Table of Contents

What You Need to Know About Getting Started With Your Move

Author: Robert Moreschi | Updated Date: 11-21-2025

Packing up and leaving home for a new and unfamiliar place can be little challenging. Especially, if you've never moved before.

Knowing when and how to move cleverly can ease up the emotional challenge a bit.

Let us know a few things before moving out to minimize moving challenges.

Deciding When to Move

Once you decide to move, the first step in planning the move is to determine when you'll be moving.

This may include, moving for a new job or promotion or an unforeseen event forcing you to relocate on short notice.

Here are few things to consider about when to move:

  • If you have children, consider moving before a school year begins. Your child's school schedule dictate the best time to move.

  • Relocating in the middle of the school year can create added stress for your child.

  • It's common for many families to move during summer vacation so your child won't have to acclimate to new teachers, new classes and new friends.

Moving companies tend to charge more during their busier seasons, like summer.

If you want to save money on your move, you're going to have a hard time doing so if you move during the summer.

Since the summer is a peak time of business for the moving industry, many moving companies cost more to book during the warm weather months than they would during other off-peak months.

Planning your Moving Budget

Plan your move to know how much money you're willing to spend.

Everyone would love to hire a full-service moving company to do all of their packing and loading.

Ask yourself if you can afford movers for packing and loading in addition to other expenses that come with moving and buying/renting a new home.

Here are some tips on how to craft a moving budget:

  • Everything adds up. Your packing materials, the moving company you hire, the boxes and the trucks you rent all add up to a pretty hefty sum.

  • It can be easy to lose track of everything and overshoot your budget by paying for things you can't afford.

Keep track of your budget as you go. By tracking your budget and setting an allotted amount ahead of time. You’ll be able to leave just enough money to cover your moving expenses.

Keep a running spreadsheet that details all of your planned moving-related expenses and update it as you go along.

Spend wisely and always keep your budget in mind. As you go along, you may be required to spend more on certain aspects of your move.

For example, if you have an extremely old antique desk that needs to be specially wrapped and protected for the move, it will require extra money for the proper materials.

If you plan for this ahead of time, you will be able to better allocate the costs and won't be caught by surprise on moving day.

Booking a Moving Company

You're going to need at least a few months to plan out every detail of your move, so you should start your planning as soon as you've made the decision to move.

When it comes to finding a moving company, start looking as soon as possible.

Here are some reasons why:

  • Depending on when you move, certain times of the year tend to be much busier for moving companies.

  • They're likely to be booked far in advance, so it's best that you start your search for a mover before you handle anything else, especially if you're planning on moving in the summer.

  • By reserving your moving company as soon as possible, you can be sure that you have a mover that is respected and dependable, rather than one you had to book at the 11th hour because there were no other companies available.

  • The earlier you book a moving company, the better the deal you'll get. The ideal time to book a moving company is at least two months prior to your move. If you book early enough, you'll secure the movers at a more affordable rate.

Takeaway

  • Choose your moving date wisely to avoid peak-season prices.

  • Set a clear moving budget and track all expenses as you go.

  • Book your movers early so you get reliable professionals and better rates.

  • Planning ahead makes the entire move smoother, cheaper, and less stressful.

Note

If you start planning early, you’ll avoid last-minute stress, higher prices, and limited mover availability.

Give yourself enough time to compare quotes, set your budget, and secure trusted movers.

The Bottom Line

To get started on your planning asap and find movers in your area for help, visit Movers.com.

Fill in our free and easy-to-use quote form. You'll then be contacted by up to seven moving companies that will provide you with a no-obligation estimate for your move.

If you need more information about setting up your move, you can speak to our moving expert available now.

For more information, tips, and help for moving – see our detailed moving guides.

How to get started with your move

Get Quotes