8 Tips for Last-Minute Moving

With a couple of relocation tips, some planning, and a top-notch organization, you will relocate without much sweat. Even with the last-minute move, all you have to do is make a plan and stick to it, and time will be on your side. And yes, we know there are a lot of things you must do, from packing books to figuring out which pots and pans to bring with you. Keep reading and find out the best professional relocation hacks you can implement and reduce relocation stress to a minimum.

Tip No.1 – Create A Last-Minute Moving Checklist

As we mentioned above, the first thing in every undertaking is to make a good plan. And what is a good plan without a good list? That will not take much of your time, and it will help you a great deal. And if you wonder, how do you finish moving out, the answer is simple – by completing your moving to-do list. The most important part of your list should be the relocation budget, so start with that. First, find out how much you need to pay for long-distance moving services. You can easily find out this by asking for a free quote online from your long-distance movers. The next expenditures you must calculate are travel arrangements, living expenses for the next couple of months, and your rent. Here is how your list should look like:

• Relocation budget,
• Hiring movers,
• Getting packing materials,
• Finding a place to live,
• Change of address,
• Transfer of medical and schools records,
• Transfer of utilities,
• Travel arrangements,
• Getting a job in a new city,
• Preparing your home for sale.

As you can see, you must do many things on your own, so if you wish to reduce your relocation anxiety and, of course, move efficiently, consider outsourcing some of the obligations and booking professional cross-country moving services.

Tip No.2 – Find Short Notice Movers

Searching for last-minute moving help is the first thing you have to do once you set your budget. Go online and search for reputable cross-country movers in your area. Check if your movers of choice have a USDOT number to avoid relocation scams and ask for a free quote from at least five companies.

Once you narrow your search to at least three companies, contact all three to give you an in-home estimation of your move. They can arrive on the same day at different times. If you wish to speed things up a bit, make an inventory list of all belongings you plan to bring. This way, your estimation will be much more accurate and faster. Finding short notice movers is hard but not impossible. And bear in mind that the price should be the same no matter when you book them.

Tip No.3 – Declutter and Save Some Money

If you wonder how do you move a house in one day, we can say that relocating your entire house is not an easy task, but it can be done in just a couple of steps. The most crucial step is to downsize for your move. This way, you will save some money and pack much easier. When you start making a list of things you plan to bring with you, you will immediately have a list of things you have to get rid of.

Start by donating furniture you don’t need anymore. When it comes to relocating furniture, the smart thing would be to have measurements of your new house so you know if the pieces you plan to bring will fit. When deciding what to get rid of when relocating, you can implement a “two years rule” – anything you haven’t used for more than two years should be thrown away. You can organize a yard sale and earn some money along the way, or you can donate your belongings to the local charity.

Tip No.4 – Pack Fast and Smart

Packing is probably the most stressful part when it comes to relocating to a new state. But if you implement some packing tips, it doesn’t have to be. First, if you don’t have time to get free boxes, you should order them and other protective materials online or from your company. When ordering, makes sure to get high-quality medium-sized boxes. They are easier to carry and will keep your belongings much safer. Large boxes have more chance to tear apart. Also, when boxing up at the last moment, you don’t have to label each container. You can only mark the fragile and heavy items.

Use Nesting Doll Method Whenever You Can

This simply means to use all the space you have. For example, smaller pots should be placed in bigger ones. Another thing you can do is to put your spices inside of a pot or your spoons and forks. Also, you can wrap your mugs and place them inside larger pots too. You can do this with all items except fragiles. Do not make common relocation mistake and stuck your glasses in each other. They will most likely break. Packing fragile items can also be done quickly with some high-quality supplies. All you need is bubble wrap, wrapping paper, and sectioned cardboard boxes.

Items From Your Home Can Be Useful for Protection

For fast and efficient boxing up, you can use a lot of items from your home. For instance, instead of using paper to wrap your mugs, you can use your socks. Instead of cushioning, you can use towels or a t-shirt to make a protective layer between items inside the box. Use blankets and sheets to protect your furniture and mirrors. Newspapers are excellent for packing plates as well as glasses or other fragile items.  Also, you can pack your books in contractor bags. Just don’t fill it all the way to the top to prevent tearing apart.

Pack Things as It Is

How do you pack and move fast? Well, the key is in skipping some steps you would normally do when preparing for moves. So if you don’t have time to wash and carefully fold your clothing, you can just box them up as it is. And the same goes for all other things. Do not clean them. Just pack them like that. And yes, the task will wait for you once you settle in your new home, but you will be able to do this at your own pace. For example, you can leave your clothing on hangers and simply put a couple of hangers in one garbage bag and make a DIY garment bag for your clothing. This is a simple hack on how to pack fast and yet keep your clothing from damage. Check out this video for more pack hacks.

Tip No.5 – Find All-in-One Movers

As we were already said above, you can outsource more than a few things to a third party when relocating to another state. And let’s be fair – no matter if you are relocating locally or long-distance, it can not be done without long-distance or local relocation service. This is why it is important to find movers that can provide you with all the necessary services you need for a successful move to another state.

You should consider all that the company has to offer and choose the one with the best services for the most reasonable price. Don’t forget that your company of choice should have an auto shipping service aside from other standard services. If you ship your car with your belongings, you will save yourself a lot of money. Also, make sure your movers have a storage service as well. Relocation is unpredictable, and you never know when you might need storage. Also, if possible, you can find professionals who provide storage service for free for one month.

Find Long-Distance Moving Company That Will Disassemble and Reassemble Your Furniture

Also, when searching for a company, ask them what will come with the price. Will they disassemble and assemble your furniture? This way, your relocating will be much faster, and you will save a lot of energy. Another thing you should ask your company of choice is will they pack your electronics and protect all your bulky items? Most reputable movers will have this type of service to offer as part of their standard package, so you don’t have to additionally pay for them to deal with your large and bulky items.

Ask How Much Do Movers Cost for Packing Service

On the other hand, if you don’t have the energy to pack everything alone, ask how much will it cost to hire professionals for packing service. This way, you will not have to worry about any aspect of relocation except things you must finish. Such as finding a place to live or a new job.

Tip No.6 – Organize a Party

If you don’t have money to hire professionals, you can throw a relocation party and ask your friends and family for help. A party is excellent because not only will you get extra hands with your boxes, but you can get rid of most of your items by giving them to your friends and family. And best of all – you will pack in one day and be able to say goodbye to all your friends.

Tip No.7 – Don’t Forget Your Box of Essentials

One of the most important things to remember when relocating is to pack your box or bag of essentials. Here you will have to put everything valuable, like important documents and jewelry, and everything you will need in the first couple of days while settling in. Pack following items:

• Bedding and pillows,
• Clothing,
• Hygiene products,
• Tools,
• Flashlights and batteries,
• Food for dog and some toy,
• Chargers for phones and laptops,
• Wifi router,
• Some plates and mugs,
• Cleaning supplies.

And if you are relocating with a newborn, pack a separate bag of necessities for the baby as well.

Tip No.8 – Sit Back, Relax, and Leave Some Tasks for the Movers

Now that you know the answer to a question, “How do I move at the last minute,” it is a great moment to hear the last and probably most important tip for long-distance moving. And that is to learn to sit back and relax and leave everything for the professionals to handle. Do not strain your back for a fistful of dollars. Last-minute relocation will demand a lot from your side, and if you plan to finish everything until relocation day arrives, you will have to leave some tasks for professionals to do it. And yes, it can be hard to let someone else take care of everything, but sometimes this is necessary and inevitable. So all you have to do is find trustworthy professionals to help you, and you will relocate in a blink of an eye.