How to Move Quickly: 5 Tips for Relocating in Record Time

Sometimes you need to move house at short notice. Is it really possible to pack your house and move at short notice? The answer is yes. Take a look at these 5 great tips for how to move quickly

Moving to a new home can be a stressful time. And that's under normal conditions. That stress compounds when you need to move on a short notice.

Can you really move to a new house on a short notice? The answer is yes. And it doesn't need to be stressful.

Check out these 5 tips on how to move quickly.

How to Move Quickly

Take a deep breath. Then follow these tips to get your checklist in order and move in a jiffy.

1. Pick a Date to Move and Hire a Moving Company

If you're moving on short notice, you probably already have a good idea when you need to move by.

Once you have your date, schedule a moving company.

Don't wait until the last minute. Get your name on the schedule.

It's a good idea to schedule your move early in the morning. This helps ensure your movers are on time and not working longer on their previous job.

If you have a small move from an apartment, small home or storage facility, you can even schedule same-day moving.

2. Prepare for Moving Day

The last thing you want to do is move items you don't need.

Before you move, go through all your things and separate them into 4 piles

Sell
Donate
Trash
Keep

Keep what you need, and get rid of the rest. You'll thank yourself when you're in your new home, surrounded only by items you truly want to keep.

Do you have boxes in your garage with unknown contents? Chances are you can get rid of most of them.

Obviously, you want to keep important things like family pictures and mementos. Throw out things you haven't used in a year and don't plan on using.

Make runs to the dump to get rid of unwanted items. Book a trash haul if you really need one.

Call all your utility companies to shut off the old accounts shortly after you move. Schedule service to begin in your new home on so everything's working the day you move in.

Keep your life running smoothly by updating your address where it's needed. This includes:

The HR department at your job
Bank
Credit cards
US Postal Service
Insurance
DMV
Cell phone
Doctors/Dentists
Cable / Satellite
Streaming services
Online accounts
Landscaper / Pool Service

Preparation is key when you're learning how to move quickly. A little bit goes a long way.

3. Set Aside Essentials You'll Need During the Move

You'll need some essentials nearby when you move. This way you're not digging through boxes looking for things you need.

Get paper plates and plastic utensils to use when your normal dining wear is in boxes. The same goes for toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, and chargers.

You'll want to have a bag with your medications and important documents you'll need.

Keep a tool bag nearby with a few basic tools you may need such as a hammer, screwdriver, pliers and a wrench set. You'll need this to disassemble (and later reassemble) your beds, tables, and other items.

It's important to drink water on moving day, especially on a hot day. Get enough water for you and your family and movers always appreciate it as well.

4. Time to pack

Packing is a mindset. Eliminate distractions and just pack.

Turn off the television, put the phone on mute and get your game face on.

Tackle your home, one room at a time.

No reminiscing about every item you pack. Don't think. Just pack.

Pack every item in a room until it is complete.

Then take a break. Take some time to eat, check your phone, and recharge.

Then move on to the next room and pack it completely. Repeat this practice until your home is completely packed.

Packing is not fun. There's no way around it.

But when you cut distractions, you can get a lot accomplished. With smaller moves, you can pack and move in one day.

5. You Don't Have to Do It All

When you're moving on a deadline, it's ok to ask friends or family for a helping hand.

Having someone help you pack or make a run to the dump can help you stay on schedule.

And it's common practice to leave a few tasks for the movers. They are very helpful for disassembling furniture or even packing last minute items. Yes, it'll add to your labor costs, but when you're moving on short notice, it's worth it.