A Dozen Tips for Moving During the Winter

A Dozen Tips for Moving During the Winter

If you are moving during the winter months, you’ll need to add these helpful tips to your checklist. Snow, ice, and cold temperatures can add stress and problems you don’t need to an already full list of to-dos. Be sure to:

1. Have a back-up plan.

Talk to your mover about a “Plan B” if a winter storm threatens your move. Movers are used to winter weather conditions, but if a move must be postponed, you will want to have discussed this with your realtor, landlord, and the movers beforehand. The movers may be able to pick up your things, but not be able to deliver them to your new home. If this is the case, you will need short-term accommodations.

2. Cover up.

Keep the floors in both the home you are moving from and the one you are moving to protected from the elements when the movers are going in and out. Have plastic tarps or mats to lay on the floors inside and at every outside door.  The movers will bring along floor pads, but you’ll want to be sure to have enough on hand to battle Mother Nature!

3. Turn the heat off.

With the doors open and people moving in and out, your furnace will be working overtime. Turning the heat off will save energy and money! You might run a space heater in the main bathroom and keep the door closed so when in use, the bathroom will be a welcomed oasis of warmth.

4. Clear the way.

Make sure the sidewalks, walkways and driveways are cleared of snow and use salt or ice-melt so that the movers have a clear and safe access to your home to move your belongings to the truck.

5. Check for snowplows.

Be sure to check that snowplows haven’t left a bank of snow in your driveway overnight. You may have to move your car if parked on the street to allow access for the moving van and it may be plowed in by morning.

6. Have extra protection on hand.

Even though the mover will have plenty of pads to protect your furniture, if halfway through the move, the snow begins to fall, you’ll want to have sheets or blankets near the front door to cover furniture and boxes as they are carried to and from the moving van.

7. Let there be light (and heat).

Be sure that all utilities have been called well in advance so that the electricity and heat can be turned on a couple of days before move-in day.

8. Set aside winter supplies.

Pack a box to include gloves, hats and scarves, as well as an ice scraper and salt. Keep this box in the car with you, along with a snow shovel. If your driveway or walkways at your new house are snow covered, you’ll have what you need on hand.

9. Prepare your car for winter.

Have your car winterized, topping up all fluids and checking the brakes and tires. Be sure to put on snow tires just in case. Carry extra windshield fluid as well.

10. Plan your route.

Know how to get where you are going and check with the local authorities in the event of bad weather to be sure there are no road closures. Know where overnight accommodations are located along your route should you need to stop.

11. Keep everything tidy.

Have old towels and paper towels on hand in the car so that you can wipe snow and/or rain off the boxes as they are being carried into your new home.  Be sure to have padding on the floors to soak up moisture from inclement weather.

12. Offer hot drinks.

Hot chocolate, tea and coffee will be most welcomed by everyone who’s helping with your move.

If you have concerns about the weather on moving day, call Ayer Moving & Storage at 1-800-233-MOVE.  We have experience moving in all seasons and can answer your questions. If you are just beginning to plan for your move, download a copy of the  Ayer Moving & Storage guide: Timeline for a Stress-free Moving Day.