How to Plan a Move in Less Than 30 Days

If you are here wondering whether it is possible to plan and prepare an entire relocation in less than a month – you are in the right place and in luck. Moving in less than 30 days is definitely possible with the right attitude and approach. Efficient planning and organization is essential for a successful move, and we are here to help navigate you through every step of the way,

This blog will help you identify the most critical stages of your upcoming move, how to approach them, and how to prepare everything so that the moving day runs smoothly. We will go over every stage, including decluttering, packing, logistics, loading and unloading, and more. Stay tuned for the best moving tips in the industry!

Assessing Your Needs and Priorities

Not everyone is looking for the same type of moving experience. Some people may have an abundance of breakable items or fragile electronics, while others might care more about the efficiency of their move and completing it quickly. Some seek full packing and unpacking experience, while others may prioritize quick loading and unloading.

Therefore, the first step in your upcoming moving experience will be identifying what you are looking for and where to find it.

Once you have a list of services you will need from your movers and have considered your preferences and needs, you’re ready to start creating a timeline and a budget.

Your moving timeline will be your best friend. It will include everything you need to start and finish before the big day. These essential tasks should be listed logically, based on their importance and how long it will take to complete each step.

Your timeline should look something like this:

Once your timeline is created, you can start thinking about your budget. Now that you have all the tasks listed, you will know exactly what you need to budget for. Remember, it is best to overestimate all costs instead of underestimating them. That could hurt your budget far more than having a few bucks saved up once everything is finished.

Now, let’s move on to the next phase of your moving process: decluttering.

Decluttering and Downsizing

Decluttering and downsizing are essential to your move, as they dictate how much you will eventually move on the big day. This will be one of the most complex parts of your process as you must go through every item you own and decide whether it will stay, be donated, or be discarded.

This process also needs to be organized from start to finish. This is why you will make separate piles: keep, sell, donate, repair, and discard. The condition of the item and how often it’s being used will determine which pile it should go in. Don’t go easy on yourself here, and really give it some thought. If some items are more expensive to move than replace at your new place, just go for it! Besides, you can make some money by selling your stuff online and funding a part of your move from it. It’s a win-win situation.

Here is an example of how you should separate your decluttering piles:

Keep:

Items you use regularly and can’t live without
Sentimental items with significant emotional value
Essential furniture and appliances
Seasonal items in good condition (e.g., holiday decorations, winter clothing)

Sell:

Gently used clothes and accessories that no longer fit your style
Furniture and decor items you no longer need but are in good condition
Electronics and gadgets you’ve upgraded from
Books, DVDs, and collectibles in good condition

Donate:

Clothes and shoes that are still wearable but you don’t need
Non-perishable food items
Kitchenware and household items you have duplicates of
Toys and games your children have outgrown

Repair:

Items with minor damages that are worth fixing (e.g., broken furniture, torn clothing)
Electronics that need simple repairs or battery replacements
Shoes and accessories that need mending
Appliances that need minor servicing

Discard:

Broken or heavily damaged items beyond repair
Expired food and medications
Old papers, magazines, and mail you no longer need
Items that are stained, worn out, or unusable

Creating a Moving Checklist

As we’ve mentioned before, a moving checklist is essential if you are planning a move in less than 30 days. If you already have one prepared, review it to see which tasks should be tackled first and which shouldn’t be forgotten.

You can separate it by tasks you need to do each day, or categorize your tasks weekly, like this:

Week 1: Planning and Initial Preparations

Create a Moving Binder: Organize essential documents, checklists, contracts, and receipts.
Inventory and Declutter: Assess belongings and decide what to keep, donate, sell, repair, or discard.
Research and Book Movers: Obtain quotes, check reviews, and book your preferred mover.
Notify Utilities and Services: Schedule disconnection/transfer of utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet, etc.).
Change Address: Update your address with USPS, banks, subscription services, and other essential contacts.
Order Packing Supplies: Buy boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, markers, and other necessary supplies.

Week 2: Packing Non-Essentials and Planning Logistics

Begin Packing Non-Essentials: Pack items you won’t need in the next few weeks (seasonal items, decor, etc.).
Sort Important Documents: Collect personal, financial, and medical records in one place.
Arrange Temporary Storage if Needed: Reserve a storage unit for temporary housing items.
Plan for Pets and Plants: Make arrangements for transporting pets and plants safely.
Start Room-by-Room Packing: Focus on one room at a time to stay organized.
Notify Schools and Employers: Inform them about your move and arrange to transfer records.

Week 3: Packing Essentials and Finalizing Details

Pack Kitchenware: Start with items you rarely use and keep essentials accessible.
Label and Pack Valuables: Securely pack valuable items and take photos for inventory.
Finalize Travel Arrangements: Book flights or plan your driving route if moving long-distance.
Confirm Moving Details with Movers: Reconfirm moving date, time, and other details with the moving company.
Prepare Your New Home: Arrange for cleaning and repairs at your new place if necessary.
Pack Fragile Items Carefully: Use extra padding and label boxes as fragile.

Week 4: Final Preparations and Moving Day

Prepare Kids and Pets: Explain the moving process and arrange services for the day.
Check Home for Repairs: Complete any minor repairs or touch-ups in your home.
Pack a First-Night Box: Include essentials like toiletries, a change of clothes, and important documents.
Defrost Refrigerator and Freezer: Clean and prepare large appliances for the move.
Disassemble Furniture: Start disassembling larger furniture pieces to save time on moving day.
Label and Pack Last-Minute Items: Finish packing remaining items and label boxes accurately.
Conduct a Final Walkthrough: Check every room to ensure nothing is left behind.
Clean Your Current Home: Perform a thorough cleaning or hire a cleaning service.
Moving Day: Supervise movers, ensure everything is packed, and conduct a final inspection.

Securing Moving Services

The next part of your emergency moving plans will be to find moving services. This will be easier than you may think, as local movers usually require around two weeks’ notice for a reservation if you aren’t planning a move in the middle of the season (summer). Two to six weeks’ notice is enough for most local moving companies, so call around and get some quotes to compare!

The next step in securing your moving company of choice is to call them as soon as you’ve decided and book them for your preferred date and time. That will secure your moving time, and you can then move on to finishing the preparations for your move.

If you are unsure whether hiring movers is the most budget-friendly option, it’s still beneficial to call some companies around to get a sense of the price and how much the entire experience would cost you. Once you have a general idea of what local moving services will cost, you can compare the cost to moving on your own.

Here is a list of costs to consider when moving on your own instead of hiring professional movers:

Packing Supplies:

Boxes: Various sizes.
Bubble Wrap: Protect fragile items.
Packing Tape: Secure boxes.
Markers/Labels: Label contents and rooms.
Furniture Pads/Blankets: Protect furniture.
Plastic Wrap: Secure loose items and protect furniture.

Transportation:

Rental Truck: Cost of renting, including mileage and fuel.
Insurance: Coverage for the truck and belongings.
Fuel: Gasoline for the truck.
Tolls: Fees for toll roads.
Parking Permits: Required for specific locations.

Travel Expenses:

Lodging: Hotel or motel costs.
Meals: Food during the trip.
Transportation: Costs for driving your vehicle.

Equipment Rental:

Dollies/Hand Trucks: Move heavy boxes and furniture.
Furniture Sliders: Move heavy items without scratching floors.
Straps and Ropes: Secure items in the truck.

Storage:

Storage Unit: Rental cost.
Climate-Controlled Storage: Additional cost for temperature regulation.

Cleaning Supplies:

Cleaning Products: For cleaning your old home.
Professional Cleaning Service: Hire a service for thorough cleaning.

Miscellaneous:

Utility Deposits: Setting up utilities at the new home.
Repairs: Minor repairs or touch-ups.
Lost or Damaged Items: Replacement costs.
Food and Drinks: Meals and refreshments for helpers.

Potential Hidden Costs:

Time Off Work: Lost wages.
Vehicle Maintenance: Wear and tear on your vehicle.

Gathering Packing Supplies

If you are scrambling to gather packing supplies as soon as possible, check online. The Facebook Marketplace, Amazon, and eBay may be good options. Some may even offer them for free if they no longer need them! Your local businesses are also most likely throwing their boxes away, so go around your area and ask if anyone would be willing to give their spare boxes.

If you want to save up some money, there are many alternatives you may already have around your home that you can use as packing or padding materials for your belongings. These include:

Towels and Blankets: Use to wrap fragile items and cushion boxes.
Clothing: Pack delicate items inside shirts, socks, and other apparel.
Bedding and Pillows: Line boxes with pillows and use bedding to protect more oversized items.
Laundry Baskets and Hampers: Transport lightweight items like clothes and linens.
Suitcases: Pack heavy items like books or fragile items for extra protection.
Newspapers and Magazines: Crumple up pages to use as padding.
Plastic Bags: Fill with air and use as cushioning.
Shower Curtains and Tablecloths: Wrap around large items for protection.
Old T-shirts: Use to wrap around breakables.
Socks: Place over glassware and small breakables for added protection.

Packing Efficiently

Instead of packing everything everywhere all at once, you need to be organized if you want to handle this as quickly as possible.

Packing room by room is the best strategy for this process stage. However, there are also exceptions to this rule. Let’s say you’re packing your guest room first, as it’s probably the least used room in your home. By this logic, you will be packing your kitchen last, right? However, the kitchen is the most complicated room to pack, and it probably has a lot of items to pack as well. This is why, in addition to packing room by room, you will simultaneously be packing your kitchen items, little by little, based on usage.

This will result in the most convenient form of packing as you won’t have to get chaotic in the last few days packing your kitchen and doing other essential pre-move preparations simultaneously.

Remember to label your boxes in detail, listing the room and contents so everything remains organized from start to finish.

Managing Logistics and Transportation

There are a few key things to remember regarding logistics and transportation.

Planning a route in advance can help if you plan on moving and driving the truck on your own. Having a few different routes in mind can help avoid heavy traffic on the day of the move, as you will have more options available.

Even if you are hiring movers or doing a DIY move, you need to consider parking and access to both locations so the move can be executed. Remember, you plan to fit an entire moving truck near your home, so parking and access must be secured as soon as possible. Let your moving company know beforehand if there will be any limitations on the day of the move so they can plan accordingly.

Staying Calm and Flexible

Don’t worry too much! Moving is exciting and marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life. Maintaining a positive mindset and staying flexible during a process as unpredictable as moving can make the experience much better for you and everyone involved! Remember, this is the most complicated aspect of your relocation, and once it’s completed, you can focus on more important things in life. Take a deep breath and keep calm, as moving in less than 30 days is more than achievable!

Speedy Moves with Legend Movers: Your Ultimate Partner when Moving in Less Than 30 Days

Ready to tackle your move with confidence and ease? Let Legend Movers be your trusted partner in making your last-minute move smooth and stress-free. Our experienced team is here to help every step of the way, ensuring your belongings arrive safely and on time. Contact us today for a free quote and discover why we’re the legends of the moving industry. Don’t wait – make your move with Legend Movers!