Summer Moving Season: How to Beat the Rush

Summer is Ireland's busiest time to move. From June through August, removal companies fill up fast, rental properties turn over at pace, and the roads are busier with vans and lorries (not to mention holiday caravans!) than at any other time of year. If you're planning a summer move, the good news is that a little forward planning goes a long way - and can save you both money and stress.

Here's everything you need to know to get ahead of the rush in 2026.

Why Summer Is Peak Moving Season in Ireland

Several factors converge to make summer the busiest moving period:

• School calendars - families prefer to move between the end of the school year (June) and the start of the new one (September) to minimise disruption for children
• Lease cycles - many rental agreements run from September, meaning tenants move out in August and landlords re-let in late summer
• Better weather - longer days and (slightly!) drier conditions make moving physically easier
• Property completions - new builds and mortgage drawdowns often cluster in summer months

The result: demand for removal companies, van hire, and storage spikes sharply from mid-June, peaks in late July and August, and drops off again in September.

Book Early - Earlier Than You Think

This is the single most important thing you can do for a summer move. Removal companies in Ireland can be booked out 6–8 weeks in advance during peak season, and the best firms fill up even faster.

What to book early:

• Removal company or van hire
• Self-storage unit (if you need one)
• Parking permits or lift bookings (for apartment moves)
• Broadband installation at your new address - providers often have 2–3 week lead times

Source: Irish Association of Removers — iar.ie

Tip: If your moving date is flexible, aim for a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. Weekend and Friday moves are in highest demand and are typically more expensive.

Build a Packing Timeline

One of the biggest mistakes people make with summer moves is leaving packing too late. Between holidays, school events, and the general chaos of summer, the weeks before moving day disappear quickly.

A realistic packing timeline for a summer move:

6–8 weeks before moving day

• Declutter - sell, donate, or dispose of anything you don't want to bring
• Order your packing supplies (boxes, tape, bubble wrap, vacuum bags) - don't leave this until the last minute
• Start packing attic, garage, and storage areas

4–5 weeks before

• Pack spare bedrooms, books, and non-essential items
• Begin labelling boxes by room and contents
• Arrange storage if needed

2–3 weeks before

• Pack off-season clothing, decorative items, and non-essential kitchen equipment
• Confirm all bookings (removal company, van hire, storage)
• Notify utility providers, your bank, and relevant government bodies of your change of address

1 week before

• Pack all but the essentials
• Prepare an “Essentials” box to open first: kettle, mugs, phone charger, toilet paper, a change of clothes, and any medications

Moving day

• Pack the last remaining items (bedding, toiletries, daily essentials)
• Do a final walk-through of every room, cupboard, and outdoor space before handing over keys

Heat and Humidity: What to Watch Out For

Irish summers don't necessarily behave ... warm periods and rain are often frequent companions. But warmer temperatures and occasional humidity can affect your belongings when you are packing to move house.

Things to be careful with in summer:

• Electronics - avoid leaving them in a hot van for extended periods; transport laptops, tablets, and hard drives in your car if possible
• Candles and wax items - these can soften or melt in a warm van
• Vinyl records and CDs - heat can warp them; pack in a cool, shaded area of the van
• Plants - most removal companies won't transport plants; arrange to move them yourself
• Perishable food - defrost and empty your fridge and freezer at least 24 hours before moving day; use a cool bag for anything you want to keep

Moving with Kids During the School Holidays

Summer moves with children can be chaotic ... but also an opportunity to get them involved and excited about the new home.

Practical tips:

• Arrange childcare for moving day itself if at all possible - it's safer and less stressful for everyone
• Let older children pack their own bedroom boxes and label them themselves
• Pack a dedicated “kids’ bag” with snacks, a tablet or books, and a favourite toy for moving day
• If you're moving to a new area, involve children in exploring the neighbourhood early - local parks, playgrounds, and activities help them settle faster

Moving with Pets in Summer

Pets find moving stressful at any time of year, but summer heat adds an extra consideration.

• Never leave pets in a parked van or car in warm weather - temperatures can rise dangerously fast
• Arrange for pets to stay with a friend, family member, or in a boarding facility on moving day
• Keep water and food routines as normal as possible in the days around the move
• Set up a familiar space for your pet in the new home as quickly as possible - their bed, toys, and feeding area

Source: ISPCA — ispca.ie

Staying Organised When Everything Is Chaotic

Labelling: Label every box with the destination room and a brief contents note (e.g. “Kitchen - pots and pans”). Colour-coded tape by room is a simple and effective system - one colour per room means removal teams know exactly where everything goes without asking.

Inventory list: For larger moves, keep a numbered list of boxes and their contents. It takes an extra 20 minutes but saves hours of searching at the other end.

Essentials box: Pack one clearly labelled box or bag that goes in your car, not the van - containing everything you'll need for the first night in your new home. This is the single most useful thing you can do on moving day.

Digital documents: Keep digital copies of all moving-related documents - tenancy agreements, utility account numbers, removal company contacts, and your change of address confirmations - in one folder on your phone or cloud storage.

The Right Packing Supplies for a Summer Move

Summer moves tend to involve more volume — families moving larger homes, people clearing out years of accumulated belongings before a fresh start. Getting your packing supplies right from the outset saves time, money, and last-minute panic.

A rough guide to what you'll need by home size:

Vacuum storage bags are particularly useful for summer moves - bulky duvets, pillows, and out-of-season clothing compress down significantly, freeing up van space and reducing the number of boxes you need.

Buying a complete moving kit sized for your home is almost always better value than buying supplies individually - and it means one order, one delivery, and no last-minute trips to the hardware shop.

Summer Moving Checklist

• Moving date confirmed and removal company / van hire booked
• Storage unit booked (if needed)
• Packing supplies ordered
• Declutter complete
• Packing started (attic, garage, spare rooms first)
• Change of address notifications sent 
• Broadband and utilities arranged at new address
• Parking permits / lift bookings arranged (apartment moves)
• Childcare and pet care arranged for moving day
• “Open first” essentials box prepared
• Final walk-through completed before handing over keys

Get Your Packing Supplies Sorted Early

Don't leave your packing supplies to the last minute ... especially in summer, when demand is higher. At Box Depot, we stock everything you need for a smooth move: sturdy double-walled boxes in a range of sizes, heavy-duty packing tape, bubble wrap, vacuum storage bags, and complete moving kits sized for every home.

Shop Summer Moving Supplies →
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Moving this summer? Order early to avoid delays ... Summer is our Busy Season too!