Moving into a new home is hard work. You have to spend days packing boxes in between cooking, cleaning, and taking care of pets or children. Moving during winter can also be extremely uncomfortable if you’re not properly prepared.
You may have to deal with unpredictable weather, and you have to ensure the safety of your belongings. But with the right tips and tricks, you can make moving to a new location a breeze, even if it’s snowing outside.
So, if you’re planning on packing up your house and moving during the colder months, keep reading so you can make it a fun and safe experience.
Create a Moving Schedule
When moving to a new home, you can easily forget important tasks. Certain tasks may slip your mind, like canceling your utilities or subscriptions or changing your address on accounts you have.
To help you remember important dates and tasks you need to complete during your winter move, it’s important to create a detailed schedule. Write down all the tasks on a notepad or use your Google Calendar to schedule jobs you want to complete on certain days.
Protect Your Belongings
Cardboard boxes are sturdy, but they can also get damaged by water from melted snow. Protect certain belongings, such as clothing and accessories, by wrapping them in plastic before packing them into a box.
Another way to protect your belongings is by wrapping the boxes in plastic to prevent water from soaking them if it snows or rains. Make sure you place box labels over the plastic so movers will know what’s inside and if the containers carry fragile belongings.
You can also wrap large appliances such as freezers, fridges, and stoves in bubble wrap and make sure cords and plugs aren’t exposed.
Check the Weather Forecast
If there’s heavy snowfall, you may get stuck on the side of the road during your move. So, check the weekly weather forecast to ensure that it’s safe to travel on the day of relocating. You can always reschedule the move if there’s extreme weather predicted for the week.
Don’t Cancel Your Utilities Until You Move
You may feel the need to quickly cancel some of your utilities before you move. But you’ll need essential utilities such as electricity for heating and lighting bedrooms when packing boxes. You want to continue living comfortably until it’s time to move to your new home.
It’s recommended that you only cancel your utilities after you’ve moved into your new home and your previous property is empty. Put a reminder on your phone to cancel your utilities so you don’t forget.
Search for a Moving Company in Advance
You must research moving and storage companies way in advance. You’ll then be able to arrange the exact date you want to move and how you want the process to go.
If you need to store items during your move, then it’s important to look at the rates of different companies to find one that’s within your price range. You can also keep items in storage if you don’t have enough space in your new home. This will give you some time to sort through boxes and donate items you don’t want or need anymore.
Create a Moving Path on the Day
During winter, sidewalks can become slippery when water ices over. It can be dangerous to move boxes from the house to the moving truck if the floor is wet or slippery. Create a path by placing rubber mats down.
Make sure the path is free from obstacles to make it easier for the movers to walk to and from your house. You can also move all your boxes to the front of your house to make the moving process quicker.
Pack Winter Essentials in Your Car
If you’re traveling far, it’s important to pack your car with winter essentials to keep everyone comfortable. Have flasks filled with hot chocolate or coffee, and ensure everyone has a blanket or a hot water bottle to keep them warm.
You should also make sure that you’re wearing the right winter clothing, such as gloves, beanies, jackets, and thick pants. If you’re traveling with animals, cover their cages with blankets to keep them warm.
Final Thoughts
Moving during winter doesn’t have to be a stressful endeavor. With the right tips and tricks, you can make the moving process quick and easy, even if it’s snowing or raining outside. Use the tips in this article to help you move during the colder months, and make sure you’re dressed warmly for the occasion.
