If you are one of the lucky ones dictating when and where you move and can be flexible you can save big. You will be surprised at how much a simple inconvenience can save your wallet. Pricing Van Lines is proud to work with seasoned long distance movers who will give you some insight.
If you want to save big time, you should consider moving between January and March. A move of an average-sized home will run you anywhere from $1200 to $5600. You can expect to save as people try avoiding the move in the cold.
School is mid-year, so you won’t have competition from families wanting your dates. Moving your moving date can help you save over $500!
When you are moving you already have so much to consider as it is. From your new neighborhood to new schools and clubs to downright new home design and furniture, there are so many calls to make.
The move in or out date doesn’t seem like a big one to most people, but that’s where our experience comes into play. We work with all the movers and know their ways.
Major factors for your move
Life happens without our consent most of the time. Things don’t always fall perfectly into place and that’s ok. There are many factors you consider when planning your move.
1. Market Factors
If you’re buying or renting your home, the market will affect your timing as you aren’t the only one making the call when to move in or out. Sometimes it’s a buyer’s market and sometimes it’s in the renter’s and seller’s favor. Due to financial constraints, this may be the determining factor as to when you move.
2. Weather
Depending on where you’re moving from and to, the weather can play a pretty big role in your timing naturally. Moving during nice weather conditions will make the process more comfortable stress-free and reduce the risk of weather-related complications.
If you are moving to a location with extreme weather such as Alaska or Florida during hurricane season you need to factor in some flexibility to your moving plan.
3. Season
The seasonal time of the year can impact factors like rental rates, and job start date opportunities. Moving during the summer months is always more convenient for families with school-age children and you will find many housing options on the market, while moving during the off-peak season will result in lower moving costs.
4. Work and School
This is one of the biggest factors out there. School and work schedules dictate our lives. Moving during holidays or school breaks may provide more flexibility and minimize disruptions for your kids. If you aren’t able to take the day off, you may find yourself having to move over the weekend to save the vacation days.
5. Budget Considerations
Moving costs vary depending on the time of year, with peak moving seasons way more expensive due to higher demand for moving services. If you can’t afford peak season rates, you may have to get creative with your timeline.
What affects pricing
Timing really does influence the pricing of movers drastically. Some factors the play into their calculations are:
1. Weekday vs. Weekend
Weekends are more convenient for people to move because they don’t have to take time off work and the kids won’t miss school. Moving companies weren’t born yesterday and always charge higher rates for weekend moves compared to weekday moves.
If you can change your work schedule to make a midweek move work for you , your wallet will be very happy.
2. Peak Season
Moving during peak seasons, which are usually the summer months and around holidays, results in higher prices due to more demand for moving slots.
Many families want to settle in during the summer before the kids start school to get them on track and college kids start their studies. Demand for moving companies allows them to jack up prices.
Moving during off-peak times, such as mid-week or during the winter, allows you to ask for lower rates and many other discounts.
3. First and Last Days of the Month
Not everyone knows, but if you move mid month you will save more. This excludes the 15th. Many rental agreements begin and end at the start or end of the month. That is why, moving during these exact dates or 1 day before or after the start of the month can be more expensive due to higher demand for moving slots.
Ask your moving company for a date from the 3rd- 13th or the 17th- 28th to save big time.
4. Time of Day
You can score much lower prices for moves scheduled during off-peak hours, like very early morning or late afternoon. Moving companies have more availability during these times and want to fill their schedule to maximize profits daily.
Usually the afternoon slot comes with the downside of not knowing if the movers will be late from their first job, but with flexibility comes discounts.
5. Ahead of Time Booking
Booking your move well in advance can help score you lower prices, as moving companies offer discounts for early bookings in most cases.
Last-minute bookings allows moving companies to charge whatever they want as they know you are desperate for their services.
6. Weather
Severe weather conditions, like snow or tropical storms, impacts the availability of movers and causes prices to increase for the consumer due to the additional safety challenges and risks for the company.
For your own peace of mind it is better to try and time your move with pleasant weather.
7. Local Events
In areas with major local events, like festivals or big conventions, moving companies tend to charge more for the inconvenience.
Closing Up
We hope you understand how important it is to plan your move in advance, avoid bad weather and peak moving times and seasons. Playing and tweaking a few details of your move can really help you save big time on this large life expense. Pricing Van Lines will be glad to help you compare and contrast all your options for the big day!
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I lock in an actual affordable rate for a mover?
Book ahead of time and ensure you have all your details right. Don’t fall for scammers that quote you one thing and then expect much more with hidden fees for made up services. Only book a trusted and vetted affordable mover to make sure you don’t fall for the bad guys that want to steal.
Follow our tips above to avoid peak seasons, challenging weather conditions, and overpriced movers just because they can.
How can I help a family with young kids moving across the country?
Directly ask them what they really need. It could be a few hours where you take the kids off their hands so they can pack up the house in peace or even go out for a date night, or it could be a helping hand at home with the actual packing that they need. It really is the thought that counts in these situations.
How do I start creating my own moving inventory list?
Start with the big items and work your way through to the small household items. Keep a tally and write everything down along with photo evidence.
Count the number of boxes packed, beds, bed frames, tvs, and so on so that you can hold your mover accountable and know what you have to work with.
This will help you in the unpacking phase to ensure everything arrives in the right conditions with no damage.
How do I help my pets acclimate to the change in homes?
Keep calm. Pets are very aware of changes and our human energy levels. If you are stressed, you are likely to stress out your furry friend. Try and make the experience fun for them with lots of walks and treats. Spoil them.
Associate the move with positive things your pet loves to make the day less hard for them. Ensure to set up their home base as soon as you get into the new home so that they can feel they have their own corner with food, water and their bed.
How can I make my kids feel at home in the new place?
Involve them as much as possible in decision making in the home and get them back to routine. As quickly as possible, have them back in after-school activities and meeting the friends they love.
Try to involve them in the moving process so they too can feel a sense of accomplishment and can learn to embrace the changes.
Have them help pack up and unpack their new rooms so they can get excited. You can involve them in the decor as well to make it feel like a game.
