Month: May 2020

When you’re planning a move, it’s easy to get caught up in the stress of it all — how on earth you’re going to box up all your possessions, keep the kids, your pets, and yourself from freaking out and keep track of all your bills. 

But if you have the wherewithal to plan ahead, you can save a lot of money on even the smallest factors of your move. 

Like, say, selecting the best time of year to move. Not sure when that is? Keep reading to find out more. 

The Best Time of Year to Move

So, what is the best time of year to move? That depends on what your priorities are. 

The cost of moving does vary throughout the year, based on busyness and availability. The more people that want to move, the fewer availability movers will have, and the more expensive it is to book a moving service. 

If you have the luxury of deciding when to move, one of the first things to consider is what time of year to move. We’ve broken it down by season. 

Fall

For most residential movers, fall is the off-season. That’s because most moves occur between April and September. 

This is excellent news if you plan on moving between September and December. 

Since movers aren’t as busy, you can find excellent services at a reduced rate, making moving in the fall far more cost-effective. 

Then, there’s the weather. Autumn falls somewhere between frigid winter and scorching summer if you live in an area with four distinct seasons.  It’s relatively temperate, and there’s a higher probability the weather will cooperate.

You might get an unusually cool day, but you won’t have to worry about movers canceling due to extreme cold or heat for the safety of their staff. 

Winter

Winter is the least busy moving season. If you live in an area with four distinct seasons, you probably understand why — winter weather conditions. Snow, ice, hail, wind chill, even freezing rain can make a move challenging. 

On the one hand, it might be more cost-effective since that timeframe is less desirable.

On the other hand, you should be prepared to be flexible. You have to keep a sharp eye on the weather and be ready to change your moving date if movers have to reschedule because of weather conditions.

You should also prepare both houses for movers. Shovel and salt the driveways and sidewalks in advance so they can move your stuff safely. Make sure the heat and lights are on and ready to go also. 

Spring

Springtime is usually temperate. Often it’s the ideal time of year to move. 

Since the season is just warming up, many people haven’t started to think about moving, which means moving rates are still low. The trick is to move towards the start of spring rather than the end. 

Spring is a more popular time of year to move than fall and winter, so rates won’t be quite as low as those you would see in the cooler months. 

Summer

As noted, most people move between April and September. Families with children have school from September until about May or June. It’s generally more convenient for families with school-aged kids to move during the summer because they don’t have to worry about pulling the kids out of school to make the move.

Also, the weather is warm enough that you won’t have to worry about movers canceling for blizzard conditions. You may have to cancel for extreme heat, but most of the time, the weather isn’t a significant problem. 

However, since most people want to move in the summer, movers are busier than any other time of year. This means their rates will be higher than in any other year of year and you’ll have to compete for a moving date.    

Are You Preparing to Move?

Are you preparing to move? If you have leeway to plan ahead, you can save some money by finding the best time of year to move. 

If you’re moving, we can help! We offer comprehensive household moving services that make your whole experience smooth and stress-free. 

Ready to find out more? Click here to request a quote. 

If you’re dreading an upcoming move to a new home, you’re not alone. Research shows that moving is one of the most stressful life events you’ll have.

One reason why moving is so overwhelming is that the process can quickly become chaotic. This is why organizing from the start is essential.

Here’s a rundown of four tips on how to pack for a move that will help you stay organized.

1. Develop a Binder for Moving

One of the smartest things you can do before hiring a local mover is to create and maintain a master binder for your moving process.

This type of binder can easily help you to remain organized by tracking all of your moving-related receipts and contracts. Also, you can use it to consolidate your moving tasks in one place.

You can store documents such as floor plans, contractor bids, financial documents, and paperwork from your moving company in your master binder. 

2. Purge the Unused Stuff

Before you start packing up your home, decide what you can leave behind.

Go through your home and look carefully at all the items in each room. If you don’t love an item, need it, or use it, then it doesn’t deserve a spot in your new home. This approach forces you to make some difficult decisions about your belongings.

Start with some of the big-ticket items in your home that will be difficult and expensive to move. For instance, if you know that some furniture won’t fit in your new house, or that you will want newer things or a maybe different style, then this is the ideal time to donate those pieces and not pay to have them moved. 

3. Color Code Your Moving Boxes

As you label your moving boxes, complete with box contents and room destinations, consider a color-coding system for your labels.

For instance, use blue labels for the kitchen boxes, green for bedroom number one, red for bedroom number two, and so on. Make sure you have signs to hang outside of each room at the new house to indicate what color belongs in that room.

Doing this will help you to more easily track and pinpoint your items as they make their way to your new house.

4. Print a Custom Moving Checklist

Consider creating a thorough moving checklist to guide you during your upcoming move. This master to-do list will make it easier for you to manage your move during each stage.

For instance, you can organize your various moving tasks by day or week to make the move easier.

5. Create a List of Box Contents

Another way to stay organized during your move is to create a list outlining the contents of each box. By doing this, you make it easier to track your belongings and locate them in your new home.

For instance, number each box and then write down what items are in each numbered box. 

Mastering How to Pack for a Move

Moving can be challenging physically, mentally, and emotionally. However, with our help, you can rest assured that your upcoming move will be affordable, flexible, and safe. Get in touch with us to learn more about how we can make your next relocation your best moving experience yet.