How to handle a short notice move

We sometimes take for granted having months or even a year to prepare for a relocation. You can take your time with the process and go through each section carefully. However, this is not always the case. Sometimes a short notice move sneaks up on you out of nowhere. Whether a new career opportunity presents itself or a personal issue calls for a move, you can’t always plan it. On the other hand, there are tried and proven ways of relocating on short notice. So instead of panicking, read our guide and stick to it. It will ensure that you have a smooth transition, even if you don’t have a long time to plan it.

Hire professionals for your short notice move

When you move on short notice, every minute counts. That is why you should hire professional movers Fort Worth for your move. These are experts in their fields, who can handle every aspect of the move for you. However, when you hire professionals, make sure that they are the best option for you. Review at least three moving companies before making a definitive decision. This will ensure that you get the best deal possible for your needs. Also, make sure that an estimator comes to your house and does a thorough in-home estimate. Estimates done by the phone are not reliable and the move might end up costing you a lot more than you originally thought.

A moving company can help with your short notice move. — Make sure the estimators give you a realistic quote for your move.

When you research moving companies, it is important that you know the signs of a scam. Always look for reviews and follow up with them to check if they are truly real. Moreover, make sure that the company has a license from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Declutter before you start packing

Most people don’t know where to begin when they pack for a move. Especially if you are moving in a hurry, you might just want to throw everything into boxes and be done with it. However, this will end up costing you more money than you would like to spend on your move. During the time before you start packing, you should think of what you actually want to take with you. If you will just end up tossing it in a corner and forgetting about it, you shouldn’t pack it for your short notice move. Most Garland movers charge by the weight of your items or by the truckload. In both cases, it pays to sort out the rubbish.

When you consider which items to take, make three separate stacks of items. One will be to donate, one to throw out, and one for recycling. Some of your friends and neighbors might want to take those items off your hands. If not, you can find a local charity to donate them to. This will make both you and other people happy, as you will have saved more money.

Have a moving plan for your short notice move

Everything is easier when you have a plan and a short notice move is no different. Before you start to organize your move, make sure you write it down on paper. Create a checklist of all the things you need to do before moving day. Write specific things rather than general, for example, ‘clean the floors’ instead of just ‘clean‘. That way you will have more things to cross off and you will feel like you have accomplished something. Moreover, you should write all the things you need to do in your calendar. Set reminders for important things if you need to, such as, change the forwarding address for your mail. This will also help you save money on your long distance move because you won’t need to hurry to do things at the last minute.

Write down specific things you need to do. — Both a virtual and a physical calendar can work for you.

When you create a timeline, make sure to put the hardest tasks first. Although this might seem counterproductive, it will actually make you stay on task. It will also help you stay encouraged during the process because the tasks will get easier as you go on. Don’t get stressed if some things take more time than you planned. Just take a deep breath and try to remember that it will all be over soon.

Stay organized when you pack

If you hire a professional moving and packing company, you won’t have to worry about packing supplies. They will provide their own and finish the job as quickly as possible. On the other hand, if you choose to pack by yourself, you should create a packing supplies checklist. This includes:

different-sized moving boxes
packing paper
moving blankets
plastic bubbles
packing tape and scissors
permanent markers
dolly or hand-truck

When packing, make sure not to overpack any boxes, especially those with books. This can cause the bottom of the box to break and your things might get damaged. For fragile items, use plenty of plastic bubbles and packing paper, to cushion the blow during transportation. Moreover, try to pack one room at a time, and always keep the packing supplies handy.

While you might be able to bring most of your things with you, there are some items that moving companies won’t load on the truck. These include flammable or explosive items, perishable goods, pets, plants, and valuable items and documents such as money or passports. You can always take these things with you during the move, so make sure you have enough room.

Ask friends and family for help with your short notice move

Your friends will want to help. — Ask neighbors for help if you don’t have family close by.

Organizing a short distance move means using all the help you can get. Don’t be shy to ask your friends, family, and neighbors for help with packing and any other tasks you might have. They will surely be glad to help.

Make sure you have enough water around to prevent dehydration, especially if you are moving in the summer months. Also, you can put together some snacks for the crew to let them know their help meant a lot. Finally, throw a going-away party for all the people you love to have a proper sendoff into your new home.