While moving at any time of year can be stressful and challenging, moving during the winter can cause more stress than doing so during other times of the year. With the cold weather season rapidly approaching, if you're staring down a move, you may be wondering how to make the best of the situation. Before you find yourself facing unnecessary challenges, here are a few things that you should think about.`
Try To Wait For The New Year
Booking a moving company any time between Thanksgiving and New Years Day is going to be more expensive because you're going to pay a holiday premium. In addition, you may have a hard time finding a moving company that is available during this stretch of time, as many are closed or offer limited availability during the season.
Since fewer people move during this time, many moving companies will actually offer discounted rates for those who book services from right after New Years Day until springtime. If you're going to have to move during this period anyway, take advantage of the opportunity to book an off-season rate with one of the movers in your area.
Watch The Weather Forecast
Remember that the winter season is also prime time for heavy snowfall, ice, and other winter storms in many areas of the country. If you live in an area that's prone to this kind of weather, make sure that you watch the weather forecast during the ten days or so leading up to your move. If it looks like the weather is going to be hazardous, consider moving the date up or postponing it a day or two to allow the weather to clear. Moving in a snow or ice storm can be hazardous, and you don't want to increase your liability risk or the chances of your family members being hurt.
Keep Your Walkways Clear
It is your responsibility to clear the driveway, walkways, and any other areas where the moving company will need to get through. If there has been snow or ice recently, take the time to clear the area. Put sand or salt down on any icy areas, and make sure that all of the snow is cleared away.
While some people will think to do this for the home they are moving out of, it's easy to overlook it for the home you're moving into. Make sure that you visit your new home ahead of time and tackle any cleanup that needs to be done before the movers get there. This ensures that nobody will get hurt, and it also gives you the chance to make sure that there's somewhere for the movers to park, which is another key consideration.
Visit a company like Smith Dray Line & Storage Inc. to learn more.