The holidays give us an excuse for time with family, delicious meals, and giving gifts to those we love. However, it’s also a busy and stressful time of year, especially when a move is on the horizon. If you’re planning or preparing for a move this winter, our team would be happy to help.
Though about 60% of moves occur in the summer, millions of people move throughout the rest of the year. And while moving at any time of the year can be stressful, winter moving is often worse for a couple of reasons:
- The weather: Granted, not all locations experience snowy or icy weather. This is definitely not a typical issue in Santa Barbara. After all, we average about 0 inches of snow per year. However, some areas of California do experience some winter weather conditions.
- Stress of the holidays: Between the shopping, the cooking, the houseguests, the giant credit card bills, and other holiday-related issues, the last thing people want is to add a move to the equation.
For many people, winter relocation is unavoidable. But moving in the winter doesn’t have to be such a dreadful occasion. There are many ways to reduce or eliminate the stress of the moving process.
Start planning your move early.
Whenever possible, it’s best to start planning before your move date. As soon as you are aware that you’ll need to move, start planning and packing.
Set yourself a goal that will take some of the pressure off. For example, if you have two months before your move and plan to pack two boxes each day, that’s 60 boxes that are already ready to go.
Additionally, schedule your utilities to be turned on prior to your arrival at your new home. Most companies will allow you to schedule connections for months in advance. Taking care of this early takes some of the stress away.
Declutter Your Belongings
One common comment among movers is that they have no idea how much stuff they’ve collected over the years until they start packing. It’s always a good idea to start your move with the knowledge that you have more stuff than you realize, and plan to get rid of as much as possible.
For example, aim to find 10 things a day to get rid of. You can throw them away, give them away, or even have a garage sale that will help finance your move. This can include food items you no longer need. Consider donations to he Foodbank of Santa Barbara County.
Research Weather Conditions
If you’re moving out of California, you’ll probably need to research what the weather is like during the winter at your destination. This can help you make any necessary plans to accommodate colder temperatures and icy roadways.
Hire Professionals
One of the best ways to reduce moving stress in the winter is to hire someone else to take care of it for you. At Hazelwood Allied Moving & Storage, we can lift the burden off of your shoulders.
Our team will pack up your home for you and move you anywhere in-state, nationally, or internationally – all while you enjoy your winter holidays. You have enough stress to deal with. We’re happy to handle the rest.
Winter Moving FAQs
How early do I need to book moving services?
As a general rule, the earlier you can contact us, the better. At a minimum, we ask for a three-day notice for a local move, a seven-day notice for a national move, and at least two weeks for an international move.
How long does it take to pack a house?
In most situations, we can pack up your home in a day or two. However, this will depend on the size of your home and the number of possessions to be packed. Give us a call and we’ll come out to provide you with a time estimate.
What if the weather conditions are bad?
Our team is experienced at managing moves through a variety of situations, including unfavorable weather conditions. Under most circumstances, the weather should not pose a problem. If we feel that it will, we’ll discuss options with you so we can find the best solution.
