Tips for Moving in Winter
While most long-distance moves take place during the summer months, if you choose to move in the winter, don’t be afraid of a little cold weather. You may be surprised to discover that there are some benefits to planning a winter move.
The winter months (December, January, February) are off peak for moving companies, which can mean more competitive pricing and a wider range of moving dates to choose from. However, before you roll up your sleeves and embark on a cold move, consider these six winter moving tips to help keep you on track.
Moving during the winter months:
Make sure your utilities are on and fully operational in your new home.
The last thing you want is to show up at your new residence, in the dead of winter, with no heat or lights. Winter days are shorter, which means you’ll have less light to work with on moving day. That’s why you’ll want to make sure the heat, water, gas and electricity are running about two days before you move in.
Clean the hallways, driveway and street:
Regardless of what time of year you decide to move, it’s always a good idea to visit your new home before moving day and take note of any safety hazards.
This is especially important in the winter months, when slippery conditions can be your worst enemy. Make sure all walkways are free of ice and snow; salt or use sand to secure walkways. You don’t want your movers to have to trudge through muddy snow banks while loading and unloading your belongings.
If you are moving a long distance or can’t make it to your new home before your move-in date, ask your real estate agent or property manager to check these things for you. Finally, just as you did at your new residence, you should clear snow, ice or anything else that could be a potential safety hazard from the walkways, driveway and street of your current home.
Keep winter clothing handy:
Speaking of hands, make sure you have warm gloves and some extra ones to layer when the snow picks up. Even if you hire a full-service moving company like Move On Group to move your belongings, you’ll want to make sure you have your winter necessities accessible. If there is a chance of sleet or snow on moving day, be sure to pack changes of clothes in your first-night kit.
Make sure your floors are covered:
The slushy mixture of snow, ice and mud combined with supplies to combat the elements, rock salt and sand, can wreak havoc on your floors. Place mats at entrances to all exterior doors and plastic sheeting over wood floors; for carpeted areas, use cardboard sheets secured with small tacks. Keep in mind that most professional movers will come prepared because they understand how important it is to help protect high-traffic areas of your home.
Stock up on winter supplies:
You never know when you’ll need to get out of a snowy situation, not only because of foot traffic, but also in case your vehicle gets stuck. Salt and sand should be readily available along with a shovel. If you have a snow blower, even better! It’s also a good idea to have a space heater accessible in case temperatures drop too low and you need to provide additional heat near a cold driveway or area.
Keep an eye on the weather and adjust accordingly:
With so much going on during your move, you may forget to track weather conditions. Set a reminder to check the weather at least a week before your move date, right up until the move is scheduled to arrive. It’s best to discuss the possibility of weather obstacles and rescheduling policies with your long distance movers at the time you receive a moving quote. That way, everyone is on the same page and you can have a backup plan in case the weather postpones your moving date.
If you’re looking for a professional moving service in Florida, don’t hesitate to contact us. We will be there to help you through the entire process of your move.