Sometimes, you get months or even years to prepare for a move. But other times,you get weeks or even days.
There are many reasons why you might need to move with little preparation time. Maybe you just got a job offer, or you had a family emergency, or you sold your house more quickly than you expected to. Whatever the reason, there are a few steps you can take to make your last-minute move go smoothly.
Create a Timeline
Moving can involve dozens of tasks, and thinking about all of them can make your head spin. To figure out what to do at which time, write down a moving timeline.
Pay attention to the basic order in which you should complete common moving tasks:
- Book a moving company
- Sort your belongings and give away unneeded belongings
- Gather moving supplies
- Notify employers,schools, doctors, and utility companies
- Pack non-essential belongings
- Clean your house
- Pack essential belongings
- Clean out your refrigerator
While most moving timelines encourage you to start months before your move,you don’t have that luxury. You’ll need to adjust your timeline to fit your short time frame.
Based on the amount of time you have, write on your calendar when you’ll need to complete each task.
Ask for Help
Now that you have a moving timeline, you can ask family members and friends to help you with the various tasks. Find the right people for the right tasks. For example, maybe your friend George is a pro at cleaning or your Aunt Mary is skilled at packing and organizing.
Your children can do their part, too. As long as they have some direction, older children can pack their own bedrooms and bathrooms.
When you find people to help you, the moving process can go much smoother.
Give Away As Much as Possible
The more belongings you give away, the fewer belongings you have to move—and the more time you’ll save. Thus, you should give away as many belongings as possible. If you don’t have time to hold a yard sale, give the items to friends or to a local thrift store or community organization.
Some charities will pick up your things for you so you don’t have to worry about dropping them off yourself. You could also hire a company to pick up your unneeded belongings.
Gather Supplies
Since you’re moving at the last minute, you don’t have much time to collect moving supplies. So how can you get the supplies you need quickly without paying a fortune?
One option is to post on a social media site that you’re looking for supplies. People who have extra moving supplies can see your post and donate their supplies.
Another way is to check big-box stores like Costco and Walmart and see if they’re giving away any boxes.
Some moving companies offer free moving supplies just for getting an estimate. Take advantage of this option if possible.
Pack in Order
In an attempt to save time, you might want to quickly throw everything you own into boxes. However, you can avoid confusion and chaos by packing your belongings in the right order. You should pack non-essential belongings first and essential belongings last.
Start out by packing items from your garage and storage areas. Next, pack items you don’t need right away, such as books, DVDs, off-season clothes, decorations, and photos. Now, pack any remaining items in the rooms you don’t use as often, such as your living room and guestrooms. Finally, pack all remaining items in your kitchen, bedrooms,bathrooms, play rooms, and offices.
Make sure to pack a separate bag of items you’ll need on moving day, such as clothes and toiletries.
Throw a Moving Party
Since you’re moving quickly, you don’t have time to visit each friend individually. Instead, throw a party so you can say goodbye to all your friends at once. A moving party has a dual purpose: you can say goodbye to your friends and you can benefit from their packing and moving help.
If you don’t get a chance to say goodbye to all your friends, you can always send them thank you cards with your new address after you move.
Find a Moving Company that Handles Last-Minute Moves
Since you don’t have much time, a moving company can be a lifesaver. With years of experience behind them, moving companies can pack, move, and store your belongings much quicker than you could.
Not every moving company is willing to sign on for a last-minute move.Make sure to find a moving company that’s willing to book moves on short notice.
Moving last minute doesn’t have to be a disaster. Follow these tips to transform your last-minute move from stressful to successful. Modern Movers can move you within 24 hours’ notice. Contact us today for a free estimate.
The Modern Movers moving team in Southwest Florida knows the ins and outs of local, long-distance, commercial, office, piano moves, and much more. You can count on these professional movers in Fort Myers and Bradenton to get you to your new home while keeping stress-free!
