If you're going to be moving this summer, it's time to start getting ready. Of course, you have to start packing and downsizing, but there are other things you'll need to do as well. This is particularly true if you're going to be moving to the other side of the country. Long-distance moves are considerably more difficult than your typical cross-town moves. The first thing you'll need to do is hire a moving company to facilitate the actual move. Hiring a moving company will eliminate a majority of your work. That's because a moving company will pack your belongings, transport your belongings, and unload your belongings at your new home. Hiring professional movers will free up valuable time that you can spend taking care of the items on the list provided below.

Identify Items Not Allowed on the Truck

While you're planning your move, it's important that you contact your moving company and identify any items that might not be allowed in the truck. Some items that won't be allowed on the moving truck may include reloading equipment for your rifles and handguns, scuba tanks, nail polish, and nail polish remover. Once you've identified the items not allowed on the moving truck, you'll need to go through your belongings and remove them from your packing list.

Arrange Transportation for Your Pets

If you plan on taking your time while you travel to your new home and you have pets, you should arrange transportation for them. This is particularly true if you have larger dogs that will take up too much room in the car. Most airlines will ship pets for a nominal fee. Not only that, but there are also companies that specialize in shipping pets across the country.

Hire a Professional Cleaning Company

When it comes to moving, you want to make sure that you leave your present home as clean as possible. If you're moving out of a rental, you want the home clean so that you can get your deposit back. If you're selling your home, you want to leave it clean for the new homeowners. The best way to get your house thoroughly clean without tiring yourself out while you're trying to move is to hire a professional cleaning service. They'll even provide you with a list of the services they provided, which is beneficial when moving out of a rental. You'll be able to provide the list to your property management company, which will provide proof that the home was cleaned prior to your move-out date. 

For additional information, contact a company like Helping Hands Moving Inc.