Moving tips
Ottawa Movers Give 5 Tips for a Last-Minute Move
By TLC Moving & Storage · Published 15 March 2020
A last-minute move takes the stress of moving to a new level, but you can manage it: schedule your movers, gather your supplies, pack room by room, set a time limit for each room, and get help.
Why a last-minute move is harder
Moving is stressful enough on its own. When you have to pack up quickly and move out of your home, it takes that stress to a whole new level. The good news is that you’re not on your own. With a few great tips and some reliable movers, Ottawa residents can better manage a last-minute move.
What counts as a last-minute move
A last-minute move is one where you have to pack up quickly and move out of your home on short notice. It is the same work as any move (booking movers or a truck, gathering supplies, packing and getting help), done in far less time.
In order:
Schedule Your Move
Gather Your Supplies
Room by Room
Time Limits
Get Help
Schedule Your Move
The first thing you want to do is schedule your movers or rent a truck. They can become booked up well in advance, so don’t leave anything to chance if you want to make sure you have someone ready to move your boxes and heavy furniture when you need them.
Look for movers who offer last-minute moving in Ottawa and the surrounding areas. If the new place is in another city, see long-distance moving, and storage can hold what is not ready to move.
The supplies to have on hand: boxes, tape, markers and labels
Many movers can and will pack your belongings for you. If you’d prefer to pack everything yourself, make sure to start the process with a full supply of boxes, packing tape, markers, and labels. Overestimate the number of boxes you’ll need—you can always return the unused ones or use them later.
Room by Room
Often the packing process is also a sorting process. As you go through and pack, you’ll also make decisions on what’s worth keeping. This generally results in a lengthy process. Move through your home room by room and pack it up as you go. Create two additional piles besides the items you’re packing—your “donate” pile and your “trash” pile.
As you finish packing up each room, take five minutes to bag up your donations and your trash. Depending on the charity, you may be able to call someone to come pick up your donations.
Time Limits
It’s easy to spend an entire day packing up one room. However, you may not have that kind of time if you’re dealing with a last-minute move. Give yourself a time limit for each room. For example, you may want to give yourself three hours to pack up your bedroom.
Even if you run a little long, having that time limit will help you make faster decisions about what to keep and what to donate. It’ll also help you move through your home more quickly.
Get Help
You can hire reliable movers in Ottawa to help you pack your belongings. You can also ask friends and family to come and help you get the job done. If you ask for help, make it as enjoyable as possible. Music and food can help the day go by quickly.
Moving can be an exciting time. Sure, it’s stressful and last-minute moving can add to that stress. However, with a solid plan in place and reliable, trustworthy moving help, you can get through this process and into your new home quickly.
Questions about moving with TLC
What should I do first when I have to move at the last minute?
The first thing you want to do is schedule your movers or rent a truck. They can become booked up well in advance, so don’t leave anything to chance if you want to make sure you have someone ready to move your boxes and heavy furniture when you need them.
How do I pack quickly for a move?
Often the packing process is also a sorting process. As you go through and pack, you’ll also make decisions on what’s worth keeping. This generally results in a lengthy process.
How do I stop packing from taking too long?
It’s easy to spend an entire day packing up one room. However, you may not have that kind of time if you’re dealing with a last-minute move. Give yourself a time limit for each room.
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Tell us about your move and we will come back with a free, obligation-free estimate. You can also call (613) 830-7402.