Moving in the Summer: How to Save Money and Make It Stress-Free

Publish Date: October 24, 2025

Last Modified Date: January 19, 2026

Category: Costs & Money Saving, Moving Checklists & Planning

Tags: Tags: best movers, cheap movers, hireahelper, local movers, long distance movers, movers near me, moving, moving containers, moving vans, summer, summer uhaul, uhaul

Summer moving is popular for good reason. With school out, longer daylight hours, and generally better weather, it’s often the most convenient time for families to move. But there’s a catch: high demand for movers means higher costs, less availability, and the challenge of working in extreme heat.

Still, your move doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With careful planning and strategic timing, you can save money, stay safe, and enjoy the process. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to navigate the busiest moving season, from booking the right crew at the right price to keeping your cool on moving day.

Why So Many People Move in the Summer
How to Save Money When Moving in the Summer
Summer Moving Tips for Comfort and Safety
Summer Moving Do’s and Don’ts
Is Summer the Right Time for Your Move?
Final Thoughts

Why So Many People Move in the Summer

If it feels like every other house on the block has a moving truck parked outside in the summer, you’re not wrong. According to our research on the best times to move, 45% of all moves happen between May and August. That’s almost half of all relocations packed into just 4 months. Here are some of the reasons why:

School Schedules: Families with children prefer summer moves because they’re less disruptive to school routines. Kids have time to adjust to their new surroundings and can start the new year without missing classes.
College Transitions: College students also pack up in summer, either moving out of dorms, into their first off-campus apartment, or relocating for an internship. Our 2021 study found that 43% of Americans who began college in 2020 moved away from home, and many of these students relocated again during summer breaks between academic years.
Favorable Weather: While summer heat can be intense, many people prefer it to the risks of moving in other seasons. The longer daylight hours also provide more time to get the job done.

The downside? This spike in demand directly impacts costs. When everyone wants the same dates, movers book up quickly and prices rise. That’s where smart planning comes in.

How to Save Money When Moving in the Summer

Planning ahead can help you avoid the worst of summer’s price hikes while still taking advantage of the season’s benefits. With a few strategies, you can keep costs under control without compromising on service quality.

Book Your Movers Early

Summer calendars fill up fast. Because demand is so high, moving companies and labor-only crews get booked up weeks, or even months, in advance. Booking early, ideally 4 to 6 weeks or more before your move date, not only secures your spot but can also lock in better rates before peak-season pricing kicks in.

Starting your search early also gives you time to do your research. Instead of grabbing the first available option, you can take your time to compare movers. Plus, you can use HireAHelper’s platform to make it even easier to see side-by-side comparisons of local moving companies based on their prices, services offered, and, most importantly, verified customer reviews.

Move Mid-Month or Mid-Week

If you have some flexibility, one of the easiest ways to save money is by avoiding the busiest days. Most people move on weekends (Friday to Sunday) and at the beginning or end of the month to align with leases. Moving companies know this, and prices on these peak days reflect the demand.

By scheduling your move for a weekday, you can often find significantly lower rates. Similarly, if you can move in the middle of the month instead of the 1st or the 31st, you’re likely to see more availability and better pricing.

Be Flexible With Your Move Date

When you start your search for movers, try to have a small window of potential dates. Even small adjustments to your moving timeline can lead to significantly better pricing. If your ideal date shows high prices or limited availability, check rates for the days immediately before and after. Sometimes shifting by just one day can save you hundreds of dollars.

“An 8 am or 9 am start time allows you to get the bulk of the heavy lifting done before the day reaches its peak temperature.”

Also, be mindful of holiday weekends. Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day are extremely popular and expensive times to move. If you can, schedule your move for the week before or after these holidays. By being flexible, you’ll have more negotiating power and better options.

Look for Discounts and Off-Peak Deals

Many movers on HireAHelper’s marketplace and elsewhere offer promotions for specific groups. Just check the provider’s profile or ask before booking. Common discounts include:

Military personnel (active duty and veterans)
College students
Seniors
AAA members (American Automobile Association)

If you have a smaller move, such as a studio apartment or just a few large items, ask about special rates. Some companies specialize in smaller jobs and can offer a more competitive price than a crew that’s used to moving large houses.

Also, labor-only moves, where you provide the truck or moving container and movers handle the loading and unloading, often cost less than traditional full-service options. If you’re comfortable driving a rental truck, this approach can cut your total moving costs substantially.

Summer Moving Tips for Comfort and Safety

Hot weather creates challenges that require specific preparation and planning. It’s not just about comfort; it can also pose safety risks for you, your family, and the moving crew. These strategies protect your belongings, keep everyone safe, and make the physical process more manageable during peak summer heat.

1. Start Early in the Day

The sun is at its most powerful and temperatures are at their highest in the afternoon, typically between 12 pm and 4 pm. To avoid the worst of the heat, schedule your movers to arrive as early in the morning as possible. An 8 am or 9 am start time allows you to get the bulk of the heavy lifting done before the day reaches its peak temperature.

Starting early offers several benefits:

Reduced health risks: Working in cooler morning temperatures lowers the risk of heat exhaustion and heatstroke.
Better for your movers: Your moving crew will be fresher and more energetic at the start of their day, so your move will be faster and more efficient.
Protects your belongings: Some items, especially electronics, can be sensitive to extreme heat. Less time spent sitting in a hot truck is always a good thing.

2. Protect Heat-Sensitive Items

Temperatures inside a closed truck can rise well above the outside air temperature, putting certain belongings at risk of melting, warping, or being permanently damaged. Pack a separate box or two of heat-sensitive items to transport in your own air-conditioned vehicle. These items should include:

Electronics: Laptops, tablets, gaming consoles, and TVs can be damaged by extreme heat.
Media: Heat can also damage DVDs and CDs and cause vinyl records to warp.
Artwork and Photographs: High heat and humidity can ruin old photographs and delicate oil paintings.
Candles and Cosmetics: Anything that melts, including candles and lip balms, should be boxed in a protective container or moved with you.
Medications and Toiletries: Many medications lose their effectiveness when exposed to heat.
Food and Beverages: Anything perishable should travel with you. Canned goods can also spoil or even burst in extreme heat.
Aerosol Cans: Hairspray, cleaning products, and spray paint can explode in high temperatures.
Plants: Most plants don’t like hot, stagnant air. If you’re moving locally, water them lightly and carry them in your car.

3. Stay Hydrated and Cool

One of the most important rules for summer moving is staying hydrated. Dehydration can happen quickly when you’re doing physical labor in the heat. Plan ahead to have plenty of fluids and cooling supplies on hand for everyone.

Stock up on water: Have a large cooler filled with ice, bottled water, and sports drinks readily available. Be sure bring enough so you’re able to offer some to your movers throughout the day as well. They’ll be working hard, and this simple gesture helps keep them safe and comfortable.
Pack snacks: Have easy-to-eat snacks like granola and energy bars on hand to keep energy levels up.
Dress appropriately: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing in light colors. Breathable fabrics like cotton or moisture-wicking athletic wear are ideal. Choose sturdy, closed-toe shoes for safety.

4. Keep Essentials Accessible

On moving day, the last thing you want is to be digging through a dozen boxes looking for sunscreen. Pack a box of first-day essentials containing items you’ll need immediately in your new home and during moving day. It should include:

Sunscreen and toiletries
Hats and sunglasses for everyone
A portable phone charger
Basic first-aid supplies (bandages, pain relievers)
Any necessary medications
Paper towels and toilet paper
A change of clothes for everyone

And make sure you carry the box with you. Don’t put these items on the moving truck where you can’t access them when needed.

5. Prep Your New Home for Summer Move-In

A cool destination with running water makes unloading faster and safer. You should spend a few minutes prepping your new place before the truck arrives. Here are the steps to take:

Set up utilities in advance: Contact utility companies to ensure that electricity, water, and internet are all set up before your arrival.
Turn on the AC: If you can get access to your new home the day before, turn on the air conditioning. Set it to a cool temperature so the house has time to get comfortable before you and the movers arrive with all your belongings.
Have fans ready: If your new place doesn’t have central AC, set up window units or box fans in key areas to get the air circulating as soon as you arrive.

Summer Moving Do’s and Don’ts

To keep things simple, here’s a quick list of summer moving dos and don’ts. From bringing plenty of water for your movers to avoiding open-toed shoes in the heat, these reminders can help you stay safe, prepared, and better equipped to handle the challenges of peak moving season.

Do:

Offer your movers water and sports drinks: Keeping the crew hydrated is a small act of kindness that makes a big difference. It helps them stay safe, energized, and work efficiently. Be sure to also bring plenty of water for yourself and your family.
Check the weather forecast: Stay on top of the weather forecast in the days leading up to your move. If a major heatwave or thunderstorm is predicted, you can prepare and make any necessary adjustments.
Clear all pathways: Before the movers arrive, make sure walkways, stairs, and hallways are completely clear of clutter at both your old and new homes. This prevents trips and falls and makes the loading and unloading process faster and safer.

Don’t:

Wear heavy fabrics or open-toed shoes: Dark colors and heavy materials like denim will make you feel hotter. In addition, flip-flops or sandals might be heat-appropriate footwear, but they are a major safety hazard during a move. Always wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes like sneakers.
Leave your children or pets unattended: The heat, open doors, and constant motion of moving day can be stressful and dangerous for kids and pets. Arrange for a babysitter or a pet-sitter to keep them safe and out of the way.
Forget to rest: You might want to push through until the job is done, but don’t forget to take breaks. Step into the shade or an air-conditioned room for a few minutes to drink water and cool down. Pushing yourself too hard in the heat can lead to serious health issues.

Is Summer the Right Time for Your Move?

If you have the flexibility to move any time of year, summer is convenient, but it’s not your only option. Consider these pros and cons to see if a summer move makes sense for you.

Pros:

Convenience for families: Aligning with the school calendar remains the top reason for a summer move.
Longer daylight hours: More sun means more time to get everything done without having to work in the dark.
Easier home sales: The housing market is most active in the summer, making it a good time to sell your home.

Cons:

Higher costs: Peak demand means you’ll likely pay more for movers and truck rentals.
Scheduling challenges: The best moving companies often get fully booked, so you need to plan far in advance.
Extreme heat: The heat poses health risks and can damage sensitive belongings.

If moving in the summer isn’t absolutely necessary for you, fall and spring offer a sweet spot: milder weather and lower demand. You might find better rates and more flexibility by moving in September, October, March, or April. Not sure which date is best? Try browsing multiple dates on HireAHelper’s marketplace and comparing live prices and availability in your area.

Final Thoughts

Moving in the summer doesn’t have to be overwhelming or expensive. With early planning, smart scheduling, and a few practical tips, you can save money and make the process smoother. Remember, small details like booking movers early, staying flexible with your dates, and keeping everyone cool and hydrated can make a big difference in how your moving day feels.

At HireAHelper, our goal is to connect you with highly rated, affordable movers who can take the heavy lifting off your shoulders, so you can focus on settling into your new home instead of stressing about the move.

How to Orchestrate a New York to Los Angeles Move in 28 Days Flat

Author: Alexis Rhiannon

Publish Date: February 5, 2021

Last Modified Date: September 23, 2021

Category: Long Distance Moving Advice

Tags: Tags: apartment hunting, california, cheap movers, coast to coast, cross-country move, hireahelper, la, la apartment, long distance move, long distance movers, los angeles, los angeles apartment, movers, moving coasts, moving truck, new york, new york apartment, new york city, nyc

In February 2019 I’d been living in New York for a decade. I had vague, hazy plans to consider a move to the west coast in the next three to five years, but had done zero planning about how to make that happen.

Then, on the first of the month, my boyfriend was offered his dream job in Los Angeles, with a proposed start date of March 1st. That gave us just four weeks to break our lease, pack up our entire lives, make the cross-country move, and find an apartment in an unfamiliar city. Yikes.

Where do I even start with my whirlwind NYC to LA move?

It was an intimidating proposition, made even more so by the fact that I couldn’t find any published resources to help guide the way. Luckily, my partner and I are both writers and performers, so there were a lot of people in our community who’d made that same move. (It’s super common for creatives on one coast to get cast or staffed on a show on the other, and have just weeks or even days to show up on site.)

Through a combination of their recommendations and my own frantic research, I was able to cobble together a plan for how to do the long distance move from NYC to LA that went off without a hitch… and then I wrote it all down.

Month 1: Leaving New York

Day 1: Book your movers ASAP (they get booked fast)

Your very first call should be to a moving company, because long-distance mover slots book up lightning fast. Come in with as wide a range of possible moving dates as you can—shoot for three to five days—that flexibility will make it more likely that you’ll be able to snag your first choice.

Our first choice was a business called Oz Moving & Storage, a company offering residential, commercial, and long-distance moves in three states: New York, New Jersey, and California. (But of course, you can check a mover marketplace like HireAHelper.com to find a company that works for you.) Not only did Oz come highly recommended by friends who’d used them, but the company offered a service that seemed tailor-made for our situation: the ability to book without an existing address on the LA end, plus 30 days of free storage.

Oz quoted me a price of $1954.59 to move our one-bedroom just under 3,000 miles (this is not a bad deal for a coast to coast move), and I put down my $50 deposit to reserve an appointment. Then I moved on to the next item on my list, ready to build out the rest of my schedule around that tentpole.

Moving far away?

See prices for movers – instantly.

Read honest customer reviews.

Book everything online.

Day 1-5: Get your plane ticket

Now that your stuff has a way to get to LA, you should probably find a way to get your body there as well.

We’d toyed with the idea of driving for our cross-country move, but ultimately opted to fly so we’d have more time to apartment hunt on the other end. Also, like most New Yorkers, we didn’t have a car, which both complicated and eased our travel arrangements.

Once we’d booked a flight—scheduling it for well into the afternoon, since our movers were set to arrive in the morning—we looked for a short term Airbnb in LA. We booked an affordable spot for five days up front, and confirmed with our host that she’d be open to us extending our stay if we didn’t find an apartment during that time.

Day 1-5: (Gently) break your lease

Ideally, your lease is ending organically, or you’re in a month-to-month situation, but if you’re not and don’t want to pay a penalty, your best bet is to drop the news on your landlord as soon as possible. The sooner the unit is filled after your departure, the less likely it is that you’ll have to pay any kind of penalty for bailing out early. In our case, avoiding getting dinged came down to flexibility… and a tremendous amount of luck.

“Your very first call should be to a moving company, because long-distance mover slots book up lightning fast.”

Moments after we spoke to our landlord, he ran into our downstairs neighbor, who happened to have a friend looking for a spot. She shot some video of our space, and he asked if he could come by to view the place before a scheduled trip took him out of town. He committed to taking the place on the spot.

With a move-in date of March 1st, the apartment wouldn’t sit empty for a single day, so we didn’t have to pay a penalty, and got back every dollar of our deposit. Phew!

Day 5-infinity: Spend as much time as you want apartment-browsing online, but don’t sign anything

You’ll notice that I haven’t said anything about trying to lock down an apartment in advance, and the reason for that is —I didn’t do it, and I don’t want you to either.

Here’s why: for those of us who have lived in New York City for any length of time, the rental market has broken our brains. This is a fact. But the Los Angeles market isn’t nearly as competitive, so signing an LA lease sight unseen is setting yourself up for a scam or a disappointment.

For example, one of my friends lined up a gorgeous one-bedroom in advance, only to discover a cockroach infestation that necessitated a quick move-out. I was also shown quite a few listings that were priced higher online than the number I was quoted in person. It seems many agencies are well aware that out-of-towners are eager to get everything nailed down in advance, and some take advantage by increasing the rent on online listings to see what they can get away with!

Also, final note: the LA apartment we ended up renting was one I’d seen a listing for in advance and hadn’t even bothered saving. But I had a totally different reaction when I saw it in person, so please don’t stress too hard if you’re not seeing anything that grabs you.

Day 10: Sell any big-ticket items you’re not in love with

The price of a long-distance move has everything to do with the amount of boxes and larger furniture pieces you’re bringing, so make your choices wisely. Anything that doesn’t fall into the must-have category can go up on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, where the profits from its sale can go toward your moving costs.

Neither of us was completely enamored with our couch, so we sold it in New York — for almost as much as it had cost in the first place. And since we had a connection to the guy who was moving into our place, I took photos and wrote detailed descriptions of all the furniture we weren’t bringing with us, in hopes he might want to buy some of it. It was a time-consuming process, but the new tenant wound up wanting almost all of it! He Venmoed us $1,100 for the pieces he was interested in, which made it well worth the effort.

Day 14: Start packing up your New York apartment

My personal feeling is it’s never too early to start packing, but I’d say make sure you’ve begun in earnest by the time your move date is two weeks out. Don’t seal up the boxes until Day 25 or so, but you can start filling them now with items you don’t use on a regular basis, making sure to label the boxes carefully and avoid overloading them.

Day 28: Bring your freaking sheets with you

Since we’d have to go without the majority of our stuff for weeks as we waited for the rest of our stuff to arrive, I made sure to leave space for daily items in our checked luggage. For us, that list included a few kitchen supplies, toiletries, our electronics, and was missing one big item: bed linens.

We’d always planned to purchase an air mattress before our first night in our new apartment, but for some reason, we hadn’t considered what we’d sleep under. We spent a few embarrassing, shivery nights swaddled in coats and towels before a lovely friend took pity on us and brought over some sheets, pillows, and a comforter.

Month 2: Okay, You’re in LA. Now What?

Congratulations! Your feet are on the ground in Los Angeles, and the settling in has begun. (This is the easy part, I promise.)

Day 1-5: Stretch your apartment-hunting legs (literally)

The advice we heard over and over again was simple: walk the streets looking for “FOR RENT” signs. Once you find one, call the number listed and cross your fingers you get to talk to a real person, who will either schedule an appointment or come show you the place right then.

“To get a moving permit, Los Angeles City residents can call (213) 485-2298 with at least five days’ notice—be prepared to pay around $50.”

We got started in West Hollywood, because it was walkable to my boyfriend’s new job, and set our sights on a one-bedroom for $2,000 or less. I’d learned from my research that that would be a tough ask, and one agent actually laughed in our faces as she showed us a unit, but I figured we could afford to be a little picky since this was our first day looking. That mindset paid off when just down the block from that giggly agent, we found the perfect spot on our very first day looking: an adorable one-bedroom for just $1,750.

We applied on the spot and were approved, our new building manager eyeing us nervously as we sweatily raced through the application, desperate to protect this apartment from the hordes of prospective renters we were certain were on our tail. (We saw no one all day, our brains are very sick.)

Day 5: Give your address to your moving company

Once you have keys in hand, it’s time to inform the moving company (or whoever you’re storing your stuff with) of your new address, which in our case also triggered the next phase of our move. Oz would be moving our boxes from New York storage and onto the truck any day now, which opened a 14-day window during which we could expect to receive our items.

Day 15: Get a moving permit, ideally for the correct city

As the time got closer, we heard from Oz again, with informative emails narrowing down the delivery window to a certain day, and noting that we’d likely need a moving permit.

To get a moving permit, Los Angeles City residents can call (213) 485-2298 with at least five days’ notice—be prepared to pay around $50. (For West Hollywood residents, the number is (323) 848-6392, and charges start at $10 and go up to $35 depending on the specifics of your move.)

Just for fun, try knowing what city you live in before you get a permit. I called LA instead of WeHo, and they got all the way out to our block before realizing that we were outside the LA City limits. They refunded my money, but I had to start over with WeHo with not enough time before the deadline, which was nice and stressful. (Thankfully, everything ultimately worked out.)

Day 15: Ask your landlord whether your new building requires a Certificate of Insurance (COI)

This was a new concept to me. Oz noted in an email that if our building required one, they’d be happy to provide it, but that didn’t turn out to be necessary at our location.

apartment fridge — I wish my fridge looked this cool.

Day 15: Be aware that for some bizarre reason, your apartment might not come with a fridge

I know. This is a very weird one. Our apartment did come with a fridge. And we were warned that plenty don’t. If yours doesn’t, don’t worry—there’s apparently a thriving market for secondhand fridges in and around LA. If you need one, consider planning its arrival for the day the rest of your stuff arrives, so you don’t have to lug it into your apartment solo. (Remembering to check with your movers to make sure that’s an okay task to add, of course.)

Day 366: Note that your lease will likely transition to month-to-month after a year

Apparently, this is the case in other cities as well, but since I’d been in a rent-stabilized unit for most of my time in New York, I wasn’t aware. After your first year in many LA apartments, your lease will switch over to a month-to-month situation.

And that’s a wrap on that—you’re officially an Angeleno! Who knows if the time will ever come when I need to attempt this long distance move in reverse, but if it does, I feel much more prepared now than I did the first time around.

Moving in the Summer: How to Save Money and Make It Stress-Free

Why So Many People Move in the Summer