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Sometimes life throws you a curveball, and you find yourself needing to move out of your place immediately. The good news? With a bit of hustle and the right mindset, same-day moving can be done – and done successfully. Here are our top X tips to help you get through a last-minute move.
1. Make a Plan
Stay calm and take a few deep breaths. We know same-day moving is a lot to take in. As a first step, we recommend creating a plan to prevent "chaos mode." Grab your phone or a piece of paper and jot down your must-do tasks: gathering boxes, finding moving help, renting a truck, etc. Even a fundamental checklist will help you reduce stress.
Prioritize what needs to happen today. We also recommend that you rent a storage unit immediately, so please be sure to add that to your plan. If you’re not fully ready to move into a new space, self-storage is a great “dumping ground” for your furniture and boxes during your transition.
2. Find a Same Day Mover
Now is the time to call in a favor from friends and family. If they live locally, your inner circle can be key for helping provide the manpower to move. But if you need to hire additional help, same-day movers are often available. You just need to know where to look.
- TaskRabbit: Find a local “tasker” that’s available for same-day moving help, which may include lifting, loading, and unloading. You can book instantly, see taskers’ reviews, and choose one based on their availability and your budget.
- U-Haul Moving Help: While you may think of U-Haul for renting a moving truck, they sometimes offer labor-only movers who can assist within business hours.
- Thumbtack: Post your moving needs on Thumbtack and receive quotes from local movers in minutes. There’s also a way to filter for “urgent” jobs to see who is readily available.
- HireAHelper: This site specializes in last-minute moving help with verified crews. The site is transparent with pricing and availability, and you can book directly online.
Local moving companies may also offer emergency or same-day services. Do a quick Google search for short-distance movers near you and see if their website says things such as: “same day availability,” “last minute moves,” or “emergency moving services.”
If these resources aren’t yielding the results you need, you can ask your neighbors for their assistance or recommendation. Post an inquiry on Facebook Local Groups or Nextdoor (which is free to join!). A word of caution, though. Ensure that you vet the candidate carefully and request references. These sites and groups are prone to scammers.
3. Rent a Truck
If you’re lucky enough to have assembled your moving team of friends and family, renting a moving truck is one of the fastest ways to conquer same-day moving. 10’, 15’, and 20’ trucks are the most common sizes for most local household moves.
Many national rental companies, including U-Haul, Penske, Budget Truck Rental, and Enterprise, offer online reservations, real-time availability, and after-hours pickup options. Hardware stores, such as Home Depot and Lowe’s, rent trucks by the hour. This is great for short, local moves.
4. Hire a Helper for Packing
Need even more help? Hiring professional packers and movers can be a lifesaver during a same-day move. Find moving help that will pack your items, including wrapping fragile items, boxing your belongings, and labeling your boxes.
To find same-day packers and movers, we recommend many of the websites you can use to find a moving company: TaskRabbit, Thumbtack, HireAHelper, and MovingLabor.com.
5. Sort by Necessity and Function
Now is not the time to get sentimental and sort through every item you have. Think about functionality and necessity first. Group functional everyday items together: kitchen utensils and cookware, bathroom toiletries, cleaning supplies, etc. Instead of sorting through your sentimental items, box them up. These items should be stored and sorted at a later date.
6. Use What You Have for Packing Material
To save time (and money) on purchasing packing materials, reuse what you have. Use laundry baskets, suitcases, duffle bags, reusable shopping bags, trash bags, and dresser drawers to quickly pack things. You can use socks, pillowcases, and towels to wrap and protect your delicates.
Check out our guide on our money-saving packing hacks – these tips will provide insight on everyday items that can be used for packing and moving.
7. Rent a Storage Unit
Since time is of the essence, you may not be able to move and unpack fully within a day. That’s where self-storage comes in. Renting a self-storage unit is a great plan. You can move the bulk of your stuff into storage and only move the things you need right away.
Choose a storage facility that offers drive-up access, online rentals, and month-to-month leases to make things extra quick and easy. Rent a storage unit now and worry about unpacking later.
8. Pack a “Day One” Bag
You'll want to pack an essentials bag for yourself (and anyone moving with you). This should include a change of clothes, a toothbrush and toiletries, medications, and a phone charger. Also, we would recommend including a few rolls of toilet paper, a roll of paper towels, and a basic surface cleaner. You’ll thank yourself at the end of the day when you’re ready to crash.
Same-Day Moving & Self Storage: Rent Now
Same-day moving can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools, a solid plan, and a little help, it’s totally doable. Whether you're packing in a hurry, calling in reinforcements, or loading up a rental truck, don’t forget that self-storage is your secret weapon during the chaos.
Storage Star is here to support your move with flexible, secure, and easily accessible storage units. With convenient locations, online rentals, and features like drive-up access, we make it easy to buy yourself some breathing room. We also offer vehicle storage solutions at many of our locations if you need to store a car, RV, or motorcycle in the interim.
Find a storage unit near you and make your same-day move a little less stressful and a whole lot smoother.
