Last-Minute Moving Advice: How to Pack and Move in a Pinch

You’d have ample time to prepare for any move in a perfect world. Moving is a daunting task that requires three or four weeks, minimum, for doing it right. Truth be told, in the real world, life comes at us fast, and so does a last minute move.

Maybe you don’t have enough time between finding out you have to move and the move itself, or you procrastinate a little too much and are in a situation where you have unpacked home a couple of days before the actual moving date, whatever the reason is, figuring out how to move quickly is a necessity.

So, here we have for you a guide outlining how to pack and move in a hurry.

Start from the basics, with the logistics

A last-minute move might look both an immensely necessary and utterly difficult task to accomplish. It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by how much needs to get done, but instead of letting your moving to-dos paralyze you, relax, take a deep breath, and get to work.

Your first step is going to be either hiring moving pod companies or renting a truck, depending on if you are going to need some extra storage and professional help with your move or you are planning to make it a DIY project. If you are hiring movers, research online and find the best, affordable movers in your area. And, if you are renting a truck, get quotes from three or four companies, and make a decision right away. The sooner you sort out the logistics of your move, the sooner you can work on other important things.

Discard the things you don’t need

Think practically, not emotionally, and declutter. The less stuff you have to pack, the easier packing, loading, and unloading will be. And with a last-minute move, fast packing is the key. Separate your stuff into three piles – donate, recycle, and discard. Moving house is a great time to edit down your possessions, so resist the urge to just pack everything and save your time and energy for the things that really matter.

Put together a moving essentials bag

Before you start with the packing procedure, pack a small duffel bag and fill it with all the essential items you’ll immediately need in the new house and things that you can’t afford to misplace. This includes jewelry, cash, medications, important documents, towels, and maybe a pair of clothes. While this is something you must do even when you aren’t moving in a hurry, it’s especially crucial during a last-minute move, when things are likely to get exhausting and confusing. Once your bag is put together, you can get started with packing.

Don’t think, act – Just pack

The goal here is to get all your stuff from your current place to the new one intact, and a short time frame means you can’t optimally sort items or keep a list of what’s packed where, but don’t panic, just keep your eyes on the prize and follow these packing tips for moving in a hurry:

• Pack now, you can sort it later – Don’t worry about having a “theme” for each category, put things where they fit, as long as everything is packed securely and safely, you can sort stuff out once you have moved in your new home.

• Use socks to wrap fragile items – You can fill two needs with one deed by wrapping fragile items like glassware and breakables in soft clothes you need to pack anyway, such as towels, socks, and towels. You’ll not only save money on packing supplies but will also keep the breakables safe.

• Pack clothes as they are – Save yourself some time by packing up clothes as they are. Also, use laundry bags for more storage options.

Ask for help

Moving is a stressful and daunting task, particularly when you don’t have much time before the big day. So, it’s totally okay to turn to your friends for help. Having some helping hands can help you stay on track and get the job done faster.

If you think it’s getting extremely exhausting, leave some tasks to an experienced moving company like United Van Lines and let them handle things at their best. If you are figuring out how to pack last-minute, focus on the bigger picture, and just move to your new house as safe as possible.

Wrap Up

Moving in a hurry is no easy feat. We recommend starting with the logistics and tasks not directly in your control and then tackling other moving responsibilities. Once you have your moving plan in place, have hired storage units in Centreville, VA, you can tackle other things later. With a solid plan, right supplies, you’ll have no trouble learning how to pack and move in a pinch.