What’s the best time to move? When it comes to a moving timeline, you might have limited flexibility. Sometimes job relocations, military orders, school schedules, or other factors might determine your moving timeframe. But when you have control over your schedule (like winter vs. summer or peak season vs. off-season moving), timing can play a big role in both the cost and your experience. A quality moving partner (like Scobey) will help make your move as streamlined and stress-free as possible — regardless of the time of year or schedule. However, choosing the right time to move can save you money and help you avoid common challenges.
Let’s dive into moving costs by season and other factors affecting your move.
Importance of Timing in Moving Plans
Timing plays a big role in making sure your move is seamless and smooth. The time of year is definitely a factor, but having time to plan, pack, and prepare is also important! A well-planned moving timeline can reduce stress, minimize disruptions to your schedule, and help you settle into your new home more comfortably.
If you’re wondering how soon you need to start preparing for your move, check out this free, downloadable checklist!
When it comes to the best time to move, peak season vs. off-season moving each have benefits and challenges. Moving in winter vs. summer affects the costs, the availability of professional movers and rental trucks, and other logistics. Here are some factors to consider for each season of the year.
Seasonal Moving Trends
Peak Season: Summer (June-August)
For professional movers, summertime is peak moving season. Moving companies (like Scobey) experience higher demand for our services during the summer months. This can impact moving costs and availability.
Are you preparing for a move during the summer? You might find this step-by-step blog post for planning your summertime move helpful!
Moving Costs by Season: Why Summer Is Busy
Summer is the most popular time to move for several reasons. Families with children tend to move during this period to align with school vacations and avoid mid-year disruptions. College students often move out of dorms or apartments in the summer. Managing logistics tends to be simpler in warm weather compared to the challenges posed by the snow and sleet during off-season moving. And to add to this, the housing market is often more active in the summer, leading to more homes on the market.
Whatever time of year you’re moving, beware of moving brokers. These companies advertise cheap moving times but hand off your move to (often unreliable and unlicensed) subcontractors. A professional mover (like Scobey) will always be transparent about costs and availability and will make sure your move is handled seamlessly by experts.
Tips for Moving in Summer
From avoiding inclement weather to organizing a goodbye barbeque, many people find summer the best time to move. Here are some tips for moving during the summertime:
- Book Early: With high demand, moving companies’ schedules tend to fill up quickly. To get the best moving costs by season, booking at least two months in advance is recommended.
- Be Flexible With Dates: Generally, weekends at the beginning or end of the month are in high demand. If there’s “off-season moving” times of week, it would be Monday through Wednesday.
- Prepare for Heat: Make sure to stay hydrated, and consider starting early in the day to avoid the midday heat (we’re looking at you, Texas summers!).
- Anticipate Potential Delays: With increased traffic and moving activity, it’s wise to allow extra time for your move. Movers often provide a delivery window to account for these unpredictable factors and to manage schedules effectively.
Would you like more information about delivery windows? Check out this blog!
Off-Season Moving: Fall, Winter, Spring
Like we mentioned, summer is peak moving season, so it might be tougher to find cheap moving times with a reliable moving partner. With lower demand than peak season, fall, spring, or winter vs. summer moving might offer lower costs and more availability. Each season has unique advantages and challenges that impact your moving decision.
In your situation, is the off-season the best time to move? Let’s look at some of the pros and cons.
Moving in Winter
Pros:
- Lower Demand and Costs: The lower demand in winter can mean lower prices and greater availability of moving services.
- Negotiable Rates: Since it’s not peak season, moving companies might offer lower moving costs by season during this slower period.
- Easier Scheduling: With fewer people moving, you may have more flexibility in choosing your moving date and time.
Cons:
- Weather Challenges: Snow, ice, and rain can pose risks and complicate logistics. Moving trucks may have difficulty navigating icy roads.
- Fewer Daylight Hours: Less daylight can make completing moves in a single day challenging, potentially increasing the time and cost.
Tips for Moving in Winter
Are you planning a winter move? Sometimes cheap moving times in winter outweigh the challenges of the season. If this is the best time to move for your situation, here are some tips to make winter vs. summer moving more merry and manageable.
- Monitor Weather Forecasts: Keep an eye on the weather and have a backup plan in place. A quality moving partner will stay in communication and keep you in the loop about any delays or unforeseen events.
- Protect Your Belongings: Use plastic bins instead of cardboard boxes to protect against moisture. A professional mover has the right equipment to pack and transport your belongings safely.
- Clear Paths: Make sure all pathways are clear of snow and ice to prevent accidents.
- Check Utilities: Call ahead to ensure the heat and electricity are turned on at your new home before moving in.
If you’re moving during December to February, you might find this blog post about wintertime moving helpful.
Moving in Spring and Fall
Spring and fall are often called “shoulder seasons” because they’re the times between peak and off-season moving. What are the benefits of moving during the spring or fall?
Advantages:
- Moderate Weather: Spring and fall usually have milder temperatures. This can make moving and packing more comfortable.
- Better Pricing: Looking for lower moving costs by season? Spring or fall may offer lower pricing compared to summer.
- Balanced Availability: Movers often have more availability than in summer — but without the weather issues that tend to happen during winter.
Special Considerations
Are the “shoulder seasons” the best time to move for your schedule? There are pros and cons to moving in winter vs. summer, but spring and autumn offer many of the pros without the biggest cons (including cheap moving times compared to peak season).
Even with these benefits, there are still challenges to be aware of. Spring showers bring flowers, but they can also cause water damage to your belongings, so be prepared for rain and protect your items accordingly. When autumn leaves abound, “fall” can be literal! As you’re moving, watch out for slippery leaves and debris, and make sure your movers have the right training and equipment for the job. Whatever the season, a quality moving partner (like Scobey) can take the guesswork out of making sure your belongings are safe and ensuring the move proceeds without a hitch.
Tips for Moving in Spring and Fall
- Schedule Flexibly: Mid-month and mid-week moves can offer additional savings.
- Check for Allergies: Spring pollen can be an issue for allergy sufferers, so keep medications handy.
- Be Prepared for Changes in Weather: Though spring and fall are generally milder than summer or winter, weather can change quickly. When you’re moving during these seasons, make sure to keep a jacket and umbrella handy.
Day and Month Timing
As we’ve seen, there are differences in moving costs by season. But regardless of the time of year, weekly and monthly schedules also affect pricing.
Moving Costs by Month
- Early vs. Late in the Month: Many people prefer to move at the beginning or end of the month, so that’s when there’s the most demand. “Off-season moving” could be considered mid-month, and it often costs less.
- Consider School Schedules: If you have school-aged children, factor in their school calendar when planning your move. Would moving in winter vs. summer be more disruptive to their schedules? What about moving during Spring Break or another school holiday? Weighing these factors helps determine the best time to move for your family.
Days of the Week
- Weekend vs. Mid-Week: Weekends are popular but pricier. If possible, consider scheduling a mid-week move. In general, Monday through Wednesday are the cheap moving times of the week.
Tips for Day and Month Timing
Regardless of the season, here are some tips to reduce stress and make the most of your moving schedule:
- Avoid Holidays: Moving around holidays can be stressful, with increased traffic and limited moving service availability.
- Consider Personal Schedules: Sync your move with family and work schedules to minimize disruption.
- Plan Ahead: The end of the month can be especially busy (due to lease turnovers and other factors). If you need to move during this time, schedule with your mover as early as possible.
Helping You Have a Great Move, Whatever the Season
So when’s the best time to move? It depends on your needs! Multiple factors go into scheduling your move. Customers might find lower costs with mid-week or off-season moving. But summer might be your best bet if school schedules and weather are more critical. Whatever your choice, early planning is key to a successful move.
Ultimately, it’s all about your schedule and balancing cost savings, convenience, and availability. As a moving partner with over a century of experience, Scobey is here to help you have the best experience possible. To get the information you need and start your journey, reach out to Central. We’re here to help you make the most of your move, no matter the season.
