Emergency Moving Checklist for a Last-Minute Move

stressed out couple from moving, surrounded by lots of boxes

Occasionally, life throws a situation your way that demands you move immediately. A promotion that sends you to a new city. A sick relative who lives a few states away. You’re in the military and are abruptly transferred to a new base. All of these scenarios, and many more, necessitate the need to pack up and move at the last minute. Of course, even with all the time in the world, moving is super stressful. Last-minute moves are even worse and demand you pay close attention so that you don’t forget, lose, or, even worse, damage things during the move.

To help you, Storage Solutions put together the following emergency moving checklist for a last-minute move. If moving post haste is on your agenda, read on to find out how to do it right and keep your cool.

Estimated reading time: 6 minutes

How To Stay Organized and Prepared During a Last-minute Move

With everything happening quickly, staying organized and prepared during a last-minute move is critical. Not only will this save you a lot of time and effort, but it could also save you lots of money.

1. Assessing Your Situation

One of the first things you should do when you find out you have to move immediately is assess your situation. Here are a few things you need to know right away.

How much time do you have? A few days? A week? The less time you have, the faster you need to get started on all of the moving tasks ahead.

  • What packing and moving materials do you already have? Can you get started packing right away?
  • Where can you purchase more packing and moving supplies?
  • Is there enough time to rent a moving truck and ensure one is available?
  • Are there any moving companies available to move you?
  • Do you have a new home, or will you need to rent a storage unit?

2. Gathering Essential Contacts, Documents, and Important Paperwork

There are many documents, forms, and contacts you need to take with you or update when you move at the last minute. They include the following.

  • Medical and dental files
  • Veterinary files for your pets
  • School transcripts for yourself or your children
  • Professional licenses
  • Vehicle titles
  • Banking and financial records
  • Birth certificates, marriage licenses, driver’s licenses, and other personal identification

It’s also important to contact your current service providers as quickly as possible to arrange for disconnection of your services, including;

  • Cable television
  • Internet
  • Gas
  • Electricity
  • Garbage
  • Water
  • Gym and professional memberships
  • Your current landlord, if you have one

Sorting and Downsizing Your Belongings

happy older couple moving, man is holding a box and the woman is holding a lamp

This next section is likely to be the most time-consuming and stressful. Depending on your time, you might need help to sort and downsize anything. If you are able to, however, it’s one of the best ways to save money because moving costs are based on how much stuff you take. The more you take, the more it will cost.

If you have the time, this is probably the first thing you should work on. Why? Because you can only start packing once you’ve separated the items you want to keep from the things you want to donate, sell, or throw away.

  • Go through your entire home with a notepad and pen and note every significant piece of furniture or other large items you wish to donate, sell, or trash.
  • Go room to room and separate the more minor things you want to keep from something you don’t, putting them into separate piles or, if possible, boxes.
  • If you know how, post the things you want to sell on Facebook marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, and other online selling forums.
  • If you’re old-school, have a yard sale.
  • Call your local Goodwill and schedule a date for them to come and pick up used items you want to donate. (Or take them there yourself if you have the time and energy.)
  • Reserve a storage unit at Storage Solutions and store the things you want to keep there until you can move them with less stress later.

Scheduling and Logistics

During a last-minute move, scheduling and logistics might go out the window. If you only have a few days to prepare, you must get on the phone or the internet and start making plans ASAP! If you have a week or two, you need to do the same thing, but you have a little bit more of a time window to get things done. Those things include the following.

  • If that’s the plan, figure out your exact moving dates, including packing day, moving day, and moving into your new home.
  • Reserve a moving truck as quickly as possible. Remember that rental trucks are the most difficult to find on weekends.
  • If you plan to use a moving company, get estimates and contract with a mover immediately.
  • If you need a place to move into your new town, reserve a storage unit at a local Storage Solutions storage facility to reduce clutter in your new space.
  • Make travel arrangements. If you’re traveling by air, reserve your airline tickets. If you’re traveling by car or truck, have your car or truck serviced for the trip.

Let Storage Solutions Help You with Your Last-Minute Move

family recently moved in, happy and sitting on floor with boxes behind them

As we’ve seen, last-minute moves can be extremely stressful and hectic. If you need storage in your new town, let Storage Solutions help you store your things safely and securely. All of our storage facilities have top features that make your storage experience easier, more convenient, less stressful, and more affordable. Many people who move to Arizona and Nevada store their household belongings with us until they find a new home. Often during a last-minute move, you might not have a new place to live when you arrive, making self-storage a must. Here are some of the basics of self-storage you need to know.

You’ll be glad to know that you can reserve a storage unit online before you arrive, and it will be ready and waiting for you when you and your movers get here. There’s no deposit necessary and no credit card needed to do so. Even better, Storage Solutions only offers month-to-month rental leases, so you won’t get stuck in a long-term contract if you only need to store your belongings for a month or two. When you’re ready, find your storage unit, and we’ll see you when you arrive!