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8 Packing Tips for Moving in a Hurry to Get Everything Done on Time


Under any circumstance, mastering how to pack efficiently and quickly is a lifesaving skill. At Cali Moving and Storage, we have developed a strong reputation for providing high-quality moving and storage services across California. We're here to provide you with some packing tips for moving in a hurry to ensure everything is ready on time.

8 Packing Tips for Moving in a Hurry to Get Everything Done on Time

Under any circumstance, mastering how to pack efficiently and quickly is a lifesaving skill. At Cali Moving and Storage, we have developed a strong reputation for providing high-quality moving and storage services across California. We’re here to provide you with some packing tips for moving in a hurry to ensure everything is ready on time.

How to Prepare to Move on Short Notice

Here are a few tips on how to prepare to move on short notice and ensure that you don’t lose your mind in the process.

Start by Getting Organized

Getting organized is the most important step when you have to move on short notice. Initially, prepare a to-do list and a timeline to accomplish these tasks. Your to-do list should include everything you need to do before moving, such as booking movers, packing the house, arranging a new school for the kids, changing your address, setting up childcare, and organizing other critical documents.

A timeline is crucial under these circumstances because you are moving on short notice. Most importantly, prioritize your tasks to create sensible schedules and focus on one thing at a time. Our San Diego movers can help you with the entire packing and preparation, so make sure you get in touch! Learn more about San Diego moving.

Book a Reliable Moving Company

Another critical step when you have to move on short notice is to book a reliable moving company, like Cali Moving and Storage, to get you to your new place. We know that movers can get busy during certain seasons, and booking us as soon as you know you are moving will save you the headache of potentially leaving your items behind. If booking is challenging, ask a friend or a relative to help with the booking.

Your friends or family can also assist on the day of your move. We also suggest you check multiple companies to find the most ideal one for you – you can check our guide on comparing moving companies.

Essential Supplies - Gather Packing Supplies Quickly

Another quick packing tip is to gather packing supplies fast. This makes everything easier, even if you have to move within a week. For instance, ensure you have the right materials to carry your fragile items. Relying on old newspapers and supermarket boxes can be risky as they may fall apart.

Here’s a list of the necessary packing materials that will help you pack quickly:

  • Corrugated Cardboard Boxes: These are the most popular packing materials, loved for their reliability and strength. They also come with multiple layers of paper shaped in tight waves to create a thick option for protecting fragile and valuable goods.

  • Cardboard Boxes: They are less durable, and you will need to pack less fragile items, like clothing, in these boxes.

  • Poly Boxes: Made from polythene film, these boxes are suitable for packing items that are not water-resistant.

  • Insulated Boxes: These boxes combine the qualities of the corrugated box and Styrofoam to create insulated shipping boxes. This type of packing material is suitable for moving perishable foods, plants, and other temperature-sensitive items.

  • Labels: It is easy to spend an entire day searching for a single item if you pack your boxes and forget to label each one. Labels will make organizing and unpacking easy. Some of the most common labels include “open first,” “load last,” “kitchen items,” “basement,” “heavy,” “fragile,” and so on.

  • Packing Tape: An essential material if you are using boxes as your packing material. Good quality packing tape will seal your moving boxes, ensuring the contents won’t fall out during transport.

  • Plastic, Ziplock Bags: Plastic bags of all sizes are important for your big move. These Ziplock bags will keep nuts, screws, and bolts in one place.

  • Bubble Wrap: Getting bubble wrap as part of your moving supplies is a lifesaving move. You will need bubble wrap for fragile items like mirrors, décor, glassware, and frames. It makes moving safer and less stressful.

  • Heavy-duty Trash Bags: Often, your trash bags will come in handy when it comes to packing quickly.

Declutter and Purge Before Packing

Moving in a hurry? Decluttering becomes your secret weapon! We all get attached to our belongings, but a fast move is the perfect excuse to purge. Less stuff translates to less money spent on movers. By taking the plunge and decluttering beforehand, you’ll be packing efficiently and saving on moving costs.

Go through each room and identify items you no longer need or want to take to the new house. By decluttering, you will make room for important items while saving time, money, and space on everything you decide to take with you. And if you’re moving lon-distance, check out our moving out-of-state checklist

Pack Fast and Efficiently

Moving on short notice is not easy, and you need tips on how to pack fast. If you must pack fast and efficiently:

  • Start packing items you won’t need immediately. Begin with items that you do not use daily to avoid living out of your packed boxes or needing to repack;

  • Put similar items in the same boxes. Items that are generally similar will most likely belong in the same room;

  • Pack essentials in separate boxes. To avoid digging through boxes for essential items, such as flashlights or first aid kits, pack these items in the same box to eliminate such inconvenience;

  • Label your boxes by room to ensure that your items are taken to these rooms when you arrive at the new location;

  • Use clothes and linens as padding for fragile items, which reduces the cost of buying packing materials like bubble wrap.

Pack an Essentials Bag

A moving essentials bag can be a suitcase, duffle bag, or a backpack containing personal items you’ll need to access on the day you are moving and immediately after you have arrived at your new place.

Part of how to move out fast includes packing essential items for convenience and organization. These are items that you frequently need, and packing them in a suitcase or a backpack will give you easy access. For tips on packing an essentials bag, you can refer to our moving tips.