The summer months are full of activities. While for some people, it is time to relax on the beach, plan outdoor activities, or get together for a barbecue with friends, for others, it is time to ditch the old apartment, find a new one, and start the moving process.

Whether for a change of scenery or it is your first apartment, moving into a new apartment building brings a fresh surge of excitement. If you are relocating for the first time during the summer, you should know the apartment tips and tricks of moving to your new home during this time.

Generally, there are fewer work obligations during the summer, particularly for teachers. In addition, there is less impact on kids and their school schedule.

Moving into an Apartment

If it is your first apartment, you should know that there are some similarities moving in the summer compared to moving in the winter. For both, you must plan and ensure everything is in order before the moving day. For instance, since more people move during the summer, finding a truck can be difficult, so make a reservation as soon as possible.

In a period when more people are relocating, how can you ensure that your move is as seamless as possible? Here are five tips you need to know, along with the Dos and Don’ts of summer relocation.

Before the Move

Before the apartment move, here is what you should do:

• Create a moving budget
• Create your first apartment moving checklist to help you with the whole process
• Create an inventory for your items to avoid misplacing or losing any
• Make sure you have renters insurance for your first apartment.
• Buy packaging items, such as boxes, packing tape, and bubble wrap, among other things
• Is the apartment ready? Make sure your new place has smoke detectors and the utilities are in your name (perhaps items you should look for while visiting potential apartments during apartment tours). Here is a ‘what to look for when renting an apartment checklist’ for you.

After the Move

Here is what you need to do after moving in:

• Familiarize yourself with trash pickup days
• Find out who to go to for maintenance requests (learn what is considered emergency maintenance in an apartment here)
• Change your postal address to your new address

Plan in Advance: Reserve Your Truck

If you are confident you will be moving into your first apartment in the summer, reserve your moving truck 30–60 days ahead of time to avoid the last–minute rush, which will almost certainly cost you extra money.

Many leases expire over the summer months due to many people relocating during this time, which means there will be a significant demand for moving trucks, raising the cost of leasing one. When you book ahead of time, you can get a better bargain and save money.

Consider Hiring Movers

If you don’t have friends or relatives to help you pack and load your belongings into a truck, consider hiring movers who can get the job done quickly. Most movers charge around $25 to $50 per mover per hour.

There are a number of logistics companies that provide moving services; choose one that is trustworthy and confident in their ability to deliver your belongings safely. Request recommendations from friends, your current apartment landlord/property manager, and family members who have already used the company’s services.

Although you are recommended to hire a reputable moving company, do not neglect newer companies; they may offer better discounts while still safely delivering your belongings.

Always get multiple quotes, compare them, and choose the best company based on pricing and service quality.

Start Packing Early

Starting your packing early allows you to properly organize your belongings and wrap delicate items so they do not break (use bubble wrap to secure them from breakage). Besides, you do not want to start late in the day when the temperatures are extremely high; you will become exhausted quickly and lose a lot of fluid.

Furthermore, if the truck arrives and you have not begun packing your belongings, the truck drivers will be less than pleased with you. Although you pay them for their services, no one wants to work in a stressful environment. Try to make things simpler for everyone by playing your part.

Be Safe in the Heat

If you are moving into your first apartment, you should know that moving entails various tasks, which is why you must keep yourself hydrated; not only for you, but also for your truck guys. If it is water bottles that you are offering, ensure you have enough on hand because you will need them.

Take Special Care of Kids and Pets

There will be a lot to cope with on moving day, so consider leaving your children with friends or relatives. In addition, to give you more time to focus on packing and loading the stuff into the truck, you may want to consider a pet daycare.

The DOs and DON’Ts of Summer Moving

If you are moving during the summer months, here are the DOs and DON’Ts you need to know:

DOs

Do Expect to Pay More

Since more individuals relocate in the summer compared to the winter, logistics costs are usually greater. In addition, hiring movers to help you with packing and unpacking will cost you more per hour due to high demand.

The distance usually determines the cost of relocating to your new location, along with the size of your belongings. That said, the higher the number of items, the more money you are likely to pay.

Do Start the Move Early in the Day

Start early in the morning while the weather is still cool, and try to finish before the sun wreaks havoc. If you finish early, you stand a chance to beat the traffic and reach your destination. Of course, not everyone is ready in the morning or has other obligations; if this is the case, packing in the evening may be a better option. Temperatures are also cooler in the evenings than they are during the day.

Do Turn the A/C on in Your New Home

What would it be like to move into an uncomfortably hot apartment? With the home scorching hot, it is much harder to be productive, so you will need to lower the temperatures by turning on the A/C.

If you are going a short distance, turn on the air conditioning the day before, but if you are moving a long distance, turn it on as soon as you get there.

Cooling down your home will allow you to accomplish a lot more in less time, making the entire process easier.

Do Keep Electronics Cool

Keeping your electronics in a heated atmosphere is not a good idea. Electronics can quickly overheat in the summer, so store them in an air-conditioned place to avoid damage. That said, to reduce overheating, these items should always be loaded last aboard the vehicle. Also, other items you should consider loading up last are:

• Cleaning Supplies
• Coffee Maker
• First Aid Kit
• Toilet Paper
• Shower Curtain

Do Bring a Portable Fan

When moving, bring portable fans to lower the temperature and stay cool. If you do not have one, go to a local store and buy a few. Portable fans are less expensive, which is a plus.

Do Apply a Quality Sunscreen

Moving in the summer means you will be spending more time moving in and out of your home while the heat is blistering hot. That said, you can protect your skin by applying sunscreen before heading out of your house.

DON’Ts

Don’t Forget to put Perishables in Coolers

Do you have perishables in your fridge, and your move-in date is approaching? Instead of getting rid of them, look for coolers to keep them fresh until you reach your new neighborhood.

Don’t Wear Heavy Fabrics and Inappropriate Clothing

This is not the time to dress as if you are preparing to conquer Mount Everest. To avoid accumulating a lot of heat and sweating, wear something light. Furthermore, wearing black clothing absorbs a lot of heat and should be avoided. Consider wearing white clothing to reflect the sun’s rays and limit the amount of heat to accumulate.

Also, remember that you will be lifting items to load and unload them, so dress in attire that will make these chores simpler for you.

Don’t Move During a Holiday Weekend

Moving during a holiday weekend is never a good decision; not only will you have a difficult time finding movers, but you will also pay a premium to compensate movers who skip their holiday to assist you with your relocation.

The possibility of traffic is another reason you should not consider a holiday weekend as your move-in day. Moving on a non-holiday weekend will save you time and allow you to arrive at your destination/preferred neighborhood quickly.

Don’t Forget Water Bottles for Yourself and the Movers

Due to the intense move-in activity, you will be losing a lot of fluids while you complete your relocation. That said, ensure you and the movers have plenty of water bottles. This will assist you in keeping your body hydrated and cool.

Don’t Underestimate the Amount of Prep Time

Moving might be difficult if you do not plan ahead of time. It can appear to be an easy chore, but it is not. It is a huge task to pack your valuables, rent a truck, hire hourly movers, arrive at your destination, and unload your belongings.

If you are moving to your first apartment, underestimating the prep time can lead to a variety of issues, including omitting to properly pack delicate objects to minimize damage, among other things.

Is it Good to Move in the Summer?

Summer is a popular time to relocate because of the warm weather and that school is out. On the other hand, many people dread winter because of the harsh weather, which makes driving difficult for trucks and increases the risk of water damage (here are five tips for moving into an apartment during winter).

What Month is the Cheapest to Move?

If you want to save money, consider moving during late fall, winter, or early spring. During these months, fewer people are likely to move because of weather and other obligations such as school going children and work, among other things (learn what is the best month to look for an apartment here).

Since there is a low demand for housing/apartment buildings, the landlords are willing to negotiate a lower rent to fill the vacancy. Furthermore, the logistics companies lower their prices or offer discounts and add services to compete for clients.

Moving involves a lot of expenses, such as what is a security deposit for an apartment, the first month’s rent, pet deposit (if applicable), parking fees, and renters insurance (find out if everyone in an apartment needs renters insurance here). That said, you will be looking for every opportunity to save money. If you already have vehicle insurance, see if they provide renters insurance to qualify for discounts and save even more money. Read more on what bills to expect when renting an apartment here.

What Day is Cheapest to Hire Professional Movers?

The short answer is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. This is because most businesses have a limited number of bookings, which is why they give incentives in the form of discounts to attract more clients during these times.

Final Thought

Moving to your first apartment in the summer necessitates meticulous planning to ensure a smooth transition. That said, creating your first apartment checklist will certainly aid you from common pitfalls that many first-time renters face. Here is what to know for first-time apartment renters.

After moving to your new apartment, remember to change your address. Go to your local post office and request the Mover’s Guide packet. Fill out the paperwork, and within five working days you should receive a confirmation about your new address.