How Far in Advance to Book Movers

When planning a house move, scheduling your relocation should be among your top priorities – after all, there is no way you can make a reliable moving calendar or follow a detailed moving checklist without knowing when your move is going to take place.

So, first you need to decide on a convenient moving date (or at least – an appropriate time period for your move) and then secure adequate moving help for that day.

Unless you’re moving short distance and counting on your good friends to help you relocate, this means that you need to hire the professional services of a moving company for the day of your move.

But how far in advance to book movers? How much notice does a moving company need in order to be able to accommodate your preferences? Is one month too early? Are two weeks enough?

Find out the answers to these questions in order to schedule your move the best way possible.

How Far in Advance to Schedule Movers?

Both theory and practice prove that it’s best to book movers as early as possible – moving house is a complex and multifaceted process, so you need plenty of time to ensure that everything lines up and goes smoothly.

Scheduling your move early will give you the chance to streamline the process and take proper care of the moving-related tasks in an orderly and efficient manner (not to mention that it will guarantee you get quality moving help on your preferred moving date).

So, it’s a good idea to book your move as soon as you find the best movers for you.

But how soon before the move do you need to make your decision to be able to hire good movers for your desired relocation date? When to begin researching your moving options and hunting around for a reliable moving partner? How far ahead to schedule movers?

It depends on the specific circumstances of every individual relocation case:

The time of your move

The main factor that determines how early you need to book movers is the time-period of your move:

• If you want/need to move during peak moving times (the late spring months, the summer season, the first and the last several days of a month, the weekends, and the national holidays), you’re strongly advised to schedule your move well in advance – at least two months before your desired moving date. Moving services are in high demand during these busy periods, so most reputable moving companies will be booked months in advance – if you wait too long and start looking for a relocation partner with only a month or so left before your move, you’ll have a very limited choice of movers and will likely have to settle for lesser quality at a higher price;
• If you’re moving in a less busy time, 4 weeks before your move should be early enough to secure the services of a trustworthy and affordable mover on your preferred moving date.

The move distance

The further away you’re moving, the earlier you should book your move:

• If you’re moving across town, you can book as late as 2 weeks before the relocation. The job will take only a few hours, so the movers will be able to easily fit it into their schedule;
• If you’re moving within the same state, a 4-week notice will do. The moving company will have enough time to plan the logistics of an intrastate move in a one-month period;
• If you’re moving cross country, you should book a moving company about 8 weeks ahead of time (12 weeks for a summer move). Long distance movers need the extra time to coordinate pick-ups and deliveries in different states, find a way to consolidate shipments, and take care of the numerous details involved in an interstate move;
• If you’re moving abroad, make sure you hire reliable international movers at least 3-4 months in advance. Moving to another country is a complicated process that requires careful planning and meticulous organization and, therefore – plenty of time.

The move size

The number of items you have for moving should also be taken into account when scheduling your relocation – a large move will require a lot of time and resources (equipment and manpower), so you need to schedule it a bit further out to be sure that your chosen moving company will be able to accommodate your needs.

The complexity of the job

If you’re moving specialty items that require special care and specialized moving equipment, it is a good idea to provide plenty of advance notice – so that the movers can ensure that the necessary equipment is available on your desired moving day.

Any required additional moving services also need to be scheduled earlier – so that the movers allow enough time for their completion and ensure everything is lined up.

Good to know: If you intend to hire full-service movers, you need to book your move even further in advance, as full-service moving requires greater coordination and can take several weeks to arrange.

To sum it up – it’s best to book your move about 4-8 weeks in advance, so that your preferred mover has enough time to work out the logistics and ensure the success of your relocation endeavor. You should provide as much notice as possible when moving in peak season, when moving out of state, and when you have specific time limitations or specific relocation needs.

The more flexible you can be with your moving date and your moving requirements, the less important it becomes to book weeks in advance because it will be easier to find a company that can accommodate your move.

Why Is It Always a Good Idea to Book Movers Early?

Now that you know how far in advance to book a moving company, you may be wondering why it is so important to schedule your move well ahead of time:

1. Greater choice of movers – Reservations are based on availability, so the earlier you book your move, the better chance you have to hire top-rated movers for your relocation. Most moving companies will be available for your preferred moving day and you’ll be able to find the best relocation partners for you – properly licensed, experienced professionals with an excellent customer service history who will do a good job for a reasonable price. You will have enough time to ask for recommendations, read moving reviews, gather price estimates, research the companies in detail, compare their offers, and pick the best movers for you;
2. Guaranteed equipment – Booking early guarantees that the necessary moving equipment will be available for the day of your move;
3. Lower cost – The further in advance you schedule your move, the better deal you’re likely to get as most moving companies will be willing to offer a discount for early booking (it means a guaranteed job for them);
4. Locked in price – You will know the final cost of your move well ahead of time and will be able to make a reliable moving budget;
5. Better organization – Your move-out date will be firmly fixed and you’ll be able to plan the time you have left, so that you can finish all the necessary moving tasks on schedule;
6. Peace of mind – Last but not least, you’ll rest assured that you’ll have professional moving help on moving day and your items will be properly taken care of.

If you wait too long to schedule movers, on the other hand, you’ll probably have to dig deeper into your pocket for moving services and take whatever is available (a moving truck of inappropriate size, inconvenient pick-up and delivery times, or even inexperienced moving crew) or change your moving date.

Good to remember: The only possible downside to early booking is getting locked into a non-refundable moving deposit.

Charging a moving deposit is standard practice – many moving companies request a down payment to reserve a moving date, especially during peak moving season and in big cities where the demand for moving services is very high. It is a kind of “insurance” for the movers – if a customer cancels the move, they will have some compensation for their lost profit opportunities.

The moving deposit, however, should be only for a small amount (typically between $100 and $500) and should be refundable with an early enough notice of cancellation (about two weeks before the pre-agreed move date). So, if asked for a deposit, make sure you:

• Check if deposits are refundable or not (ask about the company’s deposit policy and cancellation notice requirements) BEFORE booking the movers, so that you don’t lose your deposit money in case you need to cancel the move or change your moving date;
• Never pay a large amount upfront. Moving deposits should not exceed 20% of the final moving costs – requests for larger down payments should be seen as red flags of moving fraud (if a mover requires you to pay more than a few hundreds in advance, then they’re very likely to disappear with your money);
• Never pay the required moving deposit in cash – use a check or a credit card instead.

How to Book Movers?

Once you’ve found an appropriate new home in your new area, decided on a moving date, sorted out your belongings, and made an inventory of the items you’re moving to your new place, it’s time to start looking around for movers:

1. Start calling moving companies 12-8 weeks before your move to check availability on your desired moving date and get an idea of your moving options. It will be easier if you just fill in a free moving quote – you will be contacted by several reputable movers in your area and will see what they have to offer;
2. Interview a few high-rated movers – give them the most essential information about your move and ask about the company (licensing and insurance information, years in business, etc.), their services (offered additional services, experience with specialty items, consolidation policies, storage options, delivery windows, etc.), their rates (tariffs, charges for extra services, required deposits and cancellation policy, possible discounts, accepted payment methods, etc.), and anything else you’re concerned about. The answers you receive will help you narrow down your choice to three or four trustworthy moving professionals;
3. Ask the movers that seem to best suit your moving needs, requirements, and available budget for on-site binding estimates. Let the moving company representatives who come to your home for a visual survey see all the items you have for moving and give them as much information as possible in order to get accurate estimates. Keep in mind that an estimate is typically valid for sixty days from the date of issue. After that, the moving company can no longer guarantee the specifics contained within that estimate;
4. Compare the received offers, research the company you’re considering hiring for your relocation in further detail (check their USDOT number, check their BBB rating, research their online profile, research their complaint history, etc.) and select the best mover for you;
5. Hire your chosen mover at least 4 weeks before your desired moving date – confirm the pick-up date and time, verify equipment availability, and reserve your move (read all the relevant documentation very carefully before signing a moving contract).

Since you know how to schedule a move and how early to book movers, you should be able to secure top quality moving help at the best possible price for your preferred moving date – after all, waiting until the last moment is one of the biggest mistakes when hiring movers and avoiding it will help ensure a successful and trouble-free relocation.

Yet, it may not be always possible to schedule your move far in advance – sometimes, you may need to move out on a short notice.

What to Do When Moving at the Last Minute?

When faced with an emergency relocation, start calling moving companies as soon as you learn about your imminent move. The closer it gets to the moving date, the fewer options there will be, so you have no time to waste – search around for short notice movers who can provide quality emergency moving services and accommodate your relocation needs.

Not all moving companies can handle a last-minute move (most are booked weeks in advance and don’t have any trucks or moving crews available to perform emergency relocations), but you should still be able to find reliable movers who will be available for the day of your move and will be able to complete the job within the required time limits.

When pressed for time, you may be tempted to use the first available emergency moving services you find.

Doing so, however, will be a big mistake – you risk falling victim to moving scams or leaving your belongings in the hands of incompetent movers if you hire a moving company without researching it first.

You may not have the time for thorough research, but you need to at least verify the company’s USDOT number and check its complaint history before booking it for your move.

Good last-minute moving companies have the technical and human resources, as well as the professional know-how, required to perform your relocation quickly enough to accommodate your limited timeframe and safely enough to deliver your shipment intact and unscathed. Just make sure you choose experienced and properly licensed short-notice movers to work with.

The early bird catches the worm, you know. In the world of moving the old adage means that the earlier you book your move, the better movers you’re going to get and the smoother your moving experience is going to be. The equation stands true, no matter the particular circumstances of your relocation case.

So, are you ready to book a moving company yet? Start by getting a free moving quote – it’s the first step to obtaining quality moving help and ensuring your successful move.