Tips For Moving Out of State

You are getting ready to move out of state. Moving to a new state means new people, a new community, and a new environment. This can be of a very big deal if you’ve never done it before. There are a lot of things to consider. You will want to take the right steps to make this new move as smooth as possible. So we put together some tips for moving out of state.

Visit First

If you can find the time, visit the state and city you will be living in. Explore the city. Take the time to check out the sites. Identify some things you may need such as a gym, a supermarket, a bank, and other services you use frequently. It is important to know that you will have everything you’ll need nearby.

As you are exploring your new town/city, take some time to meet some locals. This could be key for your loop transition. They will be able to give you the inside scoop on what you need to know before settling in your new city. This will help you get a good sense of what the community is like so you will have no problem adjusting come move-in day.

Keep in mind as well, there are some states that will pay you to move there, believe it or not! Take a read though on which states will provide an incentive program if you relocate there.

Get Familiar With State Laws

Laws vary from state to state. Be sure to get familiar with the laws that are enforced in the new state that you will be living in. Some of the most common laws to consider are

Gun control Laws
Marriage Laws
Business Laws
Trucking and Automotive Laws
Child Custody Laws
Tax Laws

Consider these if they apply to your current situation. Take action sooner than later. Make sure that you have everything you need to be compliant with the state laws. Keep in mind that registrations and licenses can take a significant amount of time to process. Contact an attorney for any legal advice.

Set Up Your Service Beforehand

You will likely need to find new service providers for your new location. Some of these services may consist of car insurance providers, phone and internet service, healthcare providers, and more. Some providers only service certain areas. If you plan on carrying over your current providers to your new state, check that they service that area. Therefore, set this up before your moving out of state so that you are not stuck waiting to use these services. Check out this list of services you may need to get started in your new home.

Road Trip Or Ship

Decide whether it will be smarter to drive to your new state or to have your car shipped. Keep the time frame that you’re working within mind and understand whether the option you choose will get the vehicle to the destination when you need it. Pay attention to how many miles are on your car. Racking up a lot of miles can decrease the value of your car. Learn more about what to consider when planning to move your vehicle.

Establish Residency

When moving to a new state, you’re going to have update a lot of current documentation at the state and federal level. One of these being your license and automobile registration. You must update your license and register your vehicle to comply with all local laws. Your mailing address is another important change. Be sure to contact the post office before you move to get all mail forwarded to your new address. Be sure to also update your voter’s registration and IRS address. These can help you transition as quickly and smoothly as possible. Olympia offers services with Updater to make this process easier.

Book Interstate Mover

It is very important to book your move around 4-6 weeks in advance. Moving companies need ample time ahead to coordinate an interstate move. Also, be sure your interstate mover is licensed with the Department of Transportation. Keep in mind that interstate moves are weight-based pricing. Therefore, consider your budget when choosing the items you are taking or leaving. Ensure you are protecting yourself from scams and choosing a professional mover. Click here for more advice on protecting your move from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Adminstration.

Schedule your car shipment with plenty of time in advance. Movers can hit capacity in their schedule, especially during the busy season. This will make any last-minute car shipment very difficult.

In conclusion, moving out of state can be extremely exciting. New beginnings are always something to look forward to. Moving can be daunting. Make sure to hire the right professionals for the job. Click here to get a free moving and storage estimate.

So you’re almost ready to hire a moving company! You’ve done your research, 2-3 companies have met with you to perform a pre-move survey, and now these reputable movers have sent you itemized moving estimates. As you compare these companies’ move plans, proposed services, and the bottom lines, be sure you’re clear on which of the three kinds of moving estimates you are reviewing: a non-binding moving estimate, a binding moving estimate, or a not-to-exceed moving estimate.

So what are the differences between these three types of interstate moving estimates?

Non-Binding Moving Estimate

The non-binding moving estimate is the most common kind of interstate estimate. It means that the price that is presented to you is a projected cost for your move, provided to help you anticipate the cost, select a company, and plan a budget. It is not a contracted or guaranteed price, it is simply what the company thinks the final price of your move will be based on the inventory and services you discussed. If the actual services end up totaling less than your estimate, then you will pay less than the estimated price. If the actual services end up totaling a little more than your estimate, then you will pay a little more.

If you’re looking to pay the lowest price for your move, a non-binding estimate is your best choice, as your final bill can potentially be lower than estimated.

Most interstate move estimates are non-binding. The main components of the interstate estimate are the weight of your move and number of packing materials. The company will estimate what your total weight will be based on the inventory they created with you. After everything is loaded, the truck will be weighed to determine the actual weight. If the actual weight and materials used are less than estimated, then you will pay less. If the actual weight and materials used are more than estimated, then you will pay a little more.

A common question about non-binding estimates is whether the client can expect their moving estimate to be accurate. The answer is, absolutely! As long as what you end up moving and packing is what was agreed on the estimated inventory, the estimate should be very accurate. Estimate accuracy plays a large role in a client’s satisfaction, so every reputable moving company strives to provide the most accurate estimate possible, otherwise they risk losing their good reputation and future business!

Also keep in mind that an interstate moving company cannot require you to pay more than 110% more than a non-binding estimate prior to interstate delivery, and the client is not obligated to pay any charges exceeding 110% until 30 days after delivery. So it is certainly in the company’s interest to be accurate.

Binding Moving Estimate

A binding moving estimate may sometimes be quoted for an interstate move. A binding estimate means that you must pay the transportation price listed in the estimate, even if the final weight of your move is more or less than estimated.

The benefit of the binding moving estimate is that the transportation price is guaranteed, so you know exactly what your bill will be after the move. However, binding estimates may result in the client paying a little more for that guarantee. You may notice that the majority of binding estimates have a higher bottom line than non-binding estimates.

Keep in mind that for most binding estimates only the transportation part of the estimate is binding (the bulk of the estimate, which is based on the shipment’s weight). For example, if your binding estimate was based on self pack, the client packing everything, but then on move day you choose to have the moving company pack everything, then the packing was an additional service you requested and will be added on top of the binding transportation cost on the final bill.

Local Moving Estimate

Almost every local move estimate is a non-binding estimate, it is very rare for a local move estimate to be binding or not-to-exceed. The main components of local estimates are an hourly rate for the labor and truck plus the packing materials used. Therefore, for a non-binding estimate, you will pay less if the actual move requires less time and materials than estimated, and conversely, you will pay a little more if the actual move requires more time and materials than estimated.

Are you ready to get your interstate moving estimate? Call Olympia Moving & Storage at 800.222.4744 or fill out the estimate request form. Olympia moved families to every state in the USA last year!

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