How Long Does It Take to Move Based on the Size of Your Home

When you’re preparing for a move, an estimate of how long your move will take could help you plan your day and stay in budget. But how do you make an estimate of how long it will take to move? 

There are several factors to weigh, but the experts at All My Sons Moving & Storage can help get you started. All My Sons Moving & Storage has pulled the data from 56,000 local moves across 89 of our locations from April through June of 2024, and the results could prove useful when you’re planning for your own move.

When making an estimate of how long it will take to move, there are a few important components that will have a significant impact on the final time.  

• Home Size: It probably goes without saying that a studio apartment is typically more easily packed up than a five-bedroom home. The more rooms to empty, the more items that need to be packed in the truck.

• Distance of the Move: Once everything is packed, the travel time between your old place and your next home must be factored in. A local move can potentially be completed in an afternoon, but a long-distance move may take several days. If you must make additional stops on your move, such as at a storage unit, that adds further time. 

• Number and Type of Belongings: The more items you must move, the longer the move will take. Some belongings, like pianos or aquariums, will require special attention and care when moving, which will add to your overall moving time.

• Logistics: If your old or new home has stairs, elevators, or tight doorways, these all factor into the time you will spend moving. Another consideration is the availability of parking for your moving truck.

• Packing: Depending on the extent of your personal household inventory, this could be the most time-consuming part of the moving process. One way to take some of the headache out of moving would be to hire a moving company that provides professional packing services. 

• Loading:  When everything you own is boxed up, the next part of the moving process is to load your items into the truck or van. If you’ve hired professional movers, this step in the process could go by quicker. 

• Transport: Now that all your furniture and boxes have been loaded into the vehicle, the travel distance and traffic conditions will impact your final moving time. 

• Unloading and Unpacking: Once your items have arrived, it’s time to get them off the moving truck and into your new home. This step in the process could be complicated by parking restrictions, stairs, tight corners, or other logistics. In order to get your best estimate, scope out your new home in advance and take note of anything that might complicate the moving process.

All My Son Moving & Storage has been in the business of moving for more than 30 years, and we have trained, licensed, and insured movers who know how to get the job done.

When you’re estimating how long your move will take, use the following chart to get an idea of how long it takes the pros to work their magic.

One way to cut down on moving expenses is to get your move done faster. While you might not be able to reduce travel time or change any logistics about your old or new home, there are still some actions you can take to ensure your move happens quicker.

The following tips can help you complete your move in less time:

• Plan Ahead: Start organizing and packing well in advance. Create a moving checklist for yourself of tasks to complete before, during, and after your move to ensure you do not forget or overlook anything. Schedule your moving services well in advance to get your preferred date and time for moving.

• Declutter and Downsize: One surefire way to reduce moving time is to reduce the number of items coming with you. Downsize before you move and sort through all your belongings to decide what to keep, give away, donate, or throw out. Less stuff to pack means time saved on moving day.

• Pack Efficiently: Start packing your non-essentials first, and then pack room by room to stay organized during your move. Heavier items like books should go in smaller boxes while lighter items like towels and blankets can go in larger boxes. Use high-quality packing supplies like sturdy boxes, tape, and bubble wrap. Label your boxes clearly with all their contents and the room they belong to.

• Hire Professional Movers: While the DIY option might appear less expensive at first glance, hiring pros could significantly expedite your move, saving you precious time and undue stress.

Now that you are armed with your estimated time, you can better grasp how your moving day will go and how much you need to budget to get your move done. Preparation might feel stressful at times, but the day of your move you will be glad that you planned ahead so jump right into your moving prep and get ready for the next chapter of your life.

When you’re ready to move, reach out to All My Sons Moving & Storage. We offer local and long-distance moving services across 96 locations. With over 30 years of experience in the moving industry, we can provide comprehensive moving services tailored to meet your needs. Get a quote online to start your move today.