Whether it’s due to an unexpected change in circumstances or a short escrow after the sale of a house, sometimes you have to move without much notice. While most relocations do take around eight weeks to plan, it’s possible to move in four weeks or less. You’ll just need some outside help and a little planning. The following moving tips will help make your last-minute move go as quickly as possible.
Select a Reputable Local Moving Company
With any move involving a professional mover, the first thing to consider is the company’s reputation. Even though you’re short on time, you’ll need to do a little research to make sure the local mover you’re considering is a company you can trust. This research could include checking online reviews, looking at what’s being said on social media, and asking friends and family for referrals.
Move Outside of Peak Season
One of the best ways to make sure your move happens quickly is to avoid moving during the summertime, if possible. Between March and September are the peak months for moving, and it can make getting the date you want to move on a little more difficult, as moving companies are running closer to capacity.
However, if you’re able to be flexible with your moving date, moving during peak season is not that much different than moving outside of these months. Keep in mind that one way to have a move be more affordable is to move during the week, or inquire with the moving company on days they have more availability and might be willing to give a discount.
Divide Up the Load
Some last-minute moves may involve renting a moving truck, but if you are unable to reserve the truck weeks in advance, selection may be limited. Consider dividing the load into two smaller trucks or vans if the large truck you wanted isn’t available. You may also be able to share some of the load with friends and family. Friends with pickup trucks are good to have when relocating locally at the last minute.
Toss Excess Clutter
Declutter your belongings before packing to make the job of packing all your stuff more manageable. Sort your belongings into piles to donate, sell, recycle, toss, or keep. A time-honored tradition is allowing your friends and family to rummage through your unwanted items and take what they want before helping you organize a weekend garage sale. Taking excess junk to the new house can slow the moving process, so avoid packing anything you don’t really need.
Pay for Packing Services
To further save time on packing, consider enlisting the help of professional packers such as the experts at MoveDay. Professional packers are trained to pack up your belongings quickly, so you’ll be freed up to handle other details of your move. Having movers pack your items correctly and efficiently will save you a lot of time. If you are packing yourself, you can stuff linens, clothing, and some other non-fragile items in garbage bags to speed up the process.
Hire a House Cleaner
It’s always better to wait until after the move to do the final cleaning. If your budget allows it, hiring a professional house cleaner to get your home ready for its new residents is yet another way to save time during a rushed move.
Accept Help
Enlisting the help of friends and family can make your last-minute move go even faster. Be sure to offer an incentive for helping with the move, whether it’s pizza or a fancier meal. Also, be specific about delegating different tasks to each helper ahead of time so that no time is lost by people having to ask what they can do to help.
Final Thoughts
When you’re moving at the last minute, it can feel like there’s not enough time to accomplish everything on your to-do list. However, with some help from friends or family, a house cleaner, and a full-service local moving company, you’ll be more likely to get everything done on time.
