How Long Does It Take To Move?

A Basic Timeline for Moving Out

As you anticipate moving out of your house, you probably have a lot of unanswered moving questions. Fortunately, with access to the right moving company and helpful resources, moving day can be an incredibly smooth process. Even so, you might have lingering questions about the timeline of the moving experience.

Will it take all day? Or even several days? If you’re wondering how long it takes to move out of a house, the professionals at Georgetown Moving and Storage Company can answer that question and more.

For help moving out of your DC, Maryland, or Virginia home, call Georgetown Moving and Storage at (703) 889-8899.

The Moving Process & General Timelines

Moving is something most people have done at least once. However, it’s easy to forget what goes into it and how long each step takes to complete. Here’s a breakdown of the moving process and a general timeline to expect:

• Finding a new home: House hunting is an exhilarating process. However, it can also be incredibly taxing. Finding the right place to call home can take anywhere from a week to a couple of months, so as soon as you land that new job, start searching right away.

• Determining the length of your move: The duration of your move is influenced by several factors.

  Key elements impacting time include:

  • Proximity of the moving truck to your home.
  • Number of stairs or long hallways involved.
  • Amount of furniture and boxes, as well as unpacked odds and ends.
  • Size and availability of elevators.
  • Distance between locations and any additional stops.
  • How prepared you are with placement decisions for your new home.

• Selling your old home: The time it takes to sell a home depends on the market, location, and price. Go forward with the assumption that it will take about two months — if everything goes according to plan.

• Hiring a professional moving company: With a new home purchased and your old house sold, it’s time to shop around for the right moving company. Solicit estimates and compare credentials to help you make the right decision. Depending on when and where you’re moving, try to have a moving date set and a mover hired about eight weeks in advance.

• Organizing your home and selling unwanted items: Examine a floor plan of your new home and decide what furniture you want to keep. Sell or donate unwanted items starting six weeks before moving day.

• Arranging and preparing paperwork: To avoid headaches leading up to moving day, make sure you gather personal, financial, and property ownership documents. You also need to obtain and transfer your medical records, driver’s license, pet vaccine information, children’s school records, etc. You must also submit a change of address and transfer your utilities. It can take about four weeks to obtain, update, and transfer this information, so make sure you get an ample head start.

• Packing your belongings: Packing up your home is the most time-consuming part of moving. The amount of time it takes depends on the size of your house and how many belongings you’re taking with you. If you spend all day packing, expect the process to take three to seven days. If you only want to pack in the evenings and on weekends, start packing four weeks before moving day.

• Impact of furniture quantity: The amount of furniture you need to move significantly affects your moving timeline. More furniture means more time needed for disassembly, packing, and loading onto the moving truck. Large or bulky items, in particular, require careful handling, often necessitating additional manpower or special equipment, which can further extend the moving process. If you’re able to downsize or sell some furniture before the move, you could save a considerable amount of time and effort.

• Making the final arrangements: To ensure a smooth, low-stress moving day, arrange for babysitters and pet sitters, reserve a parking spot for the moving truck, and set aside a “day-of” box. These preparations should be done one week to two days ahead of time.

• Moving day timeline: Moving boxes, furniture, and appliances out of your home may take anywhere from four to eight hours — provided you’ve prepared properly and have professional movers there to help. Then, delivery takes a few hours for local moves and one to three days for long-distance moves.

How Additional Pickups or Stops Impact the Moving Process

Adding extra pickups or stops to your moving itinerary can significantly influence the entire moving process. Here’s how:

1. Extended Time: Each additional stop typically extends the duration of your move. More locations mean longer travel and loading times, which can turn a straightforward move into a lengthy process.

2. Increased Costs: Spme moving companies, often charge extra fees for additional stops. These costs can add up, especially if several locations are involved.

3. Complex Logistics: More destinations require careful coordination. Organizing items for each stop, managing traffic conditions, and ensuring the movers have the correct addresses can complicate plans.

4. Higher Risk of Damage or Loss: With more loading and unloading, there’s an increased chance of items being mishandled or misplaced. It’s crucial to label boxes clearly and ensure movers are aware of fragile or high-value items.

5. Greater Inventory Management: Keeping track of what goes where becomes more complex with additional stops. Consider creating a detailed list or using an inventory app to help organize and manage your possessions efficiently.

By understanding these impacts, you can better plan and communicate with your moving company to ensure a smooth transition.

How Elevator Size Influences Moving Time

The size of an elevator plays a pivotal role in determining how long a move will take. Here’s how:

1. Capacity and Trip Frequency

Larger elevators can accommodate more items per trip. This means fewer trips up and down the building, significantly reducing the overall time spent moving. In contrast, smaller elevators necessitate more frequent trips, which extends the moving timeline.

2. Loading and Unloading Efficiency

A spacious elevator allows movers to strategically arrange items, optimizing space use and ensuring safe transport. This arrangement speeds up both loading and unloading, minimizing time spent organizing within the elevator.

3. Compatibility with Larger Items

Bigger elevators can fit large furniture and appliances without the need for disassembly, which can be time-consuming. Smaller elevators might require breaking down furniture into smaller parts, prolonging the moving process.

4. Coordination with Building Traffic

When multiple residents are using the elevators, having a larger one means more flexibility and less waiting time as it can reduce congestion. This helps maintain a steady flow of the moving process, as opposed to waiting for multiple smaller loads to go up and down.

5. Influence on Moving Strategies

Movers can plan and execute more efficient strategies when larger elevators are available. With the ability to transport more in one go, they can better synchronize the movement of items from the loading area to the final destination, leading to a streamlined process.

In summary, a larger elevator not only expedites the actual moving task but also enhances overall efficiency, reducing stress and saving both time and effort in the moving process.

How Do Hallway Length and Distance to the Truck Impact Moving Time

When planning a move, it’s essential to consider the physical distance that movers need to cover. Locations with long hallways or a significant distance from the parking area to the moving truck can noticeably increase the time required to complete the move. Let’s break down these factors:

1. Proximity to the Truck
   The closer the truck can be parked to your building, the less time it takes to load your belongings. When movers have to cover greater distances, it means more walking back and forth, which can significantly prolong the moving process. If the truck is parked far from the entrance due to limited parking or restrictions, additional time will be needed for each trip.

2. Length of Hallways
   Long hallways mean that each item has to be carried further indoors before it even reaches the exit. This not only adds to the time but can also lead to increased fatigue for the movers, potentially requiring more breaks or a larger moving crew.

3. Other Considerations
   While these two factors are key, don’t forget about stairs and elevators. Multiple flights of stairs can further delay the move, as carrying items up or down stairs is more labor-intensive. Elevators might help, but if they are small or shared with other residents, they can still lead to additional delays.

In summary, the further the distance from your apartment or office to the moving truck, and the longer the hallways, the more time you’ll need to allocate for the moving process. Planning for these logistical challenges ahead of time can help ensure a smoother, more efficient move.

How Do Unpacked Items Affect Moving Time

When it comes to moving, unpacked odds and ends can significantly stretch the timeline. Here’s how these seemingly small items impact the process:

1. Increased Handling Time

Unpacked items require individual attention. Each needs to be carried separately, which can dramatically increase the number of trips to and from the moving truck. This adds to the overall time spent loading and unloading.

2. Risk of Misplacement

Loose odds and ends can easily get misplaced, leading to time spent searching for missing items. Organized packing in boxes minimizes this risk, ensuring everything stays where it should.

3. Inefficient Use of Space

When items are packed haphazardly, it can result in poor use of available space in moving vehicles, necessitating additional trips. Efficient packing maximizes space, reducing the need for excess hauling.

4. Increased Stress Levels

Managing multiple unpacked items can be stressful for movers. Organized packing not only makes the process smoother but also helps to keep stress levels in check, which can indirectly affect the overall speed and efficiency of the move.

5. Potential for Damage

Unpacked items face a higher risk of damage during transport. When movers spend extra time ensuring these items are safe, it slows down the process. Ensuring all items are securely packed can prevent delays caused by handling fragile items with extra care.

In conclusion, taking the time to pack your odds and ends efficiently can streamline the moving process, reducing both time and stress. Consider investing in quality packing supplies or professional packing services to ensure a smoother move.

Average Moving Times for Homes of Various Sizes

Moving times can vary significantly depending on the size of your home and the number of movers you hire. Here’s a guide to help you estimate how long your move might take, from a compact studio apartment to a spacious five-bedroom house.

• Studio/1 Bedroom (approximately 600 sq ft): This compact space typically requires between 2 to 3 hours to relocate. It’s a quick move, ideal for a minimalistic lifestyle.

• 2 Bedrooms (around 800 sq ft): With a bit more space and possibly more belongings, moving a two-bedroom home generally takes 3 to 5 hours. This ensures everything is packed securely and transported safely.

• 3 Bedrooms (approximately 1300 sq ft): This size home often needs 4 to 6 hours to move completely. Engaging 2 to 3 movers can expedite the process, ensuring efficiency and care.

• 4 Bedrooms (about 1800 sq ft): For a larger family home, expect the move to take 6 to 7 hours. Having 3 to 4 movers can significantly streamline this process, managing both bulk and delicate items.

• 5 Bedrooms (2000+ sq ft): As the largest common home size, moving a five-bedroom house can take between 7 to 9 hours. Employing 4 to 5 movers can make this complex task more manageable, reducing stress on moving day.

These estimates provide a general timeline based on typical conditions. Factors such as the distance of the move, the complexity of your layout, and additional services like packing or unpacking can influence the total time required.

Whole-Home Packing & Moving in DC, MD & VA

For assistance moving out of your house, you need experienced full-service movers by your side. Georgetown Moving and Storage Company offers affordable, award-winning services provided by highly capable professionals with years of training and experience.

Our team is properly certified and licensed, and we offer maximum liability insurance for your peace of mind. With Georgetown Moving and Storage, you can get the answers to any questions you may have, including how long it takes to move out of a house.

Contact us today at (703) 889-8899 to schedule packing or moving services in Washington, DC, Maryland, or Virginia.