Categories
Seasonal Moving Tips

Important Pros and Cons of Moving During NJ Winters

Winters in New Jersey aren’t just a great time to go skiing and snowboarding, they’re also good for moving…so long as you plan properly. Relocating when it’s cold, dark, and maybe snowing might not seem like the best idea, but there are a lot of benefits to moving during the winter. Of course, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any drawbacks. However, it’s up to you to decide whether the pros outweigh the cons!

The Most Common Pros of Moving During Winter

Movers Are Free Than Other Time

40 million Americans move every year with around 80 percent of these moves occurring between April and September, with peak months being July, August, and September. With so many people moving at the same time, you’ll have a lot more competition when it comes to hiring professional moving companies. What does that mean for you? You’ll have to start researching and booking your moving company at least a month in advance if you want to find one one your exact move date.

NJ movers are significantly less busy during the winter months and will have more flexibility on dates and times. If you’re making a long-distance move you might find that your belongings will arrive sooner than if you moved during the summer months because moving companies have lighter schedules. You can also expect extra TLC from movers as they’ll have a less hectic schedule and can give you and your move the attention it deserves.

You’ll Move at a Lower Cost

Tying into the first point, since there are fewer moving requests in the winter, many moving companies will offer reduced moving rates to attract customers. In some cases you can save as much as 30 percent from peak prices! Take your time and shop around to see what kind of promotions different movers offer. If they don’t have one, ask them if they can provide some kind of discount. Movers are more willing to negotiate, especially if you already have other offers on hand.

Moving companies aren’t the only things that are cheaper during the winter. Rents and even home prices tend to dip during the colder months as there’s lower demand. Landlords will be more willing to negotiate and even houses tend to sell for less between October through January and February. There is lower supply during these months, but there’s also less competition for the units and houses that are available so you should be able to spend a bit more time finding your new home.

Temperatures Are Cooler

Okay, so that might be a bit of an understatement depending on what month you decide to move. But as long as it isn’t in the single digits, moving in the colder weather is better for you. For one, there’s less chances of you or the movers overheating. Imagine moving boxes and furniture on a 90 degree day with 85 percent humidity and that’s what you would likely be dealing with during the summer months. The lower temperatures also mean you’ll be less prone to dehydration or exhaustion, which means you’ll have more energy to unpack once you get into your new place.

You’re not the only thing that does better in cooler temperatures. Your possessions also won’t have to deal with the summer heat. Things like candles, soap, records, and your precious electronics won’t melt. Wooden furniture also does better in the winter months as the air is drier, leading to less swelling and warping.

Not Too Much Traffic

Unless you decide to move during the holidays, the roads tend to be less packed than during the height of summer travel season. Of course, there will always be people on the road for one reason or another and there are plenty of people who love winter sports, but overall you can expect less congestion. That means faster relocation for you whether you’re doing a DIY move or hiring professionals.

Most Common Disadvantages of Moving During the Winter

Frigid Winter Conditions

This is a no-brainer, but the weather in the winter can be brutal. New Jersey has a continental climate, which means it has moderately cold and snowy winters. Different parts of the state get different amounts of snow with South Jersey averaging around 18 inches while North Jersey gets around 34 inches.

More importantly, winter weather can lead to white outs, icy roads, and generally unsafe driving conditions. Most experienced NJ movers should know how to handle the truck safely during winter weather. However, it might mean your move takes longer as they will need to travel much slower for safety’s sake.

Not Getting Enough Daylight

Moving in the dark is not ideal, but depending on the size and complexity of the move, it might be something you can’t avoid. Whether you’re moving yourself or hiring pro movers, you should plan to start as early in the day as possible. Even if you run into some mishaps, you can hopefully still get everything in your new house before it gets completely dark.

Moving in the dark isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s also a lot more dangerous. Temperatures drop significantly once the sun is gone during the winter, which can lead to ice forming relatively quickly on sidewalks and roads, meaning more chances for accidents. Even without the ice, moving in the dark can cause plenty of accidents as you’re not able to see clearly in front of you.

Absolutely Lowest Temperatures

This should go without saying, but winters tend to be cold. While New Jersey temperatures rarely drop to sub zero temperatures, it doesn’t need to get that cold to have a negative effect on your belongings. Much like some items don’t hold up in high temperatures, there are some items that cannot handle the cold. For example, items like instruments, china, and plants are extremely sensitive to the cold. In order to prevent potential damage, you will want to take the time to provide extra protection. And while electronics do better in cold than heat, very cold temperatures still aren’t good for their lifespan so make sure you pack them properly.

The cold also affects your body! As the temperature drops, the thickness in your joint fluid increases, making your joints feel stiffer and muscles harder to move. This makes it a lot harder to move things quickly. Even professional movers find it difficult to move in the cold. On top of that, you’re likely wearing a bulky jacket, gloves, etc. All of which impede your freedom of movement and, more importantly, hand grip.

Need for Extra Preparation

Sure, the summer months bring sweltering temperatures and summer thunderstorms, but there’s a lot more you need to think about if you move during the winter months. There’s obviously snow and ice to deal with not just outside, but inside your home if you don’t put down some mats or plastic for the movers. And of course you need to make sure you have sturdy enough boxes to withstand getting wet.

On top of that, if you’re moving into a house, you really have to make sure the heat is working properly when you move in. There’s nothing worse than being surrounded by boxes in a freezing house. Plus, depending on the actual temperature, you might have to run the heat to keep the pipes warm so they don’t freeze over.

Ready to Make Your Winter Move?

Moving any time of the year is not easy. However, when you have a reliable moving company, they can help walk you through the process and make sure everything gets delivered without a hitch. If you’re ready to move, make sure to call NJ Great Movers for a free estimate!

Categories
Moving Tips

Useful Tips for Moving in the Winter

There’s a reason why most people move during the summer. Despite the heat, it’s a lot easier to manage since you have more sunlight and only need to deal with summer thunderstorms. When you live in a place like New Jersey that often has to deal with frigid temperatures and snow during the winter, it makes sense why people would choose any other season to move. However, you might not always be able to move during the warmer months. If you find yourself moving in the winter, the following tips should hopefully make it easier.

Clean Your Driveway and Walkways Before the Move

If you live in a house versus an apartment building, you’ll want to create a safe environment for moving. Winter weather conditions make it more dangerous than any other month as there’s a greater chance to slip because of all the ice and snow. Before the movers arrive, shovel away any snow in the driveway and parking area and clear a neat path from your house to where the truck will park. Make sure you also de-ice the walkways and sidewalk as you don’t want to risk slipping and falling. Don’t forget that you will need to do the same thing at your new place!

Protect Your Floors Before the Movers Arrive

While professional movers will usually bring tarp and plastic sheets for the ground, it doesn’t hurt to get your own to put down some plastic sheets in all the rooms in your house. Remember, the movers will be walking through your entire place. If there’s snow on the ground, it means they’ll be bringing in a lot of mud and dirt that you’ll need to clean up later. You’ve got more than enough to worry about on moving day. Scrubbing mud shouldn’t be one of them!

Protect Your Belongings from Weather Conditions

When you pack your items, make sure to protect certain items from the cold. Things like dishes and glassware are especially susceptible to cracks due to quick temperature changes. Electronics are also sensitive to the cold. Your best bet is to double wrap everything in thick blankets to improve the transition from warm house to cold truck. You could also ask the movers to pack these items last to reduce the amount of time they are exposed to the cold. Another option is to pack these items in your car if you have the space.

For the rest of your belongings, you should weatherproof them as much as possible. Chances are you’ll be dealing with snow or freezing rain. The last thing you want is your boxes and furniture to get wet. So invest in some rain gear for them. If you’re working with professional NJ movers, they will bring plastic sheets and padded mattresses to protect your furniture. When it comes to your boxed items, use heavy-duty boxes or rent plastic bins to keep your stuff from getting wet.

Wear Warm Clothes When Moving in Winter

Even if you’re not loading/unloading everything yourself, you’ll still want to put a few boxes in your car for safe keeping. Wear warm gloves and some winter boots to keep your extremities warm. You want to make sure you have all your winter necessities accessible for everyone in the family. If there’s a chance of sleet or snow during the day, pack an extra pair of clothes for when you move into your new place. There’s nothing worse than dealing with wet socks and pants while unpacking.

Pack a Winter Essentials Kit

You’re more likely to deal with blackouts and other issues during the winter than in the spring or summer months. While you don’t need go too crazy, you should have a separate box of emergency essentials in case of a power outage such as:

  • Warm blankets
  • Candles
  • Flashlights
  • First aid kit
  • Toiletries
  • Extra set of clothes
  • Non-perishable food

Anything can happen during the winter, so you want to make sure you are prepared.

Check the Weather

Winter storms can be unpredictable and what might have been a light flurry a week ago could change into a blizzard a few days before your move. Keep a close eye on the weather reports in the week leading up to the move and then every day the week of the move. If there’s going to be a severe storm the day of, contact the movers to express your concern. Chances are the movers will be more than happy to delay by a few hours or even the following day if there’s a blizzard or ice storm on your scheduled move date.

Turn On Your Utilities at Your New Place

There’s nothing worse than moving into your new place only to have no heat or light, especially when it’s the middle of winter. After a day of moving in the cold weather, you want to relax in your nice warm house and take a warm shower or bath to wash away the stress. Before you move into your new place, call the utilities for your new home and make sure they are turned on at least two days before your move. Sure, you might end up having to pay twice to cover the cost of your old and new home, but having a cozy home to move into is worth the extra cost.

Take Care of the Moving Crew

Moving in the winter is more difficult than in the summer as there’s more variables to worry about especially when it comes to road conditions. Your best bet is to use a moving company to load and unload all your belongings. They’ll have more experience and be better equipped to deal with any issues that crop up.

To thank the movers for their hard work, offer some warm beverages for them when they need a break. This could be something like coffee, tea, or even apple cider. Once they’re done with the move, consider giving a larger tip than normal, especially if they are moving during inclement weather.

Try Not to Stress During Your Winter Move

It’s easy to say, but you should remember to take a breather. Moving is anxiety inducing at the best of times. With the added complications of winter, it can be even more stressful. Still, with the right preparations you can make your winter move a lot easier and safer by NJ Great Movers.