Help with moving tips- only have 5 days!?

Question

We move into our first purchased home this Saturday. We managed to get a better deal for a FAST ckosing date, which means we only have FIVE (yes, FIVE) days to pack our home, set up utilities, everything. (We move into it this Saturday).
So, I need some tips on how to make this go easier. My fiance is working a ton of overtime this week, which he booked in for months ago. So, he's pretty busy, and I will be doing pretty much everything myself (packing, phone calls, organizing the move).

To complicate things, we have a 5 yr old, 3 cats, a dog, AND I am 37 weeks pregnant.

If you have any hints or tips to help make this easier, let me know PLEEEASE! Kind of like a timeline of what I should be doing day by day would be handy. I am donating a TON of our unused items to cut down on moving un necessary items, so it should help a bit. Also, our new home is only 2 blocks from where we currently live.

Moving hints, tips, and new home decor tips would be handy!

THANK YOU!!!

Answer 1

Can't say I envy you! But - the big thing in your favor is that your new house is just 2 blocks over.

Here's my strategy:

- enlist all of your friends to help now - and have them bring boxes and newspaper. Liquor store boxes for a move are great, as are copy paper boxes. Maybe your friends can go to the liquor store on their way to your place to pick up a ton of boxes for you.

- I'm a HUGE fan of craigslist. If your town/city has Craigslist, search the "free" section for newspapers and boxes. Find movers in the skilled trade section, or post an ad asking for movers. I'd include your impending pregnancy - who can say no to an expectant mother?!

- Be sure to label all of your boxes - you can just put the room where they will be moving into. It will take a little bit of time, but when it comes to unpacking, you will thank yourself.

- Don't pack stuff that's hanging on hangers. Instead, get Hefty garbage bags, poke a small hole in the bottom (toward the center), and feed the end of the hanger through the hole. Tie the loose bag in a knot. Then, when you're in your new house, you can just put the hangers on the rod, and tear off the hefty bag. (compliments of my sister, who moved four times in one year!)

- Be sure to pack a "survival box" with change of clothes for everyone, pj's for everyone, towels, sheets, toiletries, and toilet paper - maybe even energy bars and some cereal/coffee. Be sure to mark it in a REALLY prominent way and when you move into your new house, that will be the first box you unpack. This way, if you move and it's late, you don't have to open 20 boxes to find what you need to get you through to the next day when the real fun starts - unpacking.

- Set aside a time around 2:00 p.m. when utility customer call centers experience some of their lowest call volumes (so you don't have to be on hold for a million years) and set up your gas, electric, phone, water. Also, have a friend pick up a "moving kit" from the post office that also has the change of address notice so your mail will be forwarded.

- Enlist friends, if they don't want to pack, to cook meals or babysit your five year old. You'll get at least twice as much done if someone is keeping tabs on your son/daughter.

Good luck! You can do it, don't be afraid to ask for help, and once you're in your house, it will be all worth it!

Answer 2

Hey, I only have a minute, sorry. First quick advice; a moving company will do the trick in plenty of time. If that isn't an option, grab all the boxes you can, and have two packers per room. Start at either end of the room 'clearing' furniture that 'holds' things, ie. bookcases... first. Best advice; absolutely only handle each thing once. Pick it up and pack it. Dont' ask questions, just do it. Pack one room at a time and mark each box according to the room it is to enter at the new house. Make sure to mark things fragile if necessary. A real time saver when unpacking is, if cost isn't a factor, use paper towels to wrap all kitchen utensils, plates, etc..... NO washing necessary prior to putting them away as with newspaper! Boxes from liquor stores are great too because you can take advantage of the cardboard separations used to keep alcohol bottles safe during travel, (for glasses and cups, cut up smaller pieces of cardboard to place on top of each glass to allow setting another on top, and so on. Roll all bedding up as is, including pillows and tie, add a 'luggage tag' type label to each, stating the 'room to be' on it, (a piece of card and a twist tie will do the trick.) Finally, pack the kitchen last, with these tips, it is actually the easiest, and, the fridge and freezer will be 'out' the least amount of time possible. Gotta run, if I think of anything else, I'll get back to you. Good luck, and, enjoy your new place!

Answer 3

Call in some reinforcements. You need help, you cannot do this alone. 5 days to move your entire house is a ton of work.

My suggestions: Have a crock pot of something to feed your friends going, throw a case of water in a cooler.

Take your animals to the kennel, so you don't have to worry about someone scooting outside while you are moving.

TODAY: Call the utility companies today and get them lined up to activate accounts at the new house. Electric, gas, cable, internet, phone, whatever you use.

Do you need a moving truck? Reserve it today if you do.

Get lots and lots of boxes. Big boxes, little boxes, packing materials. Grocery stores are a great place to get boxes. Save yourself some time, call around first to see if they have any and how long they will hold them for you. Once you have a few sources, try to get friends to pick them up, or run around yourself.

While you are at the grocery store, grab some more snacks. Hungry people won't hang around to help. Grab some big fat black markers and packing tape if you don't have any.

Stop by the post office and get a change of address kit. Fill it out and get those notifications in the mail.

THE NEXT FEW DAYS: Pack one room at a time, except things you cannot live without for a few days. Label every box with your big fat markers. Use labels that anyone could recognize, i.e. dinner plates and bowls, over the counter medicines, Sue's jeans, that sort of thing.

Call the place you are donating unwanted items to confirm pick-up for whatever time is convenient to you.

Call everyone you know to help on Saturday.

SATURDAY: Have lots of food, drinks and good cheer. If you are stressed and crabby, don't show it. Smile, even if you have to fake it. Just keep going, you have alot to do. Unfortunately, you don't have time to clean before you move in, but you may be able to get some folks on washing out cabinets and such.

Move the big things first, beds, furniture, etc..

Home decor tips? Go to HGTV.com - tons of great ideas.

Answer 4

If you are 37 weeks , pregnant you beter enlist the help of friends , family, your church, neighbors so you don't get overwhelmed or injured.

Most movers, especially the do-it-yourself kind, are so happy to finally arrive in their new home that they don't even mind that the dinner plates are chipped, there's a scratch on the coffee table or their favorite lampshade is bruised and battered. But there's no reason your household goods should become casualties of the move. With a little care and planning, and these moving packing tips, you and your stuff will both arrive in mint condition.
A little common sense helps when packing for moving. Think of a stack of dishes in a box on the bed of a bouncing truck. No matter how well the sides are padded, a firm up-and-down jolt could crack the entire stack. On the other hand, dishes packed on edge and surrounded by bubble wrap have a better chance of surviving the trip unharmed.

Boxes & Moving Kits

In the long run, it pays to purchase the right packing materials. Sturdy boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing peanuts can be purchased at moving companies and truck-rental firms. Supplement with copious amounts of crumpled paper, blankets and pillows; even clothing can serve as a buffer between breakable objects. Then, pack with a plan.

Purchase boxes and packing supplies direct from the manufacturer

Moving Packing Tips

Pack one room at a time, labeling each box with a description of its contents and its destination (e.g., kitchen, bathroom). Be as specific as you can; it will make unpacking that much easier.
Keep the weight of your boxes reasonable. If possible, put heavy items in small boxes to make them easier to carry.
Don't apply tape directly to polished or painted wood finishes. Removing the tape could ruin the surface.
Double-box fragile items and add plenty of cushioning.
What you'll need for the first night/day

When everything is packed and ready to load, make sure the items you need least are loaded first. Again, common sense is essential when loading the truck. Place the box containing your best china on top of the box of encyclopedias and not vice versa.

Prepare for the first night in your new home by packing essential items in a separate bag and carrying it with you. You may even want to prepare a simple meal that you can heat and serve on your first night.

For each person in the household: a change of clothes, a towel, prescription drugs, a toothbrush, and other personal items.
For everyone: plastic utensils, paper plates, paper towels, plastic cups, toilet paper, toiletries, trash bags, a flashlight, first aid kit including pain relievers, pencil and paper, snacks, beverages, and re-closable plastic bags.
Small tool kit for re-assembling items that couldn't be moved whole.
Packing for moving with good technique and the right materials can mean an easier move and fewer chipped dishes.

Answer 5

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Answer 6

if u can afford movers then do it! if not, u better call all ur friend and family over to bring boxes and bubble wrap. bubble wrap all ur easily break able items, and label all ur boxes by room so u can put in correct rooms. if ur throwing a lot of things out then call a dumpster to come so it can be easier to dispoe of items. I would hire a cleaning company to come in and clean the place top to bottom before u move in so u have less work. I think if u call cable, gas and electric and have them set up the new dates to trun off ur exsisting accoutn and set up a new one shoudlnt take more than an hour. but [acking willbe time cnsuming so enlist all ur friends and if can afford a moving company than do it!

Answer 7

2 blocks is nothing, ask your neighbors for help, I would at 37 weeks, your job pack all the breakables, your 5 year old, pack all the non breakables, go to wal-mart, they give you boxes for free, if not their contact a local warehouse, if money isn't a factor you get a moving company that will do it all in 1 day. Im talking packing loading and unloading.

before you move all your stuff in, clean the other house. dust, spider webs, and other stuff like to get into houses that are unlived in even for a short time.

Congraduations, good luck.

decor, get moved in first then will talk decor.

Answer 8

Tip #1: DON'T go into labor! ;-}

Pack boxes and write on the outside what's in them and what room they go in.

If you can get someone to watch the five year old, the dog and the cats for the week, or at least for moving day, that would sure help. Kennel the dog if you have to.

Good luck.

Answer 9

Either get everyone you know to help and feed them dinner. Or hire a moving company. It shouldn't be that expensive due to the fact your so close to your other home. The overtime will help pay for the expenses.

Answer 10

Not sure what your financial situation is, but I would really consider hiring a moving company. Good luck with everything.