![Find out how early to schedule your move.](https://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/schedule-move-1.jpg)
Highlights
- It’s best to schedule your move as early as possible, especially if you’re moving long distance (4 months in advance when moving abroad, 2 months in advance when moving across the country).
- When moving during peak moving season, you’re advised to book movers at least 8 weeks in advance.
- When moving locally or during a less busy period, you can book your move about 4 weeks ahead of time.
- The earlier you schedule your move, the greater choice of movers and the better chance of getting a good deal you’re going to have.
- When faced with a last-minute move, look for reputable short notice movers who provide emergency moving services at a reasonable price.
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).
![When is the best time to book a moving company?](https://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/schedule-move.jpg)
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
![How much notice does a moving company need depends on the time of the move, the moving distance, and the required moving services.](https://www.mymovingreviews.com/move/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/moving-job.jpg)
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.
I like that you mention how hiring professional movers is a good idea if your going a long distance as well as if you don’t have a lot of help. Your advice to book as early as possible so you have he time to have everything done in an orderly and efficient manner is a good idea. In order to do this, you’d probably want to start by researching long distance movers as soon as you know where you’re going so you can figure out which one can provide the services you need. You could research them by going online as well as getting recommendations from people you know to figure out which one has the experience, skills, and equipment to help.