Winter Moving
Moving at any time of year can be stressful, but it can be even tougher when you have to move during the winter months. From snow on the ground to bitter cold temperatures, moving during the winter comes with its own set of challenges.
Read on for tips to make your winter move as smooth and stress-free as possible.
1 | Be Prepared to Be Flexible
The weather can be unpredictable in winter; it’s clear one day and then dumping down rain or snow the next. In addition, you may have to deal with wind, hail, or other wild weather. In the weeks leading up to your move, keep a close eye on forecasts and potential conditions.
If there is a large storm coming through on the day you plan to move, you may wish to contact your movers and reschedule. This may not be possible for you, but with their lighter workload in winter, this shouldn’t create too much of a problem.
2 | Prepare Your Home for the Move
Winter weather conditions can make moving more dangerous than in summer, spring or fall. Before your movers arrive and start loading anything into the truck, take care to create a safe environment.
Shovel away any snow, making sure to create a wide path to allow for moving large furniture from your house. Also, ensure that your walkways are free of ice. Using salt or deicer on your steps and sidewalks is an good solution. The last thing you want is for someone to slip and fall causing injury or breaking any fragile items.
For the inside of your home, ask your movers how they plan on protecting your floors. You and the movers will be in and out of the house frequently, tracking in moisture, snow and dirt, so you’ll want protect your floors from stains, scratches, or the need for excess cleaning. You’ve got plenty of other things to worry about on moving day; scrubbing mud out of your carpets after you’ve moved out shouldn’t be one of them.
3 | Take Good Care of Your Movers
Moving in winter weather is much more difficult than in summer, so it may be best to hire professionals. They will have a lot more experience with winter moving than you do, so they’ll be better equipped to deal with the challenges that come up.
To thank them for all their hard work, prepare a pot of coffee, hot cocoa or apple cider (non-alcoholic, of course!) to warm them up when they need to take a break. There is no doubt that they will greatly appreciate it.
4 | Allow Extra Travel Time
Driving in snow or in inclement weather always takes longer than driving on clear roads, so allow plenty of extra time for you and your movers to get to your destinations. If movers will be meeting you at your new home to unload your belongings, keep in contact with the driver so they’ll know if any schedule changes come up.
Plan out your route in advance, but be prepared to make changes on the fly. Snow plow schedules are not always predictable, so you may find that your preferred route is unavailable. Most smartphones these days come with mapping apps that can readjust when you change course.
5 | Take a Deep Breath
Moving in winter isn’t easy, but with proper planning and care, your stress can be minimized. New Era Moving can take some of the pressure off by providing you with simple moving and storage solutions throughout the move. We can’t fight the weather so lets embrace it and do our best to work together.
These are just a few things to think about when moving in the winter. At new Era Moving, our crews are always prepared for whatever the weather brings so not to worry, we’ll be there for you. Our highly trained movers always carry extra protection for your home and you can request anything you think may help to keep your white carpets white and your new hardwood in tip top shape.
You read more about our residential moving services, long distance moving, packing services, and read the reviews written by our past customers on Homestars.
