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• By NJ Great Moving
• In 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.

FAQ

Will the moving company contact me if they need to reschedule due to inclement weather?

Yes, moving companies monitor the weather, especially in winter, and will contact you if there’s a winter blizzard that will affect your move. Depending on its severity, they will either push back your move time a few hours or even push to the following day.

What happens if the moving truck gets in an accident?

The moving crew and company will contact you to let you know. Depending on when the accident took place, we’ll either send a new truck to your house with a new crew, or have a truck sent to the location of the accident to transfer your belongings to a new truck.

Should I leave the heat on or off at my new and old house?

Turn the heat off during the move! People will be coming and going for a few hours during the winter, which means your furnace will be working overtime to heat the house. If anything, keep a space heater in the bathroom so there’s one room that is warm.