According to Statistics Canada, one out of three households (5.4 million homes) moved in the last five years. That’s a massive amount of people competing for the same trucks, crews, and scheduling dates every single year. This competition is exactly why timing your booking right matters so much.
However, the majority of people book moving companies only a few weeks prior to moving. This timing may not be appropriate, as the best moving companies are chosen far ahead of that.
The key reason to book moving companies as early as possible is that it allows you to secure great deals.
- If you have an upcoming move, the best course of action is to read this article and make sure you’re booking movers at least two months before the moving date.
How far in advance should you book movers?
We asked our moving partners established across the country how far in advance people should schedule their residential move.
The vast majority of them said that 2 months prior is the sweet spot. It’s early enough to secure a date while being close enough to the time of the move. And if you are in a hurry, 4 weeks is the most common minimum amount of time you’d want to wait.
However, the 2 months figure differs depending on the type of move, which clearly indicates that it isn’t a standard number that applies to everyone.
The general guideline gives you a starting point, the factors below tell you where you land on that timeline.
Why does booking movers early matter?
Wait too long, and you’re not choosing a mover anymore. You’re taking whoever is still available. Booking early gets you three things at once:
More moving companies to choose from
Better pricing
The date that works for your schedule
Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes. Reputable moving companies work off a schedule that fills up crew by crew, truck by truck. Once a Saturday in July is full, it’s full. No amount of budget will make a truck appear out of nowhere.
Last-minute bookings routinely cost 20% to 40% more than the same move booked weeks ahead, simply because you’ve lost your negotiating position.
On top of that, a rushed booking means less time to compare quotes, check reviews, or read a contract carefully.
5 things that determine how early you should book a moving company
To settle on the best lead time, you should consider the time of year, the distance of the move, the size of the move, the preferred moving date, and any special services requested.
Time of year
Across Canada, May through September is the busiest season to move. School's out, weather's good, and demand is at its highest. During these months, add two to four weeks to whatever your baseline timeline would be.
Quebec takes this phenomenon to a whole new level. If you haven't heard, most residential leases start on July 1 and run until June 30. July 1st is the busiest moving day in the whole country, by far outnumbering any other moving day in the rest of the country.
Around that date, well over 100,000 people are moving into new apartments in Montreal alone, with tens of thousands of moves happening in the Montreal area on July 1st itself.
If your move falls anywhere near that date, it is advised to book as early as you possibly can, or seriously consider shifting your date by a few days. Interestingly, a 2026 survey found that more than half of Quebecers who've moved in the last seven years now deliberately pick a different date, specifically to dodge the July 1st chaos.
Distance of the move
The greater the distance, the longer advance notice the moving company will need in order to map the route, arrange for trucks, and confirm the estimated time of arrival.
| Type of move | How early to book movers |
|---|---|
| Local move (same city, within 50 to 60 km radius) | 4 to 6 weeks |
| Long distance move (same province, several hours away) | 6 to 8 weeks |
| Interprovincial move | 8 to 12 weeks |
| International move | 3 to 4 months |
Long-distance moves also require early booking since delivery may not take place on that same day.
Size of your move
A one-bedroom apartment and a four-bedroom house require a different number of moving crew members, trucks, and the time for the relocation. Thus, your relocation timeframe is likely to differ if you're moving to a larger house or a smaller house.
A larger house requires more movers, more truck space, and a longer period for the move, which makes it more difficult for a moving company to handle multiple relocations simultaneously.
If you're moving a full house, aim for the longer end of your timeline. If you're moving a studio or a one-bedroom with minimal furniture, you generally have more flexibility and can often get away with booking closer to your date.
Preferred moving date
Some dates are harder to book than others. Usually, weekends are the best days to move since it is the weekend that everyone wants to use for moving.
Additionally, the beginning and end of every month are also busy since most leases for properties end at that time. And in Quebec, July 1 is a big moving date in its own category.
If you find yourself considering any of these options for the best date to move, it is important that you prepare earlier.
Special services
Packing services, storage, piano or safe handling, or moving antiques and artwork all require planning beyond a standard move.
As a rule of thumb, add two extra weeks to your timeline for each specialized service you're requesting. If your move involves several of these at once, lean toward booking on the earlier side rather than the later one.
Top advantages of scheduling a moving company in advance
It is good to reserve movers in advance. With early booking, you can expect your move to be successful.
- More moving companies to choose from. You are not limited by whoever is available.
- Better rates. You would be able to take advantage of favourable prices and won’t incur last-minute premiums.
- Time to compare. You have time to get a proper comparison of movers. One can sit down and compare what different movers have to offer instead of taking the first available company.
- A date that suits you. Weekday, weekend, morning, or afternoon - your preference, not what's left over.
- Time to plan everything else. Utility transfers, address changes, school registration, packing - it’s all easier to coordinate when your moving date isn't a moving target.
Calculator - Get your ideal booking window within seconds
Use our free calculator to estimate what the ideal booking window is for your upcoming move.
When should you book your movers?
Answer a few quick questions to get your ideal booking window.
Your booking timeline
Get ready to book your move by receiving up to 5 free quotes
Right now, you’re in the best possible position. You found us! You’re one step ahead of the people who are scrolling endlessly. Consider that step one.
- Step 2: use our form to answer a few quick questions about your move. We'll then match you with up to 5 verified movers in your area who will provide you with free quotes. No cost, no obligation.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Take one step closer toward scheduling your move today!
FAQs about booking a moving company in Canada
1
What is the minimum acceptable notice to book movers in Vancouver, Calgary, Ottawa, Halifax, or anywhere in Canada?
For a simple local move during a quiet period, some companies can accommodate you with just two to four weeks' notice. That said, this is not a target. The earlier you book, the more choice and better pricing you'll have. Outside of peak season, movers generally have more flexibility in their schedules, which is why last-minute bookings are more realistic between October and April than in the middle of summer.
2
Can I book one week before moving?
It's possible, especially for a small local move in the off-season, but your options will be limited. You may end up choosing based on who's simply available rather than who's the best fit for your move.
3
How does the season affect when I should book a moving company?
Season is one of the biggest factors in your booking timeline. From May through September, demand is at its highest across Canada. From October through April, moving companies see less demand, which means more flexibility and often better rates too. If your schedule allows it, moving in the off-season is one of the simplest ways to make your booking process easier.
4
When is the busiest season to move in Canada?
In Canada, the busiest season is, hands down, summer. Specifically the stretch from May to September, when school is out, and the weather cooperates.
5
Are certain days each month harder to book?
Yes. The very end and very beginning of each month are consistently the busiest, since most leases start on the first of the month. Weekends are also in high demand, for the simple reason that most people don't want to take a weekday off work to move. If your schedule allows it, a weekday move in the middle of the month is always easier to book.
6
Should I book early if my dates are flexible?
Yes, and flexibility actually works in your favour here. It gives you a wider selection of available time slots. Also, moving companies are happy to have flexible customers, as it lets them fit your move into gaps in their schedule and possibly offer you a better rate.
7
Is it cheaper to book early?
Generally, yes. Securing your moving date 8 to 12 weeks ahead gives you access to competitive rates, saving around 20% to 40%.
8
Can I reschedule my moving date after booking?
In most cases, yes. However, the specifics depend entirely on the moving company's policy. Some allow free date changes with enough notice, while others may charge a fee for changes made close to the original date. If you need to change your moving date, ask your mover about their rescheduling policy.