How Far in Advance Should You Book Movers?

How Far in Advance Should You Book Movers - The Quick Answer

Hire your moving company 4 to 8 weeks before your moving day so you have plenty of time to research movers and compare prices. Getting on a schedule early is the smartest way to guarantee you have the help you need on the day you need it.

Factors That Impact How Much Notice a Moving Company Needs

How far ahead you need to book your movers depends on several details. Every move is different, so let's look at the main factors that change your booking timeline.

Size of Move

The total volume of your belongings plays the largest role in your booking timeline. Larger houses simply need bigger trucks and more crew members to safely load everything. This extra scheduling coordination means you need to give the moving company enough notice to accommodate you, and sometimes you may need specialized equipment or additional licensing for oversized items.

For example, if you live in a one-bedroom apartment, you can usually secure different types of moving companies roughly 2-4 weeks before moving day. However, a large 4-bedroom house means much more planning.

You should try to secure your crew at least 6-8 weeks ahead of time for larger moves. Ultra-heavy items, such as a giant safe or grand piano, and specialty moves require even more consideration. If you need to move a piano, you should contact specialty movers at least a month or two in advance to guarantee the right crew is available.

Booking Estimate for Different Move Sizes

Distance

The miles you travel also impact your booking timeline. Not surprisingly, local trips are much easier to coordinate. Companies can be flexible because the crew goes home at the end of their shift.

Long trips require more planning and logistics. Drivers must follow the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration guidelines for driving hours on interstate trips, and companies also have to consider the popularity of your destination route.

A local trip under 50 miles typically requires simple 2 to 4 weeks' notice. Moves across the state require a bit more planning, usually around 4 to 6 weeks. Crossing state lines means preparing for a long-distance move much earlier, so lock in those interstate plans 4 to 8 weeks ahead of time. Planning a cross-country relocation demands an 8 to 12 week head start, and international moves require the most lead time of all to account for complex customs and shipping logistics.

Booking Estimate for Varying Distances

Season

The time of year you plan to relocate can change everything. The moving industry's peak season runs from May through September, when families want to relocate while kids are out of school, and the weather is generally good. Because demand is higher, the availability of trucks and movers drops incredibly fast. You'll need to book at least 2 months early if you want to secure a crew or the size of rental truck you want during this busy stretch. If you're planning to move during this peak season, you should also take a look at our tips on how to save money moving in the summer.

The off-season happens from October through April. You'll find better flexibility during the fall and winter months, as movers have more open schedules. You can easily secure a trusted crew or truck with just 2-4 weeks of notice. Plus, you often get better pricing during these months. Check out our guide on moving in the fall to see more reasons why autumn might be the best time to move.

Days of the Week or Month

Believe it or not, the day of the week you choose also matters. Most people try to relocate on weekends to avoid taking time off work, which makes Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays pretty competitive. On top of that, rental agreements usually end on the last week of the month, so demand for moving trucks and crews is higher then.

If you want the best pricing and the most open availability, schedule your relocation for a Tuesday or Wednesday right in the middle of the month. You will have your pick of top-rated crews and flexible booking windows. If you absolutely need to schedule your moving help for the last Saturday of the month, you'll need to lock that in as early as possible. Give the company at least 6 weeks of notice for those highly coveted weekend spots.

Combined Factors

Sometimes you face a perfect storm of busy moving factors, like a long-distance move during the busiest time of the year. If you're facing this challenge, start your planning at least an extra 2-4 weeks earlier than our suggested times above.

Here are a few common combinations and when you should secure your help:

• Moving out of a 4-bedroom house across the country in July: Start getting quotes and finalize your movers at least 10-12 weeks in advance.
• Relocating to a new state on the last weekend of August: Secure your labor and transportation about 8-10 weeks early to guarantee you get a truck during the busy college move-in season.
• Moving locally from a large home on a Saturday in June: Try to lock down your crew at least 8 weeks ahead of your date.

What If You Need Movers on Short Notice?

If you find yourself needing to relocate with very little notice, staying flexible and reaching out directly to local companies can help you secure the crew you need.

8 Strategies to Use for Last-Minute Moves

Sometimes you need to relocate right away due to a sudden life change. No matter the reason, you can still find a great crew if you know how to navigate the system. Make sure you check out our handy last-minute move checklist for more ideas.

Try these strategies to plan a move on short notice:

1. Stay flexible with your dates: If you can shift your moving day by a day or two, you open up entirely new availability blocks on a moving company's schedule.
2. Choose mid-week moving days: Try your best to book a Tuesday or Wednesday. Most people want weekend slots, so mid-week days almost always have open availability.
3. Avoid the end of the month: Leases typically turn over on the first and last days of the month, so pick a day right in the middle of the month to find an open crew.
4. Check real-time availability on a marketplace: You can use the HireAHelper platform to instantly compare real-time availability for trusted movers in your area. This lets you find an open crew, compare transparent pricing, and secure your professional help immediately.
5. Call moving companies directly: If you are still coming up empty-handed after checking online, pick up the phone and talk to a real person. A quick chat can often reveal unlisted openings or last-minute schedule changes.
6. Ask to join a cancellation waitlist: Schedules change constantly. Ask the company to put your name on a backup list in case another customer cancels their trip.
7. Consider moving in stages: If you cannot find same-day moving help for a large house, try breaking the job down into smaller chunks. You can also try using different services, like booking a labor-only crew to load a rental truck you drive yourself.
8. Have everything fully packed: A company is much more likely to squeeze you into a tight schedule if they know the job is fast and straightforward. Box up all your loose items and take apart your beds before you reach out. Letting the crew know you are completely ready to load makes it much easier for them to fit you in between their other appointments.

Moving Booking Timeline

Figuring out when to take action keeps your stress levels low and your budget happy. We put together a simple timeline to help you stay on track and avoid any last-minute panic.

• 8 to 12 weeks out: This gives moving companies plenty of notice. It is the time when you should start researching movers. Figure out what services fit your situation and look into average moving costs so you know what to expect. Booking this early usually secures you the best price because company calendars are more open.
• 6 to 8 weeks out: This is the standard notice window. Now is the perfect time to request free moving quotes from local companies. Once you've compared your options and found the perfect crew, it's time to put down a deposit to lock in your date. Prices stay pretty moderate during this window, but schedules start filling up.
• 4 weeks out: We consider this short notice. If you are just starting to look for a crew now, keep in mind that availability will be tight. If you booked earlier, this is a good time to confirm logistics with your chosen team. Double-check your arrival times and make sure they have your correct address details.
• 2 weeks or less: Securing a crew within 2 weeks is considered extremely short notice, but it is still doable! Just keep in mind that prices could be higher due to very limited availability.

Cost and Risk Associated With Different Booking Times