Contrary to what people may think, moving in the winter can work to your benefit. Sure, you may have to deal with the cold and snow, but since not as many people move in the winter, moving companies offer better scheduling availability and are more apt to offer potential discounts.
Since moving at any time has its challenges, with winter as no exception, we’ve compiled an informative list of tips to help your winter move go as smoothly as possible. We can’t make it warm and guarantee no possibility of snow, but we’ll keep our fingers crossed for good weather for your move!
Being organized on your end creates an efficient move. What can you do to make it easier?
*Sort, purge, and take only what is going into the new house. Sort everything for the movers to make it easier for them to pack. Don’t pack items you want to eliminate later.
*All boxes should be clearly labeled, by you or the movers, with the name of the room where you want them in your new Walker Villas home.
*Everything that is going into your personal car should be set aside in a separate area and labeled as you don’t want it to get loaded onto the truck and risk it being damaged or not available when you need it. This may include medications, priceless or irreplaceable items, electronics or computers, paperwork associated with the move and your new home, and whatever else you may need.
*Know ahead of time what the movers are not permitted to move. Either get rid of those items or give them away. Paint, cleaning supplies, and other hazardous materials are usually on the list.
As much as we want to trust the movers, we’ve all heard stories of items accidentally getting broken. Help out by double wrapping especially fragile items ahead of time and boxing them yourself or ask the company how they handle this issue. Remember that moving trucks aren’t heated and some fragile items may be more susceptible to breakage in cold weather.Take stock of what you have and transport items you’re concerned about in your car. The same goes for electronics—they should be in your car where you can maintain a constant temperature and they won’t shift around.
With winter comes weather issues, so check with the moving company a week and then a day before the scheduled move for possible weather delays. Having a backup plan is a good idea in case the move has to be rescheduled. Ask about the moving company’s policy with regards to winter weather conditions.
Moving in the winter means there is a risk of slipping. When you’re moving out of your house and into your new home, make sure all walkways and the driveway are clear of snow and ice. Not only will that help keep the elements from getting tracked in, it will keep the movers safe while moving your furniture. One of the benefits of living in Walker Villas is that we shovel all of the snow for you!
Everyone wants to move into a clean and ready home and moving in snow and ice can be messy. When moving furniture out, keep your hardwood floors and carpets clean for the new owners by covering them up. Although some moving companies will provide this service for you, be prepared in case they don’t. Dirt, mud, and snow can all be tracked in and laying down tarps, mats, or opened up cardboard boxes is a must. Take those items with you if the movers don’t provide them so as to protect the floors while moving into your new home. This is a great question to ask the movers ahead of time, so you aren’t caught unawares with no way to protect your floors.
If it’s really cold, make sure you haven’t packed up all of your coats, hats, and gloves. You’re going to be in and out of the elements and want to be prepared. This is really important if you are moving to Ohio from a warmer climate in the winter.
Provide hot chocolate, coffee, or cider for the movers (and you)! It’s cold outside and this simple kindness will make all the difference. Remember to get disposable cups since yours will be packed away. If you have the heat turned down (you will have the door open for long periods of time and don’t want to heat the outside) put a space heater in the kitchen and bathroom to provide a bit of comfort. Tip well since the movers don’t get paid extra for working in tough conditions. Be present and as helpful as you can be to keep everything moving along.
Following these helpful tips should make a winter move go more smoothly. In no time, you’ll be settled into your new luxury ranch style home in Walker Villas and we’ll be here to welcome you!
