Moving During Winter

To many, winter means sub-zero temperatures, snow, and highly unpredictable weather. It would be insane planning a move at such a freezing, and icy cold season. The last thing anyone would want to deal with is moving your stuff right in the middle of a snowstorm.

The winter season doesn't always provide the right weather conditions that a move might require, but it can be a great time to move. Moving at this season of the year might sound crazy, but amidst the challenges that plague moving during winter, you may be surprised to find out there are some benefits in moving during winter.

Benefits of moving during winter

So many people would dismiss the idea of moving during winter even without giving it a second thought. For anyone who wants to trade comfort for a lesser cost of services, then winter is just right for you. Here are some of the benefits of moving in the winter:

More Moving Companies are available

This is yet another amazing benefit of moving during winter. With so many moving companies available, you have a broader selection to choose from. During the winter, moving companies have a less congested schedule, meaning they can give you the assistance you require even on short notice. And when you finally select the moving company of your choice, you’ll have their undivided attention and plenty of time to work out a deal, and the moving crews will have enough time to carefully handle all your properties, making the winter move more efficient and far less stressful for all parties involved in the move.

Better Negotiations

Planning to move during winter gives you a distinct negotiating advantage that you wouldn't have in the summer because there are dozens of people out there willing to take the apartment at whatever price has been commanded. House owners are more lenient and willing to negotiate during the winter because they want to fill their vacant apartments.

For instance, if pets are not allowed in the apartment in question, and you have a cat, they might just let that slide and allow you to enjoy your new home with your furry friend. You could negotiate for other things like demand for a shorter or longer lease term, ask about nicer amenities, parking restrictions, associated fees, and most importantly -rent! During the winter season, landlords are at your mercy because they’re feeling a bit desperate and want to fill the vacancy; this puts you in a position to negotiate for better rates.

Less expensive rent

No landlord wants his apartment to be unoccupied at any time of year, and because there are less people looking for an apartment during the winter, they may try to lure you with cheaper rentals only to persuade you to accept the flat. Individuals renting between December and March often find the finest rental discounts, according to Investopedia. You may take advantage of this before demand rises again in the spring.

Less Competitive

If you are planning to move into a new apartment during the winter, you’re going to have much less competition than if it were in the spring or summer season. During the spring and summer seasons, there are too many people relocating into new apartments, the competition is usually very high. Landlords have no problem finding people to fill up their vacant apartments and are at liberty to select who they believe is best to occupy their apartment. The opposite is the case during winter, and that gives you an edge, as they’re eager to get you to rent, given there’s much less competition.

Cheaper Rates

The winter season is not a favorable period for moving companies as the moving business slows down drastically. The moving companies are likely to lower their costs of services because the moving industry, like any other industry in the commercial world, operates in the manner of demand and supply. The rates of service would only increase during moving seasons when the demand is high. If you are moving during the winter season you stand a chance of getting moving services at a cheaper rate. If you had thought that hiring a professional moving company was out of your budget, you may realize you were wrong, thanks to the winter season for cheaper moving rates.

Disadvantages of moving during winter

Hey! Don't get carried away by the list of benefits that comes with a winter move. Moving during the winter season comes with a lot of drawbacks, it is very important to consider them to be well prepared before embarking on a winter move. Let's discuss some of the drawbacks you might encounter during your move into a new apartment when the snow flies. This includes:

Limited Options

Do you know that during the winter period there are limited options to select from? It is true this season offers less competition, gives you negotiation advantages, as well as lower costs of services but there’s also less for you to choose from. But why is that? For instance, most apartment leases end during summertime, giving the summer renters a wider range of options.

The listing of apartments available to you in the winter season might be less than suitable. You also stand at a risk of leasing an apartment of someone who was evicted or terminated their lease due to unexpected circumstances. Anyway, in as much as you know what you require in an apartment, you can agree on what you’re ready to compromise on leasing whatever apartment is available.

Terrible weather conditions

This is, by all means, the most crucial impediment for most people as the risks involved in making a move during winter are quite on the extreme. The winter weather is quite erratic and very unpredictable, you have sub-zero temperatures, ice, snow, and even a massive snowstorm to deal with, and this makes it quite unpleasant.

The presence of ice and snow on the walkway can be very dangerous as the movers can slip and fall on ice, this could cause severe damage to your stuff. The freezing temperatures do not only chill you to the bone, but it will also damage your sensitive items if not properly protected; you stand at risk of having an accident at the worst or a delay at the best because roads might be closed due to a high level of snow or ice.

There's a possibility that you could combat the winter conditions, but that would be at an extra cost as you may need to insulate all your properties and hire a climate-controlled moving truck. It is important to protect the floors and carpet in your old place as well as in your new apartment.

Tips for moving during winter

Are you looking to move during winter? You might not be able to control the weather conditions of the period to make your move any easier but with the right tips, you can make the move easy and a bit hassle-free. Here are some tips from experienced movers to help your winter move go smoothly:

Protect the floor

Your carpet and hard floor must be protected while people are tromping in and out of your home. Make sure your home is always clean. You should place floor mats at all outside door entrances and plastic tarps over floors; for carpeted areas, use cardboard sheets secured with small tacks.

Clear the sidewalks and driveways

Hauling your properties along an icy sidewalk can be very dangerous. Make sure you salt, shovel, or snow blow any major walkways that you think the movers will use to ensure their safety as well as that of your properties.

Board your pets

Having pets around while your move is underway can be very inconvenient. Ensure to board your pets with local boarders and kennels with heated runs and floors at discounted rates.

Set up the utilities at your new home

Imagine arriving at your new home, in the dead of winter, with no light or working heater. That’s why you should make sure your heater, water, gas, and electricity are up and running roughly two days before your move day.

Double-check your route

Before your departure, ensure to double-check your route to be assured that there are no roadblocks or accidents on your route. If on the day of your move, there happens to be bad weather ensure to check the conditions of the roads you want to use.

Final Thoughts

Moving into a new home during winter can be very hectic and tricky with lots of challenges. To make such a move easy you need to employ a reliable and highly experienced moving company that can handle your winter move most properly.

Contact us today at Three Men And A Truck. We have well-trained professionals who are experienced and certified to handle your move at any time of the year. Save yourself the stress and risk of injury — hire pros who will ensure a stress-free move to your next home!