Is your current home just not working for you? Maybe you’re looking for new apartments or houses to buy/rent. But before you rush to leave your current residence for something better, you should plan your move carefully as to save yourself some money and a lot of headaches.
The truth is that there is no general best time to move, as that depends on your specific circumstances, so you have to choose what works best for you. Will you move during summer or winter? Weekend or weekday? We’ll go over all of this and more in our article!
Best Season for Moving
If you look at the statistics, you will see that most people move during the summer. The reason for this is that the weather is usually pleasant, the kids are out of school, and there are lots of properties listed on the market, so it’s no wonder that most folks choose this time of the year.
On the flip side, being such a popular time means that moving companies will be overbooked, prices will be up, and you could have difficulty scheduling your move at a reasonable price or at all. The weather can also range from fairly mild to absolutely scorching, putting you and your belongings at risk.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, winter is a time of very low demand for moving companies, which means you can easily book your move and might even pay a much lower price.
However, winter weather can be cold and harsh, with pouring rain or heavy snowfall, depending on where you live. Such conditions can make your move highly unpleasant, slow and even dangerous. Days are also the shortest in the dead of winter, so you could have to lug around boxes in the dark.
Spring and autumn are milder when compared to summer and winter, so the weather is more forgiving – there might be bouts of rain, but nothing too dramatic. These seasons are also less popular than summer for moving, so you can book easily and for a reduced price.
Best Months for Moving
The most popular months to move are from May to September, which coincides with the summer moving boom. However, this period is extremely busy, so it would be wise to choose another time if you can.
If you want a better price for your move and to avoid the summertime rush, it’s best to schedule your move sometime from the second half of September until April. These months are less busy for moving companies, and the weather can still be amicable if you don’t choose to move during the middle of winter, that is.
Best Weeks for Moving
Some times of the month are better for moving than others. Most rental leases usually end either at the beginning or the end of the month, which makes that period much busier.
Moving services are in high demand around those times, so consider scheduling your move around the middle of the month, when demand is less, and prices might be just a bit better.
Best Days for Moving
People often pick weekends for moving, which is logical, as it won’t involve them not going to work or the kids having to skip school. This also makes weekends the busiest time of the week, and moving companies might be overbooked.
Industry experts recommend moving between Monday and Thursday, as demand is much less during those days. Yes, it might involve skipping a day or two of work/school, but you’ll also save yourself a huge headache, and you’ll still have the weekend to settle in your new home!
Best Time of the Day for Moving
The early bird gets the worm, and the early mover gets everything done quickly! Start your move early in the morning to have the whole day ahead. Moving companies might want to begin from 8 to 10 in the morning, as there’s less traffic, the temperature is bearable, and it leaves time for other work to be done afterwards.
If you’re not an early bird, then you could always start in the early afternoon. This leaves less time in the day, and you might have to unload boxes during the evening. If you are hiring professional movers, they could always experience delays during their morning appointment, which could lead to your move running late, as well.
Best Time for Moving with Children
Most people with school-age children choose to move during the summer, as the kids are on break and won’t have to skip classes. This is even more important if you move long distances, as your kids will have to change schools.
However, as we said before, summer is also the busiest time for moving, and you will have difficulties booking your move at a reasonable price. You can always work around this issue if you arrange your move long in advance, but that’s not always possible.
Moving out during spring, autumn, or winter might cost you less, but it will involve some school-related headaches. If your kids will be staying in the same school, all you might have to worry about is some skipped classes or even none if you move on the weekend.
However, if you are moving long distances, then doing so during the school year could be quite stressful for your children. Having to make new friends, adapting to a different environment and keeping up with all their classes can be difficult for kids, so keep that in mind when choosing when to move.
Additional Factors to Consider When Moving
Besides the main concerns we listed above, there are some other things you should take into account as well:
- Variable weather. The weather where you’re moving from and where you’re moving to might differ vastly depending on the local climatic conditions. Inform yourself beforehand, keep checking the forecast for both locations until the day of the move, and prepare yourself accordingly.
- Holidays. Avoid moving during any big national holidays. Even if moving companies do work during those days, the prices might be very steep. The traffic is always worse during holidays, so that could make your moving experience all the more miserable.
- Cost. You must factor in all the costs for your move in advance. Ask several moving companies for quotes and calculate your budget accordingly. If renting, don’t forget that you’ll need the first and last month’s rent, plus a security deposit, for your new home.
Conclusion
That’s a lot to consider before moving, right? But with careful planning several months in advance, the whole moving process will transform from a huge headache to a minor inconvenience. And now that you’ve read our article, you know when to schedule the big day!
Whether you only need a man and van or a whole crew to assist you, it’s important to pick a moving company that is trustworthy and reliable. Choose one that works with vetted professionals to help make your move a breeze and enjoy the results!
