Tips For Moving In The Summer

Compared to the fall and winter, the days are longer, the weather is better, and most school-age children are free for at least three months.

That said, many companies do more than half of their annual business during the

peak moving season between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and this high demand can mean higher prices, reduced capacity, and spotty service.

Thankfully, the moving process doesn’t need to be a hassle.

To avoid common pitfalls and get the best value for your hard-earned money, take a moment to check out these helpful pre-move resources before reading on –

• Moving cost calculator – Talk about a great budgeting tool. Just enter your move dates, origin and destination cities, and the estimated size of your move, and the magic algorithms will do the rest
• Best interstate moving companies – With so much at stake for you and your family, working with an experienced professional mover with verified customer reviews has never been more important
• Best moving container companies – It’s simple. You load and unload, they drive, and you save big bucks

Avoid moving during the summer if your schedule is flexible

Moving during the summer is a necessity for some families, but not for everyone.

For retirees, singles, and childless couples, relocating during the fall and winter may mean cheaper prices, quicker delivery times, and all-around better service.

In addition, during the non-peak months between October and April, you’re more likely to get freebies like used boxes and storage, both of which can save you a hefty chunk of change.

Get your moving quotes months in advance

If moving in the summer is a necessity, procrastinating is a really bad idea.

In fact, if you put off screening movers and booking your move long enough, you may discover at the 9th hour that the companies you were considering have already reached maximum capacity.

In cases like these many customers have to hire less-than-reputable movers or rent trucks and do their moves themselves.

To be on the safe side, schedule your estimates at least two months prior to your move date.

This will give you time to get your estimates, compare them, vet movers, and lock in your crew, truck, and move date.

Don’t be a victim of a moving scam

Nefarious moving companies are equal opportunity scammers because they don’t discriminate based on age, race, or income.

Everyone is fair game, and during the busy summer season, shady movers lurk around every dark corner.

If your first, second, and third-choice movers are all booked up it may be tempting to go with a low internet quote, but the cheapest moving companies often use “lowball” estimates to trick unsuspecting customers.

When a shady moving company knows you’re between a rock and a hard place, they’ll pull out all the stops to lure you in, and the results are often disastrous.

Book your move as early as possible

It may seem like overkill, but there’s no reason not to book your move early in the summer.

You should plan on committing to a company between six and eight weeks before your move date.

And remember, this goes for local, intrastate, and interstate moves.

Keep kids and pets in a cool, safe place

When possible, it’s always best for kids and pets to be shipped off-site on moving day.

Whiling away the day with friends or relatives will help keep them safe, comfortable, and out of the movers’ way.

If this isn’t an option, set aside a room where they can relax, play, snack, and snooze with someone watching over them.

Moves take longer in the summer heat

Even the fittest and most experienced movers can’t work as hard on 100-degree days as they can on 50-degree days.

Especially in the summer, DIY moves almost always take longer than expected, so plan on getting more help than you think you’ll need.

Get an early morning start on moving day

To maximize profit and efficiency in the summertime, moving companies often schedule one truck and crew to handle two small moves on the same day.

If so, you may find that your move is scheduled for the afternoon.

This may be unavoidable, but if there’s any way around it getting an early start is always preferable.

This goes for DIY moves too, especially if you’re renting a truck from Penske or U-Haul.

The rental and/or checkout processes can be time-consuming, and if you’re last in line you may not get your truck until an hour or two later.

Meanwhile, it’s getting hotter, rush-hour traffic is getting worse, and your helpers are wondering where you are.

To avoid this frustrating scenario, make it a point to get to the rental facility at least 30 minutes before it opens to make sure you’re at or near the front of the line.

Not only will you be able to start moving sooner, but you won’t have to rush to return the truck on time at the end of the day.

Have refreshments on hand for the crew

Professional movers don’t generally rely on customers for refreshments.

Instead, most bring their own coolers packed with water bottles and Gatorade, because in the heat of the summer they’re absolute necessities.

That said, having water, sports drinks, and fruit like oranges, apples, and bananas available is a great way to show your appreciation and keep the crew from getting dehydrated.

Turn on the AC

Turning on the air conditioner with the front door wide open may seem like a huge waste of money and an unforgivable environmental faux pa, but it’s perfectly OK on move day.

It’s important that the crew has a reasonably comfortable environment in which to work.

In addition, the more they sweat the dirtier they’ll get, and since they’ll be carrying everything from mattresses and sofas to throw rugs and wardrobes, these items will be more likely to get soiled.

In addition, sweaty hands can also result in movers losing their grip on heavy items which can lead to injuries as well as damage to floors, walls, and household goods.

Remember, a slightly higher electric bill is a small price to pay for comfort and safety on move day.

Take ample breaks to avoid overheating and dehydration

It’s understandable if you’d rather the sweaty movers didn’t sit on your white sofa during break time, but they’ll need a comfortable and shady place to rest throughout the day.

Covered patios, grassy areas under shade trees, and garages work well as long as there’s ample ventilation and they’re out of the sun.

If there’s no breeze, break out the portable fans to keep everyone cool until they’re ready to go back to work.

Beat the heat by wearing the right clothing

Jeans and steel-toed boots will protect your feet and legs on moving days, but they won’t allow your skin to breathe or your sweat to evaporate easily.

Instead, opt for lighter loose-fitting clothes, and consider trading in long pants and short-sleeve shirts for shorts and long-sleeve shirts.

And remember, darker colored clothes absorb more heat so stick with lighter colors, wear close-toed shoes, and don’t forget a hat and sunscreen.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast ahead of time

Particularly in the summer, you’re pretty much locked into your move date regardless of what Mother Nature throws your way.

Snow and ice won’t be issues, but thunderstorms, lightning, and hurricanes might be.

In the days leading up to your move, check the weather forecast periodically, and if it looks like precipitation is on the horizon, have plenty of throw rugs and cloth and paper towels on hand.

Whenever lightning rears its ugly head, stop working and get indoors until it passes.

Frequently asked questions (faqs)

What’s the best time of year to move?

For better pricing and service and more freebies, you’re better off moving to a new home or apartment during the fall or winter than during the summer months.

Is it more expensive to move at the end of the month?

Yes, the last few days of each month are typically the busiest since most leases, rental agreements, and sales contracts expire at the end of the month.

What are the busiest days of the year to move?

The last two or three days of June, July, and August are typically the busiest moving days of the year.