Moving home during the winter presents its own set of challenges and considerations. The colder temperatures, potential snowfall, and shorter days require careful planning to ensure a smooth transition. It’s crucial to account for possible travel delays due to inclement weather, dress warmly with layers, and have essentials readily available for refreshment breaks. Attention should be given to protecting furniture and belongings from the elements, and ensuring that your new home is heated.
Here are our best moving tips to help you when moving home during the winter:
Moving Professionals
Collaborating with removal professionals, such as Britannia Alan Cook, simplifies your moving day by handling all the intricate details. Regardless of external factors like weather, our team remains dedicated to delivering a service that exceeds your expectations. We take pride in being the support you need.
Protect Your Furniture and Belongings
Wrapping furniture and belongings for protection, becomes especially crucial in wet weather. Consider investing in protective wrapping, or for added convenience, opt for the services of a reputable removals company like Britannia Alan Cook, where we manage it all for you. We recommend using proper removals boxes. We supply boxes with our removal services or available for purchase in case of a DIY move.
Be Prepared for Delays
Plan for possible travel delays. Snow and ice, whilst not necessarily bad enough to cause major problems, can make travel, for yourselves and your removal van, a little bit slower than usual. Also remember that the days are shorter, particularly if you’ve moving around Christmas, so try to plan as much into the middle of the day as possible so you’re not doing too much work in the dark.
Make Sure You’re Comfortable
Similar to any significant event, choosing the right attire is essential. When moving, opt for comfortable clothing that facilitates easy movement. Layering is advisable to handle temperature variations between indoors, the car, and outside. If you’re involved in the moving process, keep in mind that physical exertion might cause you to feel warm. Prioritise comfortable footwear, ideally with anti-slip soles, to ensure safety during the move.
Get The Heating On
Ensure you’ve organised the takeover of power supplies in your new home. If feasible, communicate with the previous owners and coordinate for them to set the heating at a low level when they depart. This is especially beneficial if they are moving out a day or two before your move-in date or if your new home is at a considerable distance, leaving the house vacant for an extended period. While your vendors will likely conduct a meter reading before departing, it’s a standard procedure that adds an extra layer of assurance.
Floor Protection
For safety precautions, it’s essential to clear any snow or ice at both departure and arrival locations during your move. While applying salt or grit can prevent re-freezing, it introduces the risk of tracking these substances into your home, potentially soiling or damaging new carpets and flooring. To mitigate this, we recommend laying down sheets and blankets to safeguard your floors, paying particular attention to stairs, where there will likely be significant foot traffic. Prioritise safety, avoiding the creation of slippery or uneven surfaces wherever possible. Professional removals specialists like Britannia Alan Cook can alleviate this concern because they include floor protection as part of their comprehensive removals service—just another stressor handled with expertise!
Check Your Car
This is standard advice for winter travel, often overlooked when moving homes. Ensure your car undergoes winter checks, has ample fuel, carry de-icer, an ice-scraper, and ensure your windscreen wash is topped up. It’s advisable to have a snow shovel on hand in case of potential snowfall.
Moving With Children
While having friends or relatives care for your children during the move would be ideal, it’s not always feasible. Children tend to get bored easily and can feel the cold if not engaged in activities. Ensure they stay warm and entertained with toys and perhaps involve them in small tasks, like a game of “search the toy box for the blue teddy.” Unpack their toys early in the moving process to keep them engaged and make sure you know their whereabouts.
