Ask someone the number one thing that’s difficult to get right when it comes to moving, and a likely answer is timing. Moving is stressful enough as is, but add in a limited amount of time and you’ve got quite a challenge on your hands. Fortunately, many people find themselves in a moving pinch and manage to get everything done on time, from packing boxes to setting up utilities. With careful planning, strategy and time management as laid out in these six tips, moving in a hurry is not just possible but painless.
1. Tackle time-sensitive items first
Some aspects of moving need to be completed by day one of living in your new home, like transferring or setting up utilities and internet access. Start this process as early as you can, as it can take time for utility companies to transfer your service and send out technicians as necessary. How long this takes is often out of your control – especially in major cities with millions of customers – but the least you can do is not wait until the last minute.
Other time-sensitive items include hiring movers, cleaners or transportation. Availability may be limited, especially during busy moving times like summer, so lock down these services as soon as you can. You don’t want to be running this as a one-man show and struggle greatly on move-in day.
2. Don’t spend too much time organizing
This may seem like counterproductive advice, as so many moving tips pertain to staying organized. However, moving in a hurry means you don’t have the luxury of time to label boxes, create a color coding system or meticulously sort your belongings. These things are helpful, but they’re not absolutely necessary. Just focus on doing what needs to be done as quickly as possible, such as vacating your apartment, even if it means more time spent unpacking and settling into your new place.
3. Get help where you can
Trying to move without help is both time and labor-intensive. You already know to enlist the help of friends and family, but consider spending the money to hire a moving company and/or professional cleaners. While they’re working away, you can use that time to tackle other items on your moving to-do list, helping you get to the finish line faster.
After you’re done moving, don’t forget to repay your friends for their moving help! These people took time out of their day, possibly weekend, to help you move where they could have spent in leisure.
4. Pack and purge at the same time
The world is in a purging frenzy, thanks to Japanese organizing consultant Marie Kondo and her wildly popular Netflix series Tidying Up. Moving is a prime opportunity to rid yourself of possessions that no longer “spark joy,” as Marie would say, with the added benefit of saving you time in your move. The fewer belongings you have to take with you, the fewer trips you’ll need to transport everything.
What’s more, you can purge and pack at the same time. As you’re packing, have garbage bags ready for items to donate or throw away. For each item you grab, decide if you’re going to purge it or pack it. Who knew moving could be so cleansing.
5. Keep clothes on their hangers
Clothes can be one of the most time-consuming items to pack during a move, but they don’t have to be. Rather than taking them off their hangers, wrap them in trash bags as is, using the tie strings to secure the hangers. You can also buy wardrobe boxes designed for packing hanging clothes, sold by most moving supply retailers. You’ll save time packing and unpacking.
6. Protect fragile items with clothes and towels
Bubble-wrapping your breakable items is yet another tedious moving task that takes up valuable time. However, your clothes and towels can serve as a bubble wrap alternative for glass and ceramic items that aren’t too delicate. Use big fluffy sweaters or jackets as opposed to thin T-shirts. Socks, doubled up if necessary, are perfect for cups or shot glasses. You’ll get some of your clothes and towels packed up too, killing two birds with one stone.
Here’s to moving that is seamless, smart and swift!
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