How long does it take to move a full house? Educational article related to the moving industry

We all know that moving a house is money-consuming. But, when people are relocating, the most common question besides the cost is also – how long does it take to move a house? Well, there is no precise answer for this question. Every move is different, and no matter how much you want to, you cannot just get up and move your house in a single day. You will have to prepare an entire moving process, from finding movers and finding a new house, all the way to settling in. So, yes, every move is individual. If you ask professional movers they will tell you the same. Approximately, the average time to move a house is 8-16 weeks, depending on the distance and the amount of stuff you plan on relocating. So, without further ado, let us talk about the needed time for the most important moving processes.

Buying and Selling a House

So, the first step towards moving a house is buying a new one to call home. You cannot start packing your bags if you do not know where you are relocating to. Unless it is an emergency, and you have to move all of a sudden. If it is not an urgent move, this is going to be a long process, especially if your move is a long-distance one, as then you will have to travel back and forth on many occasions and spend twice as much time than planned.

Buying a new home can vary from a couple of days to a couple of months. It all depends on your needs and how picky you are. You will have to do a lot of researching, that is, you will need to research housing options in the area you plan to move to. Also, if you plan to apply for a mortgage on the property, bear in mind that it can take up to four weeks to get it approved. Then, you will need another ten weeks to complete the transfer of ownership.

If you have lived in your own house until now, you will need to sell it before moving to a new one. Again, this is another time-consuming process. Approximately, it will take you about two months to prepare your house for sale, to get a few valuations, to prepare viewings, negotiate with potential buyers, and finally sign all the necessary paperwork needed for selling.

Finding the Right Movers

This is a process that does not last long. However, that does not mean that you should just hire the first moving company you stumble upon. Just like finding the right house, finding the right movers requires some research. First, you will need to get recommendations from the people who moved recently. Then, you must do some online researching and a background check on all the companies you have found. When you complete the research, you must call at least two or three moving companies to come to your house and give you an in-home-estimate. You must also interview them and talk about the moving services they provide, prices, and additional fees. So, as previously mentioned, this is not a time-consuming process. You should probably be able to finish finding the right movers in a week or two.

 

Getting Ready for the Move

This is another thing that will require not only a lot of your time but money and energy as well. Planning your move ahead of time will save you from a lot of headaches, heartaches, and be easier on your wallet. Here is what you need to prepare for:

• Paperwork – This process can last for weeks, and sometimes even months. You will need to collect and organize all your personal and financial records. Then, you must prepare all the documents you need for selling your current home. Also, you must take care of your family’s documents as well. That means collecting medical records, your children’s school records, pets’ health certificates, and vaccination records. And do not forget that some things like utilities, driver’s license and similar need to be transferred to your new address.
• Clean and declutter – This is a must before moving a house. You will need to organize and declutter your entire home. That means, preparing some items for packing, and getting rid of, selling or donating things you do not need anymore. Moreover, your current house must be sparkling clean if you want to sell it fast. Involve all your family members and friends in this process, and you will be able to finish in a couple of days.

Packing Your Belongings

The time you are going to spend on this process depends on the amount of stuff you have. Moreover, preparing items and packing them must be done with utmost care if you want to avoid any accidents on the moving day. You need to start by collecting packing supplies. You can get them easily form your movers, or buy them at your local stationery shop or hardware store. It is also recommended to make an inventory list of all the items you plan to relocate. So, a couple of days before you start packing, go around the house and see what is worth taking with you and what should be left behind. Then, with the help of your movers and your friends and family, start packing your belongings. If you are pacing by yourself, bear in mind that you will need a week or so. However, if you are in a hurry, hire professional movers and you will be packed and ready for the move in just a couple of days.