What To Know About Moving In Winter

The summer months are the busiest time of the year to relocate to a new city or state. The kids are out of school and the weather is nice. However, it can be so busy that it’s hard to hire a reputable moving company because it’s the peak season and they’re already booked up. So should you consider waiting to move until the winter months? December through February is considered the off-peak season for moving companies. The weather isn’t necessarily your friend during the winter but it has its benefits when it comes to moving. Moving companies aren’t usually very busy during this time so their schedule and their pricing is a bit more flexible. Here are a few tips to help you relocate during the winter months.

• Watch The Weather Reports
• Prepare Sidewalks And Driveways
• Protect Your Floors
• Use Different Packing Supplies
• Dress In Layers
• Turn On Utilities And Have Winter Supplies Ready

Keep your eye on upcoming weather to help you decide when is a good moving day. Make sure to not only look up the weather in your area but also the weather on your travel route and your final destination. You can’t always find a perfect winter day to move but you can at least try to plan around winter rain or snow storms.

If you’re in an area that has snow, ice, slush, or rain; you’ll want to take some safety precautions before the movers arrive. Clear the sidewalks and driveway of any snow, ice or slippery wet fallen leaves. Throw some salt or sand onto the walkways to prevent people from slipping and being injured while walking to and from your house. Clearing the pathways also help prevent the movers from walking in and tracking mud and leaves through your house. Also, call ahead and ask your realtor or landlord if the sidewalks and driveway can be cleared and secured ahead on the day of your arrival.

You can use the same kind of packing supplies year round but maybe change up a few things if you know you’re going to move when it’s raining or snowing. Cardboard and packing tape don’t hold up well if they get very wet and the last thing you want is for your belongings to be soaked or fall through a soggy box. Consider using plastic totes or bins instead of cardboard boxes. Plastic trash bags can be used for packing clothes and soft items. You can also wrap items in trash bags before you put them into a cardboard box if you have no other options. Electronics, furniture, and artwork should definitely be wrapped and sealed in plastic or shrink wrapped plastic. The movers have blankets that they can use as extra cover when carrying these items to the truck.

It’ll be a cold winter day but you don’t want to rely solely on a thick heavy coat to keep you warm. You will be moving in and out of the house during loading day and your core temperature will fluctuate. Wearing layers of clothing will not be as bulky as a coat and you can easily take off or add a layer if you get hot or cold. Make sure you’re wearing a hat and gloves to keep your extremities warm. Your socks and shoes may become wet during loading so make sure to keep a couple of extra pairs of dry socks and a pair of shoes set aside so you can change into them after you’re done loading and set out on the drive to your new location. Keep an extra outer layer of clothing to change into as well in case it got wet during the move.

Just like any other moving day; it’s best to pack a set of sleepwear, next day clothing and essentials separately for your first night at your new location so you don’t have to rummage through the boxes trying to find what you need. Pack some extra blankets into your first night essential box as well for winter moving.