Going through a big move is already pretty challenging, but if you have to do it on a tight schedule, the difficulty and stress get turned up even more. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of stuff you need to pack up and move out without the help of Austin movers and packers. If you find yourself struggling to get it all done in time, this list of helpful packing tips for moving in a hurry should be able to help you out.
Helpful Packing Tips for Moving in a Hurry
1. Throw Out What You Don’t Need
People who have a lot of time to pack typically put everything they own into boxes and figure out what they’re going to do with them once they get to their new home. When you’re in a rush, you need to start throwing out the things you don’t need right away.
While this might sound counterproductive since you’ll have to slow down a bit to figure out what’s coming with you and what isn’t, it’ll be worth it in the end. This is because you won’t have to waste any time putting that useless stuff into boxes and finding room for it on the truck. It’ll either go straight in the dumpster or to a donation center where it will benefit people who could use your old household items.
2. Don’t Worry About Sorting
Another thing people do when they have extra time is to sort their items according to what room they’re going to be in and their level of importance. When you’re in a hurry to get your packing done, this doesn’t matter. You just need to get your stuff packed up as efficiently as possible. Obviously, you’ll want to note where some items are, but it doesn’t matter for the majority of them.
Once you’re at your new home, you’ll have more time than you did before the move. This is when you’ll start sorting your items and figuring out where they need to go.
3. Use What You Already Have To Pack
One step you can skip when you’re in a rush is the initial trip to the store to buy packing supplies. Instead, try to use what you have already lying around the house. We’re sure you have tons of boxes and crates that you could put extra stuff into.
Also, use some of the clothes you’ll be packing to wrap up your more breakable items. When this is all said and done, you still might need to go to the store for a few more things, but your shopping list will be much shorter, and you’ll know exactly what you need.
4. Don’t Be Afraid To Ask for Help
Probably the most helpful packing tip for moving in a hurry that we can give you is to reach out to others for assistance. Your family and friends will be more than happy to help you out in your time in need.
However, as great as they might be at packing, they’re still not experts. That’s why the better choice is to call professional packers like us at Not a Hobby Moving Company. We take the safe and secure packing of your goods very seriously, and since we’re the best in the business, we’ll finish in record time before shipping your stuff off to your new home.
Bonus Tips
1. Hire a junk removal company
Junk removal companies will come to your home and take away the things you do not want anymore and deal with the mess. You do not need to sort or determine the best place to get rid of any of your items; they will do it for you. When you are in a hurry, a junk removal company can save you hours and hours of frustration and time by dealing with the items causing you stress.
Whether you have far too much stuff collected over the years or project furniture you know you will never get around to fixing, junk haulers can help. They can remove break-down old swing sets, clean out grandma’s house, or even empty a storage unit. While you will have to pay in cash, you save in every other way possible.
Professional junk haulers have the training and tools to remove your unwanted items from your home or business without causing any damage. They are adept at removing large objects and moving through confined locations quickly and safely. Moreover, there is no need to stress over locating a disposal facility, renting a truck, or moving big objects.
Additionally, many rubbish hauling services care for the environment and will recycle or otherwise responsibly get rid of your unwanted stuff. They can help you lessen your impact on the environment by donating, recycling, or disposing of unwanted items. They can often dispose of items dangerous for others, too, such as those with mold and other issues.
2. Set up a packing station
When moving in a hurry, you need to get organized. Set everyone to specific tasks and have one person set up to do the packing. They will need a packing station set up with everything they need. Keep boxes nearby, tons of tape, labels, black markers, and packing supplies such as towels, clothing, paper, etc., to pack breakable items.
Other people can fetch items from around the apartment or house and bring them to the person packing. This will allow the packing station to run smoothly. If possible, set up a packing station on each floor or in a central location to help everyone bring items to the packing station.
Next, the packing station should have room for multiple boxes, such as a box for each bedroom. If possible, create a cart for all of the packing supplies to take to each room if the house is too large for a single packing station. If you are in a time crunch and do not want to pack, you can prepare for a full-service move and allow the movers to take care of the work for you.
3. Pack a moving essentials bag
It is a good idea to keep the things you can not afford to lose among the mountains of boxes and supplies in a separate bag, whether you are moving across town or across the world. Packing up your essentials into one convenient bag can help you stay on top of your game. In addition, it will be beneficial in reducing tension on a moving day.
Every person in the house should have an essentials bag or a suitcase. Plan your suitcase like you would if you were traveling by plane and take a few outfits, toiletries, entertainment, shoes, etc. Here you can also store items you do not want lost, such as jewelry and personal effects. Do not forget to store chargers, electronics, medications, and important documents in your suitcase.
For little kids, add in some toys, diapers, their favorite stuffed animal or blanket, and entertainment. Kids get bored easily during moves, and planning ahead will save you a ton of hassle. Keep your sanity on the first night with an essentials bag for the bathroom, too, if you do not want everyone to have the toiletries in their bag. Put in a few rolls of toilet paper, towels, shampoos, body wash, etc.
Another essential bag you need, if you cannot fit it into each person’s essential suitcase, should be a first-night box. This will hold sheets, pillows, blankets, etc to make the beds so you can get a good night’s rest and wake up refreshed to start unpacking. Mark the box clearly, and if possible, take it in your car instead of in the moving truck to make sure it’s easy to find when it’s time to go to bed.
Pack a minimal toolkit consisting of a screwdriver, a wrench, and a measuring tape, and bring it along. Also, keep scissors in the kit for cutting boxes and other packing materials at the new location. Do not forget to pack snacks and drinks too but do not worry about packing stuff for cooking; everyone knows pizza’s on the menu for the first night in a new home. Keep a cooler in your car with ice and drinks to make the day go better, especially on warm days.
4. Leave some tasks to the movers
While you want to feel in control and get things moving, remember to cut yourself some slack and allow the movers to do some of the work. Not only are they qualified, but they have tons of experience moving people from one household to another. If you are in a hurry and can afford the expense, you can even have the movers professionally pack your home.
Expert movers will know how to pack your belongings so that nothing is damaged during transport. Furthermore, they can disassemble furniture for the move and assemble furniture once you get to your new home. While you may want to keep zipper bags nearby and a marker to keep track of the nuts and bolts, the movers can do the heavy lifting.
The movers will load the truck and arrange your belongings so that they travel safely and securely. Also, they can unpack for you and even put the items away if you are in a rush to move. After, they can even take care of the boxes and any trash left over, leaving you with only the task of settling into your new home.
5. Make arrangements to settle in a new area (schools, utilities, medical records transfer, etc.)
Beyond the physical move, if you are moving out of town, you will need to make arrangements for your new home. Especially if you are moving on a short timeline, you will want to make a checklist of everything you need to change once in your new home. On the checklist, you will want to keep a folder with important paperwork such as records, school information, doctors’ information, etc.
Start by setting up the utilities and plan to have those turned on once you move in, such as electricity, gas, water, and internet. Next, focus on your children’s school, if applicable, by checking on what information the school will need and the best enrollment times, if possible. Find a new in-network doctor or at least the closest urgent care that accepts your insurance.
Finally, you will need to contact your post office, banks, insurance companies, and more to let them know of your change of address. If you are moving to a new state, you will need to plan a trip to the DMV for new licenses and car plates. Take some time to learn the neighborhood and find the closest pharmacies, grocery stores, and other amenities you and your family will frequent.
FAQs
Can I pack to move in one day?
Depending on how much you have to pack and how fast you work, you can pack your house in a day if you skip a few steps, such as sorting and decluttering. Of course, the more friends and family you have available, the more feasible the task becomes. Also, the more organized your home, the more possible it is to pack in a single day. Often when people have less time to plan, the move becomes messier, which simply adds to the stress.
What is the fastest way to pack for a move in a hurry?
If you need to move in a day, plan for lots of help and preferably people who have moved before and know what they are doing. Second, start packing earlier in the morning and come up with a system to prevent yourself from becoming overwhelmed. Keep everything you need close by and use a packing station to make the job easier.
Third, avoid distractions when packing. Avoid technology and social media distractions. Do not focus on getting rid of anything either, as this will take time to sort and cause more work and reduce packing time. You can get rid of items once settled in your new home. Instead, simply place everything in boxes focusing only on items that are fragile so you can wrap them sufficiently.
Keep someone in charge of labeling boxes and try to pack each room separately to avoid issues on the other side. Assign someone else to disassemble bulky furniture like beds. Also, skip packing drawers; instead, take out heavier items and pack those separately; otherwise, wrap the drawers with lighter items. Lastly, use wardrobe boxes so clothing does not have to come off the hangers in the closet which will save you a ton of time.
How do you declutter fast before moving?
Clutter removal before a move is difficult with time and maybe the last priority for a fast move. If possible, delay this step until you are in your new home. However, this rarely works well as many people need the added space in the vehicle. Here is a quick plan to declutter before your fast move.
First, take large items you no longer need outside and hire a junk removal company to tend to those items. Next, get rid of anything that’s junk with no sentimental value, such as half-finished projects, magazines, books, etc. Third, use the one-year rule; anything you have not used in a year or do not plan to use in the next year needs to go. Leave some room for sentimentality, such as do not get rid of grandma’s fine china if it’s important to you as an heirloom.
Is it faster for movers to pack or unpack for a last-minute move?
Movers will always be faster than the vast majority of families at both packing and unpacking. They have hours of experience doing both. However, if you can only afford to have them do one, have them pack for you if in a hurried move. They can ensure nothing will be broken and pack in half the time with fewer boxes. Unpacking is much faster for you as you will not need to sort everything right away.
