It is best to book a moving company two to three months before your move-out date. This provides enough time to compare rates, organize your belongings, and find an available crew for your desired day and time. While you might find movers with only one or two weeks' notice, some companies require booking up to 90 days in advance.

Planning ahead is especially important if you're moving during the busy summer season when demand is highest. Summer weekends, in particular, book up quickly. Securing your movers well in advance helps you avoid the stress and potential extra fees of last-minute arrangements.

Services typically take 1-2 hours, depending on the unit and complexity of the relocation.

You should consider hiring professional movers for moves that seem too daunting, dangerous, or involve large, heavy objects. The larger your home and the longer the distance, the more likely you are to need professional help. A moving service can take the hardest tasks off your plate and reduce the risk of personal injury. However, if you are only moving a few light items, you can save money by moving on your own and renting a truck. Keep in mind that a DIY move requires significant planning and time. A hybrid option is also available, where you hire movers just to lift and transport heavy items to your vehicle.

Yes, you can very carefully lay down a grandfather clock to move it, but it requires a bit of prep work. Remember, all of your clock's components and mechanisms are delicate, and shifting them can cause serious damage. Before laying it down, you will need to remove these pieces, plus the weights and the pendulum.