Tips for Moving in Winter

Sometimes, circumstances outside your control dictate when you have to move. While ideally, we would all move on a sunny spring day with a gentle breeze to help wipe the sweat from our brows, that’s not always the reality. Sometimes, we have to move in the dead of winter when the weather is frightful, the ground is slick with snow and all anyone wants to do is curl up by the fire with a good book. As cringe-worthy as the prospect of moving in winter can be, we have a few tips to help make it a little bit easier and leave you better prepared for inclement weather.

Get an Early Start

Daylight is at a premium in the winter. The sooner you get started, the more time you have to load and unload while it’s still easy to see. Accidents are more likely to happen when it’s dark and harder to see, so take advantage of as much natural daylight as you can. No one wants to wake up early for moving day, but in the winter, it’s the safest choice.

Dress in Layers

In the bitter winter cold, it might be instinctual to grab a heavy coat. Bulky apparel can be hard to move in, no pun intended, so consider dressing in layers instead. This will allow for increased mobility. You will also be able to gradually peel back the layers as you get warm from toting boxes from the moving van to their respective destinations.

No one wants to wake up early for moving day, but in the winter, it’s the safest choice.

 Clear All Walkways

There is never a more important time to make sure your walkways are free of ice and snow. These conditions are risky to walk on in the best of circumstances. Carrying heavy and awkward boxes of your precious belongings makes slipping on ice ever more detrimental. Protect yourself and those helping you move, and scrape away the ice and snow. If possible, have someone take care of the walkways at your new home, too.

 Don’t Pack Winter Supplies

It’s difficult to predict what winter supplies you will need during your move. Will you suddenly need your windshield scraper before you leave? What about mittens? Consider loading up your car (or moving van) with these items in an easily accessible place, rather than boxing them up with the rest of your belongings. It’s easier to never touch the plastic bin in the trunk than to quizzically stare into the moving truck trying to remember which box has the scarves.

Pay close attention to weather and traffic reports as it nears time for you to hit the road.

 Prep Your New Home

While identifying whatever winter supplies you’ll need on the way, don’t forget to prep your new home as much as possible. Lay down drop cloths to protect flooring and carpet from dirty snow and wet boots. Places towels or broken down cardboard boxes on the floor to add a layer of protection from wet moving boxes. If you have time, consider bringing your coffee maker or a slow cooker separately so you can make warm cocoa or coffee for you and your helpers. Bring along some disposable cups so you don’t have to unpack mugs before you can warm up with a little cider.

 Watch Storm/Traffic Reports

Weather and traffic conditions can change in an instant, especially in winter. Pay close attention to weather and traffic reports as it nears time for you to hit the road. This can help you avoid road closures, accidents, storms and other inclement situations that can ultimately spell disaster for you and your caravan of belongings.

 Board Pets

Pets can get underfoot while moving. This problem is only made worse in the winter when inclement weather might mean perfuming your new home with eau de wet dog. In addition, having the front doors open make it easier to cart in boxes, but also easier for Fluffy and Fido to bolt when no one is looking. The trauma of moving can also be difficult on a pet, when everything is topsy turvy and nothing smells like home. Do yourself and your pets a favor; board them on moving day.

The promise of warm, gooey pizza is always a handy carrot to get everyone to help.

 Call in the Pros

No matter the time of year, hiring professional movers means less headaches for you and the friends/family that offer to help you move. If you can afford it, look into hiring movers for a winter move. It will take much of the pressure off an otherwise stressful and difficult event. If you can’t afford the pros, bribe as many people as you can to help. The more people you have loading and unloading boxes, the sooner you can finish the task and get out of the cold. The promise of warm, gooey pizza is always a handy carrot to get everyone to help.

Moving in winter is no one’s cup of tea, but we find the prospect of moving into your very own, beautiful GCD home is a great motivator! No matter the time of year, our friendly and welcoming team is happy to help you find the home of your dreams and make the move in process as painless as possible. Learn more about our homebuilding process at https://shorelineparkcity.com/ and let us help you get on the path to homeownership!