Expert moving tips to help tackle a home move during the winter months

It doesn’t seem to matter where you are around the country lately, as cold temperatures have swept the nation and given us a frigid transition into 2023.

While your main goal might be to stay bundled up and warm inside, there still may be some of you out there who are planning on moving during the winter months. Thankfully for you, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK is still operating like normal and moving in the snow – we might just have a few more layers on!

Whether you live in an area effected by the winter season or not, there are still some important tips to keep in mind when you’re planning on home moving during this time of year. We’ve been doing this for a long time, so we’ve added seven of our best winter moving ideas below.

Follow along!

Dress appropriately

Seems obvious, right? Well, it’s still an important reminder when moving during the winter season. It’s always easier to shed a layer than add one. We all know how unpredictable the weather can be this time of year, so it’s important to stay as warm as you can for safety reasons and to avoid getting sick.

Check the weather forecasts

Building off the last line above, it can be unpredictable this time of year when it comes to the weather. You never know when a snowstorm might come in, so it’s important to pay attention to the weather forecasts in your area leading up to moving day so you can try and get an idea for what you’ll be experiencing.

Be prepared for early darkness

One of the hardest parts about this time of year is how dark it gets very early in the day. This needs to be considered when planning your move, as you want to avoid having to move in the dark if possible. Factor the sunset into your scheduled time, and make sure to have accessible lighting in the area where moving will be taking place should you need it.

Be mindful of where you are walking

This is another one that may be considered “obvious,” but it’s no secret the ground can get slick out of nowhere this time of year. While that might not be as much of a worry on a normal day, it becomes much more worrisome when your personal belongings are being moved.

Make sure everyone involved is utilizing proper footwear, and be sure to lay down salt ahead of time to counter some of the ice and snow.

Keep floors protected

With snow and salt being so prevalent on the ground, it runs a high risk of being tracked into your home, which can cause damage to your floors and carpets. Be sure to use floor runners, towels, and old sheets to lay down in areas of heavy walking traffic to limit this type of damage.

Hydrate

Cold or not, heavy lifting while moving is a strenuous activity, and it’s always important to stay as hydrated as possible.

Hire professional movers

Instead of using all of these tips above for your own moving process, it might just be easier to hire professionals like us to get the job done right. We’re trained, equipped, and ready to handle the winter elements to get your move completed safely and efficiently.

To get a jump on your next move and to create your own moving checklist to stay organized, click here!

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.

Get ready for the holiday season with these expert holiday moving and packing tips!

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Thanksgiving has come and gone, December is just around the corner, and that means the holiday season is in full-effect!

From decorations needed to be unpacked and put up, to bringing in additional furniture and rearranging it just right to accommodate guests, there’s a lot that needs to be taken care of to ensure you’re fully prepared for the holidays.

Here at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, we’re known for our moving services, and over the years we’ve put together the latest and greatest for tips and tricks to help you with all holiday moving, packing, and storage tasks. The key to it all is being prepared, so following along with our extensive tips will help you get ready to decorate and store it all once the holidays are over!

Be sure extra boxes are available.

One of the most important things during the holidays is storage space, and having extra boxes at your disposal will give you a security blanket when trying to move things around. From decorations to dishes, silverware, ornaments, wrapping paper, and so on – these can all be stored away safely with the right moving boxes.

Bring in additional furniture.

It’s no secret that holiday parties can get pretty crowded, which is why the importance of having enough furniture to handle every guest is important. Make sure to pull those extra chairs out of your attic, garage, or storage space, and be sure to call our professional moving teams if you need help transporting them around the house!

Rearrange furniture effectively to fit the needs of guests in your home.

Holiday decorations take up a good amount of space, and that can create some clutter when trying to create space for furniture. Be sure to rearrange everything accordingly so there’s comfortable room for decorations and your normal furniture for guests!

Need gifts delivered? We’ve got you covered.

Some gifts are hard to move from the store to your home, and businesses don’t always deliver. No worries! TWO MEN AND A TRUCK offers pickup and delivery services to handle this issue, and we can pick up and deliver large or heavy gifts and bring them right to your home.

Effective packing can save you hassle now and later.

When the holidays have concluded, it’s time to pack away all of the holiday decorations, and effective and efficient packing will not only help you when putting stuff away this holiday season – it will take a ton of stress of next year when you need to do this all over again.

For more professional packing tips from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK, visit here!

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.

10 tips to survive your winter move

Written by Jessy Howe

iStock_House in the winter

Moving can be hard, but moving during the winter season can make the process that much more difficult. To help ease your winter move stress, we’re sharing our top 10 winter moving tips. When using a moving company, many concerns below will not be a worry. However, for those do-it-yourselfers, with a few extra precautions, you can master the art of moving during snowy, winter weather.

1. Clear the path

Shovel or plow the driveways and sidewalks at both your old location and your new location. It’s easy to misjudge stairs and drop-offs when they’re hidden by snow. Taking a few extra moments to clear the way will make moving easier and safer for everyone.

2. Watch the weather

Temperatures can change quickly during the winter, with slush turning to ice within a few hours. It also gets dark earlier in the winter and with this in mind, plan trips between the old and new location accordingly. To find out more about the moving protocol during blizzard-like conditions, we’ve answered all of your questions, here.

3. Carry emergency supplies

Whether you drive your own vehicle or rent a moving truck, ice and snow on the road may get in your way. If you do get stuck, you can get yourself out quickly if you carry a shovel, salt and/or sand. It’s also wise to keep a vehicle emergency kit, water, snacks, and blankets handy just in case.

4. Layer up

Although you will be working hard on moving day, it is a good idea to dress in layers. If you begin to overheat you can always remove layers. Don’t forget your hat and warm gloves!

5. Avoid slips

Keep old rags and towels handy to wipe away the snow, salt, sand, and dirt which will likely get caked to your shoes and your moving containers causing slippery surfaces.

6. Light your area

Be sure all outdoor lighting is functioning properly at your new and old location prior to your move. With the sun setting early throughout winter months, it is important your visibility isn’t compromised should your move go late into the day.

7. Protect your floors

Cover your floors with old sheets or tarps to avoid tracking mud and snow into your home. Not only will this protect your belongings but will also keep the floors at your new location clean and dry.

8. Turn on utilities

Plan ahead and ensure utilities will be turned on upon your arrival. In harsh winter months, you will not want to be without these! Additionally, leave heat and electricity on in your old home until you are completely moved out.

9. Keep your plants safe

Don’t transport live plants in the cargo hold of the truck, as they can easily freeze. To keep plants safe and secure during a move, pack them in your personal vehicle and drive safely to your destination.

10. Hire help!

Hiring a moving company can take much of the pressure off of you and allow you to enjoy your new home even sooner! Many of the precautions above will be worries that disappear when hiring movers. Our uniformed movers and drivers are committed to exceeding expectations and ensuring your move is completed with care and efficiency. We realize moving needs are unique for every customer, so we’re ready to customize a plan to provide the best moving experience. Contact TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® today to begin planning your 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.

10 Things You Must Know About Winter Moving

Winter is just around the corner and although the season brings harsh weather, families throughout the country will move into new homes. Our friends in colder climates know what exactly they are up against: ice, snow, slick roads, and frigid temperatures … all of which increase the risk for personal injury and damage to valuables during a move.

If you plan to hire movers or are moving by yourself this winter (I applaud your bravery), read the following tips to stay safe during your winter move day:

1)     Avoid slip hazards by shoveling driveways and walkways before your truck arrives 

2)     Stay warm in the cold by dressing in layers; you can always remove layers if you begin to overheat.

3)      Leave the heat and electricity on in your home until you are completely moved out; consider leaving your door open during the move to balance the temperatures. Constantly walking back and forth from a warm house to a cold driveway can cause fatigue.

4)      Cover your floors with old sheets to avoid tracking mud and snow into your home 

5)      Place towels by the front door to wipe away snow from the dolly wheels as you come in and out of your home

5)      Consider purchasing extra moving pads to protect all of your belongings from the elements

6)      Ensure your moving pads remain dry at all times

7)      Have a shovel and salt on the truck so you can easily clear the loading area of ice and snow

8)      Be extremely cautious when driving and watch out for black ice 

9)      Keep towels in the truck so you can clean and dry the moving ramp while loading and unloading

10)   Carry any plants in the cab of the truck not in the back where they can be affected by cold temperatures

If you would like more information on moving during the winter, shoot us an email at moverswhoblog@twomen.com. If you have winter moving tips of your own please share them in the comments!