Moving houses can be stressful at any point, but residential moves in the winter months can be one of the most tedious tasks, especially when you have to pack and transport your belongings in harsh weather conditions, severe snow, and below-freezing temperatures.

Since there are fewer daylight hours during winter, it becomes difficult for people to find enough time to pack and load their belongings.

Now, adding to it are the severe snowstorms and icy lanes that make moving challenging. 

But if you have to move during the peak winter season, don’t stress.

Planning a move from November to February may not be the ideal choice, but it is definitely doable with these following tips.

1. Begin Planning Weeks Ahead of Time

Don’t leave everything until the last minute.

Start planning a few weeks before your moving day.

Figure out whether you want to do it yourself or hire a professional moving company; by getting ahead of things, you’ll be better prepared to handle whatever comes your way during the day of the move.

Here are a few things you should keep in mind when you decide to move during winter:

Be Flexible and Have a Backup Plan Ready

Things don’t always go as planned, so it’s important to have a backup plan to avoid last-minute stress.

Be ready for things like a delayed moving truck or bad weather that could cause road closures or a snowstorm.

Having a plan B will help you stay calm and organized.

Also, if you plan to hire a professional moving company, ask them about how flexible they are if bad weather delays your move.

2. Hire Professional Moving Company

Moving in the winter can be tough; you might be worried about the harsh weather, or your boss probably won’t approve your leave.

Don’t stress—let a professional moving company handle the difficult parts for you.

Whether you need help packing, lifting heavy furniture, or managing other aspects of the move, professional movers are trained and equipped to handle it all, no matter the season.

Hiring a moving company will not only reduce your stress but also ensure your belongings are transported safely to your new home.

Another good thing about moving during winter is that you can have more flexibility with your prospective movers and lower rates.

You will have more room to compare and negotiate the moving cost.

Ultimately, the ball will be in your court; it’s better to get moving quotes from different residential moving companies and then make a final decision. 

3. Choose Premium Packing and Moving Supplies

When you hire the right moving company, they bring all the moving equipment and packing supplies needed to make your move stress-free.

A professional mover will handle everything, from packing and loading to unloading and unpacking, so you don’t have to worry about anything.

If you’re doing a DIY move, using the right packing materials is important, especially in winter.

Get sturdy moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, and moving blankets to protect your things during transit and keep them safe in cold weather.

4. Prepare Your Home For The Move

Get your home ready before moving in winter to make things easier for you and the movers.

Here are a few important things to consider when planning your move during the winter months:

Cover Your Floor with Mats

While moving in snow, you and the house movers will be in and out of the home frequently.

You don’t want a sludgy, sloppy mess of ice and mud on your floors.

Place plastic sheeting or floor mats at the doorways, and lay plastic tarps on wooden floors to avoid scratches and stains.

This will help protect both your current and new home from any damage.

Clear Walkways and Parking Areas

You don’t want to break the precious, delicate china that was gifted to you.

So, be sure to clear the snow and ice from walkways, sidewalks, stairs, and parking areas that you will use during the moving day.

Since your local movers will be handling heavy boxes, it’s important to keep paths clear to avoid slipping or damaging your belongings.

Use a shovel to remove snow and spread salt to melt any ice from the surfaces you or your movers will use.

 5. Protect Your Belongings From the Harsh Weather

The biggest concern you might face is how to move in the snowy weather.

If you’re moving during harsh winter conditions, it’s important to pack your valuables and belongings carefully, especially if you’re relocating to a new city or making a long-distance move.

Avoid overloading boxes to prevent them from shifting during transportation. 

While your movers may be experienced in handling harsh weather, it’s always best to take extra precautions to ensure your items stay safe and protected.

Double-wrap Fragile Items

Fragile items, including glassware, dishes, plates, and antiques, are prone to temperature changes and can break or crack anytime if the temperature changes too quickly.

Double wrapping them in extra bubble wraps and thick moving blankets can prevent them from breaking.

Make sure they are labeled properly, loaded in the truck at the end, and unloaded first to minimize their exposure to extreme cold.

Electronics Needs Extra Protection

It’s not a good idea to combine electronics and cold weather. Double-wrap them in thick towels because if they are kept cold for too long, they will likely malfunction. Put your electronics in moving containers and place them in your car, where the temperature is relatively steady.

6. Store Items in Storage Units

Moving in the winter months can be stressful, especially when you have a lot of belongings to pack.

Some items, like gym equipment, antiques, or artwork, might not be needed right away, or they may not fit in your new home.

In this case, consider using 24/7 surveillance-monitored storage units to store these items securely.

This allows you to safely store your large or less-needed items and get them back when you have more space or are ready to use them.

7. Prepare Your Car For Long-Distance Moves

If you plan to move during winter, ensure your car is prepared for long-distance moves.

Get it serviced before the day of moving and see if everything is working properly.

Make sure your car has proper winter tires and winter mats. 

Keep essential items, extra pairs of clothes, socks, gloves, first aid kit, food, and medicines handy in your car instead of packing them with the rest of the belongings in the moving truck so that if anything goes wrong, you’re not left stranded on the road in the chilly weather. 

Also, put extra winter tires, mats, shovels, ice scrappers, and tire chains in the car trunk to save yourself from any mishappening that might happen on the road.

8. Keep Winter Essentials and Emergency Kit Handy

If you live in Canada, you know how harsh winters can get here. During the winter months, you can experience a lot of snow.

It’s better to keep extra winter essentials handy with you on the moving day.

Also, when you’re moving in bad weather, having an emergency kit in your car can help you save from any unforeseen circumstances that might occur during your move.

Here is a list of a few things you’d like to keep with you:

  • Winter gloves, caps, and jackets
  • Hand warmers
  • Extra pair of warm clothes
  • Extra winter boots
  • Blankets 
  • Toiletries
  • Food/Hot Beverages
  • Water
  • First-aid kit
  • Snow shovels
  • Car ice scrapers
  • Thick Towels
  • Scarfs
  • Extra Socks

These essentials will not only protect you from any last-minute changes but will also help you stay protected from frostbite due to freezing temperatures and prepare you for your long-distance moves. 

9. Keep All The Necessary Documents With You

Make sure you have all the important documents you’ll need, such as your passport, driver’s license, SIN number, the address of your new home, utility company contact details, and any other essential paperwork.

If bad weather is expected, like snow or rain, store these documents in a plastic folder or a waterproof backpack to keep them safe and dry.

10. Wear Extra Layers for Winter

Moving in winter means that your main door will be opened throughout the moving process.

Even if it is too cold, moving your stuff back and forth can produce heat in your body, making it difficult to work with a thick winter jacket. 

Be sure you dress up in layers so that you can remove a layer and still be covered, as you don’t want to get ill because of this constant change in temperature.

Layering would also help you stay comfortable throughout the day. 

11. Allow Extra Travel Time

Just like the weather, road conditions in winter can be unpredictable.

Be prepared for delays due to heavy snow and traffic on streets, roads, and highways.

Allow yourself a couple of extra hours for your move to avoid feeling rushed and ensure you have enough time to handle any unexpected setbacks.

Plan out the route in advance because, due to heavy snow or rainfall, there might be changes on the road, so be prepared to take an alternative route if you find your preferred route is unavailable.

Stick to highways or main roads that are clear of snow and ice.

Most smartphones have Google Maps, which will adjust your route if there are road blockages or traffic that might slow down your move.

12. Make Sure To Plan Your Utilities Ahead

If you’ve stayed in an apartment or condo, you already know that it takes some time before the heat, hydro, water, and other essential utilities are turned on and transferred to your name.

The last thing you would want is to stand outside in freezing cold without any heat or electricity. 

Also, since it gets dark early during winter, it is important that you schedule a day move so that you can unpack during the daylight hours.

But if your move runs late, plan to leave boxes packed and unpack them the following day.

Be proactive and figure out all the priority tasks you must finish before or on the moving day.

These would include:

  • Call utility companies to transfer services to your name
  • Secure items in the truck
  • Create new online accounts
  • Set up online payment methods for bills
  • Talk to your landlord about repairs that need to be done
  • Check that your exterior lighting works
  • Hang lights or lamps outside if needed
  • Clear all the ice from the sidewalks and parking areas
  • Lay down plastic sheets on floors before moving things into your new home
  • Keep hot chocolate, coffee, or soup inside in the kitchen for yourself and the movers

Taking care of these tasks in advance will help make your move smoother and more comfortable.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that moving in the winter time is one of the most stressful tasks, but with proper planning and implementation, it won’t be as difficult as it seems.

It’s off-season for moving companies so you can expect a good deal. 

However, the final decision on when and whether to move during winter depends on your needs and budget.

Take time to analyze the pros and cons of moving during winter and make an informed decision. 

FAQs

1. Is it a good idea to move during winter?

Moving in winter time means there will be less competition and lower moving costs.

With fewer people moving, movers can be available on your required day.

It is an off-season for moving companies, so you can take it as an advantage and get free moving quotes from companies, compare them, and then choose the one that fits your budget and needs. 

2. How do I move my plants in winter?

It is important to be careful while moving plants in winter.

Avoid exposing them outside directly to the freezing temperatures.

Place them upright in cardboard boxers and put packing paper or scrunched newspaper underneath the box so they don’t move during transit. Then, shut the box with packing tape.

The most important thing is when you place the box in the vehicle, make sure it’s properly heated, and as soon as you reach your new home, unload the box right away and keep it far from the door and separate from the rest of your boxes. 

3. Which season is the best to move

The best time and season to move completely depends on your personal choices and preferences.

However, moving in spring and autumn is the most ideal as they combine the advantages of summer and winter in terms of rates, weather, and convenience.

4. How should I safely move my pets?

When moving animals, their safety should come first.

If you’re planning to move in winter, make sure that small animals are safely put in crates or carriers and should be with you at every step of the move.

Never leave your animals unattended in the car, and never transport them in the moving truck.