9 Tips on Moving from Oregon to Washington

Moving can be stressful and time-consuming, no matter your type of move. It can be even more of a hassle when you decide to move across state lines. Out-of-state moves require the proper knowledge to make them understandable.

That’s why I’ve decided to write this guest blog. As the owner of a Seattle moving company, I have the experience to understand the long-distance moving process and how you, too, can accomplish it with minimal stress and hassle.

With 25 years of experience, I have put together nine tips on moving long distances. These tips will help you choose your moving company, pack your belongings, and navigate the complicated moving process.

Tips on Choosing an Oregon to Washington Moving Company

The first step to any move is planning it out. One of the more challenging aspects of this planning step is choosing the right moving company to meet your needs. Every moving company would be happy to take on your move, but they also must be able to handle all aspects of your move and leave you satisfied and happy.

To find the right moving company for your move from Oregon to Washington, look for these aspects:

1. Check Licenses and Insurance: Look for the USDOT number at the bottom of your potential movers’ website. For insurance info, visit the Federal Movers Database and put in that USDOT number for long-distance moves.
2. Read Online Reviews: Ensure you are working with a moving company with plenty of consistent and recent reviews, and avoid anyone with just a couple of reviews or movers who haven’t had a new review in months.
3. The More Certifications, the Better: Getting a certification from a trusted 3rd-party organization is a good sign that you can trust a moving company. For example, look for the ProMover certification from the American Trucking Associations: Moving & Storage Conference or the BBB logo from the Better Business Bureau.

By following these tips, you can find the right moving company that will give you the confidence of knowing your long-distance move will be done correctly and efficiently when moving from Oregon to Washington.

Oregon to Washington Packing Tips

After finding the right moving company, packing for your move is the next crucial step. Ensuring you are packing correctly and efficiently can be the difference between your belongings making it to your new home in perfect condition or being damaged.

However, packing is a huge task. Following these tips can ensure you make the most out of your packing:

1. Larger Boxes Don’t Equal More Strength: By using a larger box, many people think they can pack them with many items. Using larger boxes for bigger items such as blankets can help keep the box in one piece and lower the risk of many items weighing down the box and potentially breaking the bottom out.
2. Specialty Moving Boxes: Not all boxes are made the same. Some may be reinforced, specially created to have grab handles, or be the perfect size for an item like a TV. If you can’t find the correct box, get creative with securing your item into a suitcase or backpack if possible.
3. Plan your Moving Week Outfits: I don’t mean making your moving week a fashion show, but instead of packing all of your clothing away, set aside enough clothing to make it through the week of your move, so you don’t have to unbox all your clothing for your favorite t-shirt or jeans.

We highly recommend you do the most research regarding packing and securing your belongings. The last thing we all want is something to be damaged during the move, and by researching and packing correctly, you can alleviate the stress of your items being damaged in transit on the way to your new home.

Oregon to Washington Moving Process

Of course, moving from Oregon to Washington can be complicated, just like any other move. Hiring the right moving company that can do the work for you takes a lot of the routine tasks off your hands, but there is still so much to do.

Here are some tips to keep you organized during your move:

1. Declutter Early: The less you have to move, the easier and faster your move can be. By decluttering, you can eliminate what you don’t need and only take what you need on your move. Some options for decluttering could be selling, donating, storing, or disposing of what you don’t need.
2. Taking Inventory of Your Items: For items you are moving, you can add a step of security by taking inventory. Taking pictures of items that are valuable or fragile can be used to record their condition before the move.
3. Consider Moving in the Off-Season: Most moves happen in the summer months when the weather is warm and the kids are out of school. By avoiding this time of the year, you may be able to book your move for a lower price and get the date you want.

These tips hit on several points: making your move simple, giving you extra security, and saving potential costs. Ensure you keep them in mind throughout your moving process.

If you are considering moving from the Beaver State of Oregon to the Evergreen State of Washington, be sure to consider everything. Any time you move across state lines, there will be more to consider. That’s why you need experts, those with decades of experience and expertise to improve your move and to help you in this process.

Research, research, research. That is the key to having a great move. Be sure to check out O’Neill’s Buyer’s Guide to help you get even more info.