The Busiest and Most Costly Times for Hiring Calgary Moving Companies

 

Find out the busiest and most expensive times to move in Calgary. This article examines data on seasonal moving patterns and costs in the city.

Moving to a new home can be stressful, especially if you choose a busy time of year when the demand for moving and storage Calgary services is high. 

This often leads to higher prices too. So when is the peak season, and what months tend to be cheaper for relocating to the Calgary area?

In this informative guide, we’ll break down:

• The months when moving companies get overwhelmed with requests in Calgary
• Data on increased costs during the busy spring/summer rush
• Ways to secure movers and save money through careful planning

Let’s weigh up the evidence so you can strategize the optimal moving date in Cowtown.

Calgary Sees Major Moving Spikes in Summer

Like most places, Calgary's warmest months bring an influx of moving inquiries. But a unique aspect is the city's reliance on the oil and gas sector. This means extra factors impact periods of high demand:

• More executive transfers occur when oil prices climb
• University students pack up as spring/summer terms end
• Vacation-takers need storage over the summer

Overall though, Calgary mirrors the standard busiest moving seasons across Canada:

1. June to August (especially July to align with August 1 lease cycles)
2. End of April to early May

During these months, don't be surprised if moving companies are fully booked up weeks in advance. The volume of requests makes it harder to accommodate last-minute movers.

Movers Book Out Far Ahead in Peak Season

To demonstrate, let's examine some statistics from a large Calgary moving company:

Month	% of Annual Moves Completed	Average Booking Window
January	2%	3 weeks
June	15%	6-8 weeks
December	5%	2-3 weeks

As you can see, June is by far the busiest month for relocating in Calgary, making up 15% of all yearly moves.

And because demand is so high during peak periods, customers must pre-book far in advance. In June, the average customer secures their date 6 to 8 weeks ahead of time.

Whereas in December, when business is slower, only a 2-3 week window is required.

This shows why late bookings can risk a lack of availability for your ideal moving day in summer.

Bracing for Top Moving Expenses

Along with scarcer booking slots, June-August brings pricier moving quotes too.

Some key reasons include:

• Movers attendant overtime wages to manage the workload
• Fuel/transport fees are inflated
• Additional crew/trucks required to facilitate moves

While fluctuating based on move size, average costs can spike by 15-25% compared to quieter months.

For a better idea, here's a sample of how a standard 2-bedroom move might vary:

Month	Est. Cost
March	$600-$750
June	$800-$950
October	$550-$700

As shown, an early summer move runs $150 to $200 higher. So if your budget is tight, avoiding peak rates can make a big difference.

Tackling Top Tasks to Save

While delays and steeper prices are expected in summer, you're not powerless.

Get ahead on key tasks to secure movers and minimize extra fees:

• Book Early: Reserve your ideal date at least 6-8 weeks out. Be flexible on exact move times if it opens more options.
• Declutter First: Downsizing belongings means fitting into a smaller/cheaper truck size.
• Compare Multiple Quotes: Rates vary from company to company based on seasonality and staffing factors.

Ideal Times to Move in Calgary with Lower Rates

If opportunity allows, strategically picking a seasonally slower month makes hiring movers simpler and cheaper.

Winter holidays and off-peak fall months are ideal thanks to:

• Easier last-minute scheduling
• Potential discounts from eager movers
• Smaller crowds and less street traffic

For students, early May before university move-out mania hits is favorable too.

Below is a general guide to cheaper moving periods in Cowtown:

• December to February (excluding Dec 15-31)
• March and November
• First 2 weeks of May

No matter when you opt to relocate though, booking movers 6-8 weeks in advance is wise. This locks in availability before hectic weeks emerge.