MOVING IN A HURRY? 5 STEPS TO HELP YOU MEET THE CHALLENGE
Even though most people have a lot of time to plan a big move, it can occasionally be a much more sudden project. Whether it’s a quick job change, a family member who needs unexpected help or the sale of your house happening earlier than planned, having to move without notice adds stress to an already anxious situation.
If you find yourself in this position, what can you do to make the best transition possible? Here are five steps for any size household.
HIRE PROFESSIONALS
Now is probably not the time to try to DIY your move. Professional movers know how to transport items safely and quickly, how to pack in the most efficient way possible and what the best system is for organizing large quantities of household goods. Take advantage of their expertise, and reduce your responsibilities. Leaving some of the work to the professionals will free you up for other tasks, like handling paperwork for the move, getting kids ready to go or focusing on your new job.
When meeting with potential moving companies, be sure to discuss whether they outsource any of the transportation, what guarantees they offer, what timeline they expect to meet and what additional packing services they offer. Shultz Bros. Van and Storage offers free estimates and phone quotes that are perfect for the last-minute mover.
OVERDO IT ON SUPPLIES
The last thing you can afford right now is to run out of packing material or supplies. Having to stop and restock can ruin your momentum and cost valuable time. Instead, stock up on things like packing tape, boxes, labels, packing material, dollies and protective coverings. You can always recycle, return or toss extra packing material, but it’s more likely that you’ll discover that you end up using more than you expected.
KNOW YOUR NEW PLACE
Understanding the dimensions and needs of your new home means you can easily determine what belongings won’t fit and avoid having to move unnecessary items. In addition, you may be able to group together things that are destined for the same locations or rooms.
If you can visit your new home and take pictures, this is ideal. In addition, take a tape measure and make notations about wall lengths, outlet locations, bathroom dimensions and cabinet sizes. If you can’t take photos, try to make at least a rough sketch. The more information you have on your furnishings’ destinations, the easier it will be to plan their movements.
MAKE A LIST
When you’re in a hurry, you can easily forget important tasks. Fight this problem by making a checklist of things you need to get done, and make it as early as possible. Your checklist should be organized by timeline, but you may also want to develop a second version that lists items by priority so you ensure the most important things get done.
DON’T GET BOGGED DOWN
While moving is usually a good time to go through your belongings to determine what you want to purge or what you haven’t used in a while, a last-minute move is usually not the time. You can easily get sidetracked and lose precious time sorting through items.
If you can’t make quick decisions about some of your things, consider moving them to the new place and designating a specific location in which to stash stuff that still needs to be sorted. Another quick solution may be to have them placed in a rented storage unit until you can deal with them later. Talk to your movers about the logistics of adding a stop to your itinerary.
Making a plan of attack and getting the right help when you’re on a tight moving timeline will help you meet the challenge with your belongings and your sanity intact.
