Tips For Moving in a Week or Less

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. 

Moving is always stressful, but it becomes even more stressful when you find out that you have to move in a week or less.

During my renting days, this was the story of my life. Waiting to see if I was approved for a house and then having a very short time frame to pull everything together. 

Therefore, today, I wanted to share with you my best tips for moving in a week or less and keeping your sanity. 

Read Also: Things to do When You Move into a New Neighborhood

Make a to-do list once your move out date is set

As soon as you find out that you’re approved at a new place, it’s time to make a to-do list. 

I recommend creating a to-do list because you’re already going to be under immense pressure trying to get everything done in time, which puts you at risk of forgetting some important things. 

Things to put on your to-do list include:

• Letting your current landlord know you’re moving (if you’re a renter)
• Book a moving company, such as ★Star City Services★, or a UHaul
• Scheduling transfer of services with utility providers
• Purchasing packing supplies
• Scheduling mail forwarding and/or update your mailing address
• Decluttering by donating items that you haven’t used in forever

Even putting the tiniest of tasks on your to-do list will help you save your sanity and make sure that nothing is forgotten. 

Pack an essentials bag

If you’re going to be doing your unpacking yourself and not have a company do it, save yourself some stress by making sure that everyone has an essentials bag. This is especially important if you have young children.

During all of my moves, I think the essentials bags are what kept me from losing it the first night in the new place. 

Moves can be unpredictable and things can cause even the most planned out moves to take longer than expected. 

With an essentials bag, everyone has everything that they need to make it through the first few nights successfully. For example, I typically make sure everyone has 2-3 days’ worth of clothes (including PJs), toothbrush/toothpaste, soap, deodorant, chargers, towel/washcloth, and one set of bedding in their essentials bag. 

This way, if on the first night, it ends up being late when the move is finished or everyone is tired in general, we have everything we need to get through the night, and the only thing that has to be unpacked are any fridge/freezer items. 

Pack a set amount of rooms each day

If you’re packing up your old place yourself, divide the number of rooms in your home by the number of days that you have to move and pack that set amount of rooms each day. 

I typically start with one of the larger rooms in the house so the boxes can be stored there as they are packed. 

Some rooms are going to be easier to pack than others, such as bathrooms and the laundry room, so you may find that you’re able to get ahead with packing and then spend more time on the larger rooms. 

Hire help if you need it

If you have the budget for it and are already cutting it close with packing due to work, kids, etc, don’t be afraid to hire help. 

For long distance moving in Virginia, you may consider a company such as ★Star City Services★. They are licensed, insured, and able to help you with out-of-state moves and even international moves.

Don’t go crazy with improvements to your current place (if you’re a renter)

If you’re a renter don’t go crazy with improvements to your current place. 

Now, I’m not saying leave the place a mess, but unless you have broken something don’t spend your money making it move-in ready for the next tenant, because more than likely you’re not getting your entire deposit back if you get any at all.

Out of four rentals, I’ve only gotten a fraction of my deposit back from one rental. Upon moving out I would typically have the entire house painted, carpets professionally cleaned, lawn professionally cut, and deep clean the entire house. In fact, the places were more put together than when I initially moved in.

After the second time of doing this, I decided no more as it resulted in not getting the deposit back yet they had a rental that was move-in ready.

Instead, when moving out of your old rental just do DIY cleaning. Save yourself the money of having professionals come in and instead pay for those services at your new place (if possible) before moving in. 

Plan to have to spend more money at your new place

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that you’re not going to immediately have to spend more money at your new place.

Regardless of how move-in ready it looked during your walkthrough, trust me, there’s always something that’s going to have to be done. 

If you have carpet, I always recommend having the carpets professionally done before moving your stuff in. Even if the realtor states the carpets have already been cleaned, you’ll be surprised at how dirty they still are. 

You also may have to get blinds, shower curtain rods, new air filters, etc. 

Read Also: Things to Do Right After You Move Into Your New Home

You can move in a week or less and keep your sanity

Moving is never fun and it becomes even more stressful when you have to move in a week or less. 

These are my best tips for moving in a week or less and keeping your sanity.