AZURMOVEMoving advice2 min read
When is the best time to move house?
High or low season, weekday or weekend, dates to avoid: how to choose your moving date in France for better availability and a better price.
The removals seasons
The removals trade is highly seasonal. Understanding these cycles helps you choose your date and make the most of your budget.
High season (May to September)
Why is it so busy?
- School summer holidays
- Leases ending on 30 June
- Good weather
- Job transfers taking effect in September
The downsides
- Higher prices (+20 to 40%)
- Less availability
- You need to book early (2-3 months ahead)
- Heat that can be hard going
Our advice
Book as soon as you know your date. The first half of June and the end of August are the busiest periods.
Low season (October to April)
The advantages
- Prices up to 30% lower
- Plenty of availability
- More flexibility on dates
- Crews under less pressure
The downsides
- Weather that can be difficult
- Shorter days in winter
- Risk of postponement if it snows
Our advice
Go for March-April or October-November for the best compromise between weather and price.
Days of the week
Weekdays
- Better prices
- Better availability
- Offices are open for your paperwork
Weekends
- More convenient if you work
- Often more expensive with removal companies (not at AzurMove, where there is no weekend surcharge)
- Need to be booked well in advance
Our advice
Thursday or Friday often offers the best compromise: a weekday rate, and the weekend to settle in.
Dates to avoid
- 30 June / 1 July: the absolute peak
- Long bank-holiday weekends: in great demand
- School holidays: high demand
- Public holidays: a surcharge is common
How prices vary through the year
Here are the differences commonly seen on the removals market, compared with a “normal” month of May:
| Period | Variation seen on the market |
|---|---|
| January-February | −20% |
| March-April | −10% |
| May | Normal rate |
| June-August | +20 to +40% |
| September | +10% |
| October-December | −15% |
Indicative market figures: these are not AzurMove's prices. With us, the price depends on the volume, the distance and the access, and it is fixed in the quote.
