Moving to a new city or state is exciting but also a lot of work—especially when it’s a long-distance move. You’re not just moving across town; you’re packing up your life and transporting it hundreds or even thousands of miles. It might feel overwhelming, but don’t worry. With the right planning, packing, and support, you’ll be ready to tackle the move and settle into your new home. Let’s walk through each step with some relatable examples.
Step 1: Make a Plan
Okay, so the first thing you want to do when moving is make a plan. Let’s say you’re leaving your childhood home to start a new job in a different city. You’ve got about a month to get everything ready—yeah, it’s a lot! But don’t worry, here’s how you can break it down:
Set a Moving Date
Once you know when you need to be in your new home, it’s time to set a moving date. Say you’ve decided to move from Toronto to Vancouver for a new job in two weeks. This gives you enough time to prepare but also creates a bit of urgency. Your first task is to set the date for the movers.
Create a Budget
Moving long distances is expensive. Think about the cost of hiring a moving company, renting a truck, or paying for fuel if you’re driving across Canada. For example, moving from Vancouver to Calgary might cost you $3,000 if you’re hiring movers, but driving it yourself might only cost around $1,000 for gas, food, and lodging along the way.
Find a Moving Company
You might Google “long-distance moving companies near me” or ask friends for recommendations. It’s important to get quotes and read reviews. Let’s say you’ve narrowed it down to two companies, and both offer similar rates. One company includes packing services, which might be helpful if you’re feeling overwhelmed by everything you need to pack.
Get Rid of Things You Don’t Need
Packing becomes much easier when you don’t have to move everything. Imagine you’ve got a mountain of clothes you haven’t worn in years. Instead of packing them all, you donate them. This cuts down on the number of boxes you’ll need and makes your move lighter and faster.
Plan for Pets and Cars
Don’t forget about your pets! Let’s say you’ve got a dog, and you’re moving to a pet-friendly apartment in your new city. You’ll want to plan ahead for their travel. For example, you might book a pet-friendly hotel along your route or arrange for a pet transport service to take your dog directly to your new home.
Step 2: Pack Everything Carefully
Packing can take up a lot of time, but if you do it right, it will save you a lot of headaches later. Let’s say you’ve got some delicate stuff, like your grandmother’s china or your favorite books. You definitely don’t want those getting damaged. Here’s how you can pack them safely
Get the Right Supplies
You’ll need sturdy boxes, tape, packing paper, and bubble wrap. Think of packing as a game of Tetris. For example, when packing a set of dishes, you’ll want to wrap each one in bubble wrap, place them upright in the box (like they’re stacked in a cupboard), and fill any gaps with packing paper so they don’t shift during the move.
Label Everything
To avoid the frustration of digging through 20 boxes to find your laptop, label each box with what’s inside and what room it goes to. Imagine you’ve packed a box with books and labeled it “Books – Living Room.” When you get to your new place, all you have to do is place it in the right room.
Pack a Bag of Essentials
Pack a small bag with everything you’ll need immediately: toiletries, a phone charger, clothes for a couple of days, and your laptop. Think of this as your survival kit for the first night in your new home. No one wants to spend the first night in a new city hunting for a toothbrush!
Wrap Fragile Items
When packing fragile things, like a lamp or picture frames, wrap them in old towels or bubble wrap to keep them safe. Imagine this: you’re packing a lamp that was your mom’s. You take extra care to wrap it in bubble wrap, place it in a box with packing peanuts, and mark it “Fragile” in big letters, so the movers are extra cautious.
Consider Moving Containers
Some companies offer moving containers, which are large storage bins that can be filled at your own pace. Let’s say you’re moving from Montreal to Ottawa. You can pack a container at home and have the company pick it up and transport it to your new home. This option gives you more flexibility and less pressure to pack everything on the same day.
Step 3: Pick the Right Moving Help
Choosing the right help is crucial when you’re moving long-distance. Here’s how you can make sure you pick the best company for the job:
Make Sure They’re Legit
You’ve gotta check that the moving company is licensed and insured. Let’s say you’re moving from Calgary to Edmonton. You definitely don’t want to hire a company that’s not properly insured. If anything goes wrong during the move, you’ll want to be sure your stuff is covered.
Get Quotes
Moving companies should always give you an estimate, either in-person or virtually. For example, you call up a moving company to get a quote for a move from Toronto to Montreal. They ask you to list your furniture and boxes, then send someone over to your place to give you a detailed quote. This way, you’ll avoid any surprises with the cost down the road.
Ask About Extra Services
Some moving companies offer additional services like packing or even disassembling furniture. Let’s say you’ve got a big wardrobe that needs to be taken apart. Instead of doing it yourself, you can hire a company that offers this as part of their service. It’ll cost a bit more, but it saves you time and effort.
Book Early
If you’re moving during peak times like the summer or around the holidays, booking your move early is a must. Picture this: you’re calling around and find out every moving company is booked up for weeks. That’s why booking early is always a good idea to ensure you get the help you need when you need it.
Step 4: Be Ready on Moving Day
When it is the moving day. Everything is packed up, and now you need to make sure the move goes smoothly. If you’re driving your car while the movers are handling the truck. You want to stay organized and keep things moving.
Get an Early Start
Try starting things early. The earlier you start, the more relaxed the day will feel. For example, if your moving company is scheduled for 9 AM, make sure you’re ready by 8 AM. You’ll feel less rushed and more in control.
Protect Your Old Home
When moving out of your apartment or house, you want to keep the floors and walls protected. Let’s say you’re leaving a rental. You can use old blankets or sheets to cover the floor, so you don’t leave any scuff marks that might affect your deposit.
Keep Important Stuff with You
There are certain things you won’t want to lose track of during the move, like important documents or family heirlooms. For example, you might keep your passport, birth certificate, and a few irreplaceable items in a bag that stays with you during the move.
Stay in Touch with Movers
If anything goes wrong during the move, you’ll want to stay in contact with the movers. Imagine your movers are running late. You can call them for updates so you’re not left wondering what’s going on.
Step 5: Settle In and Make It Feel Like Home
When you have moved to your new home. Now comes the part settling in! Here’s how you should start unpacking and settling your furniture:
Unpack the Essentials First
After the move, set up the most important things first like your bed, toiletries, and kitchen essentials. Think of it like camping out until everything’s ready. You don’t need to unpack every box right away, unpacking and arranging things one by one and getting the essentials done first helps you.
Inspect for Damage
Once the movers are gone, check for any damage. Let’s say you’ve got a broken coffee table or scratched lamp. If you notice any issues, reach out to the moving company to make a claim.
Change Your Address
Make it sure to update your address. If you are moving from one province to another, do not forget to update your address with the post office, your bank, and your friends and family. So you may not miss out on important updates.
Explore the Area
Go out to walk around your new neighborhood and interact with new people. Even if it’s finding a local general store or just getting to know your surroundings, this is the perfect way to get settled and at a new place.
Our Vision
Being in the moving industry, I’ve learned that all these steps are essential when it comes to moving and relocation. Whether you’re preparing for a big move or booking one, following these tips makes everything easier. At Magic Movers Ottawa, we’ve got you covered with reliable long-distance moving services to help make your move stress-free. By breaking down the moving process into manageable steps, you can stay organized and reduce the stress that often comes with a long-distance move. It’s all about planning, moving & packing, and settling in—and with our expert team on your side, your move will be smooth, and your new home will feel like home in no time.
For more information or to book your move, Call us at +1 (613)240-8440 or email us at magic.moverottawa@gmail.com. We’re here to help you with all your moving needs!