It's All in the Preparation

Summer is just around the corner, and that means moving season is upon us. Half of all moves in the U.S. take place over the summer, so if you have a big move coming up this summer, you should start planning now!

Moving is a headache - there's no way around it. Add the high temperatures of summer to the mix, and you've got yourself a recipe for one very long day. While there's no way around moving, you can take some specific to make your summer move as good as possible.

1) Plan Ahead

Planning might be the most critical factor in ensuring a smooth summer move. Since summer is the busiest time of the year for moving companies, you should book your movers early so that you can get the company of your choice and avoid rate surges. As a good rule of thumb? Aim to have your movers booked between six and eight weeks before your actual Moving Day.

2) Pack Strategically

The sooner you begin packing, the less time you'll have to spend packing up last-minute items in the heat. Slowly and methodically packing in advance also gives you more time to ensure your belonging are well organized, which means less time spent digging through boxes on the day of your move (and when you unpack!).

Be mindful of any possessions that won't fare well in the heat, such as vinyl records, candles, or instruments. Ideally, you should transport such items to your new home in your personal vehicle, not your moving truck.

3) Pick the Right Day

The busiest moving days of the year are June 30th, July 31st, and August 1st. The beginning and end of the month and weekends are also peak moving times during the summer. Business for movers is typically slower during the week, which means they may be offering lower rates. If you'd like to avoid the moving stampede and lock in a better mover rate, plan your move for a non-holiday weekday.

4) Beat the Heat

As the old saying goes, "Eat the frog first.” The earlier you begin your move, the sooner the most strenuous part will be over, and you can begin unpacking comfortably in your new home. If the option is available, plan to have your movers arrive in the morning, before the heat of the day settles in.

Though it seems counterintuitive to create more things to lug around on moving day, we highly recommend packing a cooler full of bottled water. Staying hydrated is crucial during the heat of a typical summer day, much less when you're moving stuff into and out of trucks, so believe us - you won't regret having a cold drink in reach!

While a summer move can be a challenge, by planning ahead you can reduce the stress of moving day. By being strategic about your summer move, you can save time, money, and (hopefully!) headaches. We hope you find these tips helpful and wish you luck on your upcoming move!