Moving in the winter can actually be… advantageous.
Winter months are usually less busy when it comes to moving, and this also results in lower home prices. Historical data shows that houses have the highest average days on market and the lowest list price during winter months (November through February).
As a result, you’ll find it much easier to book a mover during these months and to reserve elevators if you’re moving out of and/or into an apartment. Sometimes moving can even be cheaper during winter as moving companies offer seasonal promotions to try and book more jobs. All the pros aside, there are still a few things you should consider before booking your winter move.
1. HIRE PROFESSIONALS
It goes without saying that if you’re moving in the winter, the safest option would be to hire professionals to move your items for you. The less time you spend on the roads, the better, and you get to stay warm indoors! Plus, you can always ask for their seasonal promotions for winter moving.
When choosing movers, make sure you check the most recent reviews on multiple platforms. For example, google reviews, BBB and Yelp. You should also ensure the company is licensed, insured and provides WCB for its employees. If you find a company that checks off all of the above, go for it! It is likely they are a professional company that will get you moved into your new house without a problem!
2. BE FLEXIBLE
Winter weather is often unpredictable. The weather can change in a flash, going from sunny and calm one hour to hail or heavy snowfall the next. This means weather forecasts can also be untrustworthy at times. Although they are accurate for the most part, blizzards and hail storms can appear from nowhere.
If you are moving in the winter, it’s best to keep a close eye on the weather forecasts. If you notice any harsh weather on the day of your move, it’s advisable to try and reschedule the move. Harsh weather can drag out a move as it makes it difficult to work and drive. Sometimes rescheduling may not be an option, and therefore you should be ready to dig a little deeper in your pocket than originally planned for the move.
3. PACK FOR WINTER ELEMENTS
The way you pack your household items and belongings in preparation for moving in the winter differs from a summer move.
For example, fragile items such as glassware and dishes are sensitive to changes in temperature; this raises the probability of them breaking drastically. Measures can be taken to soften the change in temperature for these items, such as:
- Wrapping them in a greater number of layers of packing paper.
- Wrapping them in extra towels and/or blankets.
This is also true for electronics. If you are able to, it may even be advisable to have your movers load these items into your personal vehicle for you. This will ensure that they stay warm and aren’t affected by the weather.
Traditional cardboard boxes closed with packing tape can usually survive light rain and snow. However, if it is raining or snowing heavily, you may want to consider packing items into plastic boxes instead of cardboard ones. This will make sure that the contents are safeguarded from the elements.
Similar to the potential risk snow and/or rain poses to the contents inside of your boxes, artwork should also be protected. This can be covered with shrink wrap or placed in plastic bags. Any clothing and/or textiles should also be placed in bags if not already packed into the boxes. Any furniture, especially wood or fabric furniture, should also be shrink-wrapped prior to moving. You can always ask your movers to do this, as they will likely have shrink wrap with them.
4. PREPARE YOUR HOME FOR MOVING IN THE WINTER
Winter weather conditions can be quite dangerous for your movers. The risk of slips, trips and falls is increased exponentially. This puts your movers at risk of injury, as well as your belongings at risk of damage.
Some ways to work around these risks are to ensure that you have prepped your home for your winter move. Shovelling a clear path from where the truck will park to the access points of your home is a great start. Once the snow is shovelled, you should also ensure it is free of ice. Throwing salt, gravel or sand over the walkways for extra traction is also a good idea!
To protect the inside of your home, it is recommended to lay down some extra mats, tarps or plastic by the access points where your movers will be entering and exiting in and out of. This will protect your floors from stains, scratches and excess cleaning from all the snow and dirt being tracked in from the shoes. Alternatively, your movers should come equipped with moving blankets that they can throw down in front of the access points of your home to protect your floors. They should also have floor runners to run throughout your house, so everything inside stays dry. Moving is stressful enough; you don’t want to have to worry about all the cleaning that comes after as well!
You also want to make sure the house you’re moving into in the winter is a safe environment to work in. It gets darker much faster during the day in winter, so if the move is lengthy, or the move started later in the day, you will want to make sure you have proper lighting in place so everyone can see their surroundings while unloading.
5. ENJOY SOME HOT CHOCOLATE
Most importantly, take a deep breath, enjoy some hot chocolate and relax. Moving in the winter is a difficult task; however, when you take all the proper precautions and plan everything accordingly, your moving day will be much easier.
