How to Execute a Successful Moving in Winter

No matter your reasons for relocation in wintertime, you won’t be able to perform a successful move without any additional stress without a couple of winter moving tips. And yes, it will take additional effort to have an efficient move, but if you’re organized and plan everything on time, you will never move in peak season again.

Is It Bad to Move In the Winter? Or Is It Good to Move In the Winter? Let’s Break This Conundrum Down

Aside from the fact that relocating without the help of long-distance movers is probably the worst thing you can do to yourself, relocation is considered to be one of the most stressful events in a person’s life. So, in the end, it doesn’t make much of a difference, whether it is summer or wintertime, regarding the amount of energy you will have to invest.

On the other hand, if you ever wondered is it cheaper to move in the winter, the answer is yes. Not only will you save money while house hunting off the season, but you will be able to get services of a long-distance moving company services affordably. And best of all, you will get to choose the best long-distance moving services since companies usually have a less cramped up schedule off-season.

Make a Plan of Your Move and Find Long-Distance Movers Near Me in a Couple of Steps

The first thing on your to-do list should be planning for relocation to another city. Once you decide where you will live and when you plan to go there, you can search for cross-country movers. Here are the steps you have to take so you get the best service ever:

• Step 1 – Search online or ask for recommendations from friends and family for a cross-country moving Narrow down your search to at least five companies.
• Step 2 – Check if the company has a USDOT number so you avoid relocation scams.
• Step 3 – Ask for free quotes from all the companies that you checked and verified as legit.
• Step 4 – Contact at least three companies that fit your budget and ask for in-home estimation.
• Step 5 – See if your company of choice has all the services you want, from packing to car shipping or maybe even a free storage unit.

Pack Your Belongings for Cold Weather

If you decide not to pay for a packing service, you will have to learn how to properly pack pots and pans, electric devices, and fragile items. The cold conditions will not only make your fingers freeze. Your belongings will be in danger as well, as freezing temperatures can make them break even more easily.

So, the first packing tip is to buy high-quality packing supplies such as bubble wrap and cushioning. Another tip is to wrap each item separately, place each piece in a box and fill the hollow space with cushioning. If possible, buy boxes that have holes on sides wide enough to fit the hand with gloves. This will make carrying the boxes much easier. Of course, if your boxes don’t have holes for carrying, you can easily cut them yourself.

Prepare Your Home for the Big Day

When relocating in a cold climate, it is important to look for the weather forecasts, especially on your big day, and be prepared if some snowstorms are about to happen. Also, prepare everything for movers the day before. For example, if you require a ramp, set it up in advance. Have old sheets on the side so you can place them on your floor before workers arrive. Sheets will not only protect the floor from getting wet but also from any accidental damages.

Warm Up Your Home

Ok, this step may seem logical, but you would be surprised how often this ends up as one of the things people forget to do. You probably wonder how this is possible. Well, the thing is that you will have to transfer your utilities to a new location or cancel them. And one of the mistakes people commit is that they book relocation for the same date as the cancelation of utilities, which leaves them without gas and electricity.

Another thing they tend to do is to turn the heat off, thinking they will not need it that day. But they couldn’t be more wrong. The doors will be open all the time, and people will be rushing in and out, cooling the place all day. You will require a warm break room not only for you and your workers but for your kids and dogs as well.

Get Spotlights Ready

If you don’t have any, borrow or buy some. This tip can probably only be found in the ultimate relocation guides, but it is really important. As you know, days are shorter in wintertime, and the darkness will sneak on you in the blink of an eye. And there is no worse thing than to leave unfinished business. At least honest workers will try to finish everything in the dark. But working in such conditions is impossible even for the most experienced professionals. If you install a spotlight, the job will be over much faster and without any accidents.

Clean Up Your Doorway

Another important thing when preparing for movers is to clear doorways from snow. Do this the night before and put some salt on it to prevent icing. There will be a lot of carrying, and you don’t want a slippery road while carrying kitchen items or your tv. Aside from the protection of your belongings, you will save yourself and your professionals from any harm as well.

Moving in Winter – Prepare for Movers

When the big day arrives, you will be surrounded by chaos. People will be all over the place, and you will probably forget to do many things. That is why it is crucial to have a detailed plan of everything that needs to be done on that day. For example, you should buy plastic or paper cups and plates so you can drink water and eat since all your items are packed. Also, you should have a safe room in your house with things that are not going in a moving truck, such as your important documents, plants, and other necessities.

Put All Boxes in One Room Once Moving Day Arrives

One more incredible relocation hack is to place all boxes in one room. Loading them on a truck will be much faster and easier, and best of all – only one room in your house will be exposed to dirt and snow. And while we are at the dirt, don’t forget to leave aside a couple of cleaning products, such as an old mop and a bucket, so you can clean everything once the truck leaves.

Prepare Hot Beverages

Working in a wintry climate will make both sweat and freeze, and you and your workers will require something hot to warm up a bit while taking the break. We have already suggested buying some paper cups or, even better, foam cups for tea, coffee, or hot chocolate. All you have to do is keep your kettle and coffee maker out of the box with kitchen items, and you’re good to go. Also, buy some bottles of water. Even if it’s cold outside, you’ll have to hydrate.

Don’t Forget About the Food

The truck has arrived. The fuss is all around you. Suddenly, you realize it’s almost time for dinner and you didn’t have lunch. To avoid this mistake, set an hour for a lunch break and tell that to everyone. Set an alarm half-hour before the planned time and order some food like pizza or something else. Unfortunately, we forget to eat on busy days like this, but you’ll need all the energy, so make sure you put that on your to-do list.

Wear Warm Clothes in Layers

This step is crucial for preventing illnesses. As we mentioned above, you’ll be sweating a lot, and yes, you’ll feel the need to take off your jacket from time to time. And once you take it off, you will realize you’re standing wet in the cold. To prevent this, wear warm clothing in layers. Put one shirt with long sleeves, then one with short ones, and then put a sweater or sweatshirt on top of everything. The air between the layers will keep you warm, while the t-shirts will collect the sweat. Check this video for more tips.

Check the Roads to Your New Home

Once your relocation day arrives, you should check not only for the weather in your city but also on the road. It may be calm on your side of the country, but you never know what is waiting for you while traveling to the other. Also, with the information on weather conditions, you will be prepared for any delays or other unforeseen events.

Get Your Car Ready for Shipping or Driving

Whether you’re shipping your car or driving it to a new destination, you will have to do some preparations. And, of course, if you ship your car, these preparations will be minimal. All you have to do is put some antifreeze in the car, wash it, and take a picture of it before the trailer arrives.

On the other hand, if you plan to drive across the country, you will require wintry gear, tires for snow, antifreeze, and a car towing hook and rope in case you get stuck. Also, you will have to do good research about all the stops along the way and put them on the map. Do that, and if some blizzard hits, you will know where to find shelter.

Don’t Forget Your Winter Bags of Essentials

Making a bag of essentials for wintertime is harder than you think. For starters, the clothing is bigger and takes a lot more space. You will have to be creative and practical and only bring items you will use every day. So bring:

• One warm waterproof jacket,
• One pair of good shoes, also waterproof,
• Pair of tracksuits,
• A couple of t-shirts,
• Underwear,
• Hygiene products,
• Hairdryer.

In essence, you have to take a comfortable, warm outfit acceptable for most occasions.

Last but Not Least – Avoid Holidays if Possible

To summarize, long-distance moving in the wintertime will bring the best service there is for a more affordable price. And as you can see it is not much different from relocating in summer, aside from outside conditions. You will need beverages in the summertime, and you will have to clean everything as well, so extra moisture from snow will not be much different.

Still, there is one really bad moment to move in the wintertime as well. That would be around holidays when many people pack up and go to spend holidays with their families. Holidays are the exception to the affordability and flexibility rules in the wintertime relocating, so try to avoid them if possible.