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Tips for Saving Time When Moving

piggy bank with hand putting a clock inside

By the time moving day arrives, you just want to get it over with already. Moving to a new house is a time-consuming process, and a lot of the effort comes into play before you even get to the move.

The good news is that you don’t have to spend a lot of time on the moving process. We’ve put together a few key tips to help you save time when moving, so you can start making yourself at home.

Make a Schedule

closeup of a pencil and check list of to-do items

This seems more like an obvious aspect than a hot tip for the organized ones among us. Making a schedule is crucial to saving time while moving. By planning the process, you’ll be able to tackle your tasks with ease and won’t risk scrambling at the last minute to get things done.

Start 60 days before your move and make a checklist of things you need to do. Include even the things you’re sure you could never forget. Things can easily fall through the cracks in the busyness of planning and moving. By having them on your list, you’re sure to remember them. And on the plus side: you’ll get the satisfaction of ticking things off the list.

Make sure to set due dates and fight the urge to save the harder or more tedious items for last.

Take a Moment to Downsize

We’ve shared a lot about downsizing your possessions, and with good reason: it’s honestly the best thing you can do for yourself. A home relocation is a perfect time to evaluate what you’ve got and kiss it goodbye if you don’t need it.

There are multiple benefits to channeling your inner Marie Kondo before moving day. Firstly, it just feels good to lighten your load, clear the clutter, and let someone else give your stuff a loving home. Sure, it may be hard to part with things, but trust us: you’ll be glad you did.

A more practical benefit? You’ll save time and money on your move. The less stuff you have, the less you have to pack, the less you have to move, and the less you have to unpack and find a place for. You’ll also save space in a moving truck and save the time and effort of movers, meaning you’ll spend less money on your move.

Pack Like the Pros… Or Hire Them

woman labeling moving box with a marker

Saving time on moving day isn’t just about swiftly prepping and getting out of your current home. It’s also about making things efficient in your new home, which means “starting with the end in mind.”

Packing like a pro means labeling like a pro, helping to ensure your boxes arrive in the right rooms in your new home. Try creating a color-coded system for your labels, using a single color per room for easy recognition. Make sure to clearly label on multiple sides and the top, as your boxes will shift in the move.

Do future you a favor, and be specific with your box contents when you can. No, that doesn’t mean writing up a full inventory on each and every box. It means being clear about what goes where. For example, MASTER BEDROOM – NAME – DRESSER will let you know whose stuff is in the box and where you’ll expect to unpack them (the dresser, in this case).

If you really want to save some time, hire the experts to pack for you. A full-service moving company will show up at your house with all of the supplies, pack all of your things, and pack your items, so they’re safe for transport. They’ll even unpack for you in your new home and take all of the waste away with them.

Collect the Right Moving Supplies

champagne flute wrapping packing

Don’t spend time scrambling for more boxes and bubble wrap while you’re getting packed. Start with all of the moving supplies you need, and save yourself the hunting or trip to the packing store.

Once you’ve downsized, you’ll have a better idea of how much stuff you have. Then, you can start collecting boxes. Consider other things like bubble wrap, newspaper, markers, tape, box cutters, and other supplies.

Want to save time, money, and waste? Repurpose things you have for packing your items. Suitcases make great replacements for boxes. Some dressers can remain full, or you can take out the dressers and leave the items in. Rags, towels, and clothes make great padding for fragile items.

Arrange Your House for Moving Day

Check with your mover first to see if they’ll unplug your appliances if you’re moving them. Many movers won’t do it for you (or will charge more if it’s a service you need), so plan ahead. That includes light fixtures and other electronics.

Next, you’ll want to prepare your home for navigating the space with boxes and furniture. Clear walkways and ensure the path to the door is open. Tell your movers in advance if there are things in your home that you aren’t taking with you. That will save you time and effort during the move.

Enlist an Expert Moving Team

No matter how much you’ve moved in your life, an expert mover has done it more. They have moving down to a science and will save time while making it all look effortless. You may be tempted to go with a DIY move, but trust us: it almost always costs more time, money, and energy than you anticipate.

About the author

Unpakt Team