Ask people who move homes for a living which month they would pick, and hardly any of them say August.
They say October. Here’s why, and what it means for planning.
Why October Works
The weather finally cooperates
Fifty-eight degrees and overcast is close to perfect for this. Doors propped open all day, nobody hauling a wardrobe down four flights in ninety degree heat, and a crew that still has something left at hour seven.
Schedules open up
The August crush is over. Service elevators, loading docks and parking permits that were spoken for three weeks out in the summer start freeing up again, especially mid-month.
There’s more give in the calendar
June through August pulls most of the year’s moves into about ten weeks. Once that lets up, there’s more room in everyone’s schedule, including yours.
Why It Fills Up Anyway
Leases turn at the start and the end of the month, so those weekends book earliest. The holiday weekend books with them, because three days is the easiest way to move without taking time off work. And plenty of buildings only allow move-ins on weekdays, which quietly removes half the calendar.
So the month comes out lopsided. The edges are tight and the middle is wide open.
The dates to ask for
A Tuesday or Wednesday between the 6th and the 22nd.
Those dates get you the widest choice of arrival times, the easiest elevator reservation, and a building or a block that isn’t running three moves at once. If your lease gives you any flexibility at all, this is where to spend it.
When to Book
As soon as you have a date. That’s the whole rule, and it matters more in October than in most months, because the good dates go early.
For planning purposes, a full service move with packing usually wants four to six weeks, and a studio without packing can come together in two or three. If your date is sooner than that, call anyway. Mid-month weekdays open up more often than people expect, and it costs nothing to ask.
What to Have Ready When You Call
Four things, and we can quote you a guaranteed price, usually in one conversation:
- Both addresses.
- Access at each end: floor, elevator or stairs, driveway or street parking, and any building rules you already know about.
- Your target date and one alternate.
- A rough list of the large items, and whether you want us to pack.
After that, the only decision left is the date.
Happy Moving Day.
October dates are going now. See your price before you pick one.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to move?
October is one of the strongest months. The weather is mild, schedules open up after the summer rush, and mid-month weekdays have the widest availability. FlatRate Moving recommends booking as soon as you have a date.
How far in advance should I book a move in October?
A full service move with packing usually wants four to six weeks, and a smaller move without packing can come together in two or three. If your date is sooner than that, it is still worth calling, because mid-month weekdays open up more often than people expect.
What is the best day of the month to move?
A mid-month Tuesday or Wednesday. Leases turn at the start and end of the month, so those dates book first, and mid-month weekdays give you the most choice of arrival times and the easiest building access.
Is it cheaper to move in the fall?
Availability, not price, is what shifts most with the date under a guaranteed price from FlatRate Moving. Fall gives you more choice of dates and easier scheduling than the June to August rush.