How to handle a last-minute move?

Moving in a hurry is, unfortunately, a realistic scenario that can happen to anybody. Sudden evictions, family issues, job relocations, and other unpredictable situations force people to move to another home. This is often very stressful as there's so much to do, and there's so little time. People are overwhelmed with all the tasks and hardly ever manage to do everything correctly. So, they end up with broken items, increased costs, and damaged health. To avoid all these problems, we’ve come up with a list of essential tips on how to handle a last-minute move and protect your sanity. 

Take a deep breath

When dealing with a sudden relocation, one thing is for sure – panicking will not help. If you start stressing out about this, you will only waste some precious time and be confused and overwhelmed. That's why you should take a deep breath and see how to be as efficient as possible. 

Let a checklist guide you 

Relocating implies an extensive list of tasks. And when you have to move in a week or so, the list doesn't magically become shorter. That's why you should do everything you can to stay focused and organized so you can have everything set in less than a week.  A moving checklist will help you achieve that. Even though you are in a hurry, make a list of things you need to do or purchase. It will make sure you don't forget to do something important and create an even bigger mess. 

Schedule your moving day 

With such an important and demanding task, professional help is necessary to handle a last-minute move. That's why it is crucial to hire reliable movers to help you out. Even though you don't have a lot of time left, look for moving professionals only at trustworthy internet locations, and try to get some recommendations. Choosing the right moving company is not easy, especially in such a short time, but it is possible if you know where to look and stay cautious at all times.  

Even though there’s not much time, it’s possible to handle a last-minute move successfully. 

Pack systematically

As you need to be as efficient as possible, make sure your packing process has a system. Here are some main tips on how to pack quickly and safely:

• declutter your home before you start – you will pack much faster if there’s no clutter in your way. Get rid of everything you don’t need. Depending on the condition of the items, you can either sell, recycle or donate. 

• start with more oversized items – make sure you deal with bulky items first, as they are the most difficult to transport;

• order supplies online – online shopping can save you a lot of time. While you wait for the items to be delivered, you can do some other tasks and not waste time waiting in lines in stores.

• pack room by room – this step will make less mess in your home, as moving supplies will be in one room at a time;

• pack smart – reduce the number of packing steps to save time. For example, you can save a lot of time when packing clothes. Leave clothes on hangers, and wrap them in plastic bags. Also, use items such as drawers, suitcases, and gym bags instead of moving boxes. That way, you will save time and money on packing supplies. 

Know exactly what you’re moving and what needs to go – declutter your home before the move

Pack the bag of moving day essentials 

One of the tasks people often forget is packing the moving day bag. However, this bag will surely make the moving day a lot easier. Include the clothes you’ll be wearing on that day, essential toiletries – any of the basics you’ll need for your first night at the new house. This will ensure you don’t have to go through multiple boxes and unpack when you’re already too tired.

Label everything 

The last thing you want to do during a last-minute move is get confused with all the boxes. Labeling each box will help you with organizing the transport and unpacking. Quickly write what's in each box and which room the box goes to. Then ask the movers to place the boxes in appropriate rooms, rather than making a mess in one central area of your home. You can use markers in different colors, or some stickers, labels, etc. 

Be sure to label the boxes – especially ones that need special care during transport

Recruit some additional help

Dealing with all the items in your home is not easy. That's why it's best to have some extra helping hands. Ask some friends or relatives to help you with packing, cleaning, or decluttering, but also with unloading and moving into your new home. If more people are involved in the process, it will be faster and more successful. Also, once you have finished packing, call the guys from simplifystorage.com to pick up and take care of your items.

Remember: If you don't need help with packing, your friends can take care of your pets or kids while you do certain tasks. This can be extremely helpful, and you will be sure your loved ones are safe.

Take photos 

Quick moves sometimes result in accidents. That’s why you should use your phone camera and take photos of electronics and other fragile items. This can be very helpful if any of the items get damaged during transport. You have the proof of their condition before you sealed all the boxes and can file a claim with ease. 

Take care of yourself 

In order to handle a last-minute move, you need to protect yourself from all the stress. This period will be very challenging, both physically and mentally, so make sure you have enough energy to manage everything. Make sure you eat regularly and sleep well, and finally – stay hydrated. Nothing is more important than your health, so don’t forget to take care of yourself during these demanding and stressful times. 

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