Moving to another house is definitely one of the most exciting and important life events. Yet, at the same time, it can become quite overwhelming and stressful, most of all at the actual time of planning and carrying out the move. This is a very important step toward a smooth and successful move. As a result, many people find themselves pondering, “How far in advance should I book my movers?” This complete guide to just the right time needed to get a moving company on your books looks into key considerations, making sure your experience is in line with your expectations.
What is more, this will also be helpful in terms of the industry expert’s general advice. As a general rule, it is advisable to make a booking from 2 to 4 weeks in advance for local moves and 4 to 6 weeks for long-distance and interstate relocations to secure the best deal and availability. This will enable them to plan and allocate necessary resources well in advance, free from the complications that are likely to be experienced if peculiar or specific needs and requirements are realized at the last minute.
However, a couple of variables need to be considered that can only determine how early you would have to book such moving services. One of the most important factors is the time of year you want to make a move. Peak season in the moving industry is normally referred to the months during summer (May to September) when it has high demand but with little availability. That is a very busy period for moves, so book your moving company as far ahead as possible – ideally, 6-8 weeks – to secure the moving date you want and avoid disappointment.
Another major consideration is the complexity of your move.
If your special needs include moving fragile or valuable items (like antiques, artwork, musical instruments), large or heavy pieces of furniture, or a lot of your property, it should be mentioned here that the mover needs time to prepare for this. In such a case, aim at booking your movers between four and six weeks in advance of local moves and six to eight weeks for long-distance relocations. The long time for evaluation will allow the moving company to evaluate your needs in such a way that it is adequately prepared for your dispatch, sending out the right equipment, material, and expertise to handle your move most professionally and gently.
Flexibility with your move dates can also play a very big role in how far in advance you’ll need to book a mover. Should your schedule be flexible enough, consider being a little bit flexible with the dates of moving. You might just land a moving company with shorter notice. This flexible consideration, though, would imply that there can be limited choices and higher prices in consideration because of the last-minute booking that might just have to be put up with in such a scenario. If there are some specific dates in your mind, and especially when pushed to move within a very limited time frame, always err on the side of caution and book your movers at the earliest possible date. Cleaning services Seattle can handle the cleaning tasks, allowing you to focus on other critical aspects of your relocation.
Budget when you decide on the timing for booking your movers
Many moving companies offer special discounts or deals on bookings in advance or off-peak seasons. Making the reservations of your move plenty in advance just might let you take advantage of these money-saving opportunities and reduce the total cost of your moving experience. More importantly, thus, early booking also gives ample time in comparing quotes from different moving companies to be able to find the perfect balance of quality service provision at affordable rates.
Along with that, you will finalize the other parts of your move timeline. In the case of moving out from a rental, there are formalities to carry out with your landlord, such as the issuance of proper notice as dictated by the terms of the lease. This could mean giving 30, 60, or even 90 days’ notice, depending upon the terms of your lease. Finally, moving locally or internationally will involve either selling your current home and buying a new one. It’s very important to align your moving date with the closing dates of both properties; otherwise, it would be a source of complication or extra expenses like temporary storage and double mortgage payments.
Amount of time it takes one to pack and prepare his belongings for moving
Assuming, of course, that you have taken up a full-service moving package, and this involves packing, then this process will be an extra service that the movers have to take up extra time to perform. In that case, one should book his/her movers even earlier, i.e., 6-8 weeks in advance for local moves and 8-10 weeks for long distance, so that he/she can be better guaranteed that the process will go well. This will further give one a chance to declutter, organize, and properly label their belongings in effective packing, so they can reduce the chances of being damaged or lost during the process of moving.
Keep your focus instead on your move, but do remember the other important services that will streamline the entire process and keep your overall workload down. For instance, using cleaning services to even deep clean the old house in which you live before moving out, or cleaning up the new place for settlement, can be a pretty handy way of stress-free and time-saving affairs.
In addition, if there are items like a piano, pool table, or a large safe that will need some tender care or consideration during the moving, ensure you tell the moving company that very early before your moving. Some of these items may even require special equipment, additional manpower, or separate transportation in regard to the overall timeline and cost of your move. That allows the movers enough time to be well organized, affording you the level of expertise expected in handling your belongings with care.
This is the secret for successful and completely stress-free relocation:
Draw up a plan and book a moving company well in advance. Generally, you should try to book your movers between 2 and 4 weeks for a local move or 4-6 weeks for a long-distance move ahead. During the pick season or in case one has a very complicated move with special requirements, it is always better to book earlier: 6-8 weeks in advance for local moves, and 8-10 weeks if it refers to a long-distance relocation. This guarantees availability and smooth moving experience. You are on track to having a flawless and perfectly efficient move simply by taking your time to research, compare, and book your movers well in advance. This then leaves you with less to worry about and more time to enjoy the excitement of a new chapter in your life.
We hope you found this blog post How Far In Advance Should I Book Movers? useful. Be sure to check out our post Making the Big Move: Guide to Hiring Movers for more great tips!
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