What No One Tells You About Moving in Summer
Last July, I learned what happens when you underestimate the summer moving process. With a broken air conditioner, uncomfortable kids, and unconnected utilities, my relocation quickly turned into a disaster. Moving in summer is popular because kids are out of school and the weather is generally predictable, but it’s challenging in ways most people never mention.
Before you start packing boxes and calling moving companies, here’s what you need to know about summer relocations to save stress, time, and money.
The Calendar Conflict
Most people don’t realize how competitive scheduling is during the summer months. Nearly 70% of all moves happen between May and September, creating a perfect storm of high demand and limited availability.
Moving companies often book up 6–8 weeks in advance for weekend slots. This scheduling crunch means you might end up with your third-choice date or pay premium rates for convenient times.
The solution? Book your moving services at least two months ahead for a summer move. Choose mid-month and mid-week dates for the best availability, as month beginnings and ends are notoriously busy with apartment lease turnovers. By avoiding peak times, you’ll have more options and potentially save a little bit on moving costs.
The True Cost of Summer Moving
The price shock of moving in summer catches many people off guard. Most don’t realize summer rates can be 20–30% higher than off-season prices. This premium applies to everything from the moving truck rental to professional services.
Here’s why summer prices go up:
- Higher demand for moving services drives up base rates
- Fuel costs typically increase during summer travel seasons
- Additional fees for weekend and end-of-month moves
- Premium rates for popular morning time slots
The best defense against hidden fees is getting written estimates from multiple companies. Ask about summer rates, and don’t forget to inquire about discounts for flexible scheduling or mid-week moves. Create a budget that includes these seasonal premiums to avoid financial surprises during your relocation.
The Weather (Is Hot!)
The summer heat affects your move in ways you might not consider. Temperatures inside a moving truck can exceed 120°F, potentially damaging electronics, musical instruments, candles, vinyl records, and certain types of furniture.
Electronics require special attention during hot moves:
- Allow devices to cool before turning them on at your new home
- Transport sensitive equipment in air-conditioned vehicles when possible
- Use original packaging with proper insulation where available
- Keep small electronics with you rather than in the truck
On moving day, start early when temperatures are cooler, wear light, breathable clothing, and make hydration a priority. Professional movers know to take more frequent breaks during extreme heat. The process might take a bit longer, but it’s worth it. If you’re moving DIY, take a page from the pros and go slow.
The School-Year Transition Secret
No one talks about the administrative challenges of changing schools during vacation months. School offices often operate with reduced summer staff, complicating records transfers.
Most parents don’t realize the importance of timing when it comes to school registration. Wait too long, and your children might miss orientation programs, sports tryouts, or club sign-ups that typically happen in late summer. These early connections help kids socially adjust before the academic year begins.
Create a school transition plan as part of your moving checklist:
- Request records at least 30 days before departure
- Research registration deadlines for the new school district
- Schedule a tour before the school year begins
- Connect with parent groups online to learn about extracurricular opportunities
The Storage Dilemma
Summer storage is challenging because of the heat. Standard non-climate-controlled units can reach dangerous temperatures for wooden furniture, electronics, personal mementos, and other sensitive items. These conditions can cause warping, cracking, or even data loss in stored devices.
When selecting moves and storage services, prioritize climate-controlled options for summer relocations. The protection is worth the higher price tag. If using a moving company that offers storage, ask about their facilities and how they manage temperature control. Some offer significant discounts on storage when bundled with moving services, saving you time and money during the move.
The Planning Timeline Reality
Summer movers are in high demand; don’t wait until the last minute to organize. To get the service you want and keep the process smooth, follow this accelerated summer timeline:
- 8 weeks before: Book moving services and begin purging unnecessary items.
- 6 weeks before: Start packing rarely-used items and seasonal belongings.
- 4 weeks before: Address address changes and utility transfers.
- 2 weeks before: Pack most household items, leaving only essentials.
- 3–4 days before: Complete packing and prepare a moving day kit.
This extended timeline accounts for slower response times from service providers during their busiest season. It also builds in buffer time for inevitable summer complications.
The Pet Challenge
Kids and pets create unique summer stresses that often go unmentioned in standard moving advice. The heat is dangerous for animals during transport, with vehicles reaching unsafe temperatures within minutes. And you might not be able to send children outside to keep them away from the moving activity.
Try these kid and pet-specific strategies for a stress-free move:
- Arrange for kids and pets to stay elsewhere on moving day
- Keep kids and pets in quiet, air-conditioned rooms with familiar items or favorite toys
- Prepare a moving kit with essential items
- Research emergency vet locations near both your departure and arrival locations
These preparations help your most vulnerable family members transition safely while reducing your worry during an already challenging day.
The Utility Transfer
Nothing undermines a moving day faster than arriving at a new home without electricity for air conditioning or refrigeration in sweltering temperatures.
Most utility companies require 1–3 business days to process connection requests, but during peak moving in summer seasons, these timeframes often extend to a week. Schedule utilities to overlap by at least one day between properties to prevent gaps in service.
Remember: Empty and clean refrigerators 24 hours before disconnection during summer moves. This prevents the growth of mold and bacteria that accelerate in hot conditions when appliances sit unplugged for extended periods.
The Neighborhood Research Factor
Summer relocation offers unique opportunities to get to know your new neighborhood. Neighbors spend more time outside, and outdoor community events are abundant.
Before completing your move, research summer-specific aspects of your new neighborhood:
- Community pool memberships
- Summer camp registration deadlines for children
- Farmers market schedules and neighborhood festivals
- Local heat advisories and typical summer weather patterns
Many neighborhoods hold summer block parties or evening gatherings that provide opportunities to meet neighbors. If moving with children, arrive early enough for them to meet neighborhood kids before school begins.
The Professional Advantage
Last summer, facing a long-distance move from New Jersey to New York City during the August heat, I learned the value of professional help. After researching trusted movers for summer relocations, I chose Zip To Zip Moving Company.
Instead of struggling with a rented moving truck in Manhattan’s summer traffic, Zip To Zip’s team handled everything. Their full-service approach included specialized packing for heat-sensitive items and strategic loading that kept essentials accessible. They even provided temporary cooling solutions for electronics during transport.
What impressed me most was their pricing. Unlike competitors with hidden fees for summer moves, Zip To Zip provided a comprehensive moving quote that remained unchanged. Their team arrived on time despite the peak season demand and completed my move in a single day—something I could never have managed on my own.
I recommend professional moving services to anyone. But if you’re in the Northeast region, I recommend Zip To Zip. Follow my tips for moving, stay cool, and enjoy the adventure!
