No matter the time of year, a move is a stressful ordeal. Make that move in the middle of winter, however, and you suddenly have a new set of issues to worry about. Winter means freezing temperatures, slick roads, and snow. However, moving in the winter is actually a pretty smart move. Less people move during the winter months, which means you’ll have less competition and lower moving rates. If you’re planning a move for this winter, here are our tips for a smooth move.
Confirm details and dates with your movers
A week before your move, confirm the moving date with your movers. During the winter, the weather can be somewhat unpredictable and you want to make sure you are prepared and aware. Check in again a few days before, and make sure you keep an eye on the weather as the date for your move gets closer.
Cover your floors
Snow can quickly melt into dirty, sticky water. Cover your floors with plastic to keep them protected from all of the dirt that will be tracked in and out of your house during the move. This will prevent you from having to spend money on a carpet cleaning bill after everything is moved out of your house.
Turn the heater off
The doors of your home are going to be open all day long. They’ll be going back and forth and if your furnace is on, it’s going to be working harder than it needs to, to heat a room that is impossible to heat up. To save energy, turn the heater off, and set up space heaters in the necessary rooms, such as the bathroom, and whatever room your kids/pets are in while things are being moved out. The people who are doing the moving will be warmed up from the activity.
Clear the sidewalk and driveway
You’ll wish you did, if you don’t. Before the movers get there, quickly clear out the sidewalk and driveway. This will prevent snow getting into the truck with the boxes, and will also make sure the truck doesn’t get stuck in the snow in your driveway when you’re trying to leave later in the day.
Make sure utilities are on in the new house
It’s always a smart idea to make sure that your utilities are set up in your new house, but it’s painful to realize you have no lights or heat in the middle of winter. There’s no shame in calling the company a week, and then a few days before, and even on the day of the move, to make sure everything is on schedule and that your new home will be warm and welcoming.
