By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
Not everyone is a "summer person", and not everyone has summer-based schedule constraints. Anyone who moves during the winter will find their professional movers easier to book and more available to consult with during their slower season. You'll find most moving companies more available, your schedule less rushed, and the roads less crowded. If you are prepared for warmth, safety, and floor protection, you can really enjoy a winter move.
Winter is the best time for schedule flexibility for your moving company. If this is a relocation for work, you can book which-ever time fits your work and transition schedule best. If you're moving for personal reasons, align your move solely with what is most convenient. If you're dealing with an uncertain moving schedule, winter is when your professional movers can be the most flexible with not-quite-confirmed moving dates because their own schedule has more space.
Don't forget to give yourself plenty of time to pack. You'll want all your boxes ready by moving truck arrival day and give yourself some time for a final clean-sweep once all your boxes and furniture are in the truck.
The biggest hazards of moving in winter relate to the weather. Of course, this is also highly regional. If you live in Florida, you're much less likely to be worrying about icy roads than if you live in Colorado. Plan for the conditions you expect to find. If it's slushy or wet outside, put down door mats and drop cloths to protect your floors. If it's icy, have driveway salt ready for boot traction. If it's rainy or snowing, make use of any covered porches and walkways and tarp over boxes in transit. If you expect a mess, have a stack of old towels handy. And if the weather is clear and relatively dry, don't worry about it. Not all winter moves are a hassle.
The best way to streamline your move in the winter is to prepare the houses. On one end, you want all your boxes ready, a heavy-duty doormat at the door, and an idea of the items you want loaded last (to unpack first).
Before the truck arrives at the new house, have the utilities turned on, the heater running, and be ready with towels and drop-cloths if the weather is poor. This ensures that you and your professional movers can warm up indoors while bringing in boxes and furniture. You may also want to fire up a pot of tea or hot cocoa to keep warm depending on the outside temperature and how bitingly cold the wind is on trips to the truck.
Finally, get yourself to the new house at a leisurely pace. Never rush on icy roads and pay attention to your personal health on the road trip. Make sure you don't get too tired or dehydrated. Take plenty of breaks to stop at a restaurant, walk around, or grab a hotel room. You can plan every stop ahead of time or use your GPS along the way to enjoy the slow and careful trip over winter roads to your new house. If the trip is short, you can spend this time ferrying personal items from the move. If the trip is long and one-way, be sure to stay weather aware so that you don’t get stuck somewhere on the road.
Moving during the off-season isn't just a strategy. For many, it's a more relaxed and enjoyable moving experience. Contact us today to consult on your moving schedule and the moving services you want to book for your upcoming relocation plans.
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