Last minute moving is far from ideal, but sometimes it’s inevitable. Perhaps you are relocating for work or another great opportunity. You could be facing personal troubles or have finally found your dream home. Regardless of the circumstances, last minute moving is often unavoidable.
Luckily, it doesn’t have to be massively stressful. If you’re facing a last minute move, here’s your guide to getting through it one step at a time.
Tip 1: Make a Checklist
First things first, make a checklist of the things you need to get done before your moving date. Not only will a checklist help you stay organized, but it’ll also ensure you don’t forget anything down the road. In a last-minute move, you want to make three checklists:
- Things to pack, donate and sell
- Things to take care of at your destination
- Things to take care of in current home
Once you’ve created your list, reach out to family and friends for help executing it. The list will help them stay on-task and asking for help will help you stay away from overwhelm.
Tip 2: Start as Early as Possible
If you’re facing a quick turnaround move, start as early as possible. Though moving is a daunting task, putting off the inevitable will only create more stress. With this in mind, start as early as you possibly can.
Starting immediately will make the move more manageable and prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.
Tip 3: Gather Supplies
There’s no greater barrier to your productivity than running out of supplies in the middle of a heavy packing session. With this in mind, gather your supplies beforehand.
- Boxes
- Tape
- Scissors
- Markers
- Labels
If you start to get low on certain items, make a plan to go get more before you run out.
Tip 4: Go Room by Room
Keep yourself organized and on track by moving through your house room-by-room. Once you’re in a room, put your hands on everything once and decide whether to pack, donate, or throw it away. Be aggressive about what you get rid of – with last minute moving it’s especially important to purge before you go!
Pro-Tip: Don’t forget to label your boxes according to the room they should be unpacked in and their contents
Tip 5: Use All Available Space
Do yourself a favor and use all your available space when you move. Pack small items into larger ones, fill up suitcases, baskets, and boxes, and use t-shirts and other clothing items to fill gaps in boxes. Not only will it save you money on boxes and supplies, but it’ll also mean you have less stuff to move!
Tip 6: Use Trash Bags to Move Linens
Instead of investing in large moving boxes to pack up your bedding sets, use trash bags to transport them. Since they are water and dirt-resistant, trash bags make the perfect receptacles for bulky items like towels, blankets, and comforters.
If you have leftover space, you can toss some non-fragile items in on top of your textiles.
Tip 7: Leave Your Clothes on Their Hangers
Leave your clothes on their hangers for a simple moving hack that will save you time and effort. Lay them flat in the trunk of a car, put them into a large trash bag, or simply hang them on the hook of a garment box.
When you arrive at your new place, all you have to do is remove them and hang them up again.
Tip 8: Use Professional Packers
Professional packers will go a long way to help you hammer out your last minute moving in record time. Seek out a team of long-distance movers in your area. Inquire about their services and to get a quote for your move.
Not only will packers make short work of the labor, but they’ll also have all the equipment and supplies to get it done. This frees you up to take care of other tasks that come with relocating that movers can’t do. Check out our moving checklist here.
Tip 9: Ask for Help
Don’t try to pull off a last minute moving on your own. Instead, call in help from your friends and family members!
This is a “many hands make light work” situation. It will go a long way to combat overwhelm throughout your move. Reward everyone with pizza and beer once the hard work is done!
Tip 10: Consider Storage
You don’t have to take it all with you right away. Consider renting a storage shed to keep some of your items safe until you’re ready to come back and get them. This is especially helpful if you don’t have a permanent residence hammered down just yet.
Storage sheds come in a variety of shapes and sizes. They provide a great solution to storing items that you can’t take with you to your new place, but aren’t ready to get rid of.
If you decide to hire professional movers, they’ll likely be able to help you move items into your storage shed. Don’t forget to ask!
Last Minute Moving Made Simple
While last minute moving can feel like a stressful affair, this survival guide will help you eat the elephant bite by bite. Whether you’re heading across the country or just across a few state lines, these tips are here to help you tackle it completely, quickly, and comprehensively.
Need some additional help with your last minute moving? Contact the team here at Colonial Van Lines!
