When it comes to the right time to move, there’s no right answer. There’s only what’s right for you. And while the summer may be the hottest time of the year, it’s not always the hottest time to relocate. Don’t be blinded by the sun or let the cold weather scare you into staying put. There are serious pros to moving in the winter. And if you have the right tools, the right tips, and the right experts by your side, you can plan, prep, and perform a winter move—quite literally—no sweat.
So why are the cold months a pro mover’s best-kept-secret? Here are the things that make it a more astute choice than you might think.
1. Movers on your own schedule
Of the 40 million Americans that move every year, 80% of moves happen between April and November—especially during the late summer and early autumn months of July, August, and September. That means from December through March, moving companies are much more flexible. They’re dealing with only 20% of moves for 33% of the year. This gives you more control over the timing and scheduling of your move, and lets you almost certainly avoid conflicts and cancellations due to overscheduling. Especially if you’re the kind of person who likes to make a plan and stick to it, who doesn’t revel in the idea of unpleasant surprises, this is your time to shine.
If you’re moving out of state or if you’re transporting belongings a long way, you may also find that your belongings arrive sooner. With fewer stops and drop-offs, your movers will be able to prioritize your move and ensure with even more certainty that your things arrive not only in perfect condition, but as fast as possible. If you utilize something like Elite’s complete unpacking service, you may also find that your movers have more time to help you unpack and organize so that not only is your move easier, but acclimating and organizing your new home becomes much less of a daunting task.
2. Prices go down with the temperature
One of the biggest struggles of moving: the cost. Buying or renting a new home—especially if it’s in an entirely new state—is already costly enough. So who can blame you for wanting to save a little when you can? That’s where moving during the winter months can come in handy. It’s just like you learned in high school economics: supply and demand. With less people moving, the demand for movers is down, so the supply that does exist, well, they’re willing to make some changes. Mainly, that change is reduced rates, sometimes as much as 30% less than you’d pay during peak moving times. Low temp, low price. It’s as simple as that.
And it’s not just moving. Storage costs can also be lower during these months—even quality, temperature-controlled storage like that provided by Elite Moving and Storage. And as you’re likely to use storage for a while rather than moving your things which is a one-time affair, saving on storage can be even more of a relief when you’re already worried about the costs piling up.
So if you do move during winter, use that extra cash to buy yourself a nice new coffee maker to warm your new home after a cold move—and maybe make a cup for your hard working movers too.
3. There’s less competition for homes.
If you’re looking to move but haven’t quite found your dream home yet, winter may also be your best friend. Because while there are fewer houses for sale in winter, there’s also less competition. As the weather warms, homes begin hitting the market, and prospective buyers come out in droves. Competition becomes fierce—June being the priciest month to buy and January being the cheapest (Nerdwallet)—so even though there may be less houses to look at during winter, the ones you see will be much easier to snatch up, and you won’t have to deal with the heartbreak of losing the perfect home before you ever even had it.
Again, the reasoning behind all of this can be explained with simple supply and demand. Less house hunters means lower prices. So by buying in winter, not only will you save on the process of your move, but you’ll also save on your home itself, not to mention avoiding the house-hunting hysteria that comes with bidding wars and competitive markets.
4. You won’t break a sweat
All that heavy lifting and loading in the cold doesn’t sound like exactly the ideal day, but we can assure you it’s still a heck of a lot better than doing it in the scorching heat. Those who move in the height of summer often underestimate how easily the heat can get to you; the risk of heat stroke, exhaustion, and just overall fatigue can quickly become overwhelming.
So while you may get a little chilly in the winter, all that effort will keep you warm, and gloves can help you from rubbing your hands raw. Just layer up, and who knows—you might even need to take a layer or two off as the work goes on. Of course, the easiest way to avoid working up a sweat is to engage a moving service like Elite Moving and Storage to do the loading and unloading for you. Our moving experts will help you get everything out the door, loaded, and unloaded as fast as possible. Plus save your delicate muscles from added strain.
5. Your belongings might be safer
And if you think you’re hot in the summer, imagine how it must be for your belongings, all packaged up in the moving truck. And the problem with that is, unlike with people, once heat has gotten to your possessions it takes more than a cold shower and a glass of iced tea to get rid of the damage.
If you are moving with delicate items like antique furniture, records, rare pieces of art, pantry items, or anything that runs the risk of melting (like candles or soap), a summer move can drastically increase the risk of unpacking boxes upon boxes just to throw them away. And while careful packing can usually save you from this fate, isn’t it easier to just play it safe? If you move in the winter, there’s much lesser risk of damage, even though in extreme circumstances cold can do its own harm.
If you’re worried about the safety of your items—whether you’re moving in the cold or the heat—Elite Moving and Storage also offers a full packing service. Our professional movers/packers will bring the boxes to your door on the day of the move, pack all items that fit into the boxes, and crate the larger furniture with glass tops and doors. We’ll also provide mattress covers for your beds and pack your electronics. We’ll pack everything in just a few hours, freeing up your time to take care of more important matters—and saving you from living out of boxes in the weeks before the move.
Cons of a Winter Move
But like we said earlier, there’s no right answer, only the answer that’s right for you. And that’s why it’s important to think about both the pros and the cons, and which affect you, your family, and your situation the most. So here are some reasons a winter move, while smart for some, may cause trouble for others.
1. Fewer Daylight Hours
Thanks to our good friend daylight savings time, it can get dark quite early in winter, so for particularly large moves, it can be difficult to get everything done in one day without a major rush. Especially if you’re not exactly the kind of person that’s up and about to start loading at 6:00 AM.
2. Difficult Driving
If you live somewhere where ice and snow is common, driving can be difficult. Especially if you’re transporting things in your car, getting to your destination with boxes blocking your view in conjunction with icy roads can be a deal breaker. Of course, using movers makes this significantly easier, only requiring you to carry the essentials. And if you live in a place where snow is a regular occurrence, you’re probably well prepared to do just a bit of regular snowy driving
3. The mid-school year move
For families with school-aged children, a move in the winter, even over winter break, can be difficult. Starting at a new school in the middle of the year in a completely new place can be stressful for children, not to mention for parents working to acclimate them to their new environment.
4. Danger in the Driveway
Much like it can be difficult to drive on icy roads, walking on icy streets or up snow-covered driveways when loading and unloading can be difficult. To keep yourself, your family, and your movers as safe as possible, it’s important to make sure there is a clear pathway from the house to the car or moving truck, and that tarps or other coverings are laid out inside to prevent slipping in the house or water damage to your new home’s floors.
Face the Cold with Elite
If you’re considering a winter move—whether it’s for the good prices, the flexible scheduling, or just a matter of necessity—Elite Moving and Storage can help. Rain or shine…or sleet…or snow…or ice, Elite’s moving experts and 15+ years as one of Chicagoland’s top movers will ensure that your move goes off without a hitch. Visit www.elitemover.com to learn more about our services including full service packing, loading, unloading, and storage options.