Move out Quickly

Even under the best circumstances, moving can be a chaotic and stressful process that often takes weeks. But when you’re under pressure to move quickly, the stress increases and can hinder efforts for an organized moving process. By having a plan and packing effectively, you can decrease your stress and increase your ability to relocate rapidly.

Steps

Moving Quickly By Yourself

1. Start as early as possible. The sooner you can formulate a moving plan, and start packing and moving your boxes, the better. Trying to pack your entire household in a day or two isn’t advisable and sure to cause much undue stress.
2. Make a plan. If you have a plan for moving, it will not only make the process go more quickly, but it will help you remain calm.
   • Setting goals for each day is a good idea. For example, you could pack the living room on Monday, the bathroom on Tuesday, and the bedroom on Wednesday.
   • Having other organizational structures will support your plan. For example, designate white trash bags for items you’re taking on the move, and black trash bags for trash. This will keep you from throwing away what you need or digging to figure out what you’ve packed in these bags.
3. Gather moving supplies. Having an assortment of moving supplies on hand, from different sized boxes to packing tape, will keep you from having to make unnecessary trips to the store for materials.
   • Essential supplies for moving are: a variety of small, medium and large packing boxes; packing tape; permanent markers for identifying box contents; box labels or colored tape for coding the contents of your boxes; packing material such as bubble wrap or newspaper; and furniture pads.
   • Sandwich bags are an excellent option for packing small parts.
   • Plastic wrap such as Glad Press n’ Seal will allow you to seal clothing in drawers so that you don’t have to pack them in a separate box.
   • Renting a dolly from a moving company such as UHaul will help you move large furniture and stacks of multiple boxes quickly.
4. Rent a transportable storage pod. Companies such as PODS offer transportable storage units. The company will drop off the pod, pick it up when you’re ready, and then deliver it to your new home.
   • This method allows you to move boxes as you pack them and give you access for more than a day, which is a disadvantage of a moving van or truck.
5. Throw away or donate unnecessary or unwanted items. Getting rid of anything you don’t want or need in your new home will also help you move more quickly.
   • Goodwill or other charities such as the Salvation Army will pick up any items you would like to donate.
6. Make a specific packing station or choose a packing room. Choose one specific place to pack your belongings to make the process run smoothly.
   • Have all of your packing supplies in that place. Assembling boxes before you start will help you pack faster.
7. Photograph your electronics. Take pictures of the different cord and wire connections on electronics such as televisions, DVD players, and internet routers. This will save you time because you won’t have to guess the right configuration when you unpack.
8. Ask family and friends to help. Having extra sets of hands to help you pack and move your boxes will significantly decrease your move time.
   • Assigning your friends and family specific tasks will further expedite your moving process.
9. Pack essentials for a few days. Pack items you will need before you unpack in your new home in order to keep yourself from having to search through boxes. You’ll want to pack some clothing, a couple of towels, your toiletries, and anything else you think you might need.
10. Pack one room at a time. If you pack your home one room at a time, it will keep the process manageable and organize, decreasing the likelihood that you’ll have to scramble finding your items.
    • If you can, put together small items in things like baskets and cover them with Glad Press n’ Seal. Then you can easily place them in a moving box without damaging the items or packing everything individually.
    • An effective and fast way to pack clothes is simply leaving them on the hangers and either placing them flat in the back of your vehicle, collecting them in a garbage bag with the hangers sticking out, or putting them in a wardrobe box.
11. Pack similar items together. As you pack each room, make sure to keep like items together. For example, pack first aid and medical supplies together.
12. Label or color code your boxes. If you have a system of labeling your boxes, it will make packing similar items together easier and help you find items more quickly when you unpack.
    • One way to label is by writing to what room the box belongs to on the outside.
    • Putting different colored pieces of tape is another great way to label your boxes. Each room will get a different color, which will make it easier for you to place them in the correct spaces in your new home.
13. Pack your boxes in a moving truck or transportable storage. Once you’ve packed your boxes, it’s time to move them into the form of transportation that will take them to your new home.
    • If you decide on transportable storage, you can move the boxes when you like. You can move the boxes room by room this way, making it easier to unpack at your new home.
    • If you decide on a moving truck or van, you’ll likely only have one day to move your boxes. You can also do this room by room to keep the process organized.
14. Photograph your empty space. Taking a few pictures of your empty space will ensure that you get your security deposit back if you’re a renter and help you avoid quibbles with new buyers if you’re the home owner.
15. Consider a moving company just for transportation. If you don’t want to use the option of a transportable storage or your personal vehicle, consider hiring a moving company or moving van just for transportation.
    • Compare different offers. Mayflower, Bekins, UHaul, and Atlas Van Services all have websites that allow you to compare their prices and transport services, and make a reservation for your move.
    • Make sure to read the fine print of any offer. This will not only inform you of their rules, but also spare you from any extra or hidden charges.
    • If you decide to make a reservation, make sure to print a copy of the confirmation. The day before your scheduled move, reconfirm with the company.

Moving Quickly with a Moving Company

1. Decide on what moving services you want to use. Before you find the right moving company to help you relocate quickly, it’s a good idea to find out what services different companies offer. From this information, you can figure out if you want to let them pack and unpack your entire home, or if you want to take on all or some of the packing yourself.
   • Moving companies like Mayflower and Bekins offer a broad range of moving services. These include: completely packing and unpacking your home, packing and unpacking some of your home, or simply moving your already packed home.
   • Allowing a moving company to pack and unpack your entire home is the fastest method to move, but will also cost the most.
2. Research and hire a moving company. After you’ve decided on what moving services you would like, you’re ready to research and hire the right company for your needs.
   • Compare different companies, their services, and prices online. Mayflower, Bekins, and Atlas Van Services all have websites that allow you to compare their prices and services, and make a reservation for your move.
   • Read the fine print of any offer. This will not only inform you of their rules, but also spare you from any extra or hidden charges.
   • When you make your reservation, print a copy of your reservation confirmation. The day before your scheduled move, reconfirm the reservation with the company.
3. Talk to the movers and ask questions. On your moving day, talk to the movers about their plans for your move and any wishes or expectations you may have, and confirm any delivery information. Also ask them any questions you have.
   • If you opted to have the movers pack and unpack your entire home, confirm this information with them and let them know if there’s a specific way you’d like them to pack your items.
   • If you opted to have the movers pack and unpack some of your home, discuss the division of labor with them. From this step, you will apply the same tips to your select items that you would for packing your entire home by yourself.
   • If you opted to pack your entire apartment before the moving company picks it up for delivery to your new home, you will apply the same tips for packing your entire apartment quickly and efficiently by yourself.
4. Meet the movers at your new home. On the day you’ve decided to move into your new home, meet the movers at the time you selected. You will need to let them in to your new home so they can place your boxes in the proper rooms.

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Sources and Citations

See also

• Move to the US Virgin Islands
• Make Room for a Baby in a Small Apartment
• Make a Packing List
• Move Heavy Furniture
• Move
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• Stop Mail for Previous Residents
• Pack Your Possessions When Moving
• Merge Two Households
• Deal With Moving Related Loneliness

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