When planning a house move, one of the first things you need to do is schedule your relocation date. After all, you can’t create a reliable moving calendar or follow a checklist without knowing when moving day will be.
This means you should:
Decide on a convenient moving date (or at least a time window).
Secure moving help for that day, usually by hiring professional movers unless you’re relocating locally with help from friends.
But here’s the big question:
How far in advance should you book movers?
Is two weeks enough? Is one month too early? Or should you be reserving your spot several months ahead?
Read on to discover the answer and more.
You may also like to read: Questions to Ask a Moving Company. You must take the time to carefully choose any mover you are thinking of hiring. In this guide, we suggest 30 questions that you should get the answer to before booking any mover.
How Early Should You Book Movers?
The earlier you book, the cheaper, easier, and less stressful your home move will be
The short answer: The earlier, the better.
Most experts (and real-world moving experiences) agree that you should schedule movers at least 4–8 weeks in advance. This gives you time to:
Compare moving companies and quotes.
Lock in your preferred date.
Avoid last-minute stress and higher costs.
But the ideal booking time depends on four factors:
When you’re moving (peak vs. off-season).
How far you’re moving (local, cross-country, or international).
The size of your move (studio vs. full house).
The complexity of your move (special items, storage, full-service moving).
You may also like to read: How to Negotiate with Movers. A key benefit of booking your move early is that it puts you in a good position to negotiate a better deal with your movers. In this guide, we explain all you need to know about how to negotiate with a moving company.
How Much do Movers Cost?
Save up to 40% on your upcoming move and get a quote from reputable moving experts.
Move outside of the peak season for maximum savings
When you are moving makes the biggest difference in how soon you should book:
Peak season (May–September, weekends, month-ends, holidays):
Book at least 8 weeks ahead. During the summer, some moving companies are fully booked 2–3 months in advance.
Off-season (October–April, weekdays, mid-month):
You can often secure movers with 4 weeks’ notice.
You may also like to read: Moving in the Off-Peak Season. Moving between October and April is considered the best time to move home; find out why in this guide to moving home out of season.
Booking Movers by Distance
The further you move, the more notice the movers will need
Your timeline also depends on how far you’re moving:
Local moves (same city/town):
Book 2–4 weeks ahead. For very small moves, even 2 weeks may be enough.
Intrastate moves (within the same state):
Book about 4 weeks ahead. Movers need time to plan logistics.
Cross-country moves:
Book 8 weeks in advance (12 weeks in summer). These moves require detailed coordination across states.
International moves:
Book 3–4 months ahead. Overseas moves involve customs, shipping, and complex logistics.
You may also like to read: Hiring Movers for the First Time. If you have never hired professional movers before, then you will find the tips in this guide invaluable to ensure that you find the best movers for your particular type of home move.
Other Factors That Affect When to Book Movers
If you are moving specialty items that require crating, you need to give plenty of notice
Move size: Larger moves require more manpower, trucks, and time. Book earlier to guarantee availability.
Specialty items: Pianos, safes, antiques, or bulky furniture need extra planning.
Full-service moves: If movers will also pack/unpack, book as early as possible since this requires more planning.
Benefits of Booking Movers Early
Booking ahead comes with major advantages:
Better choice of movers – Hire top-rated, licensed companies.
Guaranteed equipment & crew – No risk of trucks being unavailable.
Lower costs – Many movers offer early-booking discounts.
Peace of mind – You know your moving date is secured.
Downside to early booking? Only one: you may lose your deposit if you cancel late. Most reputable movers, however, allow refunds if you cancel 2+ weeks in advance.
You may also like to read: Moving Company Deposits. In this guide, we explain why you have to pay a deposit, how deposits are calculated, what factors influence how much the deposit will be, and how much that deposit will typically be.
How Much Notice Do Movers Need?
2 weeks: Only works for local, off-season moves. Risky during busy periods.
4 weeks: Standard for most intrastate and off-peak moves.
6–8 weeks: Best for cross-country and peak-season relocations.
3–4 months: Essential for international moves.
How to Book Movers the Right Way
Start researching movers early – ideally 12–8 weeks before your move.
Request free moving quotes – compare at least 3 reputable companies.
Get in-home or virtual estimates – binding estimates are best.
Compare services & prices – watch for hidden fees or unusually low quotes (red flag).
Confirm your booking at least 4 weeks before moving day.
Pro tip: Never pay a large upfront deposit. Legit movers typically request no more than 20% of the total cost.
You may also like to read: How to Choose a Moving Company. In this comprehensive guide, you will discover a step-by-step process for finding and hiring a reputable moving company.
What If You Need Movers Last Minute?
Never skip doing your due diligence, even with a last-minute move
Sometimes life throws you a curveball, and you may need to relocate quickly. If so:
Call movers immediately — availability reduces by the day.
Look for short-notice movers that specialize in urgent relocations.
Still check licenses and reviews (to avoid scams).
Be aware that last-minute moves are usually more expensive.
You may also like to read: How to Hire Same-Day Movers. If you need to find moving help urgently, then you will find this guide invaluable.
FAQs About Booking Movers
Is 2 weeks enough notice to book movers?
Yes, but only for small local moves in off-peak season. For long-distance or summer moves, 2 weeks is often too late.
How far in advance do you book movers for summer?
At least 8–12 weeks. Summer is peak moving season.
Can movers be booked 6 months ahead?
Yes, and it’s a good idea if you already know your moving date — especially for international or large relocations.
Do movers get cheaper closer to the date?
No. In fact, the opposite is true, last-minute bookings usually cost more.
You may also like to read: Types of Movers and Moving Services. In this guide, we explain the different types of moving companies and the specific services that they offer.
Key Takeaways
Local moves: Book 2–4 weeks ahead.
Intrastate moves: Book 4 weeks ahead.
Cross-country moves: Book 8–12 weeks ahead.
International moves: Book 3–4 months ahead.
Peak season (summer, weekends, and month-ends): Always book earlier.
The golden rule: The earlier you book movers, the smoother, cheaper, and less stressful your move will be.
Good luck with your move, and be sure to visit our home moving blog, which is packed with guides to make every aspect of your home move easier, cheaper, and safer.
I like that you mention how hiring professional movers is a good idea if your going a long distance as well as if you don’t have a lot of help. Your advice to book as early as possible so you have he time to have everything done in an orderly and efficient manner is a good idea. In order to do this, you’d probably want to start by researching long distance movers as soon as you know where you’re going so you can figure out which one can provide the services you need. You could research them by going online as well as getting recommendations from people you know to figure out which one has the experience, skills, and equipment to help.
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I like that you mention how hiring professional movers is a good idea if your going a long distance as well as if you don’t have a lot of help. Your advice to book as early as possible so you have he time to have everything done in an orderly and efficient manner is a good idea. In order to do this, you’d probably want to start by researching long distance movers as soon as you know where you’re going so you can figure out which one can provide the services you need. You could research them by going online as well as getting recommendations from people you know to figure out which one has the experience, skills, and equipment to help.