Moving to a new home is rarely easy, and if you’re one of the lucky recipients of a problem-free move, pat yourself on the pat. Typically, a relocation takes months of planning and organising while you still have to juggle home and work life. However, issues are usually straightforward to solve and won’t cause undue delays. But what happens if something goes wrong and it affects the moving-in date?
That’s why backup plans are essential and will form your response. Having something to fall back on will put you in the correct mindset, ready to tackle concerns without overreacting. Quotes play a vital role in any contingency measure because they offer a realistic overview of service. We’ll cover the best options for you in your back pocket, just in case you need to initiate a move immediately.
Your Guide to Emergency Moves –
The main thing to remember when it comes to emergency relocation is that they don’t happen regularly. Think of them as a blip on the removals radar, and a majority of moves happen on time. That doesn’t mean they all go to plan, but nothing significantly occurs to cause a delay. A reliable moving company will have solutions to most issues and will move you in according to plan. Just make a note now to start organising and planning early to stay ahead of the curve.
It’s not possible to prepare for all eventualities, no matter how hard you try. But you can put things in place now to have a plan of action in the event of something serious happening. The basics of solving problems are within anyone’s capabilities and reach. Having a contingency or two in place is the key ingredient to this.
In this article, we’ll put together a guide on how to identify potential complications beforehand. The aim is to keep things simple and remove any emotion from the situation if something is shaky. You need to act calmly and decisively if things don’t go how you hope. Let’s start with setting the best mindset during the pre-move stages.
Please Don’t Panic! I Said Don’t Panic!
In the rare instance where you cannot move straight into your next property, the first reaction tends to be pressing the panic button. It’s easy to understand – delays cause massive issues, and rushing a move without thinking things through. A domino effect ensues that leads to additional rash decisions. You might feel it’s the only reasonable response, and it’s time to act with haste to find somewhere secure for your possessions.
That’s where planning and a shift in problem-solver mode come into play, and you don’t have to wait for the inciting incident to take action. The starting point is to ask this question – can you fix this yourself? i.e., is it even possible for you to correct whatever’s causing the holdup? If it’s within your power, no problem, jump into action and get things sorted out. The reality is, that it’s probably not something you can solve without assistance.
You’ll need to work out the core needs of your circumstances without overthinking them. For example, if the setback is due to the other seller, you’re unlikely to be in a position to remedy the situation. The main one is securing your belongings while this is going on. In the next section, we’ll discuss the benefits of using storage. Doing this gives you more time to concentrate on finding temporary accommodation. And your removals provider will be able to adjust the rest for you.
Secure Your Belongings with Self Storage for Delays –
Instead of ringing everyone you know, frantically hoping to use their garage or spare room, think of things logically. The better option is to have all your belongings in one place and within your control. It also needs to be secure and accessible at a moment’s notice because you never know when the delay will end. This rules out trying to cram boxes and appliances into your mother’s guest room or cousin’s loft.
Here’s a logical suggestion that most people don’t think of. When you receive the upsetting news that you can’t move in, discuss it with your moving company before anyone else. A majority of removals companies have storage facilities and add-ons you can add to your existing package. If they don’t, the likelihood is they can make a professional referral. An additional bonus if they have storage facilities is you’ll have every service under one roof and no need to add another company.
Self storage is the most flexible package that suits emergencies, mainly because you can go in and out of your unit without any limits. All providers differ in their services, but most give you unlimited access during their business hours. Some will even help you if it’s outside regular opening times if you discuss it with them. Most will have top-notch security measures in place. Yes, it’s an extra cost, but safeguarding your possessions is the priority here.
Book a Reliable Moving Company –
This section can set the tone for everything else that follows when it comes to moving. Take your time and research removal companies thoroughly before you get your credit or debit card out. It’s crucial that you find a moving company that’s in your area and has excellent reviews. It’s worth taking the extra time to also read as many testimonials from previous customers as possible. This will give you a plausible indication of what level of service you’ll receive.
Reputation is the currency of a service provider, and most will do everything possible to meet their customers’ expectations. Additionally, people tend to want others to know when they receive a good or bad service. And when the chips are down, the best companies perform and pull through for their clients, even if it creates more work on their side. If they continue to strive for customer care and service delivery, this is likely their standard quality.
However tempting it might be to go with a removals provider who offers rock bottom prices, stop and think whether that’s to compensate for something else. Make sure you cross-reference rates and customer service before committing. Ask for quotes from at least three providers, and be mindful of how they frame this. Go with the one that feels right and allows you space to make your decision.
Find Temporary Accommodation –
In instances where the emergency is a delay in moving, you’ll need to find somewhere to stay without hanging around. Prepare for this by looking online for short-term rental properties, as well as hotels, B&Bs and Airbnb. Even though this eventuality is at the extreme end of problems you might encounter, it’s better to have the information at hand, just in case this happens.
Compile a list of places within your budget in the area you’re currently staying or the following location. Work out how much it would cost for a certain amount of time, possibly using a Word or Excel document for price differences. Then you’ll have to put that aside with your moving costs as part of your overall relocation budget. This might sound over the top, but you can also use the money for other things later.
Alternatively, discuss with friends and family to have somewhere ready for you to stay. It might be worth also discussing storage with them at the same time, so they can give you an idea of how much space is free. You never know what could crop up when you begin preparing for a relocation. Having something in place will help you relax and confidently progress towards your moving day.
List Any Issues and Work Backwards –
Now it’s time for the contingency plan checklist. Let’s begin by writing down all possible issues, and don’t skimp on the details. This isn’t fear-mongering – it’s preparation, which is often the difference between a successful relocation or one that’s…less so. If you have a good idea of what can go wrong, it’s possible to plan ahead and anticipate them.
The trick is to reverse engineer each potential risk point. This is how you’ll work out your backup measures. You then seek quotes and discuss services where relevant, including contact details and information about their packages. And don’t be afraid to ask for help from loved ones; they’ll understand and will probably praise your forward planning.
The Move, Store & More team is happy to help wherever possible. Simply comment on this blog, DM or email us with any questions, and we’ll assist with any research. We’re always thinking of ways to assist followers and can delve into more detail on individual cases. Having a contingency plan of action can make a huge difference, making it possible to tackle your relocation without fear. You’ll know exactly what to do if a significant problem arises.
Move Store & More – Keep Your Cool for Last-Minute Moves –
So, that’s the end of our article on last-minute relocations and storage. It’s our mission to dig through the information that’s out there in Planet Google. Then, we’ll read it, compare it, compile and assess everything before deciding which bits work best. By balancing this online advice with our own professional and personal experiences, we hope to provide you with helpful information.
Emergency relocations are the last thing anyone wants to think about when they’re busy organising their next move. That said, it’s much better to know how to sort things out now rather than trying to put out fires later. Trust us when we say that you’ll have more than enough on your plate when you’re approaching the final week of your relocation.
If you still have questions regarding this topic that we haven’t covered, please get in touch or leave a comment, and we’ll do some additional digging. Wherever possible, we’ll seek answers and will revert.
We’ll be back with a new blog shortly. Until then, go well, and we hope you’ll Move, Store & More with us soon.