Your Moving Checklist at the Last Minute

If you think moving is hard, try moving in less than a month. Just ask former Boston resident Gretchen Guy, who was given three weeks to start her new job as a registered nurse in North Carolina. “It happened so fast,” Guy tells Moving.com. “The hospital gave me less than a month to make the move and start orientation. I was excited, but the stress came from having to find a new place to live in an unfamiliar city where I knew no one.”

Last minute moving

For many professionals, this tale is all too common. The thought of having to pack your mountain of belongings on such short notice can be downright overwhelming. Rest assured though, these 12 tips will make your last-minute change in address as painless and efficient as humanly possible. Good luck and happy moving!

Get help moving

No one is expecting you to do everything by yourself. Moving to a new home is nerve-racking enough without the added pain of doing it all – apartment hunting, organizing, and packing – at the last minute. I highly recommend enlisting help and delegating as much as possible. Start looking for moving companies (more on that below), and if your friends are unable to help you pack, consider hiring a moving company to do it for you. It’ll free up time to start looking for your new place.

Schedule the movers

Pick a moving day and schedule the movers ASAP. Given that it’s a last minute move, you may need to call around to a few different companies until you find a few that are available on your ideal moving date. My advice is to check company reviews and compare several quotes. Make sure the movers come to your house for an in-person estimate. Within a week, you should have secured your moving company. Finding the right movers can be challenging. Thankfully, Moving.com’s network of professional movers can handle all of your local, long distance and international moving needs.

Start searching for your new home

Whether you’re looking to rent or buy, I suggest beginning your house hunting as early as possible. It’s a good idea to check out sites like Realtor.com to look at real estate and to find local real estate professionals in your area, who can help expedite the process. If you’re moving for a job, your new company may be helpful in finding you a Realtor as well. Just keep in mind, though, that the process of closing on a house could (read: always) take longer than expected. If you’re moving a long distance, I suggest finding a cozy rental until you know for sure where you want to live.

Homeowners: chances are good that if you’re moving last minute, you’ll be juggling too many things to even think about putting your house on the market. For this reason, It’s important to hire an experienced real estate broker who can list, market and sell your home quickly and efficiently. To find a listing agent near you, check here .

Give notice

Moving can send even the most laid back of us into a tizzy, so it’s understandable how distracted you’re going to be with all of the relocation logistics. Just don’t forget one small detail: let your landlord and roommates (if you have them) know. They’ll need to start looking for a new tenant as soon as possible. Renters, I recommend double-checking your lease for specific details on how to break it, including how many days notice is required.

Share social media

In today’s world, all it takes is a Facebook status, a Tweet or an Instagram to let others know about your move. You may not have time to email, chat or meet for coffee with every person in your contact list before moving. Let those closest to you know first, and then broadcast it out on your social media channels. Perhaps one of your connections knows “a friend of a friend” in your new town or knows a potential new tenant to replace your spot (if you are able to sublease). After all, most people love being able to connect a friend with someone they know. People in your social media networks may also have extra boxes and moving supplies you can use. You won’t know if you don’t ask!

Sell or donate items

The less you have to move, the better. So shake off those hoarding tendencies and start making a list of any furniture or junky belongings you need to donate or trash. Whether you’re moving to a smaller space or looking to make a fresh start in your new pad, it’s not a bad idea to start selling your unwanted sofas, chairs and larger items at either a yard sale or on Craigslist. In many cases your local Salvation Army , Habitat for Humanity and Goodwill will also pick up your clunkier pieces free-of-charge – just schedule ahead of time and save your receipts. Also, remember that by donating your things, you may be able to deduct a portion of the value of these donations against your income tax.

As for your pantry, it’s painful to see food go to waste. If you’re using a Move for Hunger partner moving company, we recommend saving your non-perishable food items in your pantry. The movers will pick up and pack all of your unwanted canned goods, and deliver them to local food banks. It’s a win-win for all involved.

PACK

It’s time to get packing! After gathering your moving supplies (boxes, tape, scissors, bubble-wrap, newspaper, markers, etc), begin packing items you won’t need in the immediate future. For instance, if it’s summer begin with packing your winter clothes. I recommend packing these non-essential items along with books, picture frames and knick knacks in smaller boxes. It’s easier if you designate a specific room or spot on the ground level of your house for all of your boxes. As the month progresses, just move room-to-room and pack as much as you can. Label your boxes, and don’t forget to pack your important documents (i.e. Social Security Card, Birth Certificate, tax forms, etc) separately as well. You’ll want to make sure those are in a safe place at all times.

Depending on how far you’re moving, it could be a week before you see your moving truck again. So pack a suitcase with your immediate needs, such as toiletries, clothes, shoes and prescription medicines. Don’t forget the pet or baby necessities as well!

Note: to find out the exact number of moving boxes you’ll need, check out our handy Packing Calculator. You can also find boxes and packing supplies in your area using Moving.com’s box center.

Take care of your plants

Not planning to take your plants with you? Now is the time to surprise your neighbor with that “gorgeous” orchid she’s always raving about. For a long distance move, I suggest giving your potted herbs to friends since those are easily replaceable. When packing plants, it’s helpful to wrap and secure the pots in plastic wrap to avoid any destruction. For larger plants, I recommend consulting with your moving company on the best way to move those. If you’re moving to a new state, be aware that many states regulate which plants are allowed across the state line in order to avoid the spreading of diseases and pests. For more information on state regulations and plant transportation, check out the National Plant Board’s website .

Change your address

If you’ve already found a new place to live, I recommend changing your mailing address and selecting a date to begin forwarding your mail. To do so, simply go to USPS.com and choose the date you wish to begin forwarding your snail mail. Easy as pie. When changing your address, USPS also lets you choose coupons for stores and services. Make sure you choose the ones that can help with your move (e.g. Home Depot or Lowes coupons). Also, don’t forget to make sure your credit card billing addresses are changed correctly, and that your bank knows you’re moving.

Utility service providers

The tedious task of transferring your utilities and cable to your new home is never fun, but must be done. I recommend calling your cable and utility companies early on to let them know about your upcoming change of address. Obviously, you’ll want to make sure you still have access to cable, electricity and other necessities in your old home up until the move out date. For more information, check out our moving utilities center .

Clean the old house

Before leaving, double-check all of your drawers and closets. Make sure to clean out the freezer and fridge completely. Check the dishwasher and washer/dryer for anything accidentally left behind. I recommend hiring housekeeping professionals to help you with cleaning before leaving. If you’re renting, it’s a small price to pay for getting your deposit back as soon as possible. Another way to ensure getting your full deposit back is to spackle those nasty looking holes in the walls, damaged from hanging pictures. Small touch-ups can go a long way.

Hand over the keys

If you’re renting, do one last walk-through with your landlord to make sure everything is good to go. Hand over the keys to the appropriate person and breathe a sigh of relief. You did it!