In a perfect scenario, you should have plenty of time before a move to organize and prepare. Unfortunately, some situations leave you in a place where you have to move quickly. A smooth relocation is still possible in this situation. Typically, three or four weeks are the minimal amount of time required for organizing a move thoroughly. But this preparation can be done in much less time if you know what you’re doing. We have put together a guide on organizing an interstate relocation in a hurry to help you do just that.
Start with a schedule
Step one: make a day-to-day schedule. When organizing an interstate relocation in a hurry, everything you need to do can seem complicated. If you don’t keep note of things, you can easily get overwhelmed. So, put together a list of everything you need to prepare for a long-distance move, and stick to it. Of course, you first need to work out how much time you have, exactly, before the move. Then, plan your days accordingly. Another good idea is to put the bulk of your work in the early days of your schedule. Why? Well, pressure and stress tend to build up as the move gets closer. You should account for that fact and do as much as possible before the stress starts setting in. This way, you will be more relaxed in the latter days because you will have less to do.
Sort and declutter your belongings
Going through all of your things and deciding what you want to keep might be difficult. But in a last-minute move, getting rid of some of your belongings is generally a good idea. Firstly, you will have fewer items to pack and move, and if you can sell some of the things you no longer need, you can add to your moving budget. You can do this while you’re packing. Go room by room and evaluate what you want to keep and what could be sold, thrown out, or donated.
Prioritize packing
Packing. It is the longest part of any move and one of the most stressful things to do. So, place it early in your schedule, and start packing as soon as possible. Additionally, when packing in a hurry, it’s a great idea to prioritize the items you want to pack first. Knowing how to pack helps a lot here. Belongings that you won’t be using until after the move should be packed first so that they are out of the way. Out-of-season clothes, decorations, wall art, and so on should be the very first things to be packed. Then you can start packing items that aren’t used that often and continue with this ascending strategy. It’s an excellent way to keep yourself focused during the process.
Pack a box of essentials
When trying to organize an interstate relocation in a hurry, a great idea is to pack a box of essentials. Honestly, this is an excellent choice for every move. Ideally, this box should contain clean clothes, towels, medication, and everything you might need at a moment’s notice. Having this box on hand during the preparations and the actual move helps a lot. Also, this box should contain everything you need for a few days after the move. This will help with settling into your new home faster.
Budget for the move
While not as time-consuming as packing, figuring out a budget for your move is just as important. This is a step that should, realistically, be done even before packing. When budgeting, remember to account for travel arrangements, moving costs, moving supplies, and leave plenty of cash extra for anything that might crop up. Setting up a proper budget is vital for an interstate move, no matter how you look at it. Of course, you will probably have to do some research when budgeting for your relocation.
Make a separate list of high priority tasks
Changing your address with the authorities, contacting your landlord (if renting), contacting your internet and energy providers, canceling your subscriptions. These are all high-priority tasks that need to be done before your move. As such, they are worth marking in your day-to-day schedule as especially important. You can even make an entirely separate list for them. Remember to account for the time it would take to make the phone calls or fill out the online forms.
Hire reliable movers
Hiring movers is an essential part of moving in a hurry. True, a DIY move is cheaper, but when you’re strapped for time, it’s best to leave the heavy lifting to the experts. So, let’s use Tennessee as an example. If you’re trying to organize a cross-country move out of Tennessee, you will want to do your research and make sure the movers are reliable. Look at their reviews, and ask your friends and family they have heard of or hired the moving company before. Also, always make sure to contact a few moving companies and get quotes from each of them to compare prices.
Conclusion
Organizing a move in a hurry is never simple. Things are easy to overlook, and everything can seem incredibly overwhelming. But, with a good plan, organizing an interstate relocation in a hurry can be just as easy as planning any other relocation. We hope you found this guide helpful and wish you luck with your move.