Preparing for a Cold Weather Move
When moving day falls in the winter, you may live someplace where the weather is inclement, cold, windy, icy, and snowy. With these potentially dangerous conditions, you must take extra care and special precautions when moving your household.
The good news is that scheduling a move in this "off-season" can save you money. These five tips can help you prepare when a winter move is on the horizon.
1. Check the Weather Forecast
During the winter months, the weather can be unpredictable. That means keeping close track of the forecast, especially in the days leading up to moving day.
A blizzard or storm may cause conditions that aren't safe for movers, so be sure to have a backup plan if you need to delay the move.
If you're making a long-distance move, check the conditions en route and at your destination.
Above all, remain flexible and try not to stress. After all, you can't control the weather, but you can build contingencies into your moving plan.
2. Communicate with Movers
Whether you're working with a team of movers or hiring a moving truck (or both), keeping in contact is vital. So be sure to check in about a week before moving day.
This is a good rule of thumb to follow anyway. But it's crucial to communicate in the winter when conditions change rapidly.
3. Clear Walkways and Driveways
Keep driveways, sidewalks, porches, and entryways free of ice and snow. Shovel and use sand or salt to ensure walkways are clear and not slippery and that driveways are free from slush and snow banks.
This applies to your current home and the home you're moving into. If possible, arrive at your new home early to clear the way for your moving team.
Pro tip: Ensure your moving truck has a clear place to load and unload and confirm it won't be parked on a scheduled snow removal route.
4. Protect Your Flooring
People will come from the wet, snowy outdoors into your home over and over on moving days. That means dirty, wet shoes and boots will come in contact with your flooring — and that's not even to mention the salt and sand that will undoubtedly get tracked in, too.
Protect carpets, tile, and wood floors in your current and new home. Lay plastic down over wood and tile flooring. On the carpet, lay down a protective layer of plastic, then top it with cardboard so that it isn’t slippery.
5. Keep Winter Supplies Ready
With doors opening and closing all day long, the inside of your home may get chilly. Keep winter clothing, like coats, gloves, and hats, ready.
You'll also want snow and ice supplies, such as shovels, salt, or sand, at the ready. Keeping walkways and driveways clear and safe is critical.
Finally, keep a winter emergency kit in your car or moving truck. If you encounter inclement weather on the road, a kit with supplies such as cell phone chargers, jumper cables, tire chains, ice scrapers, tow ropes, food, and water may come in handy.
Winter Moving
Moving in winter doesn't have to be stressful, but it requires some advance planning. Keeping in contact with your moving team, remaining aware of the weather conditions, and preparing for chilly temperatures will help smooth your cold-weather move.
We are expert movers who can handle your move no matter the season. Contact us for a free quote.