People have tried to unravel the mysteries of time since ancient times.
We have invented clocks and calendars to measure time. We have invented cameras and videos to record time, capture specific moments and preserve the memories and feelings associated with them. We have invented theories to explain time in a desperate attempt to define it, to control it, to speed it up, to turn it back, to make it stop… However, regardless of what we do and what we desire, time is ticking away and it is beyond human power to change this fact. The only thing we can do is make the most out of the time we have.
One of the events in life which puts your abilities to organize time to the test is moving house. When you have to deal with all the urgent issues related to an imminent move, time becomes, without a doubt, your arch-enemy. And indeed, if Moving day is about a month or so away, it’s very difficult to find the time to mentally prepare for the big change, to schedule your move right, to plan all the details required for a trouble-free move, to complete all the laborious tasks involved in the moving process and to say proper goodbyes to your old home and your dear friends. What is worse, you cannot travel back in time to change the course of regretful events and you cannot travel forth to know what will happen and make your decisions accordingly.
So, if the watch on your wrist seems to be taking time into its own hands, you’d better resort to our time saving tips for moving and make your local or long distance move fast, efficient and hassle-free!
The Early Bird Catches The Worm
You never know what what will happen if you leave time-management in the hands of your clock.
The old adage may sound like a cliché but the earlier you start preparing for your forthcoming relocation, the more successful your moving experience will be. So, give yourself a good head start and you will never feel pressed for time. It is estimated that you will need about 60 days to get everything ready and avoid the stress of last-minute missteps and hasty decisions.
First things first, create a detailed moving timeline. Write a week-by-week planner (day-to-day for the last week before moving day) to get a clear idea of what should be done and in what timeframe it should fit. Organize all the tasks in a sensible and systematic manner that will allow you to deal with them quickly and efficiently. Start crossing out the entries on your list as soon as possible and your self-confidence will increase in direct proportion to the achieved progress.
To help you clearly see the larger relocation picture and save you even more valuable time by keeping you perfectly organized and fully focused on the tasks at hand, we have prepared a comprehensive one-sentence moving checklist which you can download in a PDF format for free and consult at any time.
Valuable time saved: at least 24 hours!
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Internet is the contemporary version of the omniscient mirror on the wall. Just type your question and you will have all the answers!
One of the most generally recommended things to do before moving to another state is to carefully research your new area in terms of housing prices, costs of living, employment opportunities, climatic conditions, crime rate, infrastructure, green areas, entertainment options, etc. Your invaluable assistant in this task will be, of course, the Internet. You can find online any information you need, you can read city guides and download a detailed map of your future surroundings, you can contact local authorities and request any relevant data, you can review the program of the cultural events in the area, you can join forums to learn what the locals think of your future city, what they like and dislike, or even to ask for advice, recommendations and warnings. And all of this within a couple of hours with the help of several clicks of your mouse.
Another issue of paramount importance for your new life is the choice of an appropriate house or apartment to call your home. You may have heard that the best way to choose a good neighborhood in your new city and locate a place that will meet all your requirements and will be appropriate for your habitual lifestyle is to visit the area and spend some time there. You will be able to get a realistic idea of the community life and all the specific advantages and disadvantages of the area. However beneficial such a visit would be, most of the times it is absolutely impossible due to the great distances, the required time and a variety of other factors. You can take advantage of Google street viewer instead. This simple trick will save you all the time, money and inconveniences involved in a trip to your future city.
Valuable time saved: about 3 full days!
A Stitch In Time Saves Nine
Follow the example of wise wizards!
No, you are not supposed to stitch your moving boxes so that they don’t get accidentally open. You are supposed to “stitch” your new home in time. Unless you have purchased or rented a newly-built property, your future residence will probably need a good number of stitches. Have in mind that any required repair works or desired renovation projects are better completed before you move in. So, if possible, arrange for your new home to be completely ready until moving day. Otherwise, you will have to place your items in storage until the restoration process is over, or you will be required to move heavy furniture and appliances around several times in order to paint and clean behind them, to install new insulation or new flooring, etc. You will not only lose valuable time in the process but you will also lose much money (either for the storage or for repairing damages inflicted to your household items while being moved forth and back again.)
The idea behind creating a floor plan of your new place before moving in is very similar. You will know in advance which larger furniture and bulkier appliances to take from your old home and what items you can sell or just leave behind as they are not worth moving. What is more, you will be able to devise a charming, convenient and stylish home design instead of making hasty decisions on moving day. A floor plan will speed up the moving process as you will be able to instruct your movers to position your household items directly at their most suitable places instead of wasting time to reshuffle heavy pieces until you decide where they fit best.
Valuable time saved: depends on the condition of your new property
Lost Time Is Never Found Again
Even if you never lose your grandfather’s pocket watch, you may still lose much valuable time.
Clutter is one the main reasons why people waste time. If you keep only practical and valuable items in your home, it will be so much easier to keep the surroundings clean and organized. And if each possession of yours is placed exactly where it belongs, you will never lose precious time rummaging through your belongings until you find what you need. This will help a lot when you start sorting out your household items for the upcoming move. Reduce the clutter in your home prior to relocating and you will not waste time (and money) packing and moving any useless items. Put aside everything that you haven’t used in over a year, that you won’t be able to use in your new surroundings because of the climate, the available space, or your new lifestyle, as well as everything that doesn’t match your new home décor or your personal style and will not fit through the doors or in the layout of your new place.
Time is money, you know, so sell online or at a garage sale all of the above-mentioned items that are in good condition to save the time for relocating them and to pocket some extra cash at the same time! Or you may donate some of them to charity or to friends, if you prefer so, just don’t waste your time and your money taking them with you! Needless to say, you are advised to discard any items that are damaged or outdated or too worn out.
Valuable time saved: 12 to 24 hours
Catch The Movers’ Express
Not only is this an amazing express that has stood the test of time, but it can also provide enough space for all your household items!
It is no secret that hiring professional moving assistance will considerably speed up all the relocation related procedures and will ensure your peace of mind as your household items will be safely shipped to your new home without further ado. Once you know your final destination (you have found your future home) and the amount of household goods you are about to move (you have sorted out your belongings), you should start looking for trustworthy movers. There is a proven way to find the best cross-country movers for you in the blink of an eye:
Reach to your social circle and ask your friends, relatives, colleagues, neighbors, etc. for recommendations, warnings and advice concerning the professional services of moving companies they have used;
Read <a “=””>online reviews to get a rough idea of which companies are competent and which should be avoided;
Visit the movers’ websites and check their credentials – check the company’s contact information and look for a USDOT number listed somewhere on the home page, then carefully review the company’s tariff (offered services and their charges);
Interview a few selected movers – make sure to ask the right questions and get all the information you need;
Ask for on-site binding estimates – give the representatives who come to your home precise information and notify them of any specifics and obstacles. Make sure any additional services you require, as well as all your specific demands, are clearly stated in the estimate. Read the fine prints and make sure you understand all the provisions and conditions listed in the estimate;
Review and compare all the estimates – ask about discounts and promotions and clarify the type of liability protection you want. Find out how your chosen movers have resolved previous complaints and disputes. Make sure the requested deposit is not too high and decide on exact pick-up and delivery dates;
If you can’t find a time-machine, at least find reputable movers to move house quickly.
Valuable time saved: too much to calculate
Get Paperwork Ready Ahead Of Time
Some things should better work as perfectly oiled cogwheels.
You can save time when moving if you address the paperwork properly.
Contact your service providers a couple of weeks earlier and arrange to have all the utilities in your old property disconnected on moving day and if possible – to have them already running in your new home when you move in. Many services allow you to arrange the transfers online, so that you will save a lot of time;
Change your address with the US Postal Services. You can do it online for several minutes only. Don’t forget to cancel memberships and subscriptions;
Contact all the relevant institutions (especially banks) and notify them of your upcoming move and your new address. Transfer your driver’s license, car registration and insurances;
Retrieve medical and school records – have medications transferred (if applicable) and ask for recommendations concerning health care providers and educational facilities to save time when looking for new ones in your future city.
Be sure to pay up any bills or debts while you are still in town, so that you don’t have to waste time coming back later to arrange such issues.
Valuable time saved: at least 12 hours!
One Box At A Time
Packing doesn’t need to be a tedious and annoying experience – it all depends on your approach.
Unless you have requested a full service move and expect a packing crew to come over and pack all your household items, you will want to know how to pack for a move quickly and efficiently. You can put into practice some of our clever packing tips and tricks to save on packing supplies, provide maximum protection for your items and save valuable time.
Get A Sufficient Amount Of Appropriate Packing Materials
You will save time for extra trips in search of additional boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, and/or packing tape, if you have provided enough packing materials in advance. However, make sure that you have not only the traditional ones, but also any special packing supplies some of your more delicate and expensive possessions may require. Be it custom-built crates for fine artwork or wardrobe boxes for official attire, get whatever is appropriate for your specific needs. Get plenty of it, so that you don’t run out of supplies in the most inappropriate moment and never, ever forget plastic wrap as it is extremely useful and convenient for a number of purposes.
Know What Not To Pack
Wasting your time to pack non-allowables that your movers won’t take for safety reasons is not a good idea. Request a list of all the specific items (hazardous materials, perishable food, valuables, etc.) that your chosen movers will not load on the moving truck and just use them up, sell them, donate them or get rid of them before moving day.
Pack In Stages
To pack quickly to move doesn’t mean to throw all your possessions in boxes on the day before moving out. In order to pack fast for a move, you need to spend a couple of hours a day packing the items and the rooms that you need the least until everything is gradually stored in boxes and just a few essentials remain for the last day. Designate a place in your home where you can keep the already-packed boxes out of your way. Don’t underestimate the time required to pack your storage areas (garage, attic, etc.) and address them at the earliest opportunity but be careful not to pack items that you will need before moving day.
Pack Safely
If you have managed to safely pack time in boxes, you have nothing to worry about any more.
Pack your items properly – provide the best possible protection and make sure that there isn’t any chance for the boxes to break or the items inside to shift during the transportation. Remember that fragile items need special care, as well as small and/or valuable pieces, so use paper plates between your china ones, wrap glassware in lots of clean fabrics or bubble wrap, organize your jewelry in egg cartons or pill organizers, slip chains or cords though drinking straws or toilet paper rolls (you will not lose time untangling them later), etc. Avoid packing in plastic bags as they are slippery and don’t provide sufficient protection to your items because they can easily tear when being moved. Use plastic wrap to make bundles of clothes, to pack bathroom items (you will prevent leaking), to close containers that don’t have lids, to keep items together, etc. Use moving blankets to protect your larger pieces. Remember that if you fail to pack your possessions properly, the movers will ask you to repack and you will lose extra time and nerves in the process. Not to mention that the moving company will not be liable for damages to items that you have packed yourself.
Label All The Boxes
Labeling a packed box will take you several minutes and will save you hours when unpacking. So, devise an efficient labeling system – use different colors to designate different destination rooms (give the moving crew a copy of your floor plan where the rooms are marked with the respective colors), briefly describe the contents of each box and specify any handling instructions on two of its sides.
Don’t forget to make an inventory of all the items that you are going to entrust to the movers – it will help you arrange your belongings much faster both when packing and unpacking them and will allow you to inspect them easily upon delivery.
Valuable time saved: no less than 48 hours!
Steal A March On Time
Salvador Dali has found quite an impressive way to demonstrate the relativity of time.
To save time on Moving day, prepare everything you can before the movers arrive. There is no point in wasting time with simple tasks you can do beforehand.
Unplug and clean any electrical appliances the previous day;
Empty large furniture pieces (wardrobes, cupboards) and disassemble the detachable parts;
Protect floors and carpets with efficient covering and place doormats to prevent some of the dirt;
Protect walls and corners (use corner guards), wrap banisters in moving blankets (or any old fabrics) and cover the stairs with a protective anti-slippery coating;
Use foam paddings to protect your door frames and remove doors from their hinges if necessary;
Clear obstacles along the way – remove any small objects to clear enough space for the free passage of larger items and to prevent a lot of trouble. Make sure pets and kids don’t get in the way.
All these straightforward steps will allow you to move house quickly, as you will not have to deal with accidents, restoration of property damage, extensive cleaning, etc.
Valuable time saved: at least 6 hours!
Never Leave That Till Tomorrow Which You Can Do Today
In order to unpack your items quickly and organize your new home in a couple of days, you need a proper unpacking strategy. It is only logical to unpack first the rooms and the items that you will need immediately – namely, the bedroom, the bathroom, and the kitchen. These are essential to provide you good rest and good food, as well as the so desperately needed refreshment after the stressful moving day. To unpack boxes quickly and efficiently, you need to:
If you finish unpacking today, you can go exploring your new city tomorrow.
Stay focusedand don’t procrastinate – set mini goals, play rhythmic music or plan refreshing breaks, just maintain your focus to achieve a quick success;
Clean regularly and get rid of packing materials – clean after every completed mini-task to prevent the accumulation of trash and dirt and to make sure the packing materials don’t get in your way;
Have fun and make your place feel like home – turn the unpacking process into a challenging game for all the family members and add the last finishing touches, such as arranging your family photos on the walls or your souvenirs on the shelves, that will transform your new place into your cozy and cheerful home.
Valuable time saved: at least 24 hours!
Better Three Hours Too Soon, Than One Minute Too Late
If you are ready ahead of time, time will not be a problem. So, here are some final random tips for packing and moving quickly:
Take photos. Has it ever occurred to you that pictures are great time-savers? Instead of wasting your time wondering how the cords were connected or which part of a disassembled piece goes where and trying several different combinations, you can just look at a picture for reference. So, take your camera and take a number of pictures before you disconnecting wires, cables, or cords, as well as before dismantling a larger item (and a couple of times during the process, if it is a more complicated device). It takes no more than 10 seconds to take a photo but a single picture can save you an hour of bewilderment and lots of headaches;
Ask for help. Many hands make light work,so don’t try to do everything by yourself. Ask your family members and a couple of reliable friends to lend you a helping hand. You will complete a certain task three times faster (or even more) if you work as a team! Or you will be able to get several tasks done at the same time. Besides, it will be so much more fun. While you laugh at a joke or two, an entire moving box will be neatly packed;
Let small items stay in drawers. There is no need to empty small drawers full of miscellaneous items, especially if you are moving short distance. As long as the drawers are not very heavy and you can securely pack them in plastic wrap, their contents can stay inside. This simple trick will save you hours, as you will be able to simply take out the drawer with everything in it, wrap it safely, have it shipped to your new home and then put it back where it belongs as it is! Easy as that;
As time flies by, make sure every moment of your new life counts!
Pack your clothes directly from the hangers. If you have wardrobe boxes, you can just transfer your garments as they are, hangers and all. If not, use plastic wrap or garbage bags to bundle your clothes together straight out of the wardrobe and save yourself plenty of time;
Stuff shoes with suitable socks. Stuff your shoes with socks that are appropriate for the corresponding pair and it will be really easy to access your footwear after the relocation – in matching pairs!
Pack your pajamas, towels, underwear and other personal-care items in pillow cases. When unpacking, you will have your bedding ready, your quick shower provided for and a change of clothes available immediately.
Valuable time saved so far: approximately 170 hours! That’s an entire week!
You can roll your clothes instead of folding them to save both time and space, you can wrap your bric-a-brac in large sheets and just tie them securely, whatever insightful ideas work in your specific case – just find a way to steal some additional minutes which will add up to hours or even to days! Then make every extra moment, hour or day count, as wasted time can never be regained.
How to save time when moving, you ask? Michael Altshuler once said “The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot.” Master your time and move house efficiently!
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