You’ve got a lot of things that you need to do before moving out, and you may be stressed about the process. The fastest way to move out is to start preparing early. But what does that look like?
In this article, we’re going to explore some essential tips that will help you sort out the fastest way to move out of your home.
1. Be Methodical and Organize Before You Pack
You want to put together some sort of systematic process in order to help increase your efficiency when packing up your items. Many times, it’s much easier to put together a plan where you label your boxes and organize them by rooms. Some people will number their boxes and list what’s in them; others will take pictures.
The fact is, you need to be organized so that you can do things as quickly as possible. The truck can get loaded quickly and then you aren’t stuck in your new home, digging through boxes in order to try and find that one thing you need right now.
… But Start Packing Now
All the above may be true, but you definitely don’t want to waste a whole bunch of time putting together a systematic process. You’re trying to move quickly! If you spend too much time planning and not enough time packing, you’re going to end up getting stressed and not getting everything done.
If you know that moving is inevitable, then don’t tarry. Waste no time and start packing items that you’re not using right now, like seasonal clothing, knick-knacks, and pictures on the walls. Then, you can put more effort into other logistics for your move.
2. Determine What Needs to Be Packed Carefully and What Doesn’t
This sounds strange, but you want to save time, right? So, you want to know the difference between “this can just be tossed into a box or bag” and “this needs to be wrapped in newspaper and placed carefully into its container.”
One of the best ways to save time when packing and moving is to not care about your clothing. If you have dirty clothes, throw them into their own laundry bag, label that it’s dirty somehow, and worry about washing it when you get to your new home. Your clean clothing doesn’t necessarily need to be folded – toss them in bags and iron things later if you need to do so.
If you determine this distinction early on, you’ll find that things go more quickly. You won’t be diligently and delicately packing every last thing, which could end up saving you hours, and you’ll be ready to throw things into vehicles and get it to your new place.
3. Move Some Items Over Early (If You Aren’t Moving Far)
Are you just doing a local move? If you start your lease or finish closing on your house before your current rental period is over, then you may want to start taking items to your new place as early as you can. Do you have a few boxes filled with décor from your walls? Run them over to your new place.
You may even want to work with a couple friends to make a couple of early trips before moving day comes around. That way, you’ve got fewer boxes to haul, and you’ll feel a lot less stressed out than if you were trying to quickly move everything that day.
4. Purge As You Pack
You want to move fewer boxes to your new place, right? If you have an ugly sweater you’ll never wear or a broken crockpot you keep forgetting to throw away, now’s the time to do it! You need to be sure that you purge items you don’t want or need as you pack. Plan out a way to deal with such things when you put together your system.
Now, you may not have time to actually take the items to a donation center or to have a moving sale – and that’s okay. Assign a friend or family member to be your donation driver and load up their vehicle as you go. Then, they can run it over to the donation center. Do the same with trash.
5. All Hands on Deck!
You’re absolutely going to need help if you’re trying to get your move completed within a reasonable amount of time. If you’re moving far away, take advantage of that and ask your friends and family in your current area to help you pack. They likely will, because they want to spend time with you before go.
In short, it’s a good idea to ask your friends and family to give you a hand ahead of time. “Many hands make light work” is an old saying, and it really is true. If you have a system, let them know your system and get everyone involved in the packing and moving process from day one.
On moving day, you’re going to need their help as well. If you don’t hire out of state movers, then you may need to rent a van or have a few friends with large vehicles assist you with moving. If your move isn’t too far away, you can send them to your new place as you finish up stuff at your old place. Speed is key, and the more people are involved, the faster your move will be completed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will it cost for me to move?
This depends on a number of factors, including how far you’re moving and how much stuff you’re moving. Local moves can be anywhere from $500 to $3000 on average; long-distance moves usually run from $1500 to $5000 and can go higher for the largest homes. If you’re scheduling a move at the last minute, you may also get a rush fee added on. And, you’ll have to add more money for extra services, like packing and storage.
What’s the best day of the week to move?
Moving in the middle of the week is often much better than moving on the weekend. Rates are going to be lower, and you’ll be much more likely to get your first choice of a mover on a particular date. Most people recommend moving on Tuesday or Wednesday, if you can pull it off. If you must move on the weekend, Sunday is your better option in terms of cost and preparation.
How long does it typically take to move?
Local moves (100 miles or less from your starting point) can typically be taken care of within a day. Long distance moves can take up to a week, depending on how far away you are moving. Your cross country moving company can provide you with a time estimate (usually at the same time as your moving quote price), based on how much you’ll be packing and where you’re headed.
A Need for Speed on Moving Day
Quick relocations can be stressful, but with the right team on your side, you can ensure that the process goes smoothly. Start planning for it as soon as you know about it and, in the long run, you’ll have a much easier time getting everything completed before moving day.
