When it comes to relocating, the phrase “better late than never” doesn’t apply.
Moving to a different city happens for various reasons: a job change, schooling, or the addition of a family member.
Each move and the experience it brings are unique to you.
However, the experience of moving should not stress you out, and certainly shouldn’t be left until the end.
So, when asking how far in advance you should book a move, know that the earlier you start, the better it is!
The ideal time to plan a move is at least 2 to 3 months in advance, especially if you have a large volume of items, oversized furniture, and long distances to cover.
In the case of a small apartment move, you should plan at least 3-4 weeks before the move.
Sometimes, the moving timeline also depends on the type of move, the distance you travel, and the season in which you are moving. For instance, when moving during the peak moving season, it encourages you to start packing early.
Whether you do the move yourself or hire professional movers, there are key factors that influence your moving timeline, and we will explore them in this blog.
How Far in Advance Should You Book a Mover?
Booking a mover in advance certainly has many benefits. You can choose a reliable one, schedule your move on time, and focus on other significant aspects of your relocation. To eliminate your endless guesswork about how far in advance you should begin looking for a mover, here is how we can break it down for you.
| Type of Move | How Far in Advance You Need to Book |
|---|---|
| Local Move | 2-4 weeks |
| Out-of-State | 2-3 months |
| Out-of-Country | 3-6 months |
| Heavy Item | 4-5 weeks |
For a Local Move
Typically, local moves within the same city involve navigating local regulations, reserving an elevator, and avoiding busy traffic hours to complete the move.
On average, you should at least book a moving company 2 to 4 weeks before the move.
For an Out-of-State Move
Out-of-state moves or long-distance moves can vary from as little as 200 miles to as much as 1,400 miles.
For example, when moving from Vancouver to Toronto, you should secure a mover at least two months before the long-distance move. This gives you the flexibility to plan your move, navigate routes, and understand state laws.
Moreover, you have ample time to concentrate on other aspects, such as switching utility providers, schools, and more.
For an Out-of-Country Move
Moving between countries is far more complex than moving locally or interstate. From figuring out inter-provincial rules to finalizing a delivery window for your items, there’s a lot to manage.
An average timeline for moving cross-country should be between three and six months.
For Heavy Item Move
Packing, dismantling, and reassembling oversized furniture such as gym equipment, a hot tub, a piano, or a heavy sofa requires time and patience.
To secure a well-trained mover for your relocation, plan to hire them at least four weeks before your final moving day.
5 Factors That Influence How Far in Advance You Book a Mover
A decision on when to hire a moving company is now in place. However, the timeline mentioned above is not fixed, as no two moves are the same.
Before hiring a moving company and comparing quotes from multiple movers, let’s analyze your needs and how to address them when creating a moving timeline.
The varying factors that influence your timeframe include the number of rooms you move, the timing of your move, and other unique scenarios.
1. Local Move Vs. Long-Distance Move
When deciding how far in advance you should schedule your move, considering the distance is one of the essential factors to keep in mind. Determine how far you want to relocate, what routes to consider, and which local regulations to follow.
Certainly, for long-distance moves, you need more time to declutter your home, arrange packing supplies and moving boxes, and disassemble furniture items.
So, the first requirement for framing your timeline begins with understanding local versus long-distance movers, when to schedule a move with them, and the number of days needed to complete the move.
2. How Tight Is Your Schedule
Your moving timeline highly depends on how flexible or tight your schedule is. If you have fragile or heavy furniture items, you need at least 3-4 weeks additional time to pack your valuable items safely.
3. Size of the Move
Deciding when to book a moving company depends on the size of the move.
For instance, when moving to a condo, there are many factors to consider, such as HOA rules, elevator wait times, and loading dock access, but there are fewer items to pack.
On the other hand, moving to a three or four-bedroom apartment requires an ample amount of time to pack items.
Therefore, your timeframe to hire the right moving company fluctuates based on the size of your move.
4. Peak Season
Typically, people move the most during the summer when kids are off from school.
If you move anytime between May and July, or even later until September, you might want to start contacting movers about three months in advance.
During the slower season, mainly after October, you can finalize the date one month before your move.
5. How Unique Your Move Is
Another important factor in deciding how far in advance you should book a mover is the type of items you have.
Some moves are unique and hard to navigate; for instance:
- Moving with a fish tank
- Packing fragile items, including glass objects, delicate furniture, antiques, etc.
- Moving a piano
- Transporting a chandelier
- Transporting a car
While you may find ways to read the instruction manuals and dismantle these items yourself, it is advisable to seek movers’ assistance for the safety of your belongings.
Therefore, finding an experienced and knowledgeable mover for specialized moves like these should not be left until the last minute.
Advantages of Hiring a Moving Company in Advance
When and how far in advance you hire a moving company is essential, as it comes with many benefits. Whether you move locally or long distances, learn why booking a nearby mover in advance helps.
1. More Availability
One significant benefit of hiring a moving company early is that you will have access to quality movers during your move.
If you relocate during peak seasons, such as from early spring to fall, the availability of movers becomes limited.
Therefore, planning a move at least 2-3 months in advance gives you the advantage of comparing quotes from multiple moving companies, rather than just one.
2. Customized Services
No two moves are alike and certainly go beyond loading and unloading. By booking a mover in advance, you also know what else they offer, including packing services, storage, furniture assembly and disassembly, and junk removal services.
3. Get a Good Moving Rate
Trust us, waiting until the end to find the right mover is equivalent to locking in the highest price.
During the summer, the moving season is the busiest, and you can expect to pay 10% more than the usual price.
Therefore, to secure the most affordable rate, book your move early.
4. Peaceful Moving Process
The biggest misconception about packing for a move is that it can be done a week in advance.
For a less stressful move, we encourage our customers to think ahead.
If your move involves packing heavy items, transporting a piano, or packing fragile artwork, then booking a mover early is ideal.
If you choose to do a DIY move, arranging the right moving equipment and boxes also takes time. Nevertheless, hiring a mover in advance ensures a smoother moving experience and offers peace of mind.
Final Thoughts
Moving to a new location is stressful. Finding the right mover to handle your move on time adds to this stress. Amid all these time constraints, determining how far in advance I should start contacting a mover is a challenge everyone faces. Whether you have longer distances to cover or shorter ones, starting earlier proves more beneficial. Remember, there’s no specific timeline, and it depends heavily on factors such as the number of rooms, heavy items, and peak seasons.
FAQs
1. What is the cheapest month to move?
The most affordable time to move is in January. Canada and parts of America are at their coldest during this period, making it likely for you to lock in an affordable moving rate and discounts.
2. How much do movers charge in Toronto?
The average cost of hiring movers in Toronto ranges from $139 to $150 per hour, with moving a one-bedroom apartment averaging between $600 and $999. The final moving cost depends on the season, the number of items, specialty item handling, and any additional services selected.
3. How far ahead of your move should you start packing your stuff?
It is advisable to start packing your belongings 4 to 6 weeks before moving. If you have fragile glassware, delicate kitchen items, heavy furniture, or are simply moving a pool table, try to arrange the supplies ahead of time and be prepared.
4. How long does an office move take?
Corporate relocations are more complex than residential moves. If you are a large corporation, plan at least 6 to 12 months in advance; for a medium-sized company, 2 to 4 months; and for a start-up, at least 1 month. The moving timeline for an office move also depends on whether you move to a serviced office or a leased office.
