Moving to Franklin TN: Historic Downtown vs. New Subdivisions

Franklin is really two towns in one when it comes to moving. There is the historic core around Main Street and the square, with houses that have been standing for well over a century. And there are the newer master-planned communities spreading out from it, with wide streets, townhome rows and big single-family homes. Both are wonderful places to land. They just call for different planning. Here is how we approach each one.

Moving into historic downtown Franklin

The Franklin Historic District is centered on Main Street (TN 96) and Third Avenue (US 31), around the square and the Williamson County Courthouse. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and includes Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, Queen Anne and Colonial Revival buildings, among others. Living in one of those homes is a privilege. Moving into one takes care.

What makes older homes different

• Narrow doorways and tight turns. Older homes were not built with king beds and deep sofas in mind. We measure the tricky spots before the truck is loaded, not after a sofa is stuck in a hallway.
• Original floors and plaster walls. Old heart-pine floors and plaster scratch and crack more easily than modern drywall. We pad door frames, lay floor protection on the main paths, and take corners slowly.
• Steep, narrow staircases. Many historic homes have stairs that are steeper and narrower than anything built today. Some furniture needs to be taken apart to go up, and some simply won't. It is better to know that before moving day.
• Porch steps and raised foundations. Several steps up to the front door add time to every trip. Tell us how many.

Parking and timing downtown

Downtown Franklin is busy, with shops, restaurants and visitors filling the streets, especially on weekends and during events. Street parking for a 26-foot truck can be hard to come by on the blocks closest to Main Street. A few tips:

• Check with the City of Franklin about any permit or rules for parking a moving truck on your street, and confirm event dates before you choose your day.
• If the home has an alley or rear access, let us know. It can make loading much easier.
• An early morning or a weekday move usually means less competition for curb space. Since we operate around the clock, we can schedule when the streets are quiet.

Moving into Franklin's newer communities

On the other side of the coin are the planned neighborhoods. Two that come up often are Westhaven, on Franklin's west side off Highway 96, and Berry Farms in south Franklin near the Peytonsville Road interchange on I-65. Both include a mix of condos, townhomes and single-family homes, and both have homeowners associations.

What to plan for in a planned community

• HOA rules. Associations may have guidelines about truck parking, moving hours, or keeping walkways and common areas clear. Ask your HOA before you book a date.
• Townhomes with three levels. Many newer townhomes stack living space over three floors, with the garage on the bottom. That means more stairs per item than you would expect from the square footage.
• Rear-loaded garages and alleys. Some homes face a green or a sidewalk, with the garage behind on an alley. Tell us which side the truck should use.
• Brand-new construction. If you are moving into a just-finished home, protect fresh paint and new floors. Make sure the builder has finished their punch list and cleared the driveway before we arrive.

Getting there from Nashville

Most moves from Nashville to Franklin use I-65 South, with Hillsboro Pike and Franklin Road as alternates depending on where you are starting. Rush hour on I-65 can be slow, so we plan our departure to avoid sitting in traffic with a loaded truck. Westhaven sits off Highway 96 on the west side of town, so expect some surface-road driving after leaving the interstate.

How pricing works

JM Moving keeps it simple. Local moves are $250 an hour for 2 movers and a truck or $350 an hour for 3 movers and a truck, full service. We don't add charges for one flight of stairs, elevators, travel time, fuel or tax on local moves. If you prefer a set number, flat-rate moves start at $350 for a studio or 1-bedroom, $550 for 2–3 bedrooms, and $850 for 4+ bedrooms. Your exact price is confirmed on a call, because a three-story townhome in Berry Farms and a two-story Victorian off Main Street are very different jobs.

A short checklist for Franklin moves

1. Measure doorways, stair widths and your largest pieces of furniture.
2. Ask your HOA or the city about parking and moving-day rules.
3. Check the downtown events calendar before picking your date.
4. Count the steps up to each entrance and note which one is easiest.
5. Set aside fragile heirlooms and tell the crew about them when we arrive.

FAQ

Do you move antiques and heirloom furniture?

Yes. We pad and wrap antiques individually and plan the path through the house before lifting anything. If a piece is especially valuable or fragile, point it out at the start so the crew can give it extra attention.

Can you work around a downtown Franklin event?

Yes. Because we work 24/7, we can schedule an early morning, evening or off-day move to stay clear of busy streets. Let us know the date and we will plan around it.

We are moving into a three-story townhome. Will that cost more?

One flight of stairs is included at no charge. Tell us how many floors and where the heavy items are going, and we will confirm the right crew size and price on the call.

With more than 23 years in moving and a family-owned crew that treats your home like our own, JM Moving is ready to get you settled in Franklin. Visit jmmoving.store or call (615) 710-9990, any hour, any day, to talk through your move.

JM Moving locations and sister brands

Nashville: JM Moving · Middle Tennessee: Nashville Packers and Movers · Tennessee statewide: TNT Moving USA
Miami: Miami Packers and Movers · Augusta, GA: Packers and Movers Augusta · Nationwide: Best Movers Nationwide

Call 24/7: (615) 710-9990