{"id":249,"date":"2021-12-06T14:39:23","date_gmt":"2021-12-06T19:39:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/?p=249"},"modified":"2024-10-24T12:15:28","modified_gmt":"2024-10-24T17:15:28","slug":"five-tips-for-moving-in-the-winter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.move-tastic.com\/blog\/five-tips-for-moving-in-the-winter\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter Moving Tips in Chicago to Save Money"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There\u2019s nothing quite like winter in Chicago. The city is alive with the holiday spirit and the snow glistens beautifully on the lakefront. However, if you\u2019re moving<\/a> in the winter months, you might be concerned about how the cold temperatures and unpredictable weather might affect your move. If you follow these five tips for moving in the winter, you can have a smooth, efficient, and cost-effective move\u2014even if the weather doesn\u2019t cooperate!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Prepare for the elements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019ve ever lived in the Midwest during winter, you know that the months of December through February can bring cold temperatures, snow, ice, and that good old Chicago \u201cDibs\u201d system<\/a> of parking on the street. Although these elements are facts of life during a Chicago winter, they can really interfere with your moving plans! Fortunately, in addition to expecting longer travel times due to inclement weather, there are a few ways that you can prepare for the elements and keep your moving costs<\/a> low.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, check out the weather forecast<\/a> for your scheduled moving day. Keep in mind that local moving companies are used to working through the snow, so your move will not be canceled even if the weather isn\u2019t ideal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second, prepare the walkways to your home. A snow-covered sidewalk or gangway isn\u2019t only unsafe for the movers and your belongings they\u2019ll carry\u2014it\u2019ll also slow them down, which will increase the cost of your move. The best way to ensure a smooth and efficient winter move is to clear a path. So break out the shovels and salt! If the move crew leader determines that a snowy or icy walkway is unsafe, the movers will spend time clearing a path for them to move. Any time they spend clearing a path is time that you\u2019re paying them for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Third, check your local Streets and Sanitation website<\/a> for snow removal information and plowing schedule. If your move day forecast calls for snow, you can be prepared with an idea of when your street and alley might be cleared.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Protect your floors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your moving team will bring neoprene floor runners to protect your hardwood floors. If you have a lot of hardwood flooring in your home\u2014or if you want to ensure that your carpets are protected during your move\u2014be sure to let your moving company know. They can bring additional floor runners as well as carpet protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s also a good practice to keep some towels handy during your move. If any outside water finds its way inside, you or the movers can easily wipe it up to prevent tracking it throughout your home or damaging your floors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some moving clients request that their movers wear disposable shoe coverings or booties. Unfortunately this is not a good option for two reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Safety.<\/em> Professional movers often have to carry boxes, furniture, and other heavy items up and down flights of stairs or through narrow hallways. Shoe coverings like booties reduce traction and cause a safety hazard for the move crew.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Efficiency.<\/em> Each mover would need to take their booties off each time they go outside to the truck, and put them back on each time they reenter your home. This will add time\u2014and therefore increase the cost of your move<\/a>.  <\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Keep in mind that your move crew wants to protect your floors just as much as you do. So have an open conversation about them to determine the best way to move quickly and efficiently while still protecting the flooring throughout your house. Floor cleaning and repairs get get expensive, so this is definitely a moving cost that you want to avoid. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/a>3. Protect your belongings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Some items just aren\u2019t built for the cold. And although your moving crew will pack and wrap all of your belongings with the utmost care, things could get a bit challenging if you\u2019re using an unheated storage container to move or handling the move without professional movers<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Electronics are prone to malfunction when exposed to extreme temperatures. And breakables like glass and dishware can become brittle in the cold. You can protect these items from the cold by double-wrapping them and packing them inside insulated boxes. You can even use that beer cooler that you haven\u2019t used since the summer to keep some of the elements at bay!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In addition, there are some items you might want to move in your car instead of packing into your storage container or rental truck. Here are a few examples:<\/p>\n\n\n\n