Moving in winter can be a great idea – there’s often less competition to find a superior NYC moving company. But on the east coast, you also face the possibility of cold or nasty weather. If you’re planning a move to, from or around the NYC area this winter, here are a few tips to make sure you’re prepared:
1. Be ready for the cold.
Odds are high that a winter move will mean cold temperatures and, possibly, inclement weather. To prepare for the cold, make sure you don’t pack all the clothes you’ll need for low temperatures. Leave out warm pants, sweaters or long-sleeved shirts, boots, gloves, hats and scarves. (You may pack well in advance of the move, and once those boxes are taped shut, it’s sometimes hard to remember what’s in them.) You’ll also want to make sure you have a shovel, sturdy outdoor broom, and salt or a de-icer on hand, in case of snow or ice.
2. Make sure your utilities are working.
If you end up moving during a cold spell, you’ll want to be extra sure the utilities have all been turned on and everything’s working properly in your new space – you don’t want to spend your first night there without lights and, most importantly, heat! Get the gas and electric turned on a few days in advance and, if possible, stop by the new place to make sure everything’s working before you actually move in. You’ll also want to make sure the utilities are on in the old place until you’ve moved out completely.
3. Protect the inside of both spaces.
If the weather gets nasty, you may find that you have a team of movers tracking snow, mud, water and salt all over the inside of your space – on both ends of the move. Buy plastic sheeting, or put down newspapers or cardboard throughout the space, to prevent the need to clean once the move is over. (Cardboard will probably work best – plastic sheeting can be slippery, and newspaper won’t hold up very well under wet boots.) Make sure to leave out some basic cleaning supplies, a mop and a broom for potential cleanup needs.
4. Have warm food and beverages on hand.
It’s always a good idea to have food and beverages on hand for breaks during the move. In the winter months, it’s a good idea to make sure they serve double duty and warm people up. Hot chocolate, coffee or warm tea are the perfect go-to beverages, and you can buy paper cups if you don’t want to keep extra dishes out. Hot snacks might include finger foods like pizza rolls or chicken fingers, or you might even prepare a pot of warm soup the night before the move. Don’t feel like cooking? A couple of piping hot pizzas will surely be a hit.
5. Have a backup plan.
Impossibly bad weather is not likely – but it can happen. Keep an eye on the weather forecast, and be sure to have a backup plan just in case. If you’re not able to stay in the old space for a slightly longer period, if necessary, investigate conveniently located storage spaces and make a list of nearby hotels. Odds are you won’t need them, but it’s always better to have a backup plan for emergencies.
Contact Empire Movers today to help with your upcoming move. As an expert NYC moving company, we provide reliable, trustworthy service to all five boroughs, and we can help you move to or from any location nationwide – in any weather!
