Whether you’re moving across the country or simply down the street, moving is difficult, stressful, and requires significant planning to accomplish. Life can come at you quickly and, unfortunately, you can’t always wait to move at the best time of year for a move. Packing and moving during the winter comes with it’s own, unique, set of challenges to account for, so before you get started on a move this winter, take a look at our expert tips to make your move as hassle-free as possible.
Keep An Eye On The Weather
So, you have already established that you will be moving during the winter, but you can still do your best to minimize your chances of severe weather. Moving In the cold and moving in a snow storm are two entirely different tasks and it is well worth taking precautions to avoid the latter. Take a look at historical data for the date range you need to move in and try adjust the timing to when snow is least likely. Also, if you are using a moving company, consider booking a couple dates in the same week to give you more chances to avoid a bad day. Most moving companies will allow cancelation the week of, so you won’t be out the cash either.
Be Flexible
Just as your moving company needs to be flexible, make sure you are ready to be flexible as well. Especially in winter, it is imperative that you don’t leave your moving date to the last weekend of your lease or before you need to get in to start a new job. The deeper you get into winter, the higher the chances get that you will run into conditions that either slow down, or outright cancel your move on the day you intend. If you are able, try and take the entire week of your move off, to give yourself extra options and provide al some insurance for moving day complications.
Check Your Utilities
Even for local moves during the winter, an often forgotten, and essential step of a successful move is to make sure that your utilities are up and running before you start moving in. Often times, prior owners and tenants can have unpaid bills that will delay the set up of your power and water, so don’t wait until you get there to tackle this project. The last thing you want after moving your things into your new home, tired and sweaty, and be unable to turn on the heater or take a hot shower.
Gear Up
As with any winter adventure, having adequate protection against the elements is a critical part of your moving day experience. Whether you are hiring a moving company or moving yourself, you should still be prepared to be moving things around and be active. Consider a layered approach instead of a nice jacket that is harder to move in and could be damaged by the rigors of moving. Also, make sure that you have gloves. Not only will they keep you warm, but you will be insulated from the nicks and cuts that are regularly a part of the moving process.
Clear Paths And Walkways
When you pull up with your moving truck and before you take the first box out, make sure to do a thorough walk-through of the paths that you or your movers will be taking to get your belongings into their new homes. This step is a part of a move, no matter the season, but becomes more crucial in a move during the winter. Be sure to clear any snow or ice that you find along your path. Not only could slipping be dangerous for your furniture and possessions, but it could also be a great way to get injured. Prevent this pitfall.
Cover Your Floors
No matter if you have hardwood or carpet in your new home, covering your floors is important to the success of a winter move. Even after you have cleared the path you’re taking, you are still bound to walk on ice and snow on moving day and as you walk through your house, it will melt and deposit water on your new floors. This could lead to potentially dangerous slips for you and your property. Also, significant water can damage your floors or lead to mold in your carpets, so protect yourself, and your flooring, by covering it.