Nobody likes a moving day that drags into a moving night and, since most movers charge by the hour, time really is money. Having an idea of the timeline can help you manage your budget and organize your day much better. 

Of course, every move is different. Depending on the size of your home, it can take anywhere from a couple of hours to more than 8 hours. To help you plan, here is a look at what can make a move faster or slower.

What Factors Actually Affect Your Moving Time?

How Much You’re Moving

The more you have, the longer the move takes. Why? Because every single box and piece of furniture needs to be wrapped, carried, and packed into the truck. When you have a lot of things, the loading and unloading simply takes more hours. Then there is the weight. Moving heavy furniture or 50 boxes of books is much slower than moving light plastic bins.

This is why we always say: declutter first. If you don’t need it, donate it or toss it. Otherwise, you are literally paying to move trash or things you’ll never use.

The Size of Your Home

Usually, a large four-bedroom house will take longer than a one-bedroom apartment just because there is more to cover. However, that might not always be the case. Like we mentioned, it depends on what’s inside. A big, “minimalist” home with very little furniture can actually be faster to move than a small, cluttered apartment packed wall-to-wall.

Access to the Property

Think about it: walking through a front door takes seconds, but if the movers have to use an elevator, climb stairs, or walk down a long hallway, that adds a few minutes to every single trip. When you multiply those minutes by all the trips to the truck, you are looking at a lot of extra time on the clock.

Travel Time

The time it takes to drive from the old place to the new one is part of the total. If you are moving during rush hour or the distance is long, you are still paying for that time on the road. Also, remember to ask if the movers start the clock when they leave their office.

Number of Movers and Trucks

If you have a big house but only two movers, they will get tired and slow down. If you have four movers but a truck that is too small, they’ll have to do two trips, which doubles the driving time. 

Having the right crew and a big enough truck is the only way to get the job done without wasting time.

Time of the Day

Moving at 8:00 AM is very different from moving at 4:00 PM. If your movers get stuck in rush hour traffic while driving to your new house, you are still paying for that time. Starting early is the best way to beat the traffic and also the movers have more energy to finish your move. 

Weather

Rain or snow always slows things down. The movers have to be more careful on the stairs and they have to spend extra time covering your furniture with plastic so it doesn’t get wet. 

How Many Hours Should You Expect for Your Move?

Here are some examples, but keep in mind that these estimates are for a ready-to-go move (loading, driving, and unloading). If you need help with packing or disassembly, it’s going to take longer. 

Studio or 1-bedroom apartment: 2 to 4+ hours (2 movers)

2-bedroom apartment: 3 to 6+ hours (2–3 movers)

2-bedroom house: 5 to 7+ hours (3 movers)

3-bedroom family home: 6 to 8+ hours (3–4 movers)

4+ bedroom family home: 8 to 10+ hours (4–5 movers)

Why the Big Range?

Because no two moves are the same due to all the factors mentioned before. A 2-bedroom apartment on the third floor with no elevator can be a much bigger job than a house where the truck can park right at the front door for example. 

Beware of “Lowball” Quotes

Reliable pro movers will give you a realistic price from the start. Some companies, however, will give you a low quote just to get the job. Once it’s moving day and your furniture is already on the truck, they “revise” the estimate and charge you more. 

Just because a company quotes you for only 2 hours doesn’t mean the clock stops there. If the move takes longer and ends up being 4 or 5 hours, you’re the one paying for that time. 

Ready for a Move with Zero Surprises?

At Eco Movers, we don’t believe in lowballing just to get your business. We are completely transparent with our pricing and give you the most accurate estimate possible from the start. We want you to know exactly what to expect, so there are no hidden fees or “revised” prices on moving day. Contact us, fill our form, and get a realistic free quote today.