Ideally, you would have ample time to prepare for a move, and every stage would run smoothly. But in the real world, life moves rapidly, and your house move will come around before you know it. Last-minute moves can be stressful, but with the right strategies, you can turn it into an exciting start to your new home journey. Dive into our blog to divulge top tips for a successful last-minute move.

• Reasons for a Last-Minute Move
• 8 Tips To Make Your Last-Minute Move a Success
• Last-Minute Moves FAQs

Reasons for a Last-Minute Move

Last-minute moves can occur for various reasons, but almost all of these can induce stress in the moving process. 

• Property chains are the most common reason for last-minute changes to your moving date. A property chain is when a buyer and seller’s purchase becomes intertwined at a point in the buying process. When you are in a chain, your moving date will often face last-minute changes.
• New jobs that require relocation can often result in a last-minute move if the job requires an urgent start. 
• Separation from a partner is another common reason for a last-minute move. You may wish to move out as soon as possible, requiring you to pack and remove your belongings on short notice.
• Simply put, getting sorted for your house move has been postponed due to work and other commitments, but it has crept up, and you now have limited time to pack up your whole life.

8 Tips To Make Your Last-Minute Move a Success

Whether moving down the road or to a new city, last-minute moves can be challenging. Luckily, we can offer top tips and tricks to make your last-minute move a smooth transition.

Create a To-Do-List

First things first, write up a plan of everything that needs to be done and tick it off as you go. This list will be your reference point, keeping you calm and on track. When overwhelmed, look at your list and take it one task at a time. 

Start by listing every item you are planning on taking. If you are detail-oriented, you can create a list per room and a timeline for packing each room. Although this may take time away from packing, it will make the process run more smoothly.

Start With Big Stuff First

The big items should be a priority. While detailing your to-do list, focus on the big items per room and how you will dismantle them to transport them quickly to your new home. Consider any valuable items that may need to be handled and packaged securely. Once you have a plan in place, start packing!

Organise a Packing Station

Packing for a last-minute move can feel overwhelming; make the process of packing more manageable with a packing station. Gather all necessary packing materials, such as scissors, masking tape, bubble wrap, and cardboard boxes. 

Set up a station where, once you place some items inside a box, you can secure the belongings and wrap the box in tape. If you have any helping hands, assign jobs to quicken the packing process.

Pack Room By Room

Work top-down and start with bedrooms before you move on to downstairs rooms. Follow your plan, and sort out the more oversized items first. Don’t worry about organising your clothes before you pack; the aim is to pack efficiently and quickly. For added efficiency, keep your clothes on their hangers. Label your boxes, and clearly state what is in each box to make your life easier at the unpacking stage.

Donate What You Can

Your list should detail the exact pieces of furniture you want to take per room. If there are pieces of furniture you know you do not want in your new house, you should consider donating to someone you know or a charity shop.

Save time by donating unwanted furniture before dismantling it and packing it so that when you arrive at your new home, you do not have boxes lying around containing unnecessary furniture.

Create an Essentials Bag

Once you have unloaded your boxes into your new home, the last thing you will want to do is rifle through multiple boxes to find some home comforts. Make up a bag full of essential items for you and your family to help relieve stress after an exhausting day. You can include fresh toiletries, toys for your children, a blanket, or some of your favourite snacks.

Ask for Help

Don’t be afraid to ask those around you for help. You will find that family, friends, and neighbours will gladly provide the necessary support to make your moving journey smoother. A last-minute move can be made a lot easier with more helping hands. Reach out to your loved ones to seek moral support for your move; some positive guidance can be as effective as practical help.

Hire a Removal Company

Organising a last-minute move can prove overwhelming; take some of the pressure off and hire a domestic removal company to support your packing and moving needs. Invest in a removal company offering packing services to accommodate a sudden change in your moving date. Whether you are moving down the road or internationally, source a company with extensive experience securely packing and moving belongings from one place to another. 

Last-Minute Moves FAQs

How far in advance do I need to book a removal service?

Most removal companies suggest booking a service once you receive your confirmed moving date. However, as last-minute moves can occur, some removal companies, such as Guardian, will aim to accommodate short-notice enquiries as best they can.

What is the most challenging room to pack?

The kitchen can often be the most challenging room to pack in a last-minute move as there are a lot of fragile items, such as glasses and ceramics. Although you want to pack quickly, focus on packing fragile items carefully to prevent breakage before you arrive at your new home.

How long should it take to pack up one room?

If you are packing your own home, give yourself up to 6 hours to box up each room; this may differ depending on the room size and whether you donate furniture. A removal company with extensive experience can pack a room in a couple of hours.

Conquer Your Last Minute Move with Guardian Removals

You are guaranteed to receive exceptional service from the moment we receive your enquiry until we wave you off at your new home. Our team has years of experience in packing, storing, and moving domestic belongings from one home to another. We try our best to accommodate last-minute requests as we know how overwhelming sudden moves can be. Take the stress away by contacting us today, and we will provide an unrivalled moving experience for you and your family.