While most families prefer to move their lives cross country during the warmer months, when you move is not always within your control. Whether you are relocating for work or moving to be closer to family, a winter move might be your reality.
While winter weather does not always offer ideal moving conditions, it does have its perks. Because it’s the moving off-season, you will probably find it easier to book professional movers around your schedule, rather than try to work around the schedule they provide you.
When planning your move, here are three tips to help make winter moving less stressful:
Check the weather and prepare your home.
If you live in a climate where you could see snow, it’s important to check the weather while you prepare for your winter move. If you see that precipitation such as snow, sleet, or freezing rain is possible for your moving day or prior to moving day, then make sure you have the necessary supplies to prepare your home before moving across country in the winter.
If you have a snow blower, make sure you fill the tank up with gas, so there are no surprises or interruptions on moving day. If you don’t have a snow blower, it’s a smart idea to ask for help from friends or neighbors in advance of moving day so you can focus on your move while someone else shovels or snow blows. You will want to make sure that your driveway, if you have one, is clear for the moving truck.
In addition to plowing, you should salt or sand outside of your home: driveway, walkway, sidewalk, in front of your front door, garage or back door. You do not want anyone, including yourself, to slip and fall while moving in the snow.
Lastly, you’ll want to put tarp or towels down inside of your front door for everyone to wipe their feet inside the home so as not to track the salt and sand throughout the home.
Preparing your home for any type of weather will help ensure a smoother winter move.
Use extra protection for your personal belongings.
While most of your belongings should be protected no matter what the weather is like, winter weather can cause some additional moisture in places you wouldn’t expect. If you think there might be a chance for rain, sleet or snow between moving day and your estimated unpacking day, you should consider packing your belongings in plastic bins and totes and sealing with extra packing tape. While you can purchase kitchen packing boxes that are extra thick and sturdy, not all cardboard boxes may withstand heavy winter precipitation. You could also consider hiring a professional moving company such as MiniMoves to pack your belongings appropriately for the weather to ensure they arrive at your destination safely and securely.
When preparing furniture or art for a winter move, wrap everything in plastic, trash bags or have plenty of tarps to cover what you need to move. You can also shrink-wrap many of your belongings, such as furniture.
Build extra time into your planning.
Winter weather can cause delays. Even if you choose to hire a professional moving company, you should build extra time into your move planning. Winter weather can cause a delay of your scheduled moving day, or if you are moving state to state then there may be winter weather along the travel route that is out of your control and can also cause delays. A professional moving company such as MiniMoves will communicate any delays with you so there are no surprises. The safety of the drivers and your belongings are the number one priority, so if the roads are unsafe to drive, you can expect delays.
Moving in the winter months may not be your first choice, but it does not have to be stressful. With a positive and flexible attitude and the right preparation, you will embark on new life with ease. Get a MiniMoves free quote for your winter move and start working with a professional moving company today.
