How Long Does It Take to Move House with Professional Movers? A Complete Timeline

Moving house is a big undertaking, and one of the most common questions people have is: how long will it take? The answer depends on a variety of factors, but with the help of professional movers like CBD Movers, you can expect a smooth and efficient moving experience. 

In this blog, we’ll break down the timeline of a typical move and share some tips to help your moving day go as quickly and smoothly as possible.

Factors That Impact Moving Time

 

 

Before we get into the specifics, let’s look at some of the key variables that can affect how long your move takes:

• Size of your home – The bigger your home and the more things you have, the longer packing, loading, and unloading will take. A studio apartment will be much quicker to move than a 4-bedroom house.
• Distance of your move – Are you moving down the street or across the country? Long-distance moves require more time for driving, so they’ll take longer overall than a local move.
• Accessibility challenges – Stairs, narrow doorways, long walking distances from the truck to your door, and a lack of close parking can all add time to the process of loading and unloading.
• Number of movers – More movers equals a faster move. A larger moving crew will be able to load and unload more quickly.
• Packing services – Are you packing yourself or having the movers pack for you? Professional packing services make for a speedier move but will add some time to your overall moving process.
• Special items – If you have many fragile items, large appliances, or speciality items like pianos that require extra care in packing and loading, the time needed can increase.

 

Want to learn more about how to prepare for your move and make the process as efficient as possible? Check out our blog post on “How to Prepare My House for House Movers?” for practical advice on getting your home ready for moving day.

 

Typical Timeline for a Local Move

Now that we’ve covered the main factors to consider, here’s a rough breakdown of how much time to allot for a typical local move with professional movers:

• 2-3 bedroom home: 4-7 hours
• 4+ bedroom home: 8-10 hours

This includes time for the movers to arrive and prep, load the moving truck, drive to your new home, and unload at the other end. Keep in mind this is just an estimate – the actual time will depend on the factors discussed above.

For example, let’s say you’re moving the contents of a 3-bedroom home to a new house 15 miles away. You’ve done all your own packing, and the movers are just loading, driving, and unloading. If they send a crew of 3 movers, you can expect the full process to take 5 to 7 hours, barring any unexpected challenges.

One way to potentially speed up the moving process for smaller moves is by using a man with a van service instead of a full-service moving company. To learn more about this option and whether it might be right for you, read our post on “7 Benefits of Using a Man with a Van Service.”

 

Looking for a man with a van for your small move? CBD Movers offers flexible moving services tailored to your needs. Get in touch today for a free quote!

 

Timeline for a Long-Distance Move 

Long-distance moves work a bit differently, as the driving distance can add considerable time. To give you a general idea, here are some sample timelines:

• 200-400 miles (4-7 hours of driving): 1-2 days
• 400-700 miles (8-12 hours of driving): 2-3 days
• 700-1000 miles (12-17 hours of driving): 3-4 days

In most cases, your belongings will be picked up, loaded onto the truck, and delivered to your new home on a different day than they were picked up. This allows the driving to happen separately from the loading and unloading. So, while the actual “move” may only take 1-2 days on either end, the full process from start to finish is closer to 2-4 days, depending on the distance, driving time, and scheduling.

 

Planning a move to or from Brisbane or Canberra? Our experienced removalists can handle all the details, whether you’re moving locally or long-distance. Contact us to discuss your needs.

 

Other Time Considerations

Along with the active moving process, here are a few other time factors to keep in mind:

Packing Time

The time estimates above assume you’ve already packed up your belongings before moving day. Packing is a time-consuming process and can easily take several days or even weeks, depending on how much you have to pack and how quickly you’re able to work. Decluttering before you pack can help significantly.

Many people start packing non-essentials a month in advance and then work on packing a little each day leading up to the move. Others prefer to dedicate a few full days to packing right before moving day. And some opt to have the movers take care of all the packing instead, which can save a lot of time (though it does add to the overall cost).

RELATED: What Should You Look for When Choosing a Removal Company?

 

Unpacking Time

Once you’ve arrived at your new home and the movers have unloaded and left, the unpacking process begins. Depending on how you prioritise it, unpacking can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks.

A good strategy is to pack an “Open Me First” box with essentials you’ll need right away, like toilet paper, hand soap, snacks, a change of clothes, etc. This will allow you to take your time unpacking the rest without feeling pressure to get it all done at once. Unpacking just the kitchen and bedroom first can also help you feel settled more quickly. From there, work room by room as time allows until you’ve found a place for everything.

Prepping Your Home

In addition to packing itself, you’ll want to budget some time for getting your old home ready for the move and preparing your new one. This may include things like:

• Completing a change of address forms
• Setting up/transferring utilities
• Cleaning
• Making small repairs
• Painting or renovating
• Installing new locks
• Child/pet-proofing as needed

This prep work can typically be done in the weeks leading up to the move and doesn’t necessarily add time to the moving day itself, but it’s important to plan for it so you aren’t rushed.

If you have large furniture items you’ll be moving, you may want to check out our post on “How to Pack Furniture When Moving?“

 

Tips for a Speedy, Efficient Move

 

 

Want to keep your move as quick and smooth as possible? Here are some speed tips:

• Declutter before you start packing. The less you have to move, the less time it will take. Sell, donate, recycle, or dispose of items you no longer want or need.
• Create a labelling system for your boxes to help the movers know where to place things in your new home. Colour-coding by room is an easy way to make unloading a breeze.
• Prepare as much as possible before moving day – disassemble furniture, unplug appliances, remove light bulbs from lamps, etc.
• Make sure you’re fully packed and ready to go when the movers arrive to avoid wasting time.
• Clear out walkways and entrances at both locations and reserve close parking for the moving truck if possible. The less distance the movers have to carry heavy items, the quicker it will go.
• Consider spreading out the process – you don’t have to do it all in one day if that feels overwhelming. If possible, give yourself a few buffer days on either side of the move to tackle projects in smaller chunks.
• Stay organised with a moving binder that contains all your important documents, receipts, estimates, inventory lists, etc. Keeping things centrally located will save you time and headaches.
• Book elevators if you’re moving to/from an upper-floor apartment. This requires some advance notice to your building management.
• Arrange for childcare or pet sitting on a moving day if you’re able. Trying to wrangle little ones or Fido underfoot while the movers are at work can really hold things up.
• Be clear and direct when communicating with your movers. Let them know your priorities and expectations, and don’t be afraid to ask questions along the way.

 

Are you searching for removalists in Werribee, Brunswick, or Craigieburn? CBD Movers has experienced teams servicing these areas and beyond. Reach out for a free quote tailored to your location and needs!

 

How CBD Movers Can Help 

Choosing a reputable, experienced house removal company like CBD Movers can make a world of difference when it comes to keeping your moving day efficient and on schedule. Our team of professional movers are experts at handling all the heavy lifting, navigating tricky staircases, expertly packing fragile items, and getting you settled in your new home as quickly as possible.

From the moment you reach out to us for an estimate to the minute we unload the final box at your new home, you can trust us to provide a seamless moving experience. We offer customisable moving packages based on your unique needs, whether you want a full-service move with packing included or just need help with the loading and unloading.

When you work with CBD Movers, you can expect:

• On-time arrival with fully equipped moving trucks
• Experienced, background-checked moving crews
• Careful handling of your belongings with protective packing materials
• Efficient loading and unloading to keep you on schedule
• Transparent pricing with no hidden fees

Ready to get started? Contact us today for a free moving estimate. Let us show you how stress-free and efficient moving can be with the right team on your side. Check us out and take the first step towards a smooth, speedy moving day.