Planning a last-minute move can be stressful, not to mention spendy! With so little time and so much to do, there's a lot of mistakes that homeowners commonly make amid the chaos of packing up a household, especially if the relocation is going to be long-distance.
Founded back in 1941, Foster Van Lines is one of the Bay Area's most experienced moving and storage companies. We've worked with countless homeowners frantically planning unexpected relocations, but our streamlined processes ensure your belongings are still moved into your new abode by your deadline. Below are some of the most frequent obstacles experienced when executing a last-minute move, and what to do about them.
Forgetting to Inform Utility Providers
One common roadblock homeowners run into during a rushed relocation is switching utility providers. When a long-distance move lands you in a new zip code, there's a chance your current gas, electric, and other utility providers won't be able to continue working with you, and many require a thirty-day notice.
This should be one of your first priorities during a last-minute move. Research the municipality restrictions at your future address on utility providers. You may be able to choose from a variety of providers, or the area may exclusively use a single company. And depending on how much time you have you may not be able to get out of a thirty-day notice, but it's still an incentive to start sooner rather than later.
Insufficient Packing Materials
Another hiccup sometimes faced in the beginning of these unexpected moves is a lack of quality packing materials. Unless you want to spend top dollar buying new moving supplies online (plus extra for a speedy delivery) you probably would have preferred a bit more time to accumulate some boxes and other items. Trying to get by without enough reliable packing materials could run you a much higher risk of broken items during transport.
Instead of clicking "buy" on that brand new moving supply kit online, see if you can turn some of your household items into packing materials first. You can trying doing things like:
- Turn laundry baskets, suitcases, and other containers around the house into your new boxes.
- Pack some things "as is" to save on time and space, like keeping clothes on hangers or various items in drawers.
- Stuff linens, clothing, or small pillows into boxes to act as padding for fragile belongings.
Disorganized and Improper Packing
Another packing-related mistake to avoid is frantically throwing things into boxes in order to check the task off your list as quick as possible. While understandably tempting, packing haphazardly is a surefire way to end up with broken, missing, or damaged belongings.
In order to keep your household items safe and consolidate the amount of time spent boxing everything up, make a game plan. We suggest tackling one room at a time so you know you haven't missed anything and can better focus your attention. Plus, by breaking the project down into smaller sections, it'll seem much less overwhelming.
Lack of Affordable and Available Moving Companies
One major hurdle for a successful move with a short timeline is finding a moving and storage company with availability last-minute. You might have to make multiple inquiries in order to find a professional mover that can help out, but unfortunately their prices may be higher if your upcoming relocation is within the month.
There are some ways to avoid racking up too high of a cost though, such as:
- Plan your household move for a weekday.
- Collect at least three different quotes from available moving companies.
- Do as much of the packing as you can on your own.
- Get rid of belongings that you don't need or want anymore before your move.
As an agent of North American Van Lines, Foster Van Lines can get you anywhere you need to go for any long-distance relocation, whether you're headed across the country or even moving internationally. Our flexible moving plans are perfect for rushed relocations, as you can tailor our services to best suit your needs. If you want us to take the reigns for all aspects related to organizing, packing, transporting and unloading, just say the word, and our experts will get it done.
Reach out to Foster Van Lines today for a free estimate on any of our residential relocation services, and learn more about all that we can do to make your upcoming move as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
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