How Early Should You Book a Mover?

You’ve decided to move but don’t know when to start planning for the big day.

You might be thinking that you have plenty of time, but the sooner you book your mover, the better.

Booking a mover well in advance is the best way to ensure that you get the date and time that you want. Plus, you can take advantage of discounts and special offers by booking early.

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Reasons to Book a Moving Company Early?

Here are some of the top reasons that you should book your mover early:

• Save money on your move by taking advantage of early-bird specials. Some companies offer discounts for booking at least 2-3 months out, but other companies offer a discount if you book 6+ months in advance.
• The sooner you plan for moving day, the better. The more time you have, the more options you’ll have to choose a moving company and schedule a move.
• If you book a mover early enough, it gives the movers ample time to plan out their schedules so they can fit your move in as long as possible. Some companies only work with full-time employees, so they won’t be able to take on your move if it’s booked close to the date.
• You might get a more professional mover. Although most movers are professionals, some go through different companies and can offer varying service levels. If you book with a national company or well-known local outfit, you’ll likely get better customer service and care during your move.
• It’s not uncommon for moving companies to be booked up with appointments around the same time that you’re planning on moving. There may be fewer available dates or movers that can help you, or they might be further away from where you live, which could increase the total cost of your move if they need to travel a long way to get you.

How Early is Enough?

When you book your movers is up to you. However, keep in mind that if you wait too long to make arrangements, you might find yourself at the mercy of whatever dates and movers are available when you are ready to have your move take place.

If you’re unsure when would be the best time for booking a moving company, talk with friends and family who had recently moved to see when they booked theirs. Or, if you’re not in a rush to move any time soon, call around now, so you know the different companies’ availability.

Once you’ve decided on a company that can help you move, it’s just a matter of setting up an appointment for the movers to come out and give you an estimate and go over all of the details related to your move.

Best Time to Book a Moving Company For A Local Move

If you’re only moving a short distance, the closer to your move date that you book with a mover, the better.

This is because most movers have 2-4 weeks lead time for appointments. This means that if they are too busy to take on another appointment two weeks before your move date, then you will lose that date.

However, if you’re moving at least two weeks out, it’s ok to start calling around for quotes and availability. You can always cancel or reschedule appointments that are too far in advance if you find a better option closer to the date you want your move to occur.

Also Read: How Long Does it Take to Move

Best Time to Book a Moving Company For an Interstate Move

If you’re moving interstate (moving from one state to another), then it’s even more crucial that you book your mover early. It may take up to a month for the movers to receive all of your items, pack them up, and transport them across state lines. If you wait too long, they could be booked with appointments, and you might not be able to secure a date.

Booking your interstate movers at least 60 days in advance is advisable, but that is just the very minimum amount of time that you should book them for. If you can, try booking them as soon as possible so there’s no chance they’ll already be booked on your move date. You may check our blog on things to know when you book interstate moving company.

Best Time to Book a Moving Company For a Cross-Country Move

When you’re moving across the country, it’s more important than ever to book early. It may take up to 3 months for your shipment to arrive at its destination, so you need to have this window of time available if something goes wrong or there’s a scheduling conflict with the movers.

Ideally, you should start calling around at least 4-5 months in advance to look for quotes and availability. The closer you get to your move date, the riskier it becomes since movers are booked up during this time of year.

Of course, if you have to move on a specific date, try calling at least three months before your desired move date so there’s still enough time for you to secure a date since movers often book up many months in advance.

If you’re flexible with your move date and can wait for other people’s shipments to arrive, then it’s also best to call at least 4 To 5 months before your desired move date, so there’s still time for you to get an appointment during this hectic moving season.

See Also: How to Pack Books for Moving | Moving in With a Roommate

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Size of Your Move Matters

If you’re moving to a small apartment, it might not be necessary to book your movers as early. It is recommended that you book movers for an entire house at least two months before your move date. This allows the movers enough time to make arrangements and secure the dates they need to do their job.

Also, keep in mind that movers are busy with a high volume of jobs during the summer holiday season, so you will have to book early, at least three months before your move date.

If you wait too long and need to make interstate or cross country move on short notice, call at least 3-4 months ahead of your desired move date so there’s still time for you to get an appointment during this hectic moving season.

How Do I Find a Quality Mover?

You must select a reliable moving company that provides good customer service. Asking for recommendations from friends and family is one of the best ways to find a moving company. You could also do some research online by looking at customer reviews, checking BBB reports, or simply asking around on forums.

Once your appointment is confirmed, make sure you research packing supplies and ask for an in-home survey so the movers can provide you with accurate pricing. Also, be sure to get any insurance quotes and clarify all costs involved in your move, so there are no surprises when your bill arrives.

Once you’ve found a reputable mover that fits into your budget, then it’s time to book them right away since they’re likely to be fully booked during the summer moving season. If you wait too long, there is no guarantee that they’ll still be available on your desired move date.

Conclusion

If you’re planning on moving soon, it’s important to book your interstate movers as early as possible. Booking them at least 60 days in advance is the bare minimum, but ideally, you should try and book them 4-5 months before your desired move date. Keep in mind that movers are often booked up during the summer holiday season, so it’s best to book early.

Also Read: What to Expect from Full-Service Movers?

FAQs

What is the best way to find a moving company?

You must select an interstate moving company with good customer service and reliability. One of the best ways to find a reliable mover is to ask for recommendations from family and friends. You could also do online research by looking at customer reviews, checking BBB reports, or asking around on forums. Also you may read our article on Ways to Find Good But Cheap Long Distance Moving Companies

When should I schedule my in-home survey?

An in-home survey is best scheduled after you’ve selected a mover so the movers can provide you with an accurate estimate. This will help prevent any surprises when your final bill arrives since you’ll already know the total costs involved.

When do interstate movers get wholly booked?

It depends on where you are moving to. If you’re moving interstate during the summer holiday season, then you must book your mover as early as possible since they tend to be fully booked during this time of year. It’s recommended that you schedule an in-home survey at least 60 days before your desired move date.

What should I do if my moving date is less than 60 days from now?

If your interstate movers are booked up, and you need to take care of your move in the next few weeks, then it’s a good idea to find a mover that fits into your budget quickly, so there’s still time for them to get booked. Unfortunately, movers tend to be fully booked during the summer holiday season, so there’s no guarantee that they’ll have availability on your desired move date if you wait too long.

Written by
Alex Sherr

Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.