Moving in a Hurry? 5 Tips to Step It Up

We all agree that moving is a stressful and time-consuming task, even if you’ve been planning for months. Yet, life is full of surprises, and sometimes circumstances require you to move hastily with little time to spare for packing.

While a short-notice move can seem overwhelming, experts say that it is possible to make a smooth transition even with a short timeline.

Here are the 5 best tips and strategies for moving in a hurry that can help make your move as stress-free as possible.

Take Time to Plan Ahead — as Much as Possible

With the rush of last-minute packing, you might be tempted to start assembling boxes and jump straight into packing. While the pressure to move quickly might feel overwhelming, detailed planning might save you time and hassle in the long run.

Take a moment to organize your thoughts and focus on the to-do tasks that you need for your packing and moving.

Here are some examples to start with:

Prioritize your items and figure out what can be packed ahead of time
Update your mailing address and transfer your utilities to the new one
Notify your bank, credit card company, and other service providers of your new address
Settle any outstanding bills for the utilities at your old address
Check for fragile and important items and write them down
Add the packing supplies needed and check if you have boxes, tape, bubble wrap and/or towels for fragile items
Write down food and drinks that will be needed for moving day.

Pack Essentials First

When moving in a hurry, it’s important to pack the essentials first to ensure that you have everything you may need on hand during your journey or when you arrive at your new home.

You can start by placing a few changes of clothes, toiletries, and any medications into a backpack. Next, pack any necessary electronics, chargers, and items for your daily routine.

Consider packing a separate bag with essential items that you can easily access during the moving process.

Lastly, make sure to store important documents in folders.

If You Hesitate, Let It Go

There is a simple rule to follow: If you hesitate, get rid of it. This doesn’t necessarily mean to throw everything away, you can assess your belongings and decide which ones to keep, sell, donate, or, indeed, throw away.

Start by categorizing your items based on their importance and value. Consider selling or donating items that you haven’t used in a year or longer.

If something is damaged or broken, sort it out and decide if you can recycle it.

Go For Smaller Boxes

We recommend packing in small boxes, as they are easier to move and less likely to rip than bigger ones.

Save Kitchen & Bathrooms for Last

Sorting through and packing your things in your kitchen and bathroom will allow you to continue using them until the last minute while giving you enough time to properly pack other rooms.

The kitchen tends to have the most items and requires more time and attention to pack properly.

Packing and moving are big undertakings. If you need help with short-noticed moving or if you are feeling worried about packing properly and securely, our experts at Main Street Movers can assist you every step of the way.