Choose the hours before the day

In summer, the start time matters more than the date. Loading early in the morning before the heat builds is faster and safer, and furniture doesn’t sit in the truck under the sun for long. Many companies start very early in summer, or split the work between morning and late afternoon and pause at midday.

Saudi Arabia restricts outdoor work under the sun at midday during the summer months, so ask the company about its schedule and don’t ask the crew to work outside during those hours. If the home is large, splitting the move over two days may be better than trying to finish in one hot day.

Book early

Summer is peak season, especially at the end of the month, before the school year and after Eid. Request offers weeks ahead and book the lifts in both buildings early — towers may be booked for other moves in summer. If your date is flexible, mid-week and mid-month days are usually quieter.

Electronics and heat

Extreme heat inside a closed truck in the sun can harm screens, computers and batteries. So carry your most valuable electronics in your air-conditioned car if you can, ask the crew to load electronics last so they’re unloaded first, and don’t leave them in the truck during a long stop.

On arrival, let electronics cool to room temperature before switching them on, especially if the truck was very hot. A fridge needs to stand for a few hours before switching on if it was moved on its side. Read the guide to moving the kitchen and AC units.

Furniture, fabrics and candles

Painted and lacquered wood can stick to stretch film if it’s wrapped tightly and left for hours in high heat, so put blankets or paper between the surface and the film. Leather furniture can crack in extreme heat, so cover it with breathable fabric.

Watch for things that melt or spoil in heat: candles, cosmetics, medicines, some foods and household chemicals. Carry them in your car, or get rid of what you don’t need before the move.

Humidity on the coast

In Jeddah, Dammam, Al Khobar, Jazan and Yanbu, heat and humidity come together. Humidity softens weak boxes and lets upholstery and mattresses absorb moisture if left uncovered. Use strong new boxes and make sure everything is dry before wrapping it in film, so moisture isn’t trapped inside.

If things will be stored, ask about the warehouse ventilation and put moisture absorbers in the boxes. Read the furniture storage guide.

Dust and storms

Summer can bring dusty winds, especially in the centre and east. If a severe storm is forecast, consider postponing with the company — dust gets into everything and visibility on the roads drops. On ordinary days, wrap upholstery and mattresses in film and seal boxes well.

Prepare the home for the crew

A summer moving day is long and hard on the crew, and a few simple preparations make it easier and faster:

  • Switch on the AC in both homes before the crew arrives if you can.
  • Have plenty of cold water ready for the crew.
  • Clear a path from the rooms to the door and remove rugs that might slip.
  • Reserve a parking spot for the truck close to the door, so there’s less carrying in the sun.
  • If the building has a shaded walkway or back entrance, tell the crew.

Family and pets on a hot day

If moving day is exhausting for the crew, it’s exhausting for children and older relatives too. Don’t leave them waiting in a home whose AC has been removed, or in a car parked in the sun. Better for them to stay with relatives until the new home is ready, or to set up an air-conditioned room in the new home first. Never leave a child or pet in a closed car, even for minutes.

If you have pets, carry them in your car with plenty of water — never in the truck — and prepare a quiet spot for them in the new home away from the furniture traffic.

If Ramadan falls in summer

When Ramadan falls in the hot months, the whole moving schedule changes. Many companies work fewer daytime hours or move after iftar and into the night, and the crew is fasting in severe heat. Plan for a longer move, ask the company about its Ramadan hours, and check that both buildings allow evening moves. If you can, move before Ramadan or after Eid — it’s easier for everyone.

Don’t remove the AC units too early

Many people have the AC units removed in the old home first thing, so the crew and family spend the whole day in severe heat. It’s better to remove them at the end of the day after loading, or on a later day if the old home is still available. In the new home, ask for at least one room’s AC to be installed on day one. Arrange it with the company or a specialist — AC units need a technician who knows how to handle the refrigerant.

If you’re moving between cities

On a long summer move, furniture spends many hours in the truck. Ask the company about loading and departure times, stops on the way, and whether the truck will stand overnight in the sun before unloading. Ask for stronger packing for electronics and delicate furniture. Read the long-distance moving guide.

FAQ

What’s the best time to move in summer?

Early morning, then late afternoon, avoiding the middle of the day. Ask the company about its summer schedule.

Will a TV be damaged in a hot truck?

Prolonged extreme heat can harm it. Carry it in your car if you can, or ask for it to be loaded last and unloaded first, and let it cool before switching on.

Is moving more expensive in summer?

Demand rises in summer, so fewer dates are free. Request offers early to find a good date, and read about moving cost factors.

Can we move at night in summer?

Some companies work in the evening in summer, but some towers and compounds don’t allow night moves. Ask both.

This guide is general information. Building rules, roads and seasons can change, and details such as the price, what the offer includes and how damage is handled are agreed with the moving company you choose — confirm them in writing before moving day.