How Long Does It Take to Move Into a House? The Process Explained

Couple Taking A Picture wwith old film camera In New Home

Moving is one of the most stressful life events we go through. We’ve all been through it, likely with a good dash of stress included.

But what if the moving process didn’t have to be so stressful and how long does it take to move into a house? Planning ahead and making sure you’ve got a solid checklist and moving timeline before moving can help.

If you’re currently in the process of moving, or simply want to start planning ahead, continue reading for a quick overview on how long you can expect your next move to take.

Time is Money

Whether you’re buying or renting, having a basic outline of what you need to complete before and during your move will help eliminate some of the added stress of moving.

Your mileage will vary, but you’ll likely need to account for the following to-do list items during your household move:

Research housing to suit your preferences
Factor in time for the application process
Research and enlist the help of moving professionals
Make sure documentation is taken care of such as utility transfers
Organize and pack your belongings
Loading up the moving truck
Unpacking and settling in upon arrival

These variables will of course differ depending on the size of the home, family, location of the move, and whether or not you’ll be hiring professional help. Let’s take a look at some basic timelines and moving tips.

Moving Tips on Time

So, you’ve found the perfect house or apartment. Now, you just need to get there. So, how long does a move take? A good rule of thumb is to start your moving process at least 90 days before the move-in date. At 60 days you’ll want to start comparing the different systems and companies for the move itself.

Once that is squared away and you’ve pinpointed a target move-in date, you’ll want to get started on gathering documentation as soon as possible. Give yourself a month to collect all personal documents such as registration, school records, address changes, and medical records.

Next, is the dreaded packing stage. If you’re hiring help, a week is plenty of time. However, if you’re packing without professionals, give yourself at least 4 weeks to get your belongings organized and packed up.

Start packing as early as possible by spreading it out and spending a couple of hours each day packing.

All Packed Up?

Give yourself a day to load up your belongings and another day to unload at your new place. If you’re moving cross-country, you’ll need to give yourself at least a week to get to your new location.

Once you’ve settled in and you’ve got boxes in your new home, you can start to breathe easier and organize at your leisure.