While a place like Seattle only receives limited amounts of snow during a given winter, it can still become very cold and play host to a variety of winter weather conditions. For those who are considering moving during this time of year, it’s important to keep an eye on a few specific details to ensure that you manage any cold-weather risks and are completely safe while performing your move.
At CMS Relocation & Logistics, we’re here to help. We provide a variety of moving services for clients throughout Seattle, from local moves to long-distance moves for either your home or your office. We’ve performed hundreds of moves during the colder part of the year, and we have all the resources and expertise necessary to ensure your move is carried out safety and efficiently this winter. Here are some important tips we often recommend to clients in this area.
Just like with a move during any other part of the year, it’s valuable to make a moving list that covers every last detail. This ensures you don’t forget anything and can make sure everything is included (even if it’s at the bottom of a pile). But locating items in the winter can be tougher, so we recommend making your list with additional detail to help you locate important pieces during your move without compromising safety.
Some themes that should likely be included on a broad moving list as you formulate it:
Especially if there’s any chance of adverse weather taking place on the day of your move, getting a few steps ahead of schedule in areas like packing can make it much easier for your team to get the job done. Not only is early packing useful for getting more of your belongings packed up before moving day, but it can also give you more time to identify items that may need extra care during transport if they’re especially sensitive to storage conditions (like temperature).
Packing materials like plastic film (to wrap around the feet of larger pieces like couches, mattresses, and dressers) can help ensure that your belongings remain in great shape when they’re moved across any surface. Additionally, these materials will protect your floors from potential scratches. And while many movers won’t expect you to pack up every last item on your own before they arrive, putting your clothes into boxes or bags is a good way to ease the work of any professional movers you hire.
Prepping the space for a move is something that should be done for a move at any time of the year, but cold-weather moves may include a few different details that are unique to the time of year. For example, arranging furniture in a way that fits your new space is an important part of organizing any move — but when moving during winter it’s especially important to make sure there are no gaps between pieces. This will prevent cold air from getting in and causing your belongings to freeze, which can damage furniture and personal belongings.
Another important detail to keep in mind is that colder weather can make it more difficult for your movers to work outside if they need to transport anything from the truck. In this case, your movers may choose to bring some items inside ahead of time — which means you should be prepared for these deliveries by clearing the space where they’ll be placed. This will make it easier for your movers to get the job done and also help them avoid potentially damaging sensitive outdoor items by trudging through snow.
And if it does end up being a cold or even snowy day when your move takes place, it’s nice to think of your movers (if you hired them). Perhaps offer them a hot drink, or an extra tip if they brave the great outdoors. It’s also a good idea to give them as much information as possible about where your new home is located, and which route is best for them to take when transporting you and your belongings there. Depending on how accessible it is, they might be better off taking an alternate route that skips busy streets and major highways, which can slow traffic down in the winter.
Last but not least, make sure you’ve thoroughly discussed timing for your move with them well ahead of when the big day comes. If there’s any way they can work faster, or if you want them to bring something inside earlier than planned, it’s always better to discuss this with your movers ahead of time. This way, there should be no unpleasant surprises on moving day and both parties will be equally prepared to ensure the process goes smoothly for everyone involved.
For more on how to manage any risks involved in a cold-weather move and manage an effective moving process, or to learn about any of our local or long-distance moving services in Seattle, speak to the team at CMS Relocation & Logistics today.
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Helpful Tips & Resources from the Seattle Moving Experts
