There are many advantages of moving during the offseason. Maybe you’re moving on a budget and have chosen to move during the cold period of the year because it is the cheapest time of the year to move. Perhaps it simply suits you the most or you suddenly managed to find a job before moving to another state and there’s no time to lose. Whatever the case may be, right now you’ll be wondering how to pull out the relocation in the cold weather as best as possible. And the following tips should make the entire process go smoothly and stress-free for you and your family.
Things to Know When Moving in Winter
Now that you’ve finally decided to move out, you will be faced with handling the entire relocation process. Moving in winter adds just another layer of complexity when it comes to executing your relocation in a timely and orderly fashion.
Organization and Planning Are Staples of Relocating
After you figured out the reasons why you should move, and researched thoughtfully where you should move, picked the place, it’s time for other steps. Once you go over the moving budget, it is time to make it happen. But here’s the key – proper planning is one of the key factors of any successful and smooth relocation.
And since you are relocating in the colder period of the year, you should be preparing for anything and everything. Maybe you’ll end up in very bad weather conditions and will have to contact your movers to reschedule. You will be surprised by how more efficient and smoother relocation can be when you have everything organized beforehand.
Create a photo or household inventory list, sort out your belongings properly, and label all the boxes. If you want to, you can create a checklist of all the packing tips and tricks and loading steps you need to take, so that you have something to come back to if you get lost and confused during the process. It will lower the chances of making some of the common moving mistakes.
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Moving in Winter Means Checking the Weather Constantly
Moving in winter can be an easy process when you move with a team such as Cross Country Moving Company. It is the cheapest time and it is the best time of the year to move, keep in mind that Mother Nature can turn it into a challenging experience in the blink of an eye but don’t let that fact cause you anxiety about relocation. Remember that one of the most important moving day tips is to put safety as your number one priority at all times. Keep tabs on the weather long before the relocation comes around, and especially so in the week before the big day. If you have any concerns, don’t be afraid to contact your cross-country movers team and let them know.
The Hazards of Winter Driving
Winter driving is fraught with danger, with nearly 2,000 fatalities and over 135,000 injuries each year from accidents on icy roads. Black ice, a nearly invisible layer of ice, is especially treacherous, making it hard for drivers to gauge road conditions. Additionally, heavy snowstorms and damp sleet can drastically reduce visibility and create slippery surfaces.
According to recent data, the ice scraper is considered the most crucial tool for winter driving, with 35.1% of respondents highlighting its importance. Following closely, 28% identified gloves or mittens as essential for keeping hands warm and functional. Additionally, 25.4% of respondents pointed out that sand or kitty litter can be invaluable for gaining traction on slippery surfaces.
Western drivers were most likely to encounter black ice, at 82.8%
Why Hire Professional Long-Distance Movers?
Given these winter driving hazards, hiring professional movers can greatly enhance safety. Professionals are experienced in managing the challenges of winter weather, ensuring a safer and more efficient move. They are equipped to handle the complexities of relocating in adverse conditions, reducing risks associated with driving on icy roads.
Preparing for a Safe and Smooth Winter Move
Preventing slip accidents during a winter move brings unique challenges that require thoughtful preparation to ensure successful and safe winter moves. The cold weather can impact various aspects of your move, from protecting your belongings to managing indoor conditions. If you’re wondering how to move in icy conditions, ensuring you have the right tools, supplies, and strategies in place will help mitigate the effects of winter weather and maintain safety throughout the process.
Prepare Your Tools and Supplies
You will have to prepare a variety of packing materials and tools if you want your relocation to go smoothly, and more importantly, safely. So, be sure that you have plenty of warm gloves, shoes, sand, and salt, as well as packing materials for moving, and blankets to protect your belongings for the move. Try to get some of these supplies for free and you will reduce your moving expenses.
Protect the Floors Carefully
Moving in winter can get quite messy as the snow will melt inside your home, and you and your movers will be bringing in mud and dirt which will combine with the water inside. Not only do you want to make sure that your floor is protected, but you also want to avoid any slippery surfaces that could lead to injuries and material damage. Contact your movers, as some cross-country moving companies offer to take care of the floor protection themselves. Otherwise, you will have to do it on your own, either by using cardboard, plastic sheets, or tarps.
Turn off the Heat, but Not in Your Bathroom
The entire relocation day, your old and new house alike will be exposed to the cold weather most of the time. You and your friends or your movers will be coming in and out, so trying to keep your home warm will be a futile effort. But remember to heat up your bathroom, which both you and the movers will likely be using.
Clear All the Pathways
You’ll want to prepare all the pathways for heavy traffic, both in your old and your newly-bought home, especially if you’re relocating to the suburbs. Use a shovel to break any ice and to clear the snow along the pathways from your house to the truck as part of the snow day moving solutions. It would also be advisable to cover the pathways with sand and/or salt to ensure that no one slips and gets injured.
Pack Your Items for a Winter Move
Don’t forget that you’ll need extra protection for your items, whether you’re packing glassware, electronics, batches of clothes, or boxing up and protecting furniture in winter moves. Prepare plenty of papers, towels, sheets, and blankets that you’ll use to further protect your belongings, especially when packing fragile items. Not only will a blanket reduce the chances of damage, but it will also provide perfect protection in case it starts snowing heavily.
Keep a Box of Essentials
It’s important to sort out a box of essentials for any move, not just when it comes to moving in snow and ice. This would include all the items you’ll need during the move and for the first day in your new home. And when it comes to relocation in the snow, it should also include hats, gloves, scarves, heavy jackets, and other warm clothing. Also if you are moving with your dog or cat, make sure you pack their essentials as well, once that is taken care of, you can donate unwanted items.
Hire Cross Country Moving Company
If you don’t want to opt for the cheapest way to move out of state, call experienced professional cross country movers and invest in their cross-country moving service. They will know how to take care of everything carefully and make the relocation go smoothly. Research before you hire a long-distance moving company and be sure that you’ve got the right relocation company on the job. This means checking out different companies, looking up their reviews, and contacting them to get additional info. Another important piece of advice is to get a quote from several different companies and see which one suits your budget the most.
Once you settle down on a company, there are several steps to take to prepare for the moving day:
- If you’re relocating locally, the process is a bit easier, and the advantages of moving alone in this situation are numerous. In case it’s a long-distance or international move, it’s always a better solution to rely on professionals.
- The process is the same with the old home, as well as the new one – you will want to be sure that all the pathways are clear. You don’t want any unnecessary injuries or damage to any of your belongings.
- No matter if you’re relocating in winter or not, you will want to be sure that there’s enough space for the truck to approach the house. Clear out the parking or the driveway of any snow and be sure that there are no obstacles or hazards.
Most Popular Tips for Moving to a New City
Relocating to a different city comes with a lot of challenges, and you’ll have different things and tasks besides the relocation to take care of, starting with checking the safety of the neighborhood and house-hunting. This is why hiring professionals for their long-distance moving services and packing assistance, as well as auto shipping, is among the most popular tips. Although that might not be the best way to reduce costs when moving, the relocation will be much easier both for yourself and your family if you employ expert assistance because you will have enough free time to change the address and tie any other loose ends in your old home.
This is even truer when it comes to relocating during the colder months, especially so if you’re relocating for the first time ever. Also, you can take some of your spare time to research and find the most cost-effective cross-country moving services, especially for transporting your car across the country. Avoid getting relocation depression, the so-called winter blues, and overall moving stress, by focusing on the fun parts of the process and leaving all the hard work to professionals.
Is Your New Home Move-In Ready?
You will need to prepare your new home for the relocation as well. Relocating during the cold period of the year means lots of preparation and organization, even if you’re moving into a smaller home. This includes both the residence you’re moving out of and the one you’re moving to. Also, if you are moving in together with your partner, they might arrive at a new destination before you and get it all nice and warm.
Prepare the New Home
You will be applying some of the steps in reverse when you start unpacking after the move. Make sure that the floors are covered to avoid any damage or injuries. Check if all the utilities are working in your new house, and be sure that you have heat and water. If you are moving during the holidays you can even put on some decorations, to make your first few days in a new space festive.
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Trust Cross Country Moving Company for a Safe Winter Move
While moving cross-country during winter may present unique challenges, proper planning, preparation, and safety measures can make the process smooth and stress-free. From monitoring the weather to hiring experienced movers, every step taken ensures your belongings are protected and your move stays on schedule. Whether you’re moving across the country or just a few cities away, don’t let the cold weather hold you back.
If you’re ready to make your winter move a breeze, contact Cross Country Moving Company today. Our team of professionals will ensure your relocation is handled safely and efficiently, no matter the season. Let us take care of the hard work while you focus on settling into your new home.
