Jingle bells, New Year’s parties, and relaxing by the fireplace all come to mind when thinking about the winter season. Apartment moving is probably the last thing on your mind during this time of year. Nonetheless, if you’re reading this, you are probably in a situation where you’re more focused on preparing to move than your New Years’ plans. Don’t fret; before you prepare to move, read through this guide for winter moving tips and tricks. It’ll take the stress out of your move, so you can get back to the holidays or just enjoying the cozy season.
The Pros and Cons of Winter Moves
Like any time of year, moving in the winter comes with a list of pros and cons. Making a list of advantages and disadvantages can help you decide if a winter move is worth it. Unfortunately, lease end and start dates sometimes make the moving season out of your control. There is no best season to move but making a pro and con list can help you prepare to move, so you’re not caught off guard by anything unexpected.
There are many benefits to moving in the winter. The first plus is that it’s cheaper. Summer is the most popular moving season, making moving companies and rental trucks in high demand with higher prices. Winter is the slow season for moving companies, making it more plausible to find a deal or discounted prices. Moving companies and truck rental companies will be more flexible with availability as well. It’s almost impossible to snag a weekend time slot for a summer move, but this shouldn’t be an issue in the winter.
For your cons list, the number one advisory is unpredictable and inclement weather. If you live in an area that could potentially have a lot of snow and ice, you’ll need to plan around the weather. Snowy and freezing weather means that you’ll have to take extra precautions to weatherproof your packing. It also gets dark early in the winter, so you may have to break the move up into more than one day, or you’ll need to plan to make sure you can get everything moved before the sun sets. The other issue with a winter move is that it could coincide with the busy holiday season, so plan your move around the holidays. If you have school-aged children, and you’re moving out of their school district, it could be difficult for them to start a new school halfway through the year. Planning out all the cons to moving in the winter sounds negative, but it will prepare you for worst-case scenarios.
Prepare for Your Winter Move Early
You have a bit more leeway during a winter move than you would during a summer move, but you still need to prepare for your move ahead of time to make the big day run smoothly.
Chances are you’ll be able to score good deals by moving in the winter, so shop around and see what’s out there. You don’t want to wait too late to look for a moving company to find out they’re all booked, so it’s best to schedule movers or plan for a rental truck a few weeks in advance.
Check (and keep checking) the weather. You’ll need to plan your move around weather conditions. Don’t take a risk. It’s most important for you to make the move in the safest way possible, so keep looking at the weather for snowstorms, icy conditions, or freezing temperatures. It’s also smart to ask your moving company about cancellation policies and inclement weather policies. Don’t fret if you have to reschedule a move. Safety should be your top priority.
Stock up on supplies and make a list of everything you need for your move, including safety material and packing supplies. Kitty litter, salt, and shovels will all come in handy for melting ice and clearing snow. Moving blankets and plastic tarps are necessary for preserving furniture and floors. Be mindful of freezing temperatures and how it can damage your furniture. Wrap delicate furniture and items in plastic and then a moving blanket to prevent freezing and water damage. Grab a few extra plastic drop-cloths for laying over the floor of your new rental, so you don’t damage the floors while you’re moving in furniture. If you’re in a snowy climate, trade cardboard boxes for plastic ones to prevent water damage.
Make sure you have all the materials you need to ensure you and your items get to the new place unscathed. Speaking of yourself, make sure you have a first-aid kit readily available for moving day and double check that it’s equipped with thermal blankets and a flashlight. Before you pack away your clothes, set aside a warm, layered outfit along with non-slip boots and gloves to wear on moving day.
Moving with Kids and Pets
Moving day can be a bit hectic, so you’ll want to make sure your pets and young children are in a safe and warm spot out of the way.
To prepare for the move, double check that your pet has a collar and an ID tag with your name and phone number printed on it. Also, make sure that they’re microchipped and that the information on their microchip is updated with your phone number and new address.
If you’re moving locally, plan to either board your pet or have a trusted family member or friend watch them while you move. For those choosing to board their pet, make sure the facility is temperature controlled.
If you’re moving locally with children that won’t be helping with the move, have a trusted person watch your children for the day.
If you’re moving a long distance, you’ll need to factor in the trip to your new rental while you’re preparing to move. Set aside everything your pet might need for the journey, like food, medicine, water, and comfort items. If you’re driving with the pet, plan to make stops to give your animal time to stretch their legs and go potty. The same goes for your young children. Set aside their comfort items and make sure they have plenty of snacks and toys to keep them occupied during the trip.
Once you get to your destination, you could board your animal at a nearby facility or put them in a room of your new home with the door closed and heat running. Apartment moving is stressful for animals. If you leave them in a closed room, make sure they’re comfortable. Leave out water, let them have access to their crate or cage, and fill the space with their blankets, a bed, and their favorite toys. If you have an older child, you can give them small tasks to make them feel a part of moving day. If your child isn’t ready for that, arrange for them to be left with a trusted individual or bring a trusted person along so that they can watch your child during the move.
Your Winter Move Timeline
1. Start packing
Two weeks before the big day, make sure your packing is going according to plan. Everything should be packed before moving day, so it can be loaded onto the truck and unpacked at the new place as quick as possible. Remember, it gets dark early during the winter. Don’t waste time packing while you’re supposed to be moving.
2. Transfer your utilities
About a week or so out, double check that your utilities are transferred and ready to be switched on at the new place. Even one night without heat is dangerous in freezing weather. You’ll want to confirm that at least your water, power, electricity, and gas will be on by moving day.
3. Gather packing supplies
Double check that you have everything crossed off your safety and packing supply list. You won’t have time to stop at the store while you’re moving. Save yourself the aggravation and get everything you need well in advance.
4. Confirm details
Make sure everyone helping you during the moving process is on the same page about what they need to do and when they need to do it. Call your movers to confirm your moving day plan and schedule. Check-in with any pet sitter, boarding facility, and babysitter.
5. Set aside delicate items
Set aside items that won’t be packed away in the truck on a box. Electronics should not be left in freezing temperatures. It’s best to place these in a secure container where they will remain dry and temperature controlled.
6. Make a weather call
The safety of yourself and your movers is the top priority. If bad storms are predicted, make the call on whether to postpone the move. Keep checking the weather to make sure that conditions don’t change for better or worse.
7. Make last minute preparations
Check that all items are properly packed and wrapped to prevent damages. Go over your supply list to ensure you didn’t forget anything.
8. Plan your outfit
Dressing for the move is vital, especially in freezing weather. Make sure the outfit, jacket, boots, and gloves you plan to wear for the move are set aside, so they don’t get packed away with your other clothes.
9. Clear walkway
Shovel snow and lay down salt a few days before the move if you can. You should do this at your current place and the new rental. Of course, not everyone can do this if they’re moving from far away. In this case, just make sure to clear the sidewalk, stairs, and driveway when you get there.
10. Protect your new floors
Protect your new floors from water damage and prevent slips. Lay down plastic tarp and put mats in front of the doors. Again, if you can’t get to your place before moving day, just make sure to lay it down before the moving process starts.
11. Make a warm room
Once you get to the new place, consider switching off the heat to not send your HVAC into overdrive, but designate one room as the warm room. Leave a space heater—out of the way of children and pets—in the room, so you and your movers can have a warm place to escape the cold. Be mindful that space heaters can be a fire hazard. Make sure that it’s not touching anything and remember to turn the unit off when you turn your heat back on or if you leave your home.
12. Get excited
The last thing to do is get excited! Moving day can get chaotic, so just remember to relax and enjoy the process. Do little things to make the day go by easier, like making a warm cider or hot chocolate to sip on during breaks. Plan to order your favorite meal when you’re done. Do whatever you need to do to make the move as seamless as possible.
Apartment moving doesn’t have to be stressful, especially if you use these winter moving tips to prepare. A winter move is the perfect time to start fresh in the new year, so make sure to do it right!
