How Early Should You Book Movers for a Cross-Country Relocation?
Wondering when is the best time to book cross-country movers? This informative guide covers how early you should book movers for long-distance moves.
Relocating across Canada can be an exciting yet stressful endeavor. Finding reputable cross Canada moving and storage companies in advance is key to ensuring a smooth transition.
But how early should you book movers to coordinate a long-distance relocation?
Why Booking Early Matters?
Booking your interprovincial movers with ample time makes the process considerably easier. Here are some top reasons to book cross-country movers early:
- Movers book up quickly during the peak summer moving season between May to September. Lock in your moving dates.
- Early booking confirms your moving crew and truck availability. Last-minute bookings risk limited options.
- Movers provide better service and accountability with advanced notice.
- You have time to obtain quotes, compare providers, and make an informed decision rather than rushing a critical choice.
- Early bird savings! Some movers offer discounts for early bookings.
As a rule of thumb, aim to book long-distance movers 6–8 weeks in advance whenever possible.
Peak Canadian Moving Seasons
Like real estate, moving is all about location, location, location — specifically, the timing. Intra-provincial and cross-country relocating in Canada has noticeable seasonal ebb and flows.
- The busiest months for movers are May through September. Perfect weather and school schedules prompt a summer moving frenzy.
- June and July are the pinnacle “moving madness” months with surging demands.
- August and September remain active but the frenzy starts dying down.
- October brings a mix of cross-country and regional moves.
- November to April sees significant declines in moving requests due to cold weather.
So when exactly should you book within this seasonal context? Here’s a guide based on your relocation timeframe:
Target Moving Months
Recommended Booking Timeframe
Why It Matters
May — September (peak season)
2 months in advance
Ensures availability amid competition
October
4–6 weeks out
Mix of regional and long-distance moves
November to April
2–4 weeks beforehand
Less demand in off-season
Use these planning timeframes as a starting guide when deciding how early to book movers across Canada. The sooner you can lock in movers within these recommendations, the better!
Tips for Booking Long-Distance Moves
Beyond the timing itself, preparing the critical details in advance sets you up for moving success.
Here are 5 key tips when booking Canadian movers for cross-country relocations:
- Get quotes from 3–4 professional movers after inventorying your belongings. Whether you choose binding estimates or non-binding estimates can impact costs.
- Discuss complete origin/destination addresses and timelines. Locking in pickup/delivery dates and locations with deposits often guarantees prices too.
- Ask about the mover’s dispute resolution processes in case claims arise later.
- Understand how payment plans and deposits work so final costs don’t surprise you. Common options are paying fixed upfront deposits with remaining Collect on Delivery (COD) payments due later.
- Purchase additional valuation insurance if needed to properly cover belongings in transit. Some movers have bare minimum coverage.
The more details confirmed upfront, the less likely significant changes down the road can lead to headaches.
Key Takeaways: Booking Cross Country Movers
Coordinating an out-of-province relocation brings enough complexities without the moving arrangements themselves being problematic.
By booking reputable long-distance movers 6–8 weeks ahead of time, particularly during the May to September crunch, you safeguard your moving date availability.
Prepare essential details early also, including addresses, valuation protection, and deposits.
Preparation wins the race when arranging professional cross-Canada movers and reduces unnecessary moving stresses.