How to Move Out Fast: 9 Tips for Moving Quickly

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By Luke Babich Updated November 18, 2022

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Moving to a new place is a major life change, and it can be particularly stressful if you're dealing with a tight timeline. Whether you need to relocate quickly because of work, financial pressure, or a new home purchase, it's important to create a plan for your move.

One of the best ways to ensure that your move goes smoothly is by hiring a trusted moving professional. Find professional movers in your area and get your move on the road today!

For more pointers, read our top nine tips for moving out quickly.

1. Assemble packing materials

The more prepared you are upfront to pack, the quicker packing will go. Begin by gathering the supplies you need, including:

  • A variety of moving boxes

  • Packing tape

  • A permanent marker

  • Packing material, such as Bubble Wrap, plastic wrap, or old newspaper

2. Designate a packing station

Choose a specific room or area to do all your packing, even for a last minute move. While you may be tempted to shove things into boxes throughout your house, this approach doesn't actually save time. By designating a packing station, you can avoid unnecessary mess and stay organized.

3. Stay organized as you pack

Having a system for packing can help you pack more efficiently. Begin with items you don’t use often, and gradually work your way to things you use on a daily basis. Make use of suitcases or anything with drawers by filling them with clothes, towels, and blankets. This strategy minimizes the number of boxes you’ll spend time loading into a truck. Don’t spend time folding and packing clothes; instead, keep clothes on hangers and lay them flat in your vehicle or in wardrobe boxes.

Use a permanent marker to label each box with the name of the room and roughly what's inside. When you’re done packing a box, use color-coded tape to close it, using a different color for each room. This system can help you keep boxes from the same room together on moving day and when you unpack.

Throw away items you don’t use or need anymore. Remember, the fewer things you have to pack, the sooner you’ll be ready to move.

4. Clean and make repairs

When you’re moving out in a rush, it’s easy to forget to clean the home. However, failing to clean your home properly before moving day can cause problems, especially if you’re selling the home. Make sure you have sufficient cleaning supplies on hand.

You may also need to make repairs. Before scheduling a closing, an inspector will go through your home to look for issues the buyer wants fixed before you leave. Some of the smaller items commonly listed in this report include:

  • Small holes, scratches, and dents in the walls

  • Cracks in the outer surface of the home

  • Stains on the wall or carpet surface

Between the inspection and closing, the buyer will perform a final walk-through to see if the issues noted during the inspection are resolved. If the buyer finds unresolved issues or trash or unwanted items throughout the house, they can ask their agent to delay the closing until the home meets their satisfaction.

Cleaning is important for renters as well. By failing to leave a home clean, renters can face long-term consequences. Landlords can hold onto the security deposit and take legal action. If they believe they need more money to clean or fix damages, they can attempt to have the amount owed placed on your credit report.

5. Create a plan for moving day

Moving day can be hectic, which is why it's essential to have a plan for when and how to accomplish all the needed tasks. Make sure you have all the resources in place you’ll need on that day. Even if you hire professionals to do the work, following a schedule will help you meet your deadline for moving out.

If you’re using a moving company, contact them beforehand to double check when they'll arrive. If you’re moving yourself, ask for help from good friends and family members, especially anyone with a pickup truck or tips on moving out.

Rent or borrow a dolly if you’re loading the moving truck yourself, otherwise large furniture and heavy boxes will be difficult to load. Plan on loading the truck from the front to the back and stacking boxes as high as you can.

Getting out of your home quickly can be a stressful process, but planning in advance and staying organized can help you get through it and into your new home.

6. Pack a moving essentials bag

One of the best tips for moving out is to pack a bag of essentials for move-in day. This task is easy to overlook when you’re packing your house quickly, but it’ll pay off the day of your house move. An essentials bag includes a change of clothes, pajamas, toiletries, chargers, medication, toilet paper, and any other daily items you require.

You also want to prepare any household items you’ll need as soon as you get to your new house, such as a shower curtain and dishes. Try to pack these items in one or two clearly labeled boxes so you can find them easily when you arrive.

7. Hire professional movers

Moving house professionals can be an invaluable resource if you need to move quickly. Professional movers are trained to not only help you pack your items but also load a truck and transport your items on move-in day. For a last-minute move, hiring a professional moving company can be a huge relief and take a lot of work off your hands.

8. Hire a junk removal company

When packing, you’ll likely run into items you no longer use or enjoy. You don’t want to move these items to your new home, but you might not know what to do with them. When you’re pressed for time, it’s helpful to hire a junk removal company to take care of these items for you. Junk removers can haul large items, which is perfect if you’re getting rid of furniture like dresser drawers or chairs.

9. Donate food in your pantry

Usually, food isn't something you want to move into a new home, especially when you're facing a last minute move. Look through your pantry for any nonperishable boxed or canned food, and donate it to your local food pantry. For food that is perishable or you can’t donate, try to use it or give it to neighbors during your last week at the house.

Frequently asked questions about how to move out fast

How do you move out of a house really fast?

To move out of a house fast, maximize every moment you have to start packing. Begin by safely packing fragile items in cardboard boxes. That way, if you’re in a rush later and packing more haphazardly, you’ll only have less fragile and everyday items left to pack. Reduce the number of items you need to pack by throwing away anything that’s unusable and donating items that can be reused.

How long before moving out should I start packing?

You should start packing at least six weeks before you move out of your home. A six-week timeline is enough time to clean, organize, and pack your home strategically. To know which tasks to accomplish each week, read our week-by-week checklist for moving into a new house.

How can I pack and move out quickly?

You can pack and move out quickly by creating a plan and following through. First pack essential items you want to take with you that you don’t use every day. If you need to know how to move out quickly and silently for safety reasons, start by packing a bag with items you use daily, like you would for an overnight stay or vacation. If you need to leave on short notice, this bag will be a huge benefit.

You might not have time to gather traditional packing supplies, like boxes. Try to use non-traditional packing materials you already have, such as oversized bags and clothing for wrapping breakable items. In a pinch, use garbage bags to pack clothing and other unbreakable items.

How do I get rid of too much stuff while moving?

As you’re packing, if you realize you have too much stuff, consider selling or donating unwanted items. If you have time, you can host a garage sale for some extra cash to put toward moving costs. Otherwise, donate any gently used items you don't want.

How can I save money on packing supplies?

You can save money on packing supplies by using items you already have and collecting materials you don’t have to purchase. Use towels and linens instead of Bubble Wrap to protect breakables. To pack clothes and other soft items, use trash bags instead of boxes or containers. Try getting boxes from grocery stores or liquor stores instead of buying them.

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