Winter is going to be here sooner than you think. If you’re planning on making a move within the next few months, you’re going to have to deal with some challenges that don’t exist at other times of the year. This is why winter isn’t a particularly popular time for people to move (though that can’t always be avoided).
When is the best time of year to move? Most people prefer to move in the spring or summer, when the weather is better and the days are longer, but you can complete a move efficiently at any time of year, so long as you engage in proper planning ahead of time.
Here’s a look at some tips regarding what you should know before moving in winter:
- Daylight: Remember that it gets dark earlier during the winter, so you will not have as much daylight to complete your move as you would during the summer. To take full advantage of the daytime, you should be packed and ready to go when moving day arrives so you don’t waste valuable daylight putting things in boxes. This way you won’t have to worry about transporting loads while it’s dark and potentially slippery. Additionally, the sunlight will make the temperature more comfortable for your move.
- Walkways: Inspect all of the walkways you’ll be using for your move before you begin the moving process. Walking on slippery surfaces is dangerous even when you aren’t carrying boxes. You should carefully inspect all walkways and make sure they’re properly salted as needed to improve traction. Shovel snow off of your walkways and scrape the pavement if needed to remove buildup.
- Warmth: Dressing in layers for your move is a good idea rather than wearing a big bulky coat. This will make it easier for you to move around and stay warm, and if you start getting sweaty, you can always remove a layer or two.
- Vehicle issues: Both your moving truck and your car will need to be able to safely make the trip. Check the tread and pressure in the tires to be sure they’re able to safely maneuver on the wintery roads. Also check parking conditions and rules in the area you’ll be moving to—a lot of areas have winter parking restrictions that you might need to work around as you move items into your new home.
- Winter supplies: You may need some winter supplies, so don’t pack them away in hard-to-reach areas. Keep a scraper handy, as well as a shovel, sidewalk salt and winter apparel.
- Watch the weather: In the time leading up to your move, make sure you keep an eye on the weather forecast so you can be prepared for any potential winter storms. You may need to maintain some flexibility to change your plans if things start looking particularly ugly.
These are just a few examples of some of the steps you can take when moving in the winter. Contact the team at Furniture Master Moving Services Inc. for more information.