Moving down the street or across town is hard enough, but a state-to-state move truly challenges your organization and execution skills. With the right planning and order, you can make it easier on yourself. These tips from our top moving companies in Tampa will improve the process.  

Packing Tips 

  1. Use high-quality materials designed for moving. Cushion all items within boxes well to avoid movement while in transit.  
  2. Seal the boxes tightly. Consider that anyone helping carry items may turn them on their side or upside down.  
  3. Mark each box with your name and a description of its contents. Use a permanent marker.  
  4. Organize a “Day One” box that contains items you’ll need access to from the moment you arrive at your new home. Make this the last box you pack onto the truck, so it becomes the first box you unpack.  
  5. Pack your mattress in a box to keep it from losing shape or springs getting broken.  
  6. Avoid packing food or liquids. Both attract vermin. Both can spill and stain other items.  
  7. Inspect patio or outdoor furniture for insect or larvae infestation. You’ll need to treat any infestation before packing the items. Laws exist controlling the interstate transfer of furniture.  
  8. Organize as you pack. Toss what you don’t need. Donate what you can.  
  9. Don’t pack things you’ll immediately need like your birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, recent financial records and Social Security card. Keep these in a file folder in your briefcase or purse.  

Planning Safe Transport 

  1. Once you’re packed, obtain insurance for your belongings. About 20 percent of moves result in the insured filing a claim, according to the American Moving & Storage Association (AMSA). Basic coverage pays about 60 cents per pound, but you can obtain full-value coverage.  
  2. Understand what the “delivery window” really means. That term refers to a broad span of time which may fall within a handful of days or a time span of 20 business days. Ensure your “Day One” box that travels with you contains enough clothing, shoes, toiletries, and medications to last through the delivery window.  
  3. Talk with your future landlord or apartment management office if you’re renting. You’ll need to know if your building has an access point for a tractor-trailer or full-size moving van. If the roads leading to your new abode can’t accommodate large trucks, you could get charged a shuttle service fee if the moving company must switch your items to a shuttle truck for final delivery.  
  4. Also, ask an apartment manager if you’ll need to reserve elevator use for the movers to unpack.  
  5. If you have pets, plan for them. They should ride in a pet carrier in the passenger seat or back seat with you. Stop for frequent bathroom breaks. Also, plan pet-friendly hotel stops along the way in advance, so you know you have a room for you and your pet.  

Before You Depart 

Packing it all up and getting it on a truck marks only the beginning. Before you hit the road for your new home, you need to inform a multitude of people where you’re moving.  

Of course, you’ll tell your family and friends your new address, but there are a ton of other organizations that need to know when you’re leaving and where you’re going. These include:  

  • credit card companies,  
  • the Department of Motor Vehicles,  
  • the Postal Service,  
  • the state and federal tax agencies,  
  • your bank and other financial institutions,  
  • your children’s schools,  
  • your dentist,  
  • your doctor,  
  • your employer,  
  • your insurance company,  
  • your magazine or other media subscriptions,  
  • your utility providers. 

With these tips, you’ll be well on your way to a successful interstate move. Be sure to contact Cheap Movers Tampa for the best rates on state-to-state moving companies to and from the Tampa metro area.

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