SPARTA MOVING HACKS #2 – TIPS FOR STRESS-FREE WINTER MOVING

Moving can be stressful. It is much more challenging when you move during winter months. From snow on the ground to bitter cold temperatures, moving during the winter comes with its own set of challenges. It may be best to hire professionals to load, move and unload your belongings. Professional movers will have a lot more experience with winter moving than you, so they’ll be better equipped to deal with the challenges that may come up.

Sparta Movers are experienced and well equipped to move your office or home safely, efficiently and cost effectively at any time of the year! Read on for tips to make your winter move as smooth and stress-free as possible.

BE PREPARED TO BE FLEXIBLE

The weather can be unpredictable in winter; it’s clear one day and then dumping down rain or snow the next. In addition, you may have to deal with wind, hail, or other inclement weather conditions. In the weeks leading up to your move, keep a close eye on forecasts and potential conditions.

If there is a large storm coming through on the day you plan to move, you may wish to contact your movers or truck rental company and reschedule. It is easy and penalty-free to reschedule your move with Sparta Movers.

START PACKING WELL IN ADVANCE

Don’t wait until moving day to start packing up your belongings. The sooner you start, the easier it will be for everyone involved.

Double wrap fragile items Many things that are delicate or extra fragile become more brittle in cold weather. Help your movers out by double packing your fragile items so they’re less likely to break while moving. Also remember: any items that can be damaged by cold, ideally should not be packed in the truck, especially for long distance moves. The truck may sit out overnight, which could cause more damage than you hoped for.

Baby your electronics, as those really do not like cold weather. Pack all electronics into one or two boxes, and make sure those travel in your car, where the heat will be on and they can maintain a steady temperature.

You can find more packing tips HERE.

PREPARE YOUR HOME(S)

Winter weather conditions can make moving more dangerous than in summer, spring or fall. Before you start loading anything into the truck, car or storage container, first create a safe environment.

Shovel the snow creating a wide path to allow for moving large furniture to and from your house. Ensure that your walkways are free of ice. Using de-icer on your steps and sidewalks is an easy hack. The last thing you want is someone to slip and fall causing personnel injury and/or damages to your belongings.

You and the movers will be in and out of the house frequently, tracking in moisture, snow and dirt, so you’ll want to protect your floors from stains, scratches, or the need for excess cleaning. You’ve got plenty of other things to worry about on moving day; scrubbing mud out of your carpets after you’ve moved out shouldn’t be one of them. Sparta Movers will place heavy duty floor runners and blankets at the entrance area inside your home to create a staging zone for moving items in or out.

DRESS IN LAYERS

Wearing layers of clothing will allow you to easily regulate your body temperature by peeling those layers off as necessary so you don’t overheat.

STAY HYDRATED

Moving is a dynamic and a very energy consuming process, so your movers will sweat… a lot! It is easy to forget about drinking. Remind your movers taking regular short breaks to rehydrate during the move.

 PROTECT YOUR BELONGINGS

Especially when you are moving long distance and/or keeping your belonging in the truck overnight, you’ll need to take extra care when packing your items to protect them from the cold. Breakable items, like dish ware and glass are particularly susceptible to temperature changes and can crack or break if the temperature shifts too quickly.

Double-wrapping everything in thick blankets can help ease the transition from the warmth of your house to the cold of the container. You may want to consider loading these items into your moving container last, and unloading them first, to minimize their exposure to extreme cold.

Another option is to pack these items in your car, rather than in the moving container or the moving truck. Electronics are safer when moved in your warm car, as they are also easily affected by the cold. Wait until you are about to leave before loading these items to keep them warm at all times.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR MOVERS

Movers aren’t paid extra to deal with snow, ice, and wind. Thank them for their hard work, prepare a pot of coffee, hot cocoa or apple cider (non-alcoholic, of course!) to warm them up when they need to take a break. There is no doubt that they will greatly appreciate it. Consider tipping your movers more than you typically would during a summer move.

PREPARE YOUR VEHICLE

If you’re moving a long distance, have your car serviced prior to the move to confirm that everything is running properly. Just in case anything does go wrong, pack warm blankets, coats, hats and gloves in the car rather than with the rest of your belongings in the moving container or truck. You don’t want to be stranded on the side of the road without warm clothing.

Load up anything else you’ll need for driving in cold weather, like tire chains and ice scrapers, so you’ll be prepared for anything that might happen while on the road. It’s always better to be over-prepared than underprepared, that way you’re ready for anything.

ALLOW EXTRA TRAVEL TIME

Driving in snow and inclement weather always takes longer than driving on clear roads, so allow plenty of extra time to get to your destination. If movers will be meeting you at your new home to unload your belongings, keep in contact with the driver so they’ll know if any schedule changes come up. Sparta Movers take pride in customer service excellency and particularly in timeliness and clarity of communication. You will receive email and text reminders, as well as a phone call prior to movers arrival.

Plan out your route in advance, but be prepared to make changes on the fly. Snow plow schedules are not always predictable, so you may find that your preferred route is unavailable. Most smartphones these days come with mapping apps that can readjust when you change course.

PREPARE YOUR NEW HOME

As you did with your previous home, make sure that all walkways are clear and ice-free, and lay down protection for your floors before you start moving things into your new home.

Since it gets dark much earlier in winter, ensure that your new home’s exterior lights are in good working condition. Hanging lights or headlamps is another option that will help light your way towards a better after-dark moving experience!

This may sound like a no-brainer, but you’ll also want to make sure that the utilities are on in your new home they day before you unpack!

TAKE A DEEP BREATH

Moving in winter isn’t easy, but with proper planning and care, your stress can be minimized. Sparta Movers will take some of the pressure off.

Call us at 855-360-6683 or visit us HERE to request a free and non-obligatory moving quotation.