What to Do (and What NOT to Do) When Moving in the Summer
Ayer Moving

What to Do (and What NOT to Do) When Moving in the Summer

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Moving in the Summer? What with vacation time, the nice weather, and the kids out of school, you would think that summer would be the ideal time to move. The problem is that you are not alone in thinking that. In fact, more than 70% of all house moves occur between May and September! Here are some helpful tips if your family will be included in this statistic.

Expect to Pay More when Moving in the Summer.

Summer is peak moving time and as such, is the most expensive time to move. Demand is high and rates during the summer reflect that.

Reserve Early for a Summer Move.

Because demand is high this time of year, you’ll want to interview and reserve with your selected mover as soon as you can. Schedule your move in the middle of the month, and middle of the week, if you can. You’ll be more likely to get your requested date this way when demand is slightly lower. (Most people want to move on the weekend at the end or beginning of a month!)

Summer Means Move Early in the Day.

Temperatures and humidity levels are lowest in the morning. Scheduling your move around 8 am will help you and your movers beat the heat and the traffic. If this isn’t possible or if you are planning a do-it-yourself move, wait until late afternoon when the temps cool down.

Keep Cool when moving in the Summer.

Set up a portable fan near the entrance to your home where the movers will be loading the truck. If you have air conditioning at your new home, put it on as soon as you can or bring that fan and set it up to help move the air when the movers are unloading the truck.

It’s Summer. Hydrate.

To avoid overheating, remember to have plenty of cool water on hand. Keep water bottles in a cooler and be sure to offer water to your moving crew.

It’s Hot. Load Electronics Last.

Electronic devices can become overheated on a hot summer’s day. Smartphones, laptops, tablets, and TVs do not take kindly to heated conditions. If you can, load them last or bring them with you in your car. If it is a humid or rainy day, you might want to put devices in plastic baggies or a waterproof container to keep them safe. Ask your mover for special boxes for computers and TVs to be sure they arrive safely at your destination.

Drip Drop. Keep Perishables Cool.

If you are moving nearby, you can pack your perishable food items in a cooler full of ice or ice packs. (Large plastic juice bottles filled with water and then frozen work well).

Remember the Summer Sunscreen.

Apply sunscreen with broad-spectrum coverage and an SPF of 30 or higher.

Don’t Underestimate Prep Time.

Start packing your household goods at least a month before your moving date. Interview, hire, and schedule your movers 3 – 4 months before that, if possible. Consult a timeline for moving that will guide you through the steps.

Holidays are NOT the Time to Move.

Availability will be scarce for movers and truck rentals and it will be more expensive to schedule your move during a holiday weekend. Traffic will be high on major roads and you may encounter detours due to holiday events, such as parades. Avoid Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day weekends.

Wear Seasonal Clothing.

Don’t wear inappropriate or uncomfortable clothing when moving in the summer. In the Summer, you need light, breathable clothing, closed-toe shoes (no flip-flops or sandals), and ladies: No high heels! You may be lifting boxes, walking back and forth (sometimes backwards), and driving long distances … none of which can be done safely or comfortably in unsuitable clothing.

If you are thinking of moving during the summer months and have questions about costs or scheduling, call a professional moving consultant at Ayer Moving & Storage at 1-800-233-MOVE. They will be happy to discuss how they can help organize your summer move to be stress-free.

The Best Time to Move is When???
Ayer Moving

The Best Time to Move is When???

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The best time to move is when…..??? Families and individuals move for many reasons – a larger home is needed for an expanding family; the neighborhood changes; a new job means the commute is too long; the house is more than you need, now that the children have grown; retirement is closer and downsizing seems the thing to do. In fact families and individuals move on average 11.4 times in the course of their lifetimes!

People don’t always have the option to select the season or month they want to move, but if they could, what would be the ideal time to plan a move to a new home?

Seasonal Pros and Cons

Let’s first look at the seasons one by one to see the pros and cons:

Autumn

The Fall features great weather conditions for moving, especially here in New England and the peak Summer season is over, so you may have more options for timing and budget.

Winter

In the Winter, your move is most affordable and moving companies usually have more flexible schedules. If you are moving with children, however, this may not be the best season because of conflicts with school and holiday celebrations. Winter weather can also mean delays, difficulties loading the van, and treacherous driving conditions.

Spring

In the Spring, the weather is improving, but it ushers in the rainy season, so you’ll have to plan accordingly. Demand is lighter in March and April, so you may have more choices regarding the mover’s schedule.

Summer

Many people feel that Summer is the ideal time, but this is peak time (Memorial Day through Labor Day) for movers and higher prices prevail as well as tight schedules. This may be your best option if you have children because they won’t be between their old school session and the one that begins in August or September in your new home.

Best Months

For a number of reasons, the best months are between mid-September through April, as you are most likely to save during this window. College students usually move in the early fall and late spring, so if you live in a city with university students, you will want to avoid moving in early September.

Best Week

Plan your move mid-month instead of at the beginning or end of the month. The last weekend of the month is the most requested, so if you have flexibility, your mover will be able to accommodate you better in the second or third week of the month when demand is lower.

Best Day

Weekends are the most frequently requested, as families will want to avoid having to take extra time off work to move. However, it is best to select a weekday. Moving companies suggest moving on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. There are limited number of weekends in each month and movers get booked early and quickly for these days.

What Time of Day?

If you are a morning person, you are in luck! Mornings are the best time to move. Your moving crew will arrive at their location early in the day to get paperwork and instructions. They will typically arrive at your home during the 9 am – 10 am time period to dig right in. Early mornings can mean cooler temperatures and the crew will be full of energy to get started.

If you are moving locally, your movers may greet you at your new location when you still have time to unpack, organize, and relax in your new home.

Plan your move early and get your mover on board so you can get on the schedule on the day that is best for you.

If you have questions about getting organized for a pending move, call a professional moving consultant at Ayer Moving & Storage at 1-800-233-MOVE. They will be happy to discuss how they can help organize your move to be stress-free. Download Ayer Moving’s Timeline for a Successful Move.