There are a few factors to consider when you have decided it is finally time to make the move. One of those factors is choosing the best possible moving date – and yes, the prices do differ substantially depending on when you are looking to move. The price is usually determined by demand, the more movers are needed – the higher the prices are. As with any other business.
If you are looking for affordability when searching for cheap movers Philadelphia has to offer and the price is a deal breaker for you, sitting down and figuring out the best moving date can save you tons of money. The same company can charge double their rates at a different part of the year for example, so if you are flexible with your moving date – definitely check all of your options before booking a specific date and time.
Part of the year
The part of the year you have chosen to move during can play a huge role in the total price for your move once it is completed. Did you know that moving companies are known to be up to 200% more expensive during the moving season than off season?
This is due to the fact that everyone seems to be moving somewhere around summertime. The weather is nicer, kids are out of school, and generally people associate good weather with new beginnings. Chances are, pushing your move date back or forth a bit can drastically change the final price for your moving endeavors.
Moving during the season
Starting around April and ending around September, the moving season is extremely hectic compared to the colder months of the year. Moving companies are booked up to a month in advance, and trying to scramble a last minute move during the summertime is basically mission impossible.
In Philadelphia, it is extremely common for people to have absolutely no options for moving companies due to the fact that they are completely booked up, and extremely expensive during the season.
Prices are known to double during this time, and yet the demand for the best local movers is sky high. If you can wait for a late September move instead of a mid August one, definitely take that offer as you will realize just how much less you will be paying this way.
Moving during the off season
Everything is more complicated during the winter months with snow and rain getting into your way. This is why a lot of people avoid moving off season. However, moving companies are known to lower their prices drastically during this time, which again, is a logical thing to do if there is no particular demand for the service.
The off season begins around September and ends around March, and this is usually when you can get moving services at a much more affordable price than you would during any other part of the year. If you are lucky, you can grab a nice, sunny day to move without having to worry about breaking your bank – even if it is during the off season!
Pro tip: Off-season rates during the season
If you are set on moving during the summertime and have this information for months in advance, you can secure off season rates for yourself during the moving season if you plan ahead and think smart. Once you book your moving company, your rates are guaranteed and set in stone, no matter when you might be moving and if you will be making any changes to your reservation. (Not all moving companies have this policy, so make sure to double check before booking!)
You can reserve your summer move during the off-season when rates are still low, and if you need to make additional changes to your reservation like the date and time, some moving companies offer free changes with enough notice. For example, we at Philadelphia Movers offer free rescheduling for up to 48hrs before your scheduled date.
Part of the month
The part of the month during which you will be organizing your move can be another determining factor when it comes to your move. Some moving companies have up to 50% higher rates for certain parts of the month, like the beginning of the month for example. Most people love moving on the 1st, leases commonly expire on the 1st or 31st – and there you have it. Extreme demand for the best local movers depending on the part of the month. And an extreme fluctuation in pricing with some moving companies, so watch out.
Beginning of the month
What better time to start the new chapter of your life than on the 1st? People love moving on the 1st and the 2nd, according to statistics. In fact, almost 200% of people move on the 1st as opposed to the 3rd, which is also considered to be the beginning of the month.
If the 1st of the month falls on a Saturday, chances are you will not only have trouble finding the best local movers for that day – but the price is probably even higher due to the fact that it is a weekend as well. Avoid being overcharged for this by choosing a random date around the middle of the month.
End of the month
The same situation applies to the end of the month. People love closing chapters on the 31st. Look out for dates ranging from the 28th until the 31st, those are usually highly demanded for. Ask your moving company of choice for their difference in rates. It is normal for companies to charge differently during this time, but it is also required for your moving company to let you know about this and provide you with other, more affordable options for you if you are flexible with your moving date.
Middle of the month
The best time to move is hands down the middle of the month. Pair this with a random Tuesday, and you’ve got yourself the most affordable moving option when it comes to choosing a specific date.
Part of the week
Moving on a Saturday is probably going to cost you more than a move on Monday morning. Choose the day of the week wisely. Also keep in mind that there might be a slight loophole to the “higher weekend rates” your moving company might have.
Weekdays
From Monday to Thursday, your weekday move is bound to be the most affordable option out of all if it isn’t the beginning or the end of the month. We’ll get to the reason why Friday isn’t here. These four days are definitely the least popular for moving, and therefore the cheapest days of all. If you have a say in when you will be making the move, choosing the middle of the week can be the most cost effective solution.
Weekends
Friday decided to leave the less popular days of the week and join the very popular ones. In fact, Friday is almost tied with Saturday when it comes to the demand for moving help.
People love taking a Friday off to move, and have the entire weekend to settle into their new home with a complete peace of mind. However, there is one simple trick when it comes to moving on a weekend, without agreeing to the weekend rates. Some moving companies don’t raise prices for Sunday moves, as they are actually one of the least popular days of the week to move on.
Sundays
Either because people don’t know some moving companies move on Sundays, or because they simply don’t want to move on a Sunday – for some reason, this day of the week is less popular than Tuesday. If you still want a weekend move without having to cut corners somewhere else to stay within your budget – ask the best local movers for their Sunday rates instead.
Time of the day
Everyone loves to get their move over with as fast as they can. However, sometimes that isn’t an option. Reserving the best local movers for the first thing in the morning sounds like the most logical thing to do, but not only can the best local movers be more expensive in the morning – they might not have availability to accommodate your move in the morning, so keep this in mind as well. Also keep in mind that larger moves are rarely, if ever, done in an afternoon moving window.
Morning arrival window
As everyone wants to move in the morning, there we have it – higher prices. To eliminate the demand for a morning slot, and transfer some love to the arrival windows, moving companies offer a cheaper moving rate for moving at a later part of the day. This can be pretty inconvenient for some people but for others, it can be a win-win situation.
Afternoon arrival window
Sometimes cheaper than the morning, the afternoon arrival window is usually reserved for smaller moves only like studio apartments or one bedroom homes. Some moving companies do not do small moves in the morning, due to the fact that they simply can’t complete larger moves in the afternoon. Cheaper afternoon rates are there to motivate people with smaller moves to have them done in the afternoon as opposed to the morning.
Get a free quote from the best cheap movers Philadelphia has to offer
We at Philadelphia Movers have come up with the best moving solutions at extremely competitive rates. We are one of the cheap movers Philadelphia books months in advance, so make sure to call us as soon as possible to reserve a spot on our calendar.
We are completely open and transparent with our rates, how much we charge, and everything that is included in our hourly price. We have no hidden charges that you need to worry about before your move takes place. Equipped with everything you could potentially need for an easy and seamless move, our trained moving professionals at Philadelphia Movers will execute your move with absolute perfection.
Being quick and flawless at what we do is what we are best known for, after all. What we include in our amazingly affordable moving rates are: the service of furniture disassembly and reassembly, moving blankets and shrink wrap, wardrobe boxes, basic insurance, all taxes, and a lot more. Check out what we offer as a part of our fantastic moving services.
Get your free, comprehensive moving quote from the best local movers in Philly today!