Ideally, you’ll have plenty of time to plan for your move. Unfortunately, though, things don’t always turn out that way. Sometimes, you’re given an opportunity you can’t pass up. When that happens, you may suddenly find yourself planning a last-minute move. A successful move requires a solid plan, from the tiny details to the bigger tasks like packing up your home. If you’re dealing with the stress of a last-minute move, don’t hesitate to ask for help from experienced movers!

Maffucci Moving & Storage offers full services (and yes, that includes packing and unpacking help). We’re a family-owned agency with our own in-house crew. That means we won’t outsource your belongings to a third party; we’ll always handle them ourselves. Our team has won awards since 1909, demonstrating our commitment to quality customer care. Let us help you with your last-minute move.

Finding a Reliable Moving Service

Mostly, people find themselves involved in a quick move for two reasons: they only have a little time between finding out you are moving and moving day, or they’ve procrastinated and run out of time. Moving on a non-expedited timeline is stressful enough as it is. Add a time crunch, and your stress may skyrocket, but it doesn’t have to!

The best way to manage any relocation is with an experienced moving company. But how do you know which movers are trustworthy? Consider five factors: reputation, services, licensing, transparency, and communication. A professional mover you can rely on will have been in business for many years and has no problem providing you with their licensing. If they hesitate to give that to you or give you the run around about their pricing, something’s wrong. Always look at their services, like packing, storage, or auto transport. Choosing a company that does everything is best and will save you money in the long run. Movers should have no problem answering your questions.

Professional movers can leverage resources to provide you with a seamless experience. To get the most out of their services, ask them questions to learn more about the company and the kind of business they run. Questions may include:

• What coverage options do you offer?
• Can you do everything I need?
• Can you provide references?
• Do you provide binding estimates?
• Do you have any hidden fees?
• Do you background check its employees?
• How do you handle loss and damage claims?
• Do you guarantee delivery dates?
• Do you have a dedicated contact person I can reach throughout the process?
• What factors determine the cost of my move?

To learn more about that last question, provide your potential mover with as much information as possible. Moving companies will consider labor, materials, equipment, the number of items you’re moving, storage, distance and weight, your timeline, and whether specialized equipment and trained personnel will be necessary for their costs. If you’re unhappy with the quoted price, get another quote from a different company. The best method for negotiating with one mover is to get them to price match.

Prepping for a Last-Minute Move

Once you’ve landed on a professional mover that you’re confident in, it’s time to start prepping for the big day. This is where people usually start feeling the pressures of moving, and their anxieties climb sky-high. Over the last ten decades, we’ve picked up on a few tricks to help our customers minimize stress and stay calm throughout the entire process. Take a look at our stress-relief techniques– some may work better than expected.

1. Be aware of your body telling you you’re stressed.
2. Don’t procrastinate.
3. Delegate tasks to family and friends.
4. Lean on your movers.

Packing Tips and Staying Organized

Now that you have a plan to keep things organized during the move, you’re ready to start packing. Packing, for many, is the most frustrating step of the moving process. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you need to pack up your entire life in a short amount of time, but Maffucci knows a few ways to help you manage your stress level and can provide you with foolproof ideas on how to pack efficiently.

1. Go through your belongings.

   Go through each room and decide what to keep and what to toss. Decluttering junk you no longer use will greatly help minimize packing frustrations. We recommend making three piles: keep, donate, and trash.

2. Gather necessary packing supplies.

   Gather key packing supplies: packing paper, bubble wrap, scissors/box cutters, tape, pens/markers, heavy-duty trash bags, boxes, and labels/colored stickers. Be sure to have plenty of cushion materials to keep fragile and valuable items safe during transport.

3. Make a system.

   Picking a system and sticking with it is crucial. We recommend finishing one room at a time, creating an inventory list, and packing a little as you go—label packed boxes with numbers, the room name, and the items in them. Make a list of boxes to keep with you on moving day; check off each box as it’s loaded on the truck.

4. Pack by importance.

   Items that should be unpacked first should be combined to make it easy. Be sure to label them as “urgent to unpack clearly.” Fragile items should be packed on the top of boxes, surrounded by plenty of cushions, and specialty items like plants, TVs, and exercise equipment will require extra care. Call us if you need clarification on protecting them during the move.

5. Make a plan for pets and children.

   Set up a plan for pets and children ahead of time. Discuss the move early with kids and explain what’s happening to give them time to adjust. When it’s moving day, have them help pack a special bag of their favorite things to keep with them. For pets, make travel arrangements with your vet’s help and provide them with familiar items like their bed or toys. On a moving day, keep them in a quiet space away from the chaos. Having friends or family watch them for the day is a good option for both.

With so much happening during a speedy move, it’s easy to lose track of things and end up disorganized. But never fear. Maffucci is here. Our team can help you with more than the physical aspect of moving. We’re prepared to assist you with decluttering junk, organizing, packing, and more. We can jump in at any time to help, but before we do, you should review our suggestions for staying organized during a last-minute move.

• Confirm your moving date
• Create a task priority list and ideal timeline
• Inventory your belongings
• Make donations
• Buy moving supplies
• Update address and vehicle registration
• Gather personal documents
• Disconnect utilities and set up new ones
• Pack your moving day bag
• Reconfirm and finalize details

Legal and Logistical Considerations

If you’re currently leasing your home, you’re legally required to give your landlord 30 days’ notice that you’ll be moving out. In some cases, contracts automatically renew, making it especially important to alert them of your plans as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could pay rent for someplace you’re no longer living.

Note that if you break a lease to move somewhere else, you could be required to pay a fee or other expenses. In the worst-case scenario, you might have to forfeit your security deposit. Remember to complete a final walk-through with your landlord to verify that you aren’t responsible for any house damage.

Problem? No Problem!

It’s exciting and nerve-wracking that your home sold faster than expected. Unfortunately, the quick pace of things means that your new home is still being prepared for you. Don’t start panicking! Maffucci can provide you with a place (for your belongings) to land during this time. Our climate-controlled storage units are the ideal place to keep your items while waiting for the move-in day– they’re designed to protect your items from drastic temperature/humidity fluctuations, dust, debris, and pests. Unfortunately, you are unable to stay in the storage unit. We’re sure plenty of housing accommodations nearby are just as cozy, though! Check out Airbnb’s, hotels, hostels, and temporary/short-term housing options in surrounding areas. If all else fails, ask your loved ones about sleeping on their couch for a little while.

Moving Matters, Matter. Manage Them with Maffucci.

Working with an experienced moving company like Maffucci will help you minimize your stress. We’ve done this a million times and can help you plan for every scenario, even the unexpected. We’ll help you adapt to things as they arise, keeping you flexible and encouraging you to look forward to the next chapter in your life.

Reach out to Maffucci Moving & Storage for a free moving estimate. Whether you’re just starting to plan or ready to relocate, our team provides tailored advice and assistance to ensure your move is as economical as possible.