Practical, useful and effective winter moving tips

Moving during the coldest, snowiest parts of winter ultimately involves more work and care than a move on a clear, mild, dry day during the warmer times of the year. That's not to say a cold-weather move is unmanageable or far more difficult than others, however.

With a little planning and some basic considerations in mind, a long-distance or local move will quickly and safely get your family and possessions into your new home.

Dealing with the elements

Most people don't particularly enjoy extremely cold temperatures, and it can be even more difficult to deal with the transition from the cold outdoors to the warm interior of your new home. You also don't want to track snow and ice that will quickly turn into water, not to mention salt and sand used for de-icing, into your home.

How can you address these concerns?

• On moving day, wear layers to avoid overheating indoors and stay warm outdoors.

• Use your garage or building lobby as a staging area to stave off the cold, if there's enough room. Bring all items from your moving truck to the indoor area and then from there to inside your home. This strategy offers the added benefit of keeping snow, ice, sand and salt from being tracked inside during dozens of trips to and from the truck.

• Use a human chain if you can't use a garage or lobby. Have a few people bring items to the front door or easiest access point, with others on the inside ready to bring the boxes and other possession to their intended destinations.

• Keep towels and rags on hand to wipe down boxes and other items that may get wet, U.S. News and World Report suggests. Similarly, you can use pads or mats to avoid tracking dirty snow inside and creating moisture damage. You can also use inexpensive shoe and boot covers to avoid bringing snow and ice to the farthest corners of your home.

• Have a shovel and salt or sand ready in case snow flurries and other difficult weather coincide with your moving day.

Although these tips won't keep you completely removed from the cold, they protect your home, keep heat inside and let you do your best during a winter move.

The advantages of moving during winter

A winter move means more options and, potentially, competitive pricing. Moving companies are busiest during the warmer times of year, which means it's easier to book the exact services - like movers and packers - and time slot you want for your big day. Prices may also be lower in some circumstances.

As Realtor.com said, prices at many self-storage facilities also drop during the colder months, meaning further savings. Finally, buying a home during the winter can also lead to more concessions from sellers, as Consumer Affairs pointed out.

One more consideration: Hot weather can damage belongings ranging from candles and soaps to records if they aren't carefully managed, while colder weather isn't as impactful to most items unless temperatures drop to extremely low depths.

Great moving companies like Atlas are available to help you move, no matter the time of year. Whether you're looking for local movers or long distance ones, our agents are here to provide high-quality service and protect your belongings from start to finish. Get in touch with us today to plan your cold-weather move!