Moving in the winter months is – daunting. The snow, the sleet, the slush, the ice . . . it’s enough to make anyone overlook some significant upsides to moving during the cold season.
To start off, it’s the moving industry’s slow season, which means you have a greater choice of available services, and overall moving costs are down. Storage units and moving vans are in lower demand, and contractors will put out special deals with great prices to try and earn your business. Do some research for the best deal and make sure there’s a history of good customer experiences before settling on the company for you. To get your search started, here’s a list of the 7 best moving companies as ranked by trusted moving experts.
Additionally, avoiding the cold is a great motivator to stay in and unpack. Taking your time to organize your home, rather than rushing through it to enjoy the warmer seasons, will benefit you in the long run. Plus, when the warmer weather finally returns, you will be able to enjoy it in your new home.
With these benefits in mind, here’s how we keep the misery minimized when moving in the winter.
Watch the Weather
In the week before your move, keep an eye on the weather forecast. If possible, give yourself a two- or three-day window in which to move so that you can avoid the worst winter weather. If you’re hiring a mover, ask what their policy is regarding inclement weather. Ideally, you’ll be able to shift the day of your move without losing any money.
Be Prepared to Do Battle
With the snow, ice, and slush, that is. If it’s snowy out, that means grabbing your shovel (or hiring a neighbor kid) and clearing a path from your home to the driveway. You’ll want to do the same thing at your new home, of course.
If the ground is at all slippery, buy a bag of rock salt (a 50-pound bag costs less than $10) and sprinkle it on your steps, sidewalks, and driveway. Pack it last, so you can unpack it first and spread it at your new home before the moving crew starts the heavy lifting.
Protect Your Floors
Keep the slush from your boots off the new carpeting and make certain that your floors are protected. If you’re hiring professional movers, they should have all the supplies needed to protect your wood floors or carpet (although it never hurts to call and double-check). If you’re moving by yourself, you can buy plastic floor runners, or save money by using cardboard.
Make Sure Your Car is Ready to Go
This is especially important for long distance moves. You’ll want to make sure you have enough wiper fluid and that your wipers are in good condition. Are your brakes and tires in good working condition as well? How much life does your battery have left? It’s always a good idea to put some blankets, food, and water in the back seat or other accessible location, just in case something does happen on the road.
Grab a Heated Storage Unit
Having extra space in a move means you can take your time to unpack and organize as you make a new home or apartment yours. When downsizing or in the process of decluttering your belongings in a move, especially during the winter, a heated storage unit might be your comfortable salvation. There are many items that you might come across while moving that are temperature-sensitive and would benefit from a heated storage unit to stay in the best condition.
Make Sure Your New Home is Ready
Part of moving anywhere is making sure you have heat, electricity, and water. It’s easy to forget to do these things before, and if you remember too late, you may open your door to a frozen home. Make a checklist of all the services you’ll want at your new home, then have them set up several days prior to your move (just in case you try to beat the storm).
If you aren’t sure where to begin, Moving Waldo can point you in the right direction. Their moving concierge services can help reduce the stress, so you can focus more on packing.
Don’t Forget the Drinks!
Have coffee or hot chocolate ready to offer to your movers or the friends who are helping you move. You can make life easier on yourself by buying a large box of coffee from a local coffee shop. When the work is done, just add a splash of your favorite cream liqueur to celebrate.
About StorageMart
Renting a self storage unit – and packing it efficiently – is another way to make your move easier. At StorageMart, all of our units can be rented on a month-to-month basis—and they’re always clean, well-lit, and easy to use. Need more info? Learn how simple it is to rent a unit online today.