The Fast Way to Pack For a Last Minute Move
A week, 3 days, one day – moving at short notice can be quite a shocker. But our teams do it all the time. So here’s our quick guide to the fast way to pack for a last minute move. And how to get a little extra help in a flash.
The fast way to pack for a last minute move
In an ideal world, you would have months to be able to prepare and pack everything up for your big move. However, things do not always work out this way. Sometimes securing a new house can be a very quick process and you need to be out of your house very quickly. So, whether you did not get a lot of pre-warning before you needed to move or if you are just a procrastinator that is now in a rush to pack up all your belongings, we have you covered.
How do you pack a last-minute move?
1. Start with a bit of planning
You might just want to hit the ground running and get on with packing, but the wise saying of ‘Fail to plan, plan to fail’, is truly relevant when preparing to move house. Write a to-do list of all the things you will need to do and pack before you move. This way you will not forget anything vital in the rush of getting everything done before the move day.
2. Hire a removal company
One of the first things you should do when you find out your moving date is hire your removal company. The longer notice you can give them the better. If your budget can allow for it, removal companies can help with things like packing, saving you a lot of time. Removal companies can also dismantle furniture. This might be a great option if you are packing in a rush and can afford that extra help.
Related: How much do furniture removal companies cost in South Africa?
3. Prepare a moving bag
Before you start packing up all your things, put a bag together of everything you will need on the days leading up to moving and after. This includes any essential documents, medications, and valuables you might need. It should also include things like clothes and toiletries you will need around moving time. If you do this before you pack the rest of your things, you can avoid losing all this stuff amongst moving boxes and bags.
4. Declutter your home
The less you have to pack, the easier the packing will be. Whilst sorting through your things, get rid of anything you do not want anymore. Go through each room and create three piles, donate, recycle, and throw away.
It is much easier to sort these items out before your move as you are putting things in boxes. Once you have sorted through everything, simply just take them to a recycling center, charity, or put them in the trash. Here are some places where you can donate your furniture. You may also be able to sell anything valuable that you no longer want on Facebook Marketplace, with good products usually selling within the week. However, if you don’t have much time it might be best to be prepared that these things won’t sell. Read our full guide on how to declutter your house.
5. Pack now and sort later
If you are in a rush and do not have time to sort things into different boxes with labels etc, then just focus on getting everything into a box. Read our guide on how to choose the right boxes when moving home. The main aim is to get all your possessions to your new home in one piece and without getting damaged. Save time and money by wrapping valuables in towels and linen to stop things from getting broken. Do not worry too much about packing room by room or keeping certain items together. It will be more time-consuming when you are at the new home, but it will allow you to pack in a much faster way.
6. Pack your clothes as they are
You can save a large amount of time by packing your clothes as they are instead of taking off the hangers and folding them before putting them into boxes and bags. For clothes that are hanging in the closet, all you need to do is wrap a strong garbage bag around them, starting from the bottom and then tying the strings of the bag around the hangers. For clothes in the dresser, you can remove each drawer and just wrap that in packing materials instead of removing the clothing.
7. Ask for help
Moving is a huge task and it is not always possible to get it done on your own. Ask family and friends to come and help you pack. This can help you get the job done a lot faster.
If family and friends are not able to help or you need extra assistance, then use professional movers to get things packed for you quickly. You might end up paying more for packing materials and the mover’s time, but it can be worth it if it will help you out and make your move go a lot smoother. Remember to switch your refrigerator off 24 hours before your move, read more on how to move a refrigerator.
Last minute movers near you
Furniture Removalists are extremely good at helping you move in a hurry – at Biggles Removals, we can help you do a full move in just a few day’s notice. So when it comes to having to pack for a last minute move, you know who to call.
The cost doesn’t need to be a surprise either, you can get a fast, free online removals quote
Related: