The warm summer months are some of the most popular times to move. But just because everyone else is doing it, doesn’t mean you should, too. Moving into a new house can be stressful and pricey considering you just purchased a new property. The last thing you want to do is add to the associated moving costs. The good news is, moving in the winter can save you big bucks. Professional moving companies, moving vans, and other house moving services are often in less demand during the winter. Less demand for moving services in the wintertime = less money you’ll have to spend getting you and your treasured belongings to your new house.
But there is a reason why fewer people make the bold decision to move when the winter blues hit. Mainly, the weather. The winter season is full of weather patterns that can make travel difficult and throw your carefully considered plans for a loop. If you’re thinking about moving in the cold there are several, critical things you’ll want to consider to make the task less daunting.
What can you expect when moving in the winter?
- Lower costs and increased bargains from various moving services and businesses.
- An easier time planning and negotiating with professional moving companies.
- More time to plan the logistics involved in moving.
- Rain, snow or a host of other less than ideal conditions.
Not only can you save a considerable sum when you move during the off-peak season, but you’ll also have more time to plan the logistics involved in moving, too. Because moving companies generally find the winter months a slower time for business, you and your family won’t be as rushed plotting, planning, and executing a move in the colder weather. Are you still considering a move during the winter? Good, you won’t regret it if you follow these top 5 tips for moving in the snow.
What are the top five winter moving tips?
- Never drive the moving truck yourself.
Driving in adverse conditions can be stressful and potentially dangerous. When it comes to moving in adverse weather, you absolutely want to hire a professional to drive the moving truck. The good news about moving in the winter is that it’s a relatively easy time to find the right moving company for you. If you were to move in the spring or summer, you could easily miss out on a good moving company because someone else booked them before you did. This isn’t so much of an issue in the winter. Now, you have time to research the moving company. Check their BBB ratings and other reviews. Also, make sure the mover is legally registered to transport household goods. Hiring a lousy mover can cost you, so it’s vital that you take your time to do enough research.
- Check in with your movers.
The weather is incredibly unpredictable in the winter. The good news is, your movers will be more flexible and able to accommodate your move when the weather is cold. It’s critical that you check the weather and check in with your movers a week before the scheduled move, and at least two days before. If a snow or ice storm is expected to hit, it won’t be nearly as problematic to move the big day back until the roads are cleared.
- Prep your old and new house.
The movers will be tracking snow and probably ice, mud, and other wintery debris through the house while they cart your belongings out to the truck. Make sure that you cover your floors with plastic or tarps to keep them from getting dirty or experiencing water damage. Coverings will also prevent the risk of falls on slippery, hard floors. Winterize your home. Clear off your sidewalks, steps, and driveway, too. Be sure to remove any ice. Keep blankets and other coverings near the front door. Your movers may need to cover priceless furniture and belongings if it starts to snow or rain while they are hauling everything out to the truck. Also, you’ll want to winterize your old house and turn off the heat. Since it will be cold inside, it might be beneficial to run a space heater in the bathroom on moving day so you can warm up periodically before disembarking to the new property. Speaking of heat, there is nothing worse than entering your new house after a long ride only to find it devoid of heat and light in the dead of winter. Make sure you get those utilities on and working at least two days before your scheduled move.
- Take plenty of warm clothes with you, even if you’ll only be sitting in the moving truck.
You’ll need to get out of the vehicle for pitstops throughout the journey. Don’t make the mistake of leaving all of your warm clothes and comfy winter gear packed way down in the bottom of the moving truck. Your new house might be cold when you get there too, and the last thing you want to do is to spend your first couple of hours there shivering and miserable.
- Be flexible.
Winter weather is unpredictable, and even if you meticulously check the weather updates, a storm can quickly gather force and delay your journey. It’s important to be flexible when moving in the snow. To keep your stress levels low, it’s better to expect inclement weather than to think that it will be smooth sailing the entire way to the new house.
