Updated 1/17/2024 – It’s cold out there! Moving in winter may require a little planning and forethought. Dozens of our off campus student housing clients move in during December and January. There’s ice. There’s snow. It can be a real mess. It’s important to monitor the weather to make sure you won’t have to deal with snow and high winds. Try to watch the weather a couple of weeks ahead make a few checklists to ensure that everything goes smoothly. You need to start planning as soon as you put your bid in on the house you want. The following moving tips will give you a head start when it comes to being prepared.
Prepare Early
Start preparing early. Gather your packing supplies and make sure you have enough for each room. The staff of a professional moving company can help you determine how many boxes, rolls of tape, and packing materials you will need to move your entire home. Create a game plan that will allow you to move through the process quickly and easily.
Pack the Things You Aren’t Using
Go through each room and pack up the items you aren’t using. Label each box so that the movers will know where to put them when they are unloaded. By packing up the items you aren’t using now, it will make packing the truck go much faster. As long as each box is properly labeled, it can be loaded on the truck as soon as it arrives.
Keep Winter Clothing Close By
If you are moving in winter, don’t pack your winter clothes or heavy coats and boots. Both you and your kids may not have access to your wardrobe for several days. Make sure to pack enough warm clothing to get you through several days of living out of a suitcase until your clothes are unpacked and in your new home.
Set Aside Your Pet’s Necessary Items
As you are packing, set aside all of your pet’s necessary items. This can include dishes, toys, and blankets. Keep their leash handy as well. During the move, your pets may become stressed and confused. It’s up to you to help them feel as secure as possible. Keep them close to you when you can and secure them in their crate when you need to be away from them. It will help them feel more secure.
Make Sure to Transfer Your Utilities
In the middle of moving, you can forget a few of the essentials. Make sure to contact the utility company and transfer service from your old home to the new one. You will need to have the utilities on at both houses for a short period of time to ensure that you will have what you need to move comfortably.
Keep the Sidewalks and Driveways Clear of Snow and Ice
Moving in winter means colder temperatures and the possibility of snow and ice. Before you move the first box, remove any snow that may be on your sidewalks or driveway. Put some salt or “freeze-melt” on the pavement to eliminate any slick spots. Make sure to check at both houses before you move so there are no surprises that will hold you up.
Closing on your home in the late fall will mean you will be moving in winter. Take the time to get organized and start getting things in order as soon as you know a definitive date for the move. Follow a few simple steps and moving in winter will go quickly and you will be enjoying your new home in no time at all.
