Last Minute Moving: Quick Tips for a Swift Relocation

Moving really is a hard job, let alone in common situations; when you are pressed for time, it becomes a Herculean job. Perhaps you had a last-minute job change, perhaps your lease terminated sooner than you were prepared for, or perhaps life just threw one of its signature curveballs your way, but last-minute moving calls for fast thinking, effective planning, and a lot of flexibility. With the right approach, however, you can pull off a really swift, successful relocation. Here’s a guide replete with quick easy tips to enable you to manage the last minute move effectively.

1. Create a Quick Plan

When you’ve found yourself in a situation that requires last-minute moving, the first thing you need is a plan, no matter how sketchy it might be. A plan will help you stay organized and focused throughout this period when, in most cases, time isn’t on your side.

Key Planning Steps:

1. Prioritize: Decide what first needs to be done: search for a moving company, pack essentials, contact authorities about your move.
2. Create a Timeline: Make a very simple day-by-day timeline of what needs to happen. Having a basic timeline will help in not getting behind and also helps to not lose sight of the big important things.
3. Assign Resources: based on the help that you’ve got: friends, family, professional movers where you need, and what type of resources, describe the tasks you are sharing with these resources.

2. Quick Decluttering

When time is short, packing up everything you own is stressful and inefficient. Getting rid of what you don’t need, while packing, saves time, weight, and (potentially) money.

Decluttering Tips:

1. One Room at a Time: Start in just one area and sort items into three piles: keep, donate, and throw away.
2. Be Ruthless: If you haven’t used it in the past year, chances are it’s not worth your time and effort to bring it into your new home.
3. Avail of Donation Pick-up Services: Many charities will come to pick up donations for free, thus saving one a trip and precious time.

3. Collect Your Packing Supplies

Be prepared before you start packing. There’s nothing worse than running out of boxes or tape halfway through a packing job. Gather more supplies than you think you will need.

Packing Supply Checklist:

1. Durable Boxes: In different sizes including small boxes for heavier items such as books and big boxes for lighter items, including bed stuff.
2. Packing Tape – Have plenty of good packing tape to seal up those boxes.
3. Markers – Write what’s inside the boxes and the room where you will find it
4. Bubble Wrap and Packing Paper – Use these in wrapping fragile stuff in such a way this will not break.

4. Start Packing Immediately

Moving at the last moment can consume time unnecessarily. Start packing with items that you hardly use.

Packing Tips:

1. Pack by Room: Just try to focus on one room at a time. This will keep everything in order, and unpacking will be done in a much more easy manner.
2. Clearly Label Boxes: Clearly state on the boxes what is packed inside and to which room it belongs. This will save time while in the new house.
3. Use Soft Items to Pile on Top of Other Items: To avoid wastage of time and the large boxes that are used to pack such items, use towels, blankets, and even clothing to pack fragile items.

5. Hire Professional Movers (If Possible)

If you can afford it, professional movers like Asian Tigers Group are a game-changer during last-minute moves. All you’ll have to worry about is packing up and taking care of other important tasks while the professional movers handle the logistics.

Quick Tips for Hiring Movers:

1. Call Several Companies: Contact several moving companies and let them know your circumstances. Would any of them be willing to take a job on short notice?.
2. Read a Few Reviews: Spend a few minutes reading reviews. If you’re lucky, someone might even recommend a company to you.
3. Get Moving Insurance: If you are moving delicate or very valuable things, ask for moving insurance.

6. Pack Using What You Have

Be creative and efficient. Make use of packing materials that you already have in your hands.

Creative Ideas for Packing:

1. Totes and Luggage: Heavy things can be loaded into wheeled totes or luggage from curbsides for easy removal.
2. Laundry Baskets and Hampers: These may be filled with lightweight things or dragged around the house to easily catch hold of loose things.
3. Tote Bags and Backpacks: Load these with clothing, shoes, or toiletries to make them easy to move.

7. Ask for Help

Moving at the last minute is a big undertaking, and it often requires the support of an army to get everything done. Volunteers could also be friends or family members. Don’t hesitate to ask for their help.

How to Get Help:

1. Ask for Specific Tasks: People are more likely to help if you ask them to do something specific, like packing up the kitchen, driving boxes to your new place, or watching the kids while you pack.
2. Offer Incentives: For example, if possible, one can offer them some meal, or snacks, or simply drinks as a gesture of saying thank you.
3. Professional Help: If at all friends or family cannot be available, hire some professional packers or movers to help.

8. Keep Calm and Stay Focused

It in fact might be very stressful just at the last minute, but be composed and cool doing so. Step-by-step movements can be tackled better this way.

Stress-Reduction Tips:

1. Take Short Breaks: Allow yourself short breaks to recharge, even if it’s just for a few minutes. This will help you stay productive in the long run.
2. Focus on Progress: Instead of what is remaining, focus on what you have accomplished. This may raise your morale and keep you motivated.
3. Delegate: If you are overwhelmed, delegate more to others. It frees you and helps you concentrate more on the most relevant things.

9. Take Care of Utilities and Change Your Address

Do this well in advance to avoid a last-minute rush, especially in tasks like changing utilities and address handling.

Main Administrative:

1. Transfer Utilities: Organize with the service providers how the services will be turned off at the old residence and turned on at the new one.
2. Change of Address: Fill out a change of address form in the postal office and make contact with important parties including your bank, employer, and subscription services.
3. Return Rented Items: If you have things on rent, such as internet routers or library books, make sure you return or cancel the services before moving.

10. Plan for the First Night in Your New Home

A must-have—because the last thing you’ll want after a long day of hauling is to scramble to find your essentials. Pack a “first night” box or bag with everything you’ll need for the first 24 hours in your new home.

First Night Essentials:

1. Bedding: Sheets, blankets, and pillows so you can make your bed and get some rest.
2. Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and other essentials.
3. Basic Kitchen Supplies: Some cutlery, plates, and cups and even some snacks to get you through to your first meal.
4. Clothes: Fresh set of clothes, pajamas, and any other clothes you’ll need now.

Conclusion

It’s no walk in the park moving at the last minute, but you have to keep your head on right and think ‘as good as done.’ Using the following quick tips, you’ll be able to keep yourself organized, see what needs to be done first, and get out of the place. It’s not about being perfect but about checking everything on the list in an efficient manner in order to smoothly settle into a new home.

If you’d like to discover the latest information about the moving and relocation world, please also check other industry news from Asian Tigers Group.

Your trusted moving support is only a few clicks away from your hand. Contact the Asian Tigers office near your origin or destination for your next move. You can also check our Frequently Asked Questions resource, AI-powered by Tiger Move Bot.