What’s the best time of year to move? Does it have to do with the weather, the housing market, the school year, or some other factor? Many people don’t have much wiggle room in choosing their move date, but if you’re someone who does, here are some things to consider when planning your move.
Think about the season. The cheapest time of year to move is the winter because that’s when the fewest people want to move. If you have the flexibility to plan your move for winter, you’re likely to be able to line up a moving company quickly. Fall and spring are good seasons for moving if you’re concerned about the weather, and fall is a good time to get a good deal on a house. Summer is the most hectic season for moving companies, and the heat can make it tricky if you’re moving heat sensitive items or moving with pets. Peak moving season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day because kids are out of school, and most people want to get a jump on the school year in their new place. On the other hand, if you have kids of your own, you probably want to do the same thing. Further, summer is a good time to get a high price for your house if you’re selling, so it may actually be the ideal time for you when you take these factors into consideration.
Consider the characteristics of your town. Do you live in a college town? If so, the best time of year to move apartments definitely won’t be in early fall. When college students are flooding into town, you’ll probably have a hard time finding both an apartment and a moving company. Research the most popular moving or lease start and end dates in your town before you pick a date. Think about the weather in your area, too, because if you live in a climate with extreme weather, you’ll need to plan accordingly to avoid major storms or dangerously high or low temperatures.
During slower times of year, you’re likely to get better service. During peak moving season, moving companies have to take on extra employees to handle the load. Now, if you’ve taken the time to vet your moving company and check their references, you can still be confident that the people handling your move will know what they’re doing. If you want the seasoned professionals, though, go for a slower time of year, when the seasonal help has moved on and only the very best movers are left. Consider, too, that when you move during a busy time, you may be sharing your day with another person’s move. Schedule for the slow season and you’ll have movers for a longer stretch, and they’ll be better able to provide careful attention to your belongings.
Mid-month is better than the beginning or end. Why? Because most leases end at the end of the month, so most people want to move either toward the end of the month or at the very beginning. Even if you can’t schedule right in the middle of the month, avoid the first and last weekend. In fact, it’s best to avoid weekends altogether, as we’ll discuss in our next point.
The day of the week matters. Most people work during the week and have their free time on the weekends. It makes sense, then, that the weekends are the most hectic time for moving companies. If you have the flexibility to take time off work for your move, you’ll find yourself in a much better position to schedule moving help. About 38 percent of moves happen on Fridays and Saturdays, and although Sundays are slower, many movers won’t be available or will charge higher rates. Scheduling between Monday and Thursday is your best bet, and to narrow it down further, consider that Tuesday is the slowest moving day of the week, with only about 11 percent of moves occurring on Tuesdays. If you can schedule your move between October and March, on a Tuesday, during normal business hours, you’ll probably have the easiest time, the best service, and the least expensive move.
Mornings are best for movers and moving. Even if you’re moving yourself, it’s best to start early in the morning. Why? Because if you start before the sun reaches its peak, it will be a more comfortable experience. You don’t want to be doing all of that strenuous labor in the heat of the day, and neither do professional moving crews. That’s why they’ll typically schedule your move for the early morning hours.
Ultimately, the best time to move is a subjective decision. It doesn’t matter if weekends are more expensive and busier if you can’t get off work during the week. Similarly, while spring may be a good time to move for many people, if you have kids, it’s probably the worst time because spring is typically a very important time in school. And if you’re locked into being in a new town at the beginning of the month but you can’t leave your current responsibilities until the end of the month before that, you obviously can’t schedule a mid-month move.
If you have to move at an inopportune time, your best bet is to schedule early. If you absolutely cannot get away from the busy season, the weekend, or the busiest time of month, find movers and get on their schedule as quickly as possible. Don’t make the mistake of procrastinating and finding yourself with limited options as your moving date looms.
No matter what you decide is the best time, when you’re ready to move, it’s time to call Firefighting’s Finest Moving & Storage. We are dedicated to providing efficient, safe, and professional commercial and home moving services, as the moving partner you can rely on. Founded in 2001 by two off-duty firefighters, we’ve grown to serve not only the Dallas/Fort Worth area, but also Houston and Austin as well. A locally-owned-and-operated business, we exceed all state and federal requirements for a moving company and can handle all of your moving needs. Call 844-715-6625 or visit our website for an estimate.
