Tips and Tricks That Will Make Your Last-Minute Moving Stress-Free

When It Comes to Last Minute Move, Start with Logistics

When you lack time during the relocation process, every task suddenly seems urgent. Given how much work needs to be done, it’s not uncommon for those who move to feel paralyzed. In order to avoid letting your to-do list overwhelm you, take a deep breath, prioritize and start checking things off the list.

Your initial step would be determining the relocation budget and, based on it, deciding between hiring cross-country movers or renting a truck. You won’t have much time to do any research, but you must be sure the company you choose to work with (whether rental or relocation) is reliable. Acquire estimates from two to three businesses before choosing and read as many reviews and recommendations as you can find to determine other people’s experiences. Once you have the relocation logistics under control, you can focus on all other necessary tasks.

A Plan Will Help You Speed Up The Move

Relocating to a new home is an exciting time, but it can also be a bit overwhelming, especially when you are doing so in a hurry. There are so many things to think about when it comes to relocation day preparations, and it’s easy to get bogged down in the details. A good way to make sure you stay on track and don’t forget anything important is to create a relocation plan.

It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, but it should list out all of the tasks you need to do in order to make your move go smoothly. You can use a simple notebook or create a digital document – whatever works best for you.

How to make a last-minute moving checklist? Here are some of the tasks that must be included:

• Decluttering (especially if you’re relocating to a smaller home),
• Choosing a long-distance moving company,
• Gathering packing materials,
• Packing,
• Changing the address,
• Notifying others about the move,
• Gathering important documents,
• Transferring utilities,
• Move-out cleaning,
• Checking which items movers won’t move,
• Saying goodbye to friends and family,
• Arranging sitters for your kids and pet (if you’re relocating with kids or planning to move with pets),
• Practicing how to live on your own (if you’re relocating for the first time to a new city alone),
• Vehicle servicing.

Some of these tasks can be broken down into smaller steps (such as packing), which will help you move efficiently. Additionally, if your time for planning the move is very limited, you can postpone completing some of these tasks until after the move to a new state – as long as you don’t forget about them.

Hire Long-Distance Movers to Assist You

If you’re relocating in a hurry, getting long-distance moving services can help you get where you need to go and do so promptly and safely. They can provide the transportation and logistics expertise necessary for a stress-free move. If you have a space in your budget, hiring true professionals is the best choice.

Still, when getting help from movers from California to Seattle (or movers from Seattle to California), there are some things to consider in order to avoid relocation scams and get the best possible deal:

• Before choosing the relocation company, make sure they are licensed and insured,
• Get quotes from multiple companies,
• Ask about their experience with moves of your distance and type,
• Inquire about additional services they offer, such as packing and storage.

For an accurate quote, companies will have to perform an in-home estimate of your belongings. However, you may not have time to organize these visits. In that case, look for companies that are able to provide you with a price based on a virtual estimate – and make sure it’s a guaranteed one.

Use as Many Services as You Need to Make the Move Easier

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the challenges a fast move brings, remember that you don’t have to do it all on your own. There are plenty of services out there to help make the process easier – all you have to do is find the cross-country moving company that offers them.

The good news is that reputable and reliable companies will usually be able to help you with all of the logistics of your move but also provide you with additional services such as packing or car shipping. If you’re short on time, note that there are also plenty of companies that offer storage services. This can be a great option if you need to move out of your current home before your new one is ready or don’t have time to make decisions about every item you possess.

Don’t Skip Decluttering During the Last-Minute Moving Process

It will be simpler to pack if you have less of it to do, and a quick move always requires simple packing. When relocating in a hurry, instead of being sentimental, you must be practical. Don’t just pack everything up with the intention of throwing things out once you move to a new city. Sorting these things out before is considerably easier and will free up your time and effort for other important tasks and save you money. Remember – the less you decide to keep, the more affordable the move will get.

Here are some questions you should ask yourself when you start decluttering:

Put Things You Want to Sell Online

This may seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite simple. Just take a few pictures of the items you want to sell, create a listing, and post them online. You can use sites like eBay to reach a wide audience of potential buyers or Nextdoor for selling items easily to your neighbors.

Not only will this help you get rid of some unwanted things, but it can also give you a little extra money to help with your move. Just be sure to price your items fairly and include shipping costs in your listing. If you have to move before you sell unwanted items, leave them with your friends and family and ask them to help you. Once the product is sold, they can transfer your money easily.

If you need some tips on where to sell your items online for the best result, take a look at the following video:

Set Up Packing Space and Start Boxing Items

You don’t have much time to waste looking for packing supplies when you have to act quickly. In order to stop that, you should create a packing station where you’ll keep all the materials needed, such as:

• Boxes,
• Packing paper and bubble wrap,
• Scissors,
• Padding materials,
• Markers,
• Zip-bags for screws.

Bring the items you wish to package to your designated packing space and, if that makes sense, box them up there. If it’s not possible, take the boxes and supplies to where you’re packing and then return the sealed box to the packing station.

Of course, you won’t have to waste time on any packing-related tasks if you decide to get packing services from professional movers. On the other hand, if you’re against this option, make sure you find some useful relocation tips for packing to keep your belongings completely damage-free.

Try Not to Overthink the Packing Process

When packing quickly, attention should be devoted less to organizing and more to just putting everything into a box and leaving it away. The main objective is to move all of your belongings safely to a new home. Therefore, it’s okay if you can’t pack everything in its proper order or make a detailed inventory of what goes where.

Don’t bother about grouping similar items together or giving each box a “theme.” Sorting can wait until you’re settled into your new house as long as everything is packed carefully. It’s also acceptable to omit complicated box labels, but be sure to point out if there are fragile things within a box. Additionally, to wrap breakables, use soft materials like socks and towels and kill two birds with one stone.

In the end, pack clothes as they are. Wrap a sturdy waste bag around any clothing that is hanging in the closet. Start at the bottom and attach the threads of the bag around the hangers. You can also decide to keep your belongings in different drawers, as long as they stay safe and the object in question is not too heavy with them in it.

While You Are at It, Prepare a Bag of Essentials

Set aside a small bag or a box and load it with the necessities you can’t risk losing or being without. This contains any necessary prescriptions, documents, electronics, chargers, daily hygiene items, and a few extra sets of clothing. Even though you would want to prepare these items even if you weren’t in a rush to move, it’s crucial to do so because last-minute moves are more likely to be chaotic and tiresome. Keep this box with you at all times.

Friends and Family Are Excellent Last-Minute Moving Help

Relocation is a difficult chore, especially when it needs to be completed fast, so asking friends or relatives for assistance is completely acceptable. In addition to helping you finish the project more quickly, having assistance can help you focus and stay on task.

When you have a partner (or partners), even the most time-consuming tasks, such as packing, can become much easier. Do not be reluctant to ask for assistance, but make sure to express your gratitude by ordering food, securing beverages, or baking cupcakes for them once they come to visit you in the new home.

Have Some Me Time, and the Move Won’t Overwhelm You

Whatever your reasons for relocating in a hurry may be, securing time for yourself before the move will make the whole process a lot less daunting – and maybe even a little bit fun. Start by giving yourself a few hours to do something you enjoy, whether it’s going for a run, reading your favorite book, or taking a long bath.

Once you’ve cleared your head and gotten rid of relocation stress (at least partially), it will be much easier to focus on the task at hand. And when the time for finishing up the relocation tasks comes, all you have to do is follow our last-minute moving tips – and you’ll be good to go.