Are you thinking about moving in winter? If so, then you should know there’s nothing to dread about. All you need to do is to make solid preparations in order to avoid unpleasant surprises. But if your long-distance moving depends on professional movers, you can be sure that they have plenty of experience in these, far from perfect, conditions. Here are a few useful tips to help you with the whole process.
Relocation during snowy days doesn’t have to be a pain
If you are wondering what’s the best time of year to move, the answer surely isn’t during the freezing, snowy months. Moving in the winter is more challenging than hiring a cross country moving company in any other season, but luckily, professional movers know all the winter moving tips to perform a successful move. There are also some pros to choosing snowy months for your relocation. Here’s what you have to know if you opted for this period.
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Why Moving in Winter is a Good Choice? The Price Might Be the Main Reason
First of all, everybody is relocating in the summer, and that’s why wintertime is moving companies’ off-season. By scheduling a winter move, you’ll have a broader range of dates available to choose from. Besides, it’s much more likely that you’ll get a better deal and pay significantly lower prices at this time of the year. The answer to how much money should I save to move out of state will be – a lot less. The fact that your moving expenses checklist will be cheaper once you draw a bottom line is one of the most important winter moving tips you’re going to get. However, if you are moving during the holidays such as Christmas or New Year, that won’t apply.
Summer Heat Can be Unpleasant When Changing Your Home
People like relocating during the warm summer months. It’s great for moving with kids since they are out of school. Not to mention that daylight lasts longer compared to freezing and short December days. But, there are two problems – it can get very hot, and relocation expenses are higher due to increased demand. All members of every moving company are busy, and you might not find availability in the period that works best for you. That’s why relocating in the colder part of the year when the hassle-free movers are more available and the prices are generally lower is not a bad idea at all.
Opting for moving in winter will be a positive thing for your wallet
Check the Weather in the New State and Prepare for Delays
If you’re asking yourself what do I need to know about moving to a cold state and how to adjust to a new town if you are moving to a cold climate, keep in mind that the wintertime is unpredictable, and the risk of a snowstorm is always present. Having these facts in mind, you would want to organize moving hours as best as you can. In this process, checking the forecast is an excellent tip that will allow you to schedule the right day and organize tasks that need to be finished beforehand. You should know that when you are relocating during bad weather, delays are often inevitable.
Moving in Case of a Storm
Snowstorms are a common occurrence in the blizzard season, and that’s why you should have a backup plan. Talk with the company in case you want to cancel or reschedule your relocation. Some companies will postpone, and the others will not be in the mood for negotiations. They may pick up your things, but won’t deliver them to your new address until the weather conditions allow it. In any case, you should have an alternative like rented storage units.
If you’re driving your car to your future residence, be sure that you have all the necessary car equipment with you and an emergency contact list during your trip. In the case of a snowstorm, these emergency items should be stored in your car:
- Emergency kit,
- Tire chains,
- Extra window wipers,
- Ice scrapers,
- Tow rope,
- Shovel,
- Salt,
- Blankets,
- Extra warm clothes,
- Money.
But if you want to avoid the hassle and risk of driving your car through snow and ice, you can always contact a company with reliable auto transport services to transfer your vehicle to the desired destination. You’ll just need to make sure you know how to prepare your car for shipping in these conditions and how does car shipping work in general. Take a look at the video below if you still want to drive on snowy roads.
What Should You Do to Your House Before Winter Moving?
Be sure that sidewalks, walkways, and driveways are free of snow by using salt or sand. You should also inspect the area once again when the relocation day arrives in case it snowed overnight. Consider protecting the interior of your home, primarily the floors, with cardboard or plastic sheets to avoid any damage that may occur while transporting boxes in and out. Always keep shovels, salt, and sand close in case of unfavorable climate conditions.
Make Sure You Prepare the Sidewalks and Street Before Moving
To prevent any injuries and furniture damages on the relocation day, you must take care of all the paths you think the movers will be using. Here are a few tips to help you with that: use salt, shovel, or a snowblower to create this difficult process more comfortable and happier for both sides. Leaving the driveway and sidewalks snowy is one of the most common moving mistakes.
Be Careful With Your Electronics
Your electronics need special treatment during the cold days, and that should be on your checklist for moving to a new state. The best solution is to gather all the devices, pack them and put them in the car with you. The average temperature inside the vehicle will save them from potential damage.
Have Sheets Near at Hand
Taking things out of your home and transporting them to the truck entails the possibility of their wetting. In the case of snow or sleet, take time to prepare towels or sheets to cover and protect furniture. This will serve a double purpose – it will not only protect your things from moisture but will also prevent furniture from bumping against the truck or door frame.
Some items in your home, such as electronics, might need special protection from the cold
Prepare Your New House – Check the Utilities First
A few days before relocating, it would be a good idea to contact the real estate agent or the rental property manager to find out in what condition the home you are moving to is. Having in mind that a cold climate can be very unpleasant if you don’t have electricity or water, you should take care of these utilities a few days before the relocation date. Turn on heat and water before you arrive to make your adaptation process more comfortable.
Moving in Winter Can Be Quite Unpredictable
You should check the weather forecast for the town that will be your future home, even if you’re moving to a warmer climate. This step will help you avoid any unpredictable surprises and plan better. The worst-case scenario for you is to expect nice and warm days and end up with something completely opposite. So, if a blizzard is forecasted, prepare for it in advance and make all the necessary arrangements.
Clear the Snow from Walkways in Front of Your New Home
Everything is much easier if you can walk on cleared paths, not thinking about ice and potential falls. If the residential area is not too far from your present home, you can visit it and salt or sand the area, if needed. The other solution is to request from your agent or property manager to check the area instead of you. If you make a clear path to load in the track, the chances for damage or accidents will be minimal.
Check the Parking Area and Back Lane
The relocating truck from the long-distance moving company is huge and requires enough parking space so that movers can unload the things from it easily. Maybe your neighbors can organize this space to be clear and ice-free. However, you can always hire someone to clear out the back lane or driveway.
Check if the new place you’re relocating to has enough space for the relocating truck
Try to Help Everyone to Stay Warm
Prepare hot chocolate, tea, or apple cider in the kitchen and have a drink together with movers during breaks. These refreshing drinks will warm up your fingers and entire body and help you endure the process of cross country moving in the cold. In case you’re moving with cats, have moving with dogs, or moving with pets in general, pay special attention to them. They’re sensitive to cold temperatures, so keep them inside and dry them up if they get wet from the snow. If they don’t mind the freezing temperatures, get them a waterproof and warm jacket when they leave the house.
Make Sure to Prepare an Additional Pair of Gloves
Whether you are relocating on your own, helping a friend move, or you hired a professional company, don’t forget to bring anything that could warm you up, like extra gloves, caps, or scarves. On a freezing day, hands are the most vulnerable and after a few hours of work, they will need warm and dry conditions.
Warm scarves will keep you warm
Be Sure That You Chose the Right Long-Distance Moving Company
Our last and crucial tip concerns the company you will use to help you out during this period. Contact a reliable and reputable company with professional long-distance moving services that is up for this challenging task. They should provide you with packing services, high-quality boxes and packing supplies, and of course, moving insurance.
Getting a quote should be free and simple so that you can easily decide if the price works for you or not. Pay attention to the efficiency, reliability, and trustworthiness of long-distance moving services, especially during a blizzard, ice, and wind. If the offer you get sounds tempting, the relocation specialist seems trustworthy, and the reviews from previous customers are positive, you’ve found the company you are looking for. Then you can just relax and focus on other things such as the new apartment shopping list or making friends in a new city.
Take Care of Cross Country Movers You Hired
Your long-distance movers are experienced professionals, but hard physical labor and cold will exhaust them. So don’t forget to offer them something warm to drink or eat every now and then. And of course, tip them generously if you are satisfied with the work they did. We hope that, with our moving in winter tips in mind, your opinion about getting cross country moving services during winter is slightly more positive. Now that you know how to move, you won’t have any anxiety about moving to another state.
