–Written by Erik Sargent
It doesn’t matter what time of the year it might be – when it comes to home moving, it can be a stressful process!
But despite the stress, it’s safe to say that during the cold, winter months, the challenge becomes even tougher due to the elements of certain areas of the country where the temperatures are plummeting and snow is covering the ground. This type of move requires extensive planning and delicate care, and thankfully for you, as the “Movers Who Care®”, we’re trained on just how to tackle this type of situation.
We’ve learned a thing or two over 30 years of moving people forward, and given the fact that we got our start in Lansing, Mich., we’ve put together several helpful tips on how to handle a winter move.
Check them out!
- Stay up-to-date on the weather
For those who reside in snow states, you know just how important this is. Weather can change quickly, and you want to stay up-to-date on the latest happenings to ensure you don’t run into any problems during your move. Be sure to check your go-to weather source for upcoming changes, whether it be a phone app, your TV, or the radio.
- Plan ahead and take care of utilities
The last thing you want is to handle your move perfectly, only to arrive at your new home and not have utilities turned on. Make sure you call ahead with your local utilities provider to guarantee that when you arrive at your new home, the heat and the electricity are ready to go.
- Stay warm!
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it’s worth repeating – bundle up! Harsh winter conditions are no joke, and using multiple layers of warm clothing can make a huge difference if you’re in and out of the house loading your car, or if the door is propped open for the movers.
- Be prepared with emergency supplies
Nobody wants to think of a winter emergency or accident happening, but the sad reality is that is happens more than you think. It’s important to have emergency supplies handy should something happen to you or your vehicle as you go back and forth from your old home to your new home.
- Keep your floors safe throughout the moving process
It’s not news to anyone that when the snow starts falling, that means there’s usually slush and salt getting tracked in on shoes. This means it’s important to protect your floors.
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK movers are NOT allowed to remove their shoes at any time during the moving process, so you’ll want to make sure you’re properly protecting your floors to prevent any snow or salt damage.
- Make sure you can see the moving area with proper lighting
Another one of winter’s classic obstacles is that the sun is down at an incredibly early time – this comes into play with your movers! Since we like to work around your schedule for your convenience, it’s important the area where movers are operating is properly lit. This prevents movers from navigating through the dark and potentially damaging your items or injuring themselves.
- Work to prevent slipping and sliding
It’s a good idea to ensure there are towels, clothes, or something else handy that can wipe away the snow and muck that gets tracked in from the outside. This will prevent any unwanted slipping and sliding, and will also keep the house nice and clean.
- Keep a clear walking pathway
Before the moving process begins – regardless of what doors people will be coming in and out of – make sure there is a clear pathway for the movers. This keeps the process moving along nicely, and with many moving companies charging by the hour, could even end up saving you money.
- Have a plan ready for pets, plants, and others!
If you have pets or even plants in your home, make sure there is a plan in place to get them where they need to be. Pets or plants cannot go in a moving truck, so they will rely on your personal transportation.
- Hire professional help!
Taking on a home move during the winter sounds like a good idea … until you’re actually doing it. Don’t stress yourself out! Call TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, and let us handle this winter move for you. Our uniformed and professionally trained movers will make this process a breeze and get you on the way to our new place in no time. Contact TWO MEN AND A TRUCK today to begin planning your winter move!
TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the first and largest franchised moving company in the United States. Let us help move you forward! For more helpful tips and information on moving services subscribe to our blog and like us on Facebook.