Key takeaways
- Book long distance movers 6 to 8 weeks ahead. For a summer or month-end move, make it 10 to 12.
- Mid-month and mid-week dates are easier to book than the end of the month or a weekend.
- Summer, especially late June through August, is the busiest stretch of the year.
- Have your inventory ready before you call. It is what the quote is built from.
Most people call movers later than they should, then find the date they wanted is gone. Here is how far ahead to book, which dates to avoid, and what to have in hand when you call.
How far in advance should you book movers?
For a long distance move, 6 to 8 weeks ahead is a good target. That gives you a choice of dates and time to sort out packing.
Book earlier, 10 to 12 weeks, if any of these apply:
- You are moving between June and August.
- Your date falls at the end of a month, when most leases turn over.
- You are moving to or from Quebec around July 1, which is Moving Day there.
- Your date cannot move, because of a closing date or a job start.
If you have less time than that, call anyway. Dates open up, and a mover can tell you quickly what is actually available.
Which dates are easiest to get
Moving companies are busiest at the end of the month, on weekends and through the summer. If your dates are flexible, a Tuesday or Wednesday in the middle of the month is the easiest slot to book, and often the best priced.
Winter is the quietest season. Snow can slow a long haul down, but availability is good and crews are not stretched.
Your booking timeline
| When | What to do |
| 8 to 12 weeks out | Get estimates from two or three movers. Book once you have chosen. |
| 6 weeks out | Start sorting what you are not taking. Every box affects the price. |
| 4 weeks out | Confirm the date in writing. Book elevators and parking if you need them. |
| 2 weeks out | Start packing. Arrange transit for any vehicles. |
| 1 week out | Defrost the fridge, set aside what travels with you, confirm arrival times. |
| Moving day | Walk through with the crew lead before the truck leaves. |
Our moving checklist covers the rest of the admin, including address changes and utilities.
What to have ready when you call
A quote is built from what you are moving and where it is going, so the more you can describe, the more accurate it will be.
- Your pickup and delivery addresses, or at least the cities.
- Your home size and a rough inventory, room by room, including the boxes you expect.
- Anything unusual: a piano, a safe, a workshop, a hot tub.
- Access details at both ends. Stairs, elevators, narrow streets, long walks from where a truck can park.
- Your ideal date and how flexible it is.
For what all of this does to the price, see our guide to long distance moving costs.
How to choose a mover
Get estimates from a few companies and compare what is included, not just the total. A low number with packing, insurance and stairs charged separately is not the cheaper option.
Worth checking before you book:
- Are they a member of the Canadian Association of Movers, which vets its members?
- Do they do walkthrough estimates, in person or by video? A quote given without seeing your home is a guess.
- What coverage is included, and what it would cost to increase it?
- What is the delivery window, and what happens if the date slips?
- Is the quote binding, or can it change on moving day?
Get the answers in writing. A company that will not put its quote in writing is telling you something.
| Ready to lock in a date? Great Canadian Van Lines moves households across Canada every week. Get a free estimate and we will tell you honestly what is available for your dates. Call 1-800-665-0055 or request a free estimate online. |
