moving-in-winter

Whether it is winter or summer, people are moving. Here are some tips and tricks on how to prepare for a winter/cold weather move:

Getting Your New Home Ready
  1. Turn on your utilities. You will want to make sure you call your new utilities company and get your lights and heat turned on and ready for use before your arrival. The days in winter are much shorter and much colder; no heat makes for a very cold move in.
  2. Clear the Snow From Main Pathways. You will want to make sure all paths that you plan on using are as dry and clear as possible. If you are moving within the same city be sure to try and go to your new house the day before and clear snow and ice in the main areas. Also add salt or sand if you expect more snow or cold weather that night. If you are moving to a different state or city and you have a property manager you can always call and ask them to check the main paths to see if they are safe for move-in.
  3. Check Parking Areas. No matter what time of year you move you should always be sure to check for available parking. Daniel’s Moving and Storage, Inc. does this for you so you won’t have any last minute parking worries!
Prepare Your Old Home
  1. Clear Snow. Just like we suggested earlier for the house you’re going to move into, check the pathways and main areas of your old home for snow and ice. Clear all visible snow and add salt or sand in areas of high traffic. Check areas where the moving truck will be parked as well. You will want to do this the night before the move out, as well as the morning of.
  2. Protect Your Home. Daniel’s Moving and Storage, Inc. takes great pride in protecting your items and areas from getting damaged. We use masonite to protect your tile and wood flooring as well as door jamb protectors and carpets shields to ensure your belongings remain in the same condition as when we arrived.
  3. Have Hot Drinks Available. Make sure there are hot chocolate, tea and/or coffee for all of your movers and for you! It’s going to be a cold day; even the smallest amount of warm liquids can warm you right up.
Other Precautionary Actions:
  1. Plan Your Travel Carefully Know your travel route and write down any contact numbers that may be necessary for your trip. This could include local authorities and highway control to determine if all highways are open and safe for travel. Often you can also find this information online as well.
  2. Get Your Car Serviced Be sure to have your car “winterized”, most local car repair shops should be able to do this for you. This should include having all fluids topped off, tires rotated and checked, brakes checked and heater checked. Keep a set of chains in your car, if allowed. Practice taking chains on and off your tires in your garage before you leave. Keep an emergency kit in your car as well. The kit should include salt or kitty litter to give you traction in case you get stuck. Also, make sure your roadside assistance and insurance are up to date.