Although fall time is typically notable for brilliant views of changing foliage, pumpkins, and some of the best weather of the year, it is also a time of year known for foggy days, bad thunderstorms, early-season snowstorms, and sometimes unpredictable weather that can add some extra challenges if you are trying to execute a move successfully. Changing your moving date due to weather conditions can prove difficult. Whether you are moving long-distance or simply to the other side of town, it’s essential that you prepare yourself to deal with conditions like snow that could arise on moving day. Take a look at our expert tips for how to navigate inclement weather.
- Plan and Prepare: It sounds simple enough, however, the first thing you should do to be prepared for a bad weather day move is to stay on top of the forecast. With all the moving parts (pun intended) involved in getting ready to uproot your life, it is easy to overlook certain details like what the actual moving day looks like. If you are a week out and the weather looks bleak for your big day, reach out to your moving company or truck rental and see if they have any options that could solve this problem before it even begins. Although this isn’t always feasible, the best way to avoid the trouble that snow can bring to a move is to avoid it to begin with.
- Use Your Moving Company: Once you have established that you are going to have to execute a move on a bad weather day, reach out to your moving company to make sure that you have the supplies that you need. Although doing your own research is excellent, movers and truck rental companies deal with these conditions regularly and have the knowledge and tools to help make your move go off without a hitch, despite the circumstances. Be sure to have rented as many furniture pads as you need and ask about things such as plastic wrap rolls that most moving companies have and will add on to your truck rental.
- Check Your Truck: Another important thing to keep in mind if you are forced into moving in the rain or snow is to have the right truck for the job. As with any move, make sure that you have sized your truck out correctly as bad weather will make rearranging furniture even more onerous than it is in a typical moving situation. Also, when you go to pick up your truck and start your move, make sure to inspect it. Although you would hope that your truck is in tip top shape, even a small leak in your moving truck could lead to damages to your belongings that are easily avoidable by taking the extra time to inspect your truck.
- Protect Yourself:Although true in any move, it is especially important to protect yourself properly if you have to move in a bad weather. While plastic wrap and other supplies can protect your belongings, it also reduces the grip that you can get on your items, so be prepared and have proper gloves. Slipping and sliding can lead to cuts and blisters if you do not prepare your body properly to move. Footing is also an increased issue if you are moving in the rain or snow. Be sure to use non-slip shoes if you have them or, at the bare minimum, make sure you have athletic shoes with proper traction to reduce your risk of injury. Use a back brace as well, because even minor slips and adjustments can have consequences to your body over the course of your moving day.
- Enlist Extra Help:Asking for help to move is never fun, however, if the weather is poor, adding extra help is one of the best ways to make sure that your move is safe and successful. Whether it is paying for an extra mover or bribing some additional friends or family, having extra help means less trips, less time and less of a chance of an accident occurring. Moving in the rain is never easy, so the more hands you have on deck, the quicker you can get out of the rain and on to your new home.