Best Advice For Moving In A Snowstorm
Moving in the winter has many advantages.
Moving companies aren’t typically busy, which means you can pay less for professional movers. If your move takes place around a summer destination spot, like the Toms River area, you can avoid summer traffic. Plus, even moving companies for small moves will have extra movers on hand and schedule your exact pick-up and delivery times.
The one major winter moving drawback that you can’t control is the weather. A major snowstorm can completely derail a moving day.
But, even though no one can stop a snowstorm from coming, everyone moving in the winter can prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Optimum Moving is one of the best moving companies in NJ because our long-term growth strategy depends on attracting and retaining customers by delivering unmatched, white-glove service.
One way we engage our customers and potential customers is by sharing the secrets to a successful move our experienced local and long-distance movers use every day.
Most people don’t have a process for hiring complete strangers to pack and transport all their personal things—including cherished items of value. That’s why we put together the Residential Moving Checklist.
The in-depth article you’re reading now adds another layer to that checklist by providing 6 simple ways to take control of your winter move—even in a snowstorm.
Before moving day
- Monitor the weather. If a major storm is predicted far enough in advance, you may be able to reschedule or better prepare in some way with your moving company or, if you’re moving yourself, the rental truck company.
If you’re making a long-distance move, stay on top of the weather in that area as soon as possible.
- Outfit your ride. Always ensure your vehicle is safe to travel well in advance. Get the oil changed, tires checked (including the spare!), and make sure your windshield wipers are effective.
In addition to roadside safety equipment, pack a shovel, ice scraper, ice melt, and extra hats, gloves, socks, and boots. You may need to do some shoveling if you get stuck or when you arrive at your new home.
- Take extra precautions. In addition to following our pro tips for packing dishes, glasses, and fragile items, you may consider adding a layer of water protection to items packed in cardboard boxes. When you’re getting moving quotes, ask about using plastic containers. It may be worth the expense for a stress-free winter move.
Also, bring food, water, blankets, medications, and phone chargers in the car with you, map out gas stations in advance, and have the phone numbers of towing companies servicing your route.
- Dress in layers. If you take part in winter activities, you know it’s possible to get overheated in the freezing cold. Wearing a couple shirts, a sweatshirt, and a jacket, for instance, enables you to shed thin layers to stay comfortable, as opposed to having to go from a bulky down jacket to a t-shirt.
Make use of the extra hats, gloves, socks, and boots you have in the car. Damp clothes are not only uncomfortable but will also chill you.
Moving in
- Establish your system. Clear the walkways! Even if there’s no freshly fallen snow, you may consider widening the shoveled areas to increase walking space. Throw down ice melt on any frozen spots. You may need to clear an area between the sidewalk and road if the truck is going to be unloaded from the street.
Don’t wait for the mover to arrive before you think about how it’s going to work.
Leave the doors open, and you may need to take certain doors off the hinges, which is why it’s a good idea to have measurements of your big items on hand. Turn off the heat so you don’t waste fuel and the people moving can keep their body temperatures regulated.
Pro tip: Put a space heater in one of the bathrooms so people can warm up.
- Mitigate the mess. Plan ahead to put protective coverings on the floor. A door mat or towel thrown in the entrance way won’t be enough. In fact, anything you put down must not slip or cause a tripping hazard. A simple paper protectant can work, or you can spend a little more on a more durable material.
Heavy traffic areas should be protected, and don’t forget to protect floor space in each room for a staging area.
Have a bunch of old towels on hand to wipe off boxes, furniture, and other items that may get wet going from the truck to the house.
Moving near the holidays? Here are three gifts to give yourself. [include link to Tips For Moving During the Holidays]