Winter may not be the ideal time to move, but it can offer some financial benefits. Real Estate moves much slower, so you may have the advantage of settling on a better price for your new home. Movers are more likely to be available on your preferred date and at a lower cost.
Moving at any time requires some planning and can be stressful. It’s even tougher with snow or slush on the ground and colder temperatures. More caution also needs to be taken so no one gets hurt during the move.
Here are some moving tips to make your move less stressful:
Consider hiring a professional moving company as they are experienced in moving during wet and colder weather.
Plan a parking area for the moving truck. You want to make sure the truck is not blocking your neighbour’s driveway or the roadway.
Pack in advance & pack sensibly. Be sure to pack precious belongings and items that are sensitive to the cold in your own vehicle (plants, pets, grocery items, wine, electronics). When it gets cold, things get brittle and break a lot easier. If you can't pack them in your vehicle, ensure you use proper packing material to protect these sensitive items.
Turn the utilities on before moving day at your new home. You want your new home warm and ready for your arrival.
Keep an eye on the weather and have a backup plan if necessary. If there ends up being a blizzard on your moving day and you have hired movers, see if you can move the moving date. Their schedule might be more flexible in the winter so this may be an option.
Dress appropriately and layer! Layering is more important than wearing bulky items. This way, if you get too warm, you can take off a layer or two. Wear gloves and keep your head and neck covered.
Clear the snow from walkways and driveways before the move. Prevent the possibility of slips for falls by putting down sand or a de-icer on your driveway, stairs and walkways.
Be prepared and think ahead. Keep extra shovels and sand on hand in case of an unexpected snowfall on moving day. Have extra hats, mittens and lots of hot drinks on hand to keep you and your helpers warm.
Lay down cardboard in high traffic areas to protect your floors from snow, sand and water.
Allow for extra travel time. Driving on winter roads always takes longer because of snow and ice. Also, make sure to plan an alternate route in case snowplows or severe weather affect your original one.
If you have pets, have them stay with friends while you move. Not only will this keep them warm, but it will keep them out of everyone’s way and make your moving day much smoother.
If your moving dates between your new and old home don't line up; consider renting a storage unit in Edmonton for a short term rental solution. With month to month contracts, there are no long term commitments needed.
When you have made the decision to move, start packing up non essential day to day items and move them gradually into a storage unit. By having most of your stuff out of your place before moving day, weather conditions will not be such a factor.
You can then move your items slowly out of storage into your new home as weather and time permits and at your own pace. This can reduce moving day stress as well as give you plenty of time to sort and purge items not suitable for your new home.
You also may find that if you pack up seasonal items and move them into a storage unit, it may be convenient to keep the storage unit for these items rather than finding a storage solution at your new home. This will also help with keeping your garage available for your vehicle instead of full of items you do not use regularly.
Moving into a new home is an exciting experience that should not be diminished by unnecessary clutter or bad weather. It's all in the planning. Make your move stress free and exciting by taking time to plan.
Store the Essentials – Rent a storage unit in Edmonton or St. Albert to keep your items safe. At Elite Self Storage South Edmonton we sell all your moving and packing supplies. We have various size boxes, mattress covers, bubble wrap, packing paper, locks and more. Our Elite Storage facilities also offer vehicle storage and RV Storage near you.
Choosing a climate controlled storage unit at Elite Self Storage South Edmonton will keep your items at a consistent temperature all year. Call one of our storage experts today to find a storage unit in Edmonton that suits your needs.
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