challenging. You’ll need to plan carefully to make sure the move goes smoothly, and you don’t run into any surprises along the way.
It is not just loading the truck and delivering household goods across the continent. It is an entire life being turned 180-degrees. It means a new job, new house, neighborhood, new school for children, and new friends for the next several years.
One of the biggest concerns for people moving cross country is the cost. How can you pay an affordable price without any surprises?
Here are some tips to help you plan your move and keep the costs under control.
How To Choose The Right Moving Company?
Choosing a company that will literally move your life is very important. Many movers are operating with interstate licenses. Sometimes they have their own tractor-trailers, but mostly they use 3rd party transportation companies who drive regular routes across the United States.
Let us discuss how to select the right company without spending a fortune.
Moving cross country is what people in the industry long distance moving. There are different rates, principles, and even different paperwork for a long distance move. The price is calculated based on the volume of the move, the destination state, period of the move, season, etc. In some cases, the cost is calculated by weight.
When you are planning to move cross country, it’s essential to be aware of the different types of services available and to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Please, keep in mind, no company will guarantee an exact drop-off date unless the move is EXCLUSIVE! Since we mentioned this word, EXCLUSIVE, let’s dig a little bit deeper.
There are two types of long distance moves: Consolidated and Exclusive
Consolidated Move
The consolidated move means multiple jobs in the tractor-trailer are loaded according to the drop-off zip codes. The items are labeled to ensure they are not confused or mixed during delivery. The tractor-trailer departs once it is full. The timeframe of the delivery is 7-14 business days for the East Coast and 14-21 business days for the West Coast, respectively. There are some variables in consolidated moves.
- The date of the delivery cannot be guaranteed. Usually, the customer receives a call from the driver 24 hours before the actual drop-off.
- The pickup and drop-off teams are different. There is only one driver and local manpower hired for the job in most cases. Sometimes workers have little experience in the moving industry. If the furniture was taken apart during the pickup, whoever took the piece apart will not be present during the drop-off.
- Third-party companies delivering your goods accept CASH ONLY. It is rare to find a company accepting credit card payments during long distance moves. Be ready to pay any remaining balance in cash.
- No matter how good the storage personnel is, the items may get lost/mixed/left behind. Customers often become aware of a loss after unpacking and the tractor-trailer is long gone.
Exclusive Move
The other type of long distance move is Exclusive, which means one truck and one team solely dedicated to the move. No one else will have items in the truck. The customer sets the delivery date and time window. There is no CASH ONLY obligation. Exclusive moves are a bit more expensive but door-to-door, all-inclusive service has fewer variables. Exclusive delivery contains a full-packing service, meaning you will not have to lift a finger. The team will take care of everything.
Most of the exclusive moves are performed with 3-4 person teams, depending on the size of the move. Delivery is conducted by two drivers who support each other on the road. This means that there are no overnight stops. According to DOT regulations, each driver is allowed to drive no more than 11 hours. Using basic math, we can calculate that it will take roughly 4 days to deliver a 2-bedroom, fully packed apartment from NYC to Los Angeles, CA. An exclusive move is balanced by quality service and time saved.
Which is better? The answer is it depends on the situation and what the customer values most.
Tips To Help You Avoid Extra Charges On Your Long Distance Move
- Declutter before the move. Moving is expensive, and the more stuff you have, the more it will cost
- When speaking to the salesperson, be 100% precise with your inventory
- Try to self-pack all the loose items yourself
- Consider that some furniture may be cheaper to purchase instead of hauling them across the continent.
- Never ship your valuables
- Make sure fragile items get extra protection to mitigate damage in transit
- Be available when the movers call to schedule the delivery. This will help them avoid any additional charges for not following the drop-off schedule.
The best way to avoid any surprises is to read the contract carefully and ask questions when necessary. Moving cross country can be a daunting task, but it can also be an exciting journey with the right company.
Conclusion
Long distance moves can be a considerable undertaking, but with the proper preparation and information, it can be a smooth transition.
There are two main types of long distance moves: Consolidated and Exclusive. Consolidated moves are less expensive, but more variables can affect the delivery time frame. Exclusive moves are more expensive but offer a higher quality, all-inclusive service with fewer variables.
Which one is better for you depends on your specific needs and budget.
Still, looking for cheap prices? Be ready for surprises.
Or call us now to get a quote for your exclusive long distance move without any surprises.
