Dealing With an Inconvenient House Move – A Guide

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Moving house is possibly the most inconvenient time of your life. Not only are you picking up every element of where you’re anchored but transitioning that orbit to a new place entirely. It can feel quite uprooting, because it is. 

Now, even if everything goes as expected you may find yourself feeling a little dizzied by this approach. But what if a difficult life circumstance is present, also? Perhaps that can make the hardship of moving even more pronounced.

For example, perhaps a loved one suffers a medical issue, and you need to help out. Or maybe your boss places a very necessary business trip in your lap a few days before you head off, and you simply must go because you’re the only one who can. Or perhaps there wasn’t quite enough time to move out comfortably, but the buyer of your house demanded to be in by a certain date and was willing to pay extra for the convenience on their end.

Whatever the reason, figuring out your steps forward can feel dizzying. Never fear, because we hope to help you with that:

Use Mobile Storage Containers

Mobile storage containers can feel like a friendly hand when you’re facing a tight or unpredictable moving schedule, because these containers are delivered to your property, allowing you to pack them at your own pace and then can be moved pretty easily from there. Once you’re ready, they’re transported to your new location or stored temporarily until you’re able to unload them. This means it could be waiting outside your new property for a month if that’s what you really need.

The flexibility this provides is ideal for moves that you’re trying to manage but aren’t your main priority right now, because you’re not stuck coordinating with movers for one specific day, and you have the added benefit of keeping your belongings safe without having to immediately unpack everything. It’ll also encourage good organization and packing planning, which is great practice to get into anyway.

Consider An Incremental Move

If you have access to both properties for a little one, that means not every move has to happen in one big day. In this case, moving in stages makes more sense. If possible, start moving smaller items early that can be stored in the new space for a good amount of time. Your books, some kitchen items, decorations – these can go first without you needing them at all. That’s because if you count the items you really use in a day, or over a week, you may be surprised how little it is.

This way, your approach breaks down a massive task into smaller, manageable pieces. That means when the big moving day comes, you’ll have already reduced your workload significantly or can travel at the drop of a hat if everything is now prepared to go.

Use Self-Storage

If you’re not sure where you need to be but know you have to move out, then self-storage containers can give you enough time to put everything up in the meantime and collect it when you’re most ready. They’re not quite as moveable and convenient as storage containers but they can help you find space in an emergency, perhaps if your buyer is moving in within a few days.

They also tend to be quite cheap which can be worthwhile if your budget is tight. Just remember that the longer they’re stored for, the more you’ll pay.

Delegate To Trusted Ones with Specific Guides

While it might not be your first choice, the best way to handle a move fraught with other difficulties involves asking for help. Family and friends who are willing to lend a hand can make an enormous impact, but you really need to be clear about what you need from them, when, and how.

Instead of giving vague instructions like “pack up the kitchen,” try being more specific: “Pack up the non-perishable pantry items and label them clearly in the boxes I’ve provided” – this is a good instruction. You can also trust them to do a good job, because they’ll want to. You can go around your house and label everything important to you to keep if you can’t pack in the interim. Perhaps you could even offer payment or another reward for their efforts, returning the favor when necessary. They might just do it for free, especially if they know your time is being spent looking after one of their relatives too. 

Make sure to open a group chat and be open about what your needs are. This can prevent any confusion or worries going on, which would otherwise cause a little friction.

Discuss Your Advanced Needs with The Seller

If you’re moving there’s a good chance you’ve bought a new place from someone, and so having an open conversation with the seller about any specific needs you may have can sometimes give you a little breathing room. 

For example, if you need access to the home earlier than the official move-in date and are willing to pay for it, or are hoping to keep certain fixtures in place, it’s worth bringing these topics up as early as possible. You never know what they might be willing to accommodate you with, and you’ll never know if you don’t ask about it.

Be Prepared for Hotel or Rental Use

It’s smart to have a backup plan for temporary housing, just in case. Depending on your situation that might involve booking a hotel or arranging a short-term rental, as having a place to stay ensures you’re not scrambling for accommodations at the last minute.

This is especially helpful if delays come without warning (as they so often do) such as your new property not being ready in time, or unexpected travel requirements pulling you away during the moving process. This should be considered part of the wider moving budget, especially if the chances of being called away weren’t all too unlikely.

With this advice, we hope you can more easily deal with an inconvenient house move going forward.

*This article is based on personal suggestions and/or experiences and is for informational purposes only. This should not be used as professional advice. Please consult a professional where applicable.