Winter moves come with a few challenges that you might not encounter during other times of the year. While cold weather can increase the chances of dealing with slippery pathways or frigid temps, there are quite a few easy ways to make your move less stressful. Adding these strategies to your plans helps you enjoy a smooth move no matter how much it might snow.
1- Add Protective Floor Coverings
Few things can make a new homeowner cringe like seeing everyone tracking mud and snow into their house. If you anticipate having snow, sleet or ice on your moving day, then putting down plastic sheeting can protect carpet and other flooring materials. Adding mats by the doors also gives your movers a place to wipe their feet to avoid slip-and-fall accidents.
2- Arrange for Professional Transport Services
Trying to drive an oversized moving vehicle in winter weather might be more stress than you need to handle. Professional movers undergo training to drive in a wide range of conditions, and they’ll be in a vehicle that is prepped and inspected to be safe in wintry weather. Eliminating the long drive through a snowy route allows you to relax during the commute to your new home.
3- Protect Furniture With Plastic Wrap
Even with fast-moving services, you’ll find that the furniture still might have some exposure to the winter precipitation. Moving companies use special plastic wrap to protect furniture from getting wet during the move. The protective wrap also prevents nicks and scratches in your delicate wood furniture.
4- Keep Your Winter Gear Accessible
In the rush to pack up, many people make the mistake of putting all of their winter essentials into a box. While you might not need all of your coats, you’ll want to set aside anything that you think you’ll need on the moving day. A warm pair of gloves, skid-proof boots and an ice scraper for your car could all come in handy when it’s cold outside.
5- Get Help With Unloading the Truck
The best way to handle moving in cold weather is to get it done as fast as you can. Once you get to your new home, it’s helpful to have a crew of people who can help you move your belongings into your new residence. If you don’t know anyone in your new neighborhood yet, then arrange for professionals to assist with taking heavy items off of the truck.
6- Set Up a Warming Station
Moving may not leave you with lots of opportunities for making fun happen, but you can do one simple trick that makes it more enjoyable for everyone. A warming station could be as simple as an area of your home that has towels for drying off anyone who gets wet. Or, you could go so far as to set up a slow cooker with hot cider or cocoa for people to enjoy. Either way, a warming station can instantly transform your new home into a cozy winter oasis.
As you round out your plans, remember to use the extra time that you get from working with professional movers to manage the other aspects of your move. Finding a few fun new places to visit during the winter season can make looking forward to your moving day more exciting, and you can use the time you save on your move to visit some local restaurants and shops that help you acclimate faster to your new neighborhood.