Life is unpredictable. A sudden job offer, short notice education opportunity, surprise inheritance – many things can turn your life upside down and make you leave your current home. Ideally, you will need a minimum of two months to plan your long-distance relocation. However, last minute moving is more common than you think, and most people end up planning and packing in less than a month. In this short period, you will have to change your address, obtain supplies, and decide if you are DIY or hiring professionals. To help you avoid getting overstressed, we made a guide with all the essential things you should know to make this quick relocation as efficient as possible.
Start Last Minute Moving With a Checklist
It might sound cliche, but the organization is everything. No matter if you are going a few miles away from your current location or all across the US, having a checklist of things to do will make the whole process much easier. While getting organized to move, the checklist will help you get everything done without forgetting something crucial.
Don’t Forget About Essentials
Think ahead and write down everything from things you will need to clean the old home to snacks for the road and basics you will use on the first day in the new place. When you know what your moving essentials are, it would be hard to forget them even if you are in a hurry organizing a last-minute move.
Creating a checklist is the first step in a successful relocation.
Notify Everybody About the Relocation
Besides stressing about boxes and getting everything packed on time, you have to think about the change of address. If you forget to notify all the right people, you might miss bills or have deliveries on the wrong address. Here is the list of all the institutions you need to give a heads up about your new location:
- The post office – this is an easy update since it can be done online, and you can set it to start on a specific date.
- Tax agencies – both federal and state tax agencies should know about your change of location. Notify the IRS by filling out an online form. As for state tax agencies, check the specific state government website.
- Social Security Administration – everybody that receives social security benefits should change the address online or call SSA and do it over the phone.
- Utilities – gas and electricity should be transferred on your big day, while phone, cable, and internet can be shut off one or two days before.
- Renters or home insurance – notify your agency where they should transfer your policy. Also, while you are talking to your policy provider, check if your belongings are covered during the move because if they are not, you should look into moving insurance.
- Bank and credit card companies – give them a call and see if you can change your information online.
- Subscriptions and online shopping sites – if you like to buy things online, don’t forget to change your address, and avoid your belongings being shipped to the wrong address.
Don't forget to notify everybody about the change in your location.
Get Rid of the Things You Don’t Need
Before you start putting everything in boxes, make a household inventory list. When you are done, you might notice there are some things you don’t need nor want to bring with you. Getting rid of things is a mandatory move, especially if you are moving to a smaller home.
Decluttering Really Does Lower Your Relocation Cost
When you know what you have, make a pile of things you want to bring with you, another pile for those that need to be thrown away, and another for those you want to sell or donate. Decluttering is a great way to save some money on relocation expenses, especially if you are hiring a professional moving company to handle your things. Also, organizing a garage sale will be a great way to earn some extra cash.
Donate or sell your unwanted items before you move long-distance.
Decide If You Are DIY or Hiring Movers
DIY can be fun when it comes to local moves. A few miles down the road don’t seem like an impossible task. However, when relocating long distance, you might consider hiring a professional company to lend you a helping hand. With the assistance of experts, there will be fewer things on your plate, so you won’t get stressed as much as you would if relocating on your own.
When DIY Ask Friends to Help You
When you are relocating on your own, don’t hesitate to ask friends to help you. There are so many things to do before the big day, and having somebody to pack stuff and load the truck would speed up the process. Also, friends can bring some supplies you can use to protect your furniture during transport.
There Are Many Benefits of Hiring a Mover
If DIY seems like more trouble than it is worth, and you want to avoid getting stressed, hiring movers is a way to go. They will do everything for you, pack, load, and unload the truck while you are tying up loose ends in your old location.
Pick the Right Date to Schedule Last Minute Moving and Save Some Money
If you are wondering, What is the cheapest day to move? Know that scheduling relocation during the workweek is more affordable than on weekends. Also, avoid the busy summer season if you can, because companies get swamped with work, and the prices go up.
If you hire professionals, you won't have to deal with loading the truck.
Use a Variety of Moving Services
If you opt for hiring movers to handle your last minute move, pick those that offer a variety of services, because moving service is not the only thing professionals can assist you with. If your new home is not ready yet, you can use storage service, where your possessions can stay in the unit until they can be delivered or picked up. When you call a company to ask for a quote, check what kind of additional services it can offer.
Movers Can Help You With Packing and Unpacking
DIY might seem fun for a while until you get to boxing up bulky furniture and carrying it to the truck. When hiring movers, they will provide you not only with packing and unpacking service, but they will also carry all the items making sure they are not damaged during the trip. All you have to do is sit back and relax and wait for the delivery.
You Can Ship Your Car to the New Destination
If you have a car you love, having it delivered to you is a way to go. Professional movers can ship your car in open or enclosed trailers, and you can choose between terminal-to-terminal or door-to-door shipping options.
An expert company will be able to ship your car without a fuss.
Additional Tips on How to Make It Through Last Minute Moves
Last-minute moving can get overwhelming, especially when you are planning a long-distance one. Here are some additional tips that can help you get through these types of moves:
- When packing leave clothes on the hangers just lay them flat in the car or suitcases
- Big trash bags can be great for packing blankets, clothes, and towels
- Before hiring movers, call at least three companies to ask for a quote
- Check out local stores and find free materials
During this hectic time, don’t forget to take a breather and make some time for yourself. Relocation is the beginning of your new life, don’t let the experience be ruined by overstressing.
