Practical tips for winter moving including cost savings, organization strategies, and dealing with holiday challenges during cold weather.

The following is a guest post from my bloggy friend Taylor McKnight. Interested in having a guest post on my website? Click here for my guest post submission form.

Cold Weather Relocation: How to Move Successfully During Winter

For those who live in cold country, a summer move may be safer. However, you will be able to work harder without getting overheated if you’re busy cleaning out your garage in the cold season. Depending upon where you live will play a major role in whatever time of year you choose to relocate. Consider the tips below to make your move as simple as possible during the winter.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Wintertime Move

Your wintertime move may be sloppier and slicker if you live in snow country. However, storage unit rentals could be discounted and professional movers may be cheaper. Because most people move in the summer to be settled for school, a December or January move may mean that you get a bigger apartment or home for less money. Just be on the lookout for potential deals during these times of year and dependent upon your location.

If you already have a storage unit, now is the time to empty it and sort through everything. If you can’t stand to work in such an airless, overheated spot in the summer months, the cool days of winter may make it easier on you. However, this is known as the busier time of year so just focus on going through things when it is a prime time for you.

How to Organize Boxes Before Moving Day When it’s Cold Out

Move some furniture away from the wall on the main floor if your home. If you can, put things right beside the door. If you’re taking a box of stuff to your new place, mark the following:

• what’s in it (general contents)
• which room it should go to in your new place
• the date it was sealed up

If you’re packing for your family, you may find that children want to dig back into their boxes of stuff before you get the next one packed. While it may be easier to pack in the winter while kids are in school, they may find the experience of coming home to an empty room upsetting. You could use storage devices in this matter where you can maybe put some of their favorite clothes or belongings in a storage unit or building where it is easily accessible.

If you don’t have a storage unit, yet, winter is the time to rent one. Depending on where you are located and look it could cost less and you may be able to get a larger storage unit than you budgeted for so more things can fit inside.

Invest in Outside Resources

While everyone knows that moving in general is such a hassle, you will definitely want to evaluate all of your options when close to the busiest times of the year. If you have outside storage property, definitely think about using it to simplify processes that could take longer than normal. Some people invest in storage units regularly as they continue to run out of space in there home. Others invest in their own form of storage on their own new or old property, like custom metal buildings or barns that can store stuff safely. Many choose a brick or metal storage shed in this case as it is the sturdier material used in building and construction. There is also the matter of if you would like to use a moving company or not and if they are available during the holidays. Some people would see this option as the easiest since it would free up time for you to do other errands. You will just want to make sure to look around and compare prices when it comes to this type of business services to make sure they are in your budget.

Drag Out the Suitcases, Increase the Comfort Level

It can be stressful for children to have their possessions boxed up, especially around the winter holidays. Make sure that everyone in the household has a suitcase where they can store their most precious stuff. A few changes of clothes and toiletries are also a good idea. Having a suitcase gives everyone in the move a bit more control over what goes where.

Make sure your children know that their living space may be more enjoyable after the move. Moving companies often cost less in the winter and with this being when most families spend the majority of their money annually you will want to save where you can.  Because you’ll have more financial flexibility with a winter move, you may be able to treat your children to new furniture or better technology and gifts at Christmas time.

The Holidays

Winter moving days can seriously mess up winter holidays. Reach out to a friend who always does the holidays up in style and ask if you can visit them with your family. You were probably planning such an event anyway, but having a solid invite can make it much easier to soothe your children if there are worries about specific traditions.

Moving in the winter can save you money on storage and movers. It can protect you from getting overheated. It might even help you get a great deal on a much cheaper apartment. With all of this in mind though, make sure you have at least some sort of plan to all of the things that need to get done while also balancing the personal holiday life tasks.

Written by Taylor McKnight, Author for Complete Metal Buildings LLC