Planning and organizing a move usually last long, at least eight or six weeks. But, what should one do when there isn’t enough time to plan carefully every detail and the individual task of the relocation. Last-minute moving is stressful and difficult to pull off, but it is still possible. Follow our guide if you want your move to be successful.
So, what is the easiest and cheapest way to move in a week? It might seem complicated at first, but relocating overseas in a week or less can be accomplished with a good strategy and organization. The best way to start is to list all the tasks that need to be done, such as hiring trustworthy movers, packing necessary belongings, changing your address, arranging car shipping services, and gathering all your documents. Only then will you manage to successfully prepare for a fast relocation.
First, You Will Need to Plan Your Move
You won’t know how to manage everything effectively if you don’t have a clue what needs to be done and when. This is why an essential part of your preparation process is to create a to-do list. Compile a list of tasks and determine when each task needs to be completed. The best way to organize tasks is to determine what needs to be accomplished right now, what can be done right before the move and what can be completed on the day of the move. Prepare for having a lot to do since there will be no time to think about what to do while waiting for moving.
New tasks will always come to your mind, so you will be able to note them down on the list. A good relocation checklist will allow you to be prepared for any unexpected problem, but it will also help you avoid relocation stress. Therefore, as soon as you can, jot down a relocation checklist.
New tasks will always come to your mind, so you will be able to note them down on the list. A good relocation checklist will allow you to be prepared for any unexpected problem, but it will also help you avoid relocation stress. Therefore, as soon as you can, jot down a relocation checklist.
Notify Your Utility Providers and Change Your Address
Among your first tasks to be completed should be the ones that people tend to usually forget to do. You don’t want to end up getting billed for services you didn’t use or get mail sent to the wrong address. This is why you should know who to notify about your move. By accomplishing these tasks right away, you could concentrate on more complicated parts of the move.
First, change your address. When moving abroad, it isn’t possible to simply fill out an online form; you will be required to go to the nearest Post Office and fill out a PS Form 3575. After you hand over the form to the postal worker, you can expect to get a confirmation letter of the change in five days.
The process of notifying the utility provider of your move and terminating all the services in your name is much simpler. You can do everything over the phone. Contact the providers and request the best termination options. Also, you will be required to settle all the remaining bills and return any equipment you still have in your home. Expect a confirmation letter to arrive soon after talking to your utility providers.
If You Are Relocating with Children, Don’t Forget to Notify the School
Perhaps you are relocating for the first time, and you feel the overwhelming pressure to accomplish everything right away. This can lead you to also forget one important part of the organization process, and that is to notify the school your child attends of the move.
Whether you are relocating during the school year or summer vacation, it’s important to inform you that your child will be continuing their education abroad. This is a great opportunity to gather all the school records, certificates, and diplomas from the school’s administration since you will have to forward all of this documentation to the new school.
Whether you are relocating during the school year or summer vacation, it’s important to inform you that your child will be continuing their education abroad. This is a great opportunity to gather all the school records, certificates, and diplomas from the school’s administration since you will have to forward all of this documentation to the new school.
Hire an International Moving Company
The next step is to do a quick research on reputable international relocation companies that can safely ship your belongings to another country. Start your search online by reading several websites, reviews, and comments from customers who have experience with the particular company. Before finally making a decision to invest in international moving by sea, contact at least three different companies and request free estimates. Then, you will be able to compare the cost of services and benefits of relocating with a particular company. This will give you an opportunity to choose the most suitable one for your move.
Watch Out for Moving Scams – Searching Simply ‘Movers Near Me’ Could Cost You All of Your Belongings
Relocating in a hurry can make you end up in the hands of rogue movers. You might research short notice movers that will provide you with an incredibly low quote to relocate all of your belongings in a flash. This is a cause for concern. When moving overseas, we recommend being extra cautious with your pick and not relying on Google searches when typing in simply ‘movers near me.’
Relocation scams have been a problem for many years, and falling prey to one will put you in a challenging situation. You might lose all of your possessions, or your belongings can get damaged in transit, and the company can refuse to provide you with financial reimbursement.
Therefore, always try to check if the movers are legitimate by searching for the company’s USDOT number. The number can be found on the Federal Motor Carrier Safety website. Check also the complaint history and a safety rating.
Here is a video on more relocation tips on how to avoid rogue movers when traveling a long distance:
Get Overseas Vehicle Shipping Services
Don’t forget to write down in your last-minute moving checklist a task of requesting the overseas vehicle shipping service. It might not occur to you that your vehicle has to be transported and that you are not relocating a short distance making it impossible to drive it yourself. Luckily, shipping your car overseas can be quickly organized.
All you have to do is simply call the call center representatives and request the service. What is more, it is essential to know some basic characteristics about your vehicle, such as the make and model of the vehicle, length, and weight, so that the agents can correctly arrange for it to get shipped internationally.
You Will Have to Gather All the Necessary Documents in a Short Period of Time
Many people get anxious when they start thinking – how do I move immediately or how do I move at the last minute, so they misplace or forget to collect essential paperwork for relocating abroad. It is best to sort and gather all of your documents as soon as you decide that you will be leaving soon. Here are documents that are needed to travel abroad:
- Visa,
- Passport,
- Birth Certificate,
- Social Security cards,
- Work Permit,
- Medical records,
- Marriage certificates,
- School records,
- A pet passport if you are relocating with a cat or a dog.
Use Helpful Packing Tips When Last-Minute Moving
When trying to pack in a hurry, you have to quickly decide what to pack when relocating. Organization and planning of your packing process are less important than getting everything properly into cardboard boxes and knowing what to keep and what can be discarded. Your primary responsibility is to get all of your belongings to the new home damage-free. We recommend following these useful packing tips on how to box everything up in a hurry.
Use Packing Material You Already Have In Your Home
If you want to know how to move efficiently but avoid going shopping for supplies and cushioning materials, you can utilize another approach to boxing up your belongings. Using your own belongings to wrap up your fragile and valuable possessions will allow you to save money. Gather your clothing, towels, and socks and use them to wrap breakable items like glassware, vases, and electronic devices. Also, it would be wise to place your towels or clothing in cardboard boxes to fill any voids and prevent anything from shifting in transit.
Pack Your Items Now and Sort Them Later
Don’t concern yourself with categorizing each box and having a colorful label on the surface of every box. When you are in a hurry, you can place your relocation essentials in boxes where they fit. It won’t be a huge issue if you’ve put books together with clothing items. As long as you ensure that everything is safely and securely packed, you can leave the task of sorting out everything when you arrive at your new address. Even though you can avoid labeling boxes, you might want to simply mark boxes that have fragile things inside.
Pack Clothing Items as They Are
Skip washing and folding your clothing items before placing them in a cardboard box. What you can simply do is wrap a garbage bag around clothing hanging in the closet. By tying the bag’s strings around the hangers, the bags will not slip during the move. Also, you can skip emptying dresser drawers. Simply remove the drawers from the dresser and wrap protective material around it, so the contents stay intact. Utilizing drawers in this way, you will have more space in cardboard boxes for other belongings.
Don’t Pack Anything Your Mover Won’t Move
There is no time for making any relocation mistakes that will slow down the whole process. There is nothing more frustrating than having to rummage through your boxes and empty them because you packed items movers won’t move. Pay attention to things that definitely shouldn’t be placed in your boxes, such as flammables like matches, aerosols, and scuba tanks. Also, avoid placing hazardous materials like cleaning supplies, paint, and motor oil. Following this useful tip will definitely make your relocation smooth and quick.
Ask Friends Who Live Near to Help on Relocation Day
Many people wonder – how do I move without neighbors knowing? However, this is the wrong way of preparing for a quick move. Neighbors, friends, and family can be of great assistance during your relocation. Therefore, when you call your friends and family to inform them about your plan to relocate soon and live abroad, ask them for last-minute moving help, too.
Relocating in a hurry is difficult to manage on your own, so getting help from your friends and loved ones will make it easier to accomplish everything. Sorting out boxes, loading the relocation truck, and lifting heavy objects can only be done quickly with several people there to lend their helping hand.
You can always show appreciation and gratitude by ordering drinks and snacks while your friends are sorting out cardboard boxes. What is more, they might even share with you some of their relocation hacks and tricks for a successful move.
With Trustworthy Movers and Our Tips, You Won’t Encounter Any Issues
Relocating overseas in less than a week is difficult to pull off, but with a reliable relocation company and the help of your friends and family on relocation day, it can be accomplished. You will face completely different challenges than when thinking what is the cheapest way to move a short distance. First, prepare and organize the move by making a checklist and gathering important documents. Use last-minute moving tips to help you pack properly so that all of your belongings can be transported abroad safely. All you can do now is take a deep breath and start planning your move.
