Winter Moving: Essential Tips for a Seamless Transition in Cold Weather
Snow is falling. The trees are bare. As winter weather approaches, you may be weighing the pros and cons of moving during the coldest season of the year. Why not wait for spring, or even summer?
At WellRive, we understand that moving is a highly personal decision. Factors outside of the weather will influence how and when you move, but it’s still important to consider how a winter move will impact your safety, your moving timeline, and your potential partnership with a move management company. In this article, we’ll detail all the advantages of moving in winter and give you expert moving and weatherproofing advice for facing icy roads and freezing temperatures.
Schedule Your Move for the Right Season
According to a 2023 moving survey conducted by USA Today, 44% of respondents said they made their most recent move in the summer, while only 12% said they moved in the winter. Peak moving season is, in fact, during the warmer months, but is all that sunshine worth the hassles that come with making your moving day arrangements along with the crowd? Family plans, your budget, and your location will help you make that decision, but if you have your heart set on winter moving, here’s what you stand to gain:
Major Savings
From storage units to moving vans, moving costs a lot less when companies aren’t busy handling a ton of customers. In fact, storage units often offer better deals and lower move-in rates at this time. If you work with a move management specialist, they can help you get discounted rates on services such as cleanings and appraisals, helping you execute a truly cost-effective move.
Move When You Want
Moving outside of the busy season gives you the opportunity to build the timeline that works for you, not the moving company. And isn’t that how it should be? Special requests and last-minute changes to your scheduling needs are also far more likely to be accommodated, giving you the flexibility required to navigate winter moving challenges and other unexpected obstacles in the transition process.
8 Expert Tips for Moving in Winter
Winter moving means a higher risk of inclement weather, extreme temperatures that could damage your belongings, and potentially the additional stress that comes with moving during the holiday season. However, with some advance preparation and planning, you can enjoy all the advantages of a winter move and handle any issues that arise with ease. Let WellRive walk you through some of the steps you can take before, during, and after your move for a smooth relocation to your new home:
Be Weather Aware
What does the weather forecast look like for the beginning and end of your move? Keep an eye out and keep in touch with anyone who’s assisting with your move so that safety remains a priority and timelines can be adjusted. Winter storms can change direction and intensity very quickly, so even knowing the future forecast may not be enough to avoid rescheduling in the event the weather becomes too dangerous to drive in.
Don’t forget about daylight hours. With the sun setting as early as 5:00 pm in many areas of the country, you could be left in the dark if you don’t plan your move accordingly.
Gather Winter Wear and Supplies
Salt, sand, and snowblowers are just a handful of the tools you should consider keeping on hand in case of a winter weather emergency. Space heaters can also come in handy to combat cold temperatures in open doorways and loading zones. As for clothing, gloves, jackets, and blankets (even if you’re already bundled up) may be useful if your move takes longer than expected or the weather gets colder than you were anticipating. Moving is difficult enough — the last thing you want is for you or your family members to be shivering and uncomfortable.
Service Your Vehicle
Is your vehicle in the best condition to withstand snow, sleet, and ice? Have your vehicle inspected and repaired by a professional ahead of time to avoid breaking down on moving day. Make sure your tires are in excellent shape, too, as you may encounter icy roads and less-than-idean driving conditions.
Ensure Safe Walkways and Driveways
Slips and falls are much more common when snow and slush are present, which makes it a good idea to clear the paths to both your current and new home to avoid hazardous situations for your family and anyone helping you move. Use salt or sand on designated pathways for an additional level of safety. A move management company can help you coordinate with your realtor or property manager to perform these tasks before you arrive at your new home.
Use Weatherproof Packing Techniques
Packing cold-weather items together is a no-brainer, but what about packing to protect your belongings from being ruined by the cold and precipitation? Water-protective packing supplies such as plastic bins, bubble wrap, and mattress bags are a must. You can also shrink wrap your clothing to prevent water damage and use towels and blankets to wrap large items like mirrors and furniture. Electronics are an important consideration, too. A plastic barrier, whether that be a bag or bin, can secure your cords, cables, and other devices against the elements outside and help them to survive the move.
Prepare Floors and Carpets
It’s easy to track snow and mud through a new house. Floor mats should be placed at all entrances to the outside while plastic tarps can work as a cover for tile and wood floors. Be mindful of sand and salt, too, as these materials can stick to your shoes and do significant damage to your flooring.
Have Utilities Turned on Ahead of Time
Imagine this: you arrive at your new home and the lights won’t turn on. The heat isn’t working, either. This kind of disaster can be avoided by contacting water, gas, and electric companies before you move so that everything is ready for your arrival. Keep in mind that delays due to inclement weather may require you to reschedule when your utilities are turned on.
Hire a Move Management Company
When moving in winter feels overwhelming, move management professionals can step in and simplify the process. They can help you create winter contingency plans and source movers who are experts in handling winter moves. Plus, they can act as your central point of contact, coordinating with storage facilities, moving companies, building management, and more to clear the way for an easy move. Move management professionals also specialize in packing techniques and weather accommodations like the ones we mentioned above, giving you peace of mind that you and your belongings are going to arrive at your destination safely.
Stress-Free Winter Moving with WellRive
Stay warm out there! With our full-service, hands-on move management solutions, you can move in winter, spring, summer, or fall and trust that your family and all your household items are receiving expert care and attention in any season. Contact us today to set up your winter move.