Moving duration is a chain of tasks: final preparation, loading, travel, unloading and basic placement.
Separate handling from driving
A short drive does not guarantee a short move. Stairs, parking restrictions and long carries can dominate the schedule.
Crew size has diminishing returns
A second or third mover can substantially improve throughput, but larger crews eventually get in each other’s way in small flats or narrow staircases.
Protect the critical path
Reserve time for key collection, lift bookings, building access windows, vehicle return deadlines and cleaning. These fixed events can matter more than the raw carrying time.
Try these quantities in the Moving Day Time Calculator, then adjust them to your inventory.
Worked planning example
For 20 m³, 3 handlers, one origin stair flight, no destination stairs, a combined 50 ft carry and 45 minutes driving: handling = 20 × 0.26 × (1 + 0.12 + 0.20) × 2 ÷ 3 = 4.58 hours. Add 0.75 hours driving and a 0.75-hour fixed buffer for about 6.08 hours. Packing and unpacking remain separate.
Common mistakes
- Booking access slots using handling time alone.
- Entering seven handlers when the model only supports six.
- Omitting the destination’s stairs or walking distance.
Related calculators
Frequently asked questions
What is included in handling time?
Loading and unloading, adjusted by the stated stair and carry assumptions. It does not include packing or unpacking.
Does the model keep improving with larger crews?
The form supports only 1–6 handlers. Above that, site congestion and task allocation require a different assessment.
Why does a zero-volume result still show time?
Entered driving time and the fixed 45-minute buffer remain, even when handling volume is zero.