Dreaming of seamless transitions for your next move?
Relocating from one home to new state can seem like something straight out of a bad dream.
Boxes, packing tape, sweaty stress… the entire process takes so much time and effort.
The Problem?
Most people try to wing it when moving.
Instead of streamlining the moving process, movers find themselves without a place to live for days or weeks on end.
Essentially, they experience downtime between homes.
Days or weeks of downtime = wasted time = wasted money = headaches.
Here’s the good news.
Downtime between moving homes doesn’t have to be the norm.
Learning how to streamline your moving process can drastically reduce the amount of downtime you experience between homes. Here’s everything you need to know.
Why Downtime Between Moving Homes Happens
Okay… let’s discuss why moving takes so long.
Poor communication typically causes most moves to drag on.
Closing dates aren’t aligned, utilities don’t get switched, boxes go unpacked for months.
And speaking of stress…
About 82% of Americans who moved during 2024 reported that moving was stressful.
Almost half of all movers cried during their move. That’s stressful – it’s downright agonizing.
And prolonged transitions between old and new living spaces only exacerbate these issues.
Temporary housing costs more money. You become less productive at work. Your day-to-day routines may fall completely by the wayside.
The key is to plan as much of the move as you can.
Loading and unloading your moving truck as well as packing and unpacking account for most of the downtime between moving homes.
If you streamline these phases, you can cut down the transition time from several weeks to just a couple days.
How Long Loading and Unloading Takes
Now it’s time to dive a little deeper into those timelines…
Let’s talk about how long loading and unloading your truck takes.
After all, moving help will make the biggest impact on your move time.
If you don’t have loading and unloading help, moving a small apartment can take you an entire weekend. Don’t even think about going fully DIY on a house – you could be moving long into next week.
To give you an idea of what to expect, consider:
- Studio / 1 bedroom home: 2-4 hours loading, 2-4 hours unloading
- 2-3 bedroom home: 4-6 hours loading, 4-6 hours unloading
- 4+ bedroom home: 6-10 hours loading, 6-10 hours unloading
Keep in mind that these times are assuming you have minimal challenges. Moves are slower if you have stairs, narrow doorways, or oversized furniture.
Professionals know how to move more efficiently than the average person.
Hiring exceptional moving services can significantly reduce your loading and unloading times. Their expert crews work as quick teams that have already faced any moving challenge.
Remember – less time loading equals less time unloading.
Proven Strategies to Minimize Time Between Homes
Ready to trim that fat?
Here are a few strategies that will help you minimize the amount of downtime you experience between homes.
Whether you’re moving across the street or across the country, these tips can help…
Outfit Your New Place Before Moving
Empty boxes always take up space. The less you have to move, the better.
Go through your belongings room-by-room at least one month before moving day.
Sort your stuff into keep, donate, and trash piles. Don’t be afraid to get rid of things.
Think about it like this:
Fewer belongings = less to pack = less boxes to load = less downtime.
Plan out Your Move with a Timeline
Good things don’t just happen.
Plot out your moving timeline at least two months out.
Assign each moving task a specific date. Include everything from turning on utilities to packing your clothes.
An ideal timeline will look something like this:
- Eight weeks out – Start decluttering and researching moving companies
- Four weeks out – Pack up nonessential items
- Two weeks out – Confirm all moving day details and utility activation
- One week out – Pack everything else except for the items you’ll need day-of
- Moving day – Stick to the plan!
Moving day chaos is one of the biggest causes for downtime. Give yourself plenty of time to plan out the smallest details.
Overlap Your Old and New Home When Possible
Here’s a secret that most people don’t know…
If you can swing it, have access to both your old residence and new residence for at least a few days. You’ll have way more flexibility with your move.
Boxes can be moved one-by-one. You’ll have more time to clean and fix up your old place.
You’ll also be able to unpack at your own pace.
Don’t Stress – Hire Moving Help
Listen, we know what you’re thinking…
“Moving with professional help is too expensive.”
But here’s the thing – not hiring professionals costs you more money.
The average American spent $2,050 on their move in 2024. If you drove more than 100 miles, you likely spent even more. But did you know that most DIY movers under budget and underestimate their time investment?
Professional help is worth every penny when:
- You have heavy or oversized furniture
- You have stairs to navigate
- You’re short on time
- You’re moving a long distance
- You have any physical limitations
Hiring professional loading and unloading help is a great compromise.
You can save money by doing the packing and driving yourself, but let pros take care of the heavy lifting.
When to Hire Professional Movers
How to Pick the Right Moving Help
Not all moving companies are created equal.
Do your research and ask tons of questions before hiring anyone to help with your move.
Make sure they are licensed and insured.
Read reviews that have been posted within the last year. Get everything in writing, including your detailed estimate.
Know what to expect from loading and unloading moving help before they show up to your door.
Wrap Up
There you have it – learn how to trim the fat so you can avoid downtime between moving homes.
Like with most things in life, moving will be a lot less stressful if you plan ahead.
Declutter as soon as you can. Create a moving timeline. And don’t be afraid to call in the cavalry.
Moving from one home to the next doesn’t have to be a month-long process.
Trim down unnecessary downtime and you’ll be settled into your new place in no time!
