Last Second Moves: For the Procrastinating Joe With 1 Week’s Notice

This article is made for those of you in the crowd that aren’t great at planning ahead. We take all the fluff work out of moving and give you a pra ctical checklist day by day to help you keep focused on your priorities. 

We get it, life happens. Sometimes when you have months to prepare for a big event, you can’t help but wait and push off the work to the last seconds.

When you need to quickly throw together all your life for a last-minute move, especially within a week or less, you’ll need luck, focus, organization, and quick decision-making skills.

Here’s our iMoving 10 day plan for procrastinators to help you get the job done efficiently:

• Yes, this step is really worth your time. You need to assess and understand the task at hand and the team you have to tackle it. 
• Quickly assess the items you own and decide what to take, sell, donate, and throw away. Don’t go too deep in this but whatever you are able to part ways with will make your life simpler.
• Set your manageable tasks and deadlines for packing, booking movers, and other key things that need to get done (signing up for school and activities and more).
• Start by organizing child and pet care so that you can have a sterile environment to focus on packing and moving plans.

• Gather Supplies: Get your packing materials together first things first like boxes, packing tape, markers, and lots of bubble wrap. Having all the supplies you need on hand will help keep you organized and motivated to get this done this week.
• Start Packing NOW: Start packing non-essential items, start with rooms least used. Pack up the under-the-bathroom sinks, the garage, and the guest bedroom, and try during day 1 to finish all the non-essentials. 
• Make sure to label each and every box about what the contents are and which room it came from to assist in the unpacking. 
• Make Day 2 a major push day in your packing.

• Compare Quotes: Go on iMoving to compare and contrast many local moving companies and the services they offer. Find the best one and book them so that you can know you locked down a trusted mover. 
• Choose Relevant Services: Select services based on budget and needs. It might make sense to take more of a full-service package with things like packing and unpacking since you only have a week to prepare. This will destress the entire process.

• Cancel or Transfer Your Utilities: Notify utilities of your move and arrange to transfer their services to your new address. They will likely need you to give them last-day meter readings.
• Change of Address: Update your address at the post office which will auto-update other vendors Let your banks know about the move as well to avoid cards being blocked.

• Pack An Essentials Bag: Pack essentials and valuables you’ll need immediately in a separate bag that you keep in the car. This way you’ll be able to easily find your iPhone charger and ID and that spare change of clothes for the day of the move.
• Label Boxes: Label boxes clearly by room and contents to simplify unpacking.
• By Day 5 you should just assume the family will eat out for the next 2 days and pack up your kitchen. Leave the coffee maker available with a few cups to keep yourself sane.

• Confirm Details: Confirm the moving date, time, and logistics with the moving company. If you can book midweek with them you are likely to save.
• Prepare Documents: Gather important documents (ID, passports, moving contracts) and keep them in one central and safe place. 
• Pack up those bedroom essentials. Anything left over can be thrown in the car last second. Don’t forget to keep an extra set of sheets out and available so that you will have what to sleep on for your first night in the new home.

• First things first, take a deep breath. You will make it through this day. You can do it. 
• Check-in with your mover the morning of and make sure they are on time. Buy them snacks and drinks to keep them in a good mood. 
• Final Checks: Do a final walkthrough of your house to make sure nothing is left behind. Check all the outlets and drawers so nothing is forgotten.
• Oversee the Movers: Be present to supervise to make sure your items are handled properly. When they are unpacking this is critical as well so the right boxes end up in the right rooms.
• Lock Up: Lock up your former house and get ready for your next adventure!

• Delegate Tasks: Ask for help from friends or family with packing and organizing.
• Ask for help with your kids or pets. Even just having a few quiet hours can be enough to put you in a better place to organize your move.
• Stay Organized: Use checklists and stay focused on priorities to manage time effectively.
• Don’t forget to register for new schools and gyms so you don’t miss any cut-off dates. Ask for all records to be transferred to your new school.
• Don’t get distracted with the many tasks, take things one step at a time and just ensure to lock down your movers so you know you have a completion date.
• Emergency Kit: Pack a bag with essentials like toiletries, medications, and snacks for moving day.

Moving with only a week’s notice can be very stressful, but with a solid plan and efficient procedures, you can successfully manage a last-minute move! Don’t forget to change your address and utilities, pack up all your essentials and of course book your movers asap. iMoving is here to help you achieve this task of moving with only 1 week’s notice.