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The cost of a long-distance move depends on several factors, including whether you hire movers, use a moving truck, and the size of your move. For a 1,000-mile move, you’ll need to hire interstate movers and ask them for an estimate based on the details of your move. Keep in mind that a 1,000-mile move will likely cost $10,000 or more.

If you are hiring professional movers, their company will handle any permits and similar arrangements. But if you are renting a truck to move yourself, you may have to pay permits when moving across state lines or away from a specific city or town. Research your move and its requirements as you plan. Most states, cities, and even rental companies offer useful information about what permits you may need.

Apartments come with strict regulations about what pets are allowed, so check before you sign a lease. If you have a fish or reptile, wait to move them until everything is set up and you’re ready to do a special move just for them and their aquarium/terrarium.

For a dog or cat, be sure you have a carrier before the move. On moving day, it’s best to designate a “safe room” or even a crate for your pet to help them get used to the new space. Keep everything they need in the safe room, and let them explore the rest of the apartment in their own time.

Start by removing any obstacles in the moving path, such as side tables, lamps, or other furniture. If your couch has legs, unscrew them. Measure the couch and the stairway to ensure you have enough room; if it seems unlikely, examine the shape and size of the couch and decide whether it might fit better up the stairway and through doorways on its side, held diagonally, or moved in an upright position.

Consider putting the sofa on a dolly to go up the stairs. It should be able to fit upright on a standard dolly with wheels. You’ll still need to lift the dolly—with the couch on it—up the stairs, but it will reduce the physical strain. The person holding the dolly should pull the couch up, while the helper should be on the other side, keeping the couch secure and steady.

If you don’t have a dolly, the person in front should lift the couch slightly higher than the person in the back to create more stability. The person in the back should also be the stronger mover, as most of the weight will be distributed there.