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The Complete Guide on How to Pack for a Move in 3 Days
Circumstances have arisen, and you need to get out of your house fast. You have a timeline of just half a week, and to any person, it’ll seem like an impossible schedule, especially if you’re making a long-distance move.
However, it’s definitely possible to pack and relocate on such short notice. Although it’ll be hectic, as long as you plan each day out carefully, you’ll be able to handle everything on time and like a pro.
Keep reading for a complete guide on how to pack for a move in 3 days that’ll make things a lot easier and smoother.
Day 1
The first day will probably be the most overwhelming one since you don’t have a game plan yet, besides selling your house fast. But that won’t last for long.
Here’s what you need to do to get things started.
Prioritize Rooms
There’s definitely a smart way to pack your house, and that’s by prioritizing rooms. Think about which rooms you use the least, and start there. This can be things like guest rooms, storage areas, or basements.
This is where it’s worth it to delegate work to other family members or friends. Splitting up the rooms can cut down your packing time significantly.
Declutter Your Property
Before you do anything else, declutter first. Chances are, you won’t need everything in your new residence, so why go through the extra effort to pack and unpack these items?
While decluttering, sort everything into piles to keep, donate, sell, or discard. If you’re having trouble deciding, then think about when you used the item last. If it’s been over a year, then it’s best not to keep it.
Considering that you’re packing on such short notice, you may want to reduce the piles and exclude the “sell” one. It’ll be easier to throw everything in bags, and then drive them over to your local thrift shop and dump site.
Decluttering has another advantage: it’ll be simpler to assess easy things you can do to improve your home’s value before selling. You might even decide it’s not worth doing and sell as-is.
Get Packing Supplies
After you’ve decluttered, you’ll have a better idea of how much stuff you’re taking for your relocation. Now is the time to take a look at what packing supplies you already have at home, such as:
- Boxes
- Packing tape
- Bubble wrap
Jot down the supplies you’re missing, and make a trip out to purchase these items. If you’re planning on doing some small fixes to upgrade your property’s curb appeal, then kill two birds with one stone by combining your shopping trips.
Once you have your supplies, get ready for the second day of packing by labeling all boxes clearly. It can also be beneficial to color code your boxes; whether you’re moving on your own or using a professional company, it’ll make things clearer and more efficient.
Day 2
On this day, you’ll focus on the two main categories: essentials and non-essentials. Splitting your belongings into these categories will make the big day much more manageable, and your stress levels will be much lower.
Pack Your Essentials Box
Naturally, there will be things you’ll need on a daily basis. You don’t want to accidentally pack these all up with other things, so do yourself a favor now and set aside a box for the essentials.
Items you’ll want to put in this box include:
- Toiletries
- Medications
- Change of clothes
- Important documents
- Chargers
You’ll want to keep this box with you during the move. That way, you’ll never lose track of your essentials, and they’ll be ready to go when you move into your new house.
Pack Non-Essentials
When you get the essentials out of the way, you should tackle the opposite side of the spectrum next. There’s bound to be things you barely use daily, so these items can safely go into boxes, as you’re not likely to need them in the next few days.
For example, you can put away your books, decorative items, extra linens, and board games. Hold off on anything that’s in the kitchen, as you’ll handle that on the last day.
After checking off these two categories, you should find that most of your belongings are squared away. This will make Day 3 go much smoother.
Day 3
On the last day, you’ll focus on the kitchen and last-minute items. This packing schedule will allow you to comfortably cook meals right up until the day you finally move out. You’ll also round up stuff that you need to use daily and can’t do without.
Get Your Kitchen Essentials
You’ll want to pack an essentials box like you did on Day 2. However, this one will be kitchen-based, with items such as plates, utensils, pots, and pans.
Make sure you’ve got everything you need to cook for the first few days at your new house. This may mean using disposable utensils and plates for the last day in your old home.
After you’ve put away these essentials, then go ahead and pack the rest of your kitchen in the appropriate boxes.
Pack Up Last-Minute Items
At the end of the day, it’s time to pack daily-use items that you couldn’t pack earlier. Some examples here include your toothbrush, other clothes, and electronics.
Do note that this three-day schedule isn’t rigid. The second half of Day 3 should be used to do any packing you weren’t able to do on the other two days.
Do a Final Check
You might think you’ve got everything, but it’s always a good idea to do a final check. Go through each room and check all closets and storage spaces.
If you’re renting a furnished space, then check all the drawers too. If you’re not moving far, then don’t worry too much about forgotten belongings, as you can always come back and retrieve them from either the landlord or the new tenant.
Other General Tips
We understand that packing in half a week can be extremely stressful. Here are some other tips that can help you survive and thrive.
Get Outside Help
We briefly mentioned it earlier, but getting help is so important that we felt it must be elaborated on.
Even if you have a small house, packing on your own can take a huge physical and mental toll. And that’s not the only side to relocating either; there are so many other details to take care of that it’s imperative that you save your energy and strength.
Spreading the work between other people will significantly lessen your burden. You can also spend some quality time chatting while packing. And after you’re done, you can get even more time together by treating them to a meal as a token of appreciation.
Hire Professional Movers
If you don’t have enough people in your social circle to help with your move, then consider hiring professional movers. Many people mistakenly think they’ll go outside of their moving budget if they do so, so they don’t even think about this option.
However, it’s worth every penny spent and can actually save you money. These experts can pack, transport, and unpack your belongings safely. In addition, you won’t have to take time off of work, so you won’t have a lapse in income.
Pack Smart
If you’re not experienced with packing, then it may feel like you’re using way more materials than you should. And chances are, you are.
The best way to pack smart is to fill spaces in boxes with smaller items. Not only will this maximize space, but it’ll also minimize shifting during transport. This will reduce the chances of your belongings breaking.
Plus, use your clothing as padding. You can wrap breakables in your garments, which will save on bubble wrap. This will utilize space efficiently too.
You’ve probably already labeled your boxes after getting them, but take that a step further. After you’ve filled a box up, write a brief description of its contents on the outside.
That way, you know exactly what’s in each box for every room, and you won’t have to sift through everything to get a particular thing. Unpacking will be less hectic, and it’ll also be easier.
Take Breaks and Stay Hydrated
Because packing will affect you both physically and mentally, one of our best moving tips is to take breaks and drink lots of water.
Pushing yourself to the limit will only backfire, so don’t overdo it. Take shifts with your friends and family if need be.
Now You Know How to Pack for a Move in 3 Days
When you know how to pack for a move in 3 days, it won’t feel as stressful or chaotic to do so. Breaking down such a monumental task into smaller chunks will be more manageable. And with our comprehensive guide, you won’t miss a thing while planning a move either.
So if you were on the fence about nabbing a relocation opportunity, hopefully, this article’s given you the confidence to take it.
Now that you’re feeling confident about packing for a move, the next step is to sell your house. Get in touch with We Buy Houses Memphis now to learn more. We’ll give you a fair price with no hidden fees.
