Moving in summer might seem like perfect timing. The weather is warm, the kids are on summer vacation, and it can be easier to take time off work around all those long summer holiday weekends.

moving in summer? book early

Take it from the guys who know – summer is the busiest season for moving. So book 6-8 weeks in advance if you can.

But the summer is actually the busiest moving season: 30 – 40 million Americans move every year, and by some estimates, over 40 percent of those moves take place between May 1 and August 31.

Moving in summer? Plan to book early.

Because summer is busy season for moving companies, your best bet on getting your first choice on date and time is to book as far in advance as possible. Six to eight weeks is ideal.

If you can, also try to schedule your move for early in the morning. Summer heats up in most parts of the country, and moving during mid day can be a real drain, even if you’re just supervising.

If you can’t book early, you may have a hard time finding a company that has openings in their schedule. If you find yourself in that sort of situation, be careful of less than reputable companies that are NOT licensed and insured. It’s not uncommon for shady companies to pop up and try and take advantage of the rush. Do your homework before picking a company, even if you feel like you’re running out of time.

Move on a weekday, if you can.

While the weekend is often the most convenient time to move, the summer season also means it’s prime vacation time. Roadways are jammed from Friday – Sunday with families heading off to and then back from vacation, especially if it’s near an official holiday. So if you can plan a mid-week move, it will save you a ton of headaches from heavy traffic and you may find better availability on moving companies.

Pack smart.

Packing for a summer requires a little extra planning as well: temperatures in the moving truck can hit triple digits, so if you have items that are potentially heat sensitive (think candles, records, pantry food items, etc), you’ll probably want to keep them separate and make sure they travel with you in your vehicle.

Leather can sweat when wrapped in plastic with high temperatures, so make sure any items that need to breath are packed in fabric rather than non-breathable materials.

Remember to hydrate yourself, your kids, and your pets on moving day.

moving in summer is a ton of work, and it's easy to get dehydrated (even if you're just supervising!) keep cold drinks unpacked at both sides of your move.

Moving in summer is a ton of work, and it’s easy to get dehydrated (even if you’re just supervising). Keep cold drinks out and available on both sides of your move.

The AC isn’t doing much when your doors are wide open and people with boxes and furniture are going back and forth, so even if you’re not doing all the heavy lifting, it can still get hot on moving day.

Keep a few glasses, some cold drinks, and a bowl for your pets out and accessible on both ends of your move. The last box to get packed (and the first to get unpacked) should contain any essentials you might need once you get to your new place.

Every season presents it’s own challenges to moving. Summer’s no different, but if you’re moving to a new home locally, or across the country, spring is the perfect time to start planning to make sure your trip goes smoothly.

Have more questions about your summer move or want to consider Fox Moving to help? Give us a shout! Request a free quote online or call us at 615-770-3000.