Long-distance moves: everything you need for your house move

Need information about long-distance moves? Learn what they involve and the key points if you’re moving city.

If you’re considering a move and don’t know how to arrange a long-distance move, the first thing to do is a moving plan that includes the things you plan to take to your new home.

It’s very likely you won’t use everything you have in your old home. So always remember: less is more!

So only take what’s essential. That’s the best approach if you’re looking for ideas for cheap long-distance moves, since you’ll considerably reduce the volume of your move and therefore your budget.

How to make an inventory?

Once you’ve decided which furniture, objects and things you’ll include in your long-distance move, classify the objects and furniture by area and note all that information on a spreadsheet.

For example: bedroom furniture: two King beds, two King mattresses, and so on with each thing you’ll take.

Making an inventory may be a bit tedious. However, it’s absolutely necessary to know what you’re moving.

Also, long-distance moving companies usually ask clients for that information to produce a much more accurate service quote.

Give away, donate or sell

Do you have your inventory for the long-distance move? Do you still have a lot at home you don’t plan to take?

It’s time to let go and see what to do with everything left over. You can give away some of the things. There’s always someone who’ll be grateful.

Another option is to donate. There are many organisations and associations that need furniture or clothes and often survive only thanks to people’s donations.

If you know of an organisation, let your caring side out!

There’s also always the option of selling what you no longer use. Used things are welcome for people just starting to equip their home who don’t have much budget.

There are forums and sites online where you can put up for sale everything you no longer use.

How to choose a long-distance moving company?

Many people choose a long-distance moving company on recommendation. If that’s not your case, an alternative is to check online which companies are best ranked in your city.

When choosing long-distance moving companies, it’s advisable to pay attention to these points:

The type of service offered
Delivery time and method
Cost

Also, when hiring a company, ask yourself these questions:

When you compare quotes, make sure to check which services are and aren’t included to avoid extra charges. So ask:

What is the transport and shipping method?
Are your personal items moved in their own container or transported with other people’s belongings?
In the case of a move abroad, have terminal and port handling charges been included?
Is packing/unpacking included?
Have you taken accessibility into account? Are there stairs to go up or down?
Is customs clearance included?
What timeframe is offered?

Type of moving service

Long-distance moving companies offer different types of services.

The most common consists of packing your things and furniture at home, loading them onto the truck, transporting them to the destination, and, once at the new address, unpacking each of the objects and placing them in the area where they’ll go.

This service is the most complete. It’s usually a bit expensive, but it’s the most comfortable and practical if you don’t have time and want to make sure everything arrives in perfect condition.

It’s worth noting that if you’re moving very valuable things, some companies offer insurance on the goods to be transported.

Another service is shared long-distance moves.

This alternative is a great option when you don’t have much budget and aren’t in a hurry to receive your things.

Shared long-distance moves are widely used when you move from one country to another and need to transport a few things, not many.

For that, a container or truck is shared to make the transfer. It’s a safe service, a bit slower and less expensive. You can save up to 40 percent.

Delivery time and method

Delivery times and methods depend on the service you’ve hired and the distance between the origin city and the destination.

For example, a long-distance move between Mexico City and Guadalajara isn’t the same as moves between Canada and Mérida or California and the Riviera Maya.

While the first might be done in two days, the others can take at least 4 days.

The most common inter-city services can be considered the most economical long-distance moves.

Some of the most common destinations include: Mexico City and the rest of the country, such as Querétaro, Guadalajara, Cancún, Cuernavaca, Sonora, León, Monterrey and Los Cabos.

If you don’t plan to move to any of those cities, don’t worry — generally, within Mexico, all areas are covered.

However, if it’s not a very commercial route, you may have to think about an extra cost.

Costs: land, air or sea?

The costs of long-distance moves vary according to transport. For example, if you live in Mexico City and move to Nuevo León, you might think the cheapest way to move is to hire a land service.

While it can be an option, it may not be the cheapest. Of course, remember it all depends on the volume to be transported.

If your move consists of several pieces of furniture and boxes, it’s better to hire a land service. In three days you can receive the move at your home, and its cost will be around 40,000 pesos.

If, instead, you’re only taking a few suitcases and a couple of boxes, you can send the things by air, and the service will reach your home in two days, at an approximate cost of 25,000 pesos, depending on the weight.

Yucatán has a geographical position that allows sea shipments from its ports.

By sea, shipping can be a bit more expensive, up to 20 percent more. That’s a good alternative if you live near a port or the move is international, since these companies handle all the customs paperwork. So it’s a real convenience.

Minimum prices by sea are around 120,000 pesos.

Once at the destination…

Your things are on their way. Once at the destination, depending on the service you’ve hired, trained staff will leave your belongings at your home.

It’s very important that during this stage you have the inventory to hand and can check that all the objects are there.

You should also check, when you unpack, that all the products are in perfect condition and, where applicable, working.

You can take photos of anything that’s broken or damaged. That way it’s much easier for the insurance to cover the damage or the company to handle the claim.

4 tips for long-distance moves

If you’re transporting valuable objects such as artworks or jewellery, it’s better not to send them in the move. If there’s no option, take photos of the objects and insure each piece. That way it’s easier for the movers to take responsibility for loss or damage.
Four eyes see more than two. On moving day, get into Zen mode and ask a friend or relative to help you supervise the move. Two people are probably enough. You save work and everything will be much easier.
When unloading the move, tell the staff where things should go. That service is usually included in the move. It’s the best way to reduce times and make sure everything ends up where it belongs.
Once in the new home, you surely want everything in its place. Relax! Until things are in the room they’re meant for, don’t remove the wrapping from the furniture. That way you avoid damage.

And if you’re moving with plants:

If you’re one of those who has spent months, possibly years, growing a beautiful garden and have to move, don’t despair.

Your plants can move with you. With careful planning, you can take them to their new home.

Plants are temperamental even in the best circumstances, and sudden changes in light, temperature or other conditions can be hard on them. Pay attention!

The season factor

It’s not a good idea to move plants in the middle of summer, when temperatures are high, the air is dry and the sun is strong.

Exposed roots are especially vulnerable. While it’s possible, you’ll have to take extra precautions.

Hydrate the plants before uprooting them

A dry plant is at a big disadvantage when it comes to withstanding the stress of a move. The night before you plan to dig up your plants, give them a deep soak that lets the water penetrate the soil and roots.

5 keys to caring for your garden in Mérida.

You don’t want to drown them, but you should water them a lot so the plants have water to cling to during the uprooting process.

Prune your plants

To help your plants conserve energy during the move, make sure they’re as healthy as possible.

One of the best ways to do this is to trim all the dead stems and leaves so the plant doesn’t waste valuable energy on parts it doesn’t need.

Uproot carefully

The uprooting stage will be the first major stressor for your plant in the moving process.

To ease the transition, water your plants again before digging them up, even though they should still be moist from the deep soak the night before.

Remove the plant from the soil, keeping as much soil attached to the roots as possible. Immediately afterwards, place it in a pot with soil (and water it again) or wrap the base of the plant (the roots and soil) in a damp burlap sack.

Replant as quickly as possible

Try to take your plants with you in your car if possible. If they have to go in the truck, make sure they’re packed last so you can take them out immediately on arrival.

Long-distance moving companies in Mexico:

Mudanzas Polanco

Freight and moving within Mexico City and to the whole country. Continuous departures. Special and urgent services.

Address: Av. Azcapotzalco, corner of Jerusalén s/n

Borough: Azcapotzalco.

Mexico City

5347-3622

Website: https://www.mudanzaspolanco.com.mx

Mudanzas Imoveit

Moves to all cities in Mexico. Cargo insurance. Packing material at no cost. High-risk hoists and manoeuvres at no cost.

Address: Boulevard Manuel Ávila Camacho 166, Office 201, Colonia Lomas de Chapultepec

Borough: Miguel Hidalgo.