In a perfect world, you'd be able to pick and choose the most ideal time to relocate. Unfortunately, life has its own unpredictable timing, and it's not always possible to be picky about planning your move. Still, if you're one of the lucky few who has the luxury of planning your next move in advance, doing so with careful attention to timing can save you a lot of frustration, hassle, and even cost! This is especially true if you plan on hiring a professional moving company to assist you, as booking your move during a non-peak time of year will make it easier to find a company that can accommodate your scheduling needs for a competitive price.
The Best (And Worst) Times of Year to Schedule a Move
It's probably not too surprising to learn that the worst time of year to schedule a move is generally during the summer months. After all, this is when the majority of families with children are already trying to move, especially if their children are school-aged (as most parents prefer their children to start at a new school at the beginning of an academic year). This means moving company's schedules tend to fill up more quickly during the summer months, so unless you book far in advance, you may have a harder time getting moving help. Pricing during peak-season for moving companies also tends to be higher based on demand.
With this in mind, the best time of year to move is generally during the winter months. Business for moving companies during these times has usually slowed down, especially with the holidays, so finding a professional mover to accommodate you should be easier (even if you're moving at the last minute).
In addition to moving during the late fall and winter months, you might also want to consider scheduling your move during the middle of the month if at all possible. That's because the very beginning and end of the month tend to be busier for moving companies based on higher demand, as many lease rentals expire on the 1st of the month. This means that most people moving to or from a lease are looking to move at the very beginning or end, rather than smack-dab in the middle of the month.
Finally, while it may not be practical for everyone's work schedules, scheduling a weekday move instead of a weekend move can also be a great way to save money and avoid schedule conflicts with a professional mover. If you have a flexible job and can take some time off to move in the middle of the week, the savings may be worth it!
Other Important Considerations
Aside from planning your move to save money and ensure easier scheduling with a moving company, there are some other considerations that might affect the timing of your upcoming move. Depending on the climate where you live, for example, moving towards the tail-end of December might mean moving in snowy, icy, or otherwise unfavorable conditions. And of course, moving during a major travel holiday (such as Thanksgiving) could mean additional traffic on the road, which could delay your move. However, this is more likely to be an issue if you're taking on a long-distance move rather than a local one, so it will really depend on your unique situation.
When possible, a little bit of planning and foresight can go a long way in saving money (and your sanity!) when preparing for a move. And by taking your unique needs into consideration, you can ultimately decide on the best time for you to execute your next move.
Let us help you plan your upcoming move. Click here to get started.
