Tips for Moving Home in Bad Weather

At best, UK weather could be described as unpredictable. And out of all the things that can go wrong when moving home, most people will not factor in the weather as being one of those things.

So, how will bad weather affect your home move?

Whilst most weather conditions will not mean the cancellation of your home move, an unexpected 1cm of snow may bring the country, and your home move, to a sliding halt.

And if your current home location, or the location of your new home, is prone to flooding, it could sink your moving day plans.

In those situations, it is worth ensuring that your home moving cancellation insurance covers you if the weather scuppers your plans on moving day.

But those are extreme cases, and for the majority of weather that you are likely to experience, your removal company will work, as long as it is safe to do so.

There are ways to protect your household goods from weather-related damage during a home move which we will look at in this guide.

However, despite the albeit low risk of the weather cancelling your home move, winter can be a good time to move if you are counting the pennies.

It is technically off-season so there will be some deals to be done with the removal companies, although the run-up to Christmas can be busy as people rush to get into their new home before the festivities begin.

You may also like to read: Home Moving Insurance – Do I Need It? Properly insuring your home move is essential in the winter months, the likelihood of delays and even cancellation is much higher than in the summer and can end up costing you a small fortune. In this guide, we look at the various insurance options that are available and if it makes sense spending the money on them.

Tips for Moving Home In Winter

• Safety should always be the number one priority. If bad weather delays the date of your home move, yes, it may be inconvenient and frustrating, but not as inconvenient as a broken leg would be.
• During a winter move, it is a good idea to get to your new home before the light disappears. Cold, slippery, wet and dark is not a good mix for the safe unloading of your removal van.
• Try to arrive at your new home ahead of the removal team so that you can lay down protective floor covering.
• Ensure you have all the utilities connected at your new home, a cold, dark home, in the depths of winter would not make for safe unloading, nor for a pleasant first night.
• It is worth double-checking that you also know how to operate the heating system and water boilers.
• If your new home runs on solid fuel or heating oil, having adequate supplies for when you first move in would be prudent.
• Have your mobile phone fully charged at all times with a list of emergency contacts close to hand.
• Keep pets and children out of harm’s way by arranging for someone to look after them away from all the moving day activity.
• Ensure that any boxes that contain items that will be easily damaged by water are clearly labelled as ‘Keep Dry’.

You may also like to read: How to Move Home Safely – 14 Things You Should Know. Moving in wet and slippery conditions will add to the risks on moving day. In this guide, we look at 14 things that you should take into consideration for a safe home move.

Things to Know About Moving Home in the Winter

Maybe this section should have been entitled How to Prepare for a UK Home Move, seasons tend to merge these days don’t they?  

Anyway, moving home in ice and snow is really what this section is all about.

How to prepare your car for winter

It will be worth having your car serviced and checked over before moving day, especially if you plan on moving long distances.

A mechanical car problem on moving day will be the last thing you need so you may also want to consider joining one of the vehicle recovery organisations.

How to make an emergency winter kit for your car

This should include a fully charged mobile phone, an in-car phone charger, a snow shovel, a first aid kit, torch and spare batteries, an extra bottle of anti-freeze screen wash, a warm blanket, hi-viz tabard for everyone in the car, a back-up map in case your sat nav fails, ice scraper, de-icer, sunglasses, a flask of hot drink and some snacks.

You may also like to read: Moving Home by Car. If you are using a car during any stage of your home move then this is an invaluable guide. From how to prepare your car, to safe loading techniques, to packing a car, and games to play on the journey, this guide is packed with useful information.

Keep an eye on the weather forecast

In the days preceding your home move keep an eye on the weather forecast and take the necessary preparatory action as the weather dictates.

Check out the destination weather forecast

Don’t forget to keep an eye on the weather forecast for your destination as well, especially if embarking upon a long-distance move.

Communicate with affected parties

If there is any indication that the weather may impact upon your home move then talk to your removal company, van-hire company, and anyone else involved in your home move whose plans may be affected by the weather.

Locally you may be fine but the other end of the country, or even the county, may be at a standstill.

Review your Open Me First Box

Review the contents of your moving day essentials box and add or remove items, as the weather or circumstances dictate.

You may also like to read: How to Prepare an Open First Box. In this guide, we explain why it is so important to have a moving day essentials box and we also suggest things you may want to include in yours.

Don’t pack your winter woolies

Don’t pack away those winter woolies, or sturdy footwear if you are going to need them.

If there is even a slight chance that they may be needed why not pack a box of essential protective clothing and footwear for each member of the family?

If you don’t need them they can always be loaded onto the removal van. Remember to clearly label the boxes so you can easily identify them.

Prepare the route to the removal van

If it is icy or snowing, prepare a safe route from your home to the removal vehicle. Have a good stock of salt or sand to spread on any steps and pathways.

Protect your flooring

To prevent any damage to your flooring from the wet and mud that is likely to be trudged through your home, have some cardboard or plastic sheeting available to lay over your floors.

Don’t forget that you will need them when you unload the removal van too.

You may also like to read: How to Protect Walls, Floors, Stairs, Doors, and Ceilings When Moving Home. In this guide, we look at various ways to protect your home from dirt and damage during a home move.

Have hot beverages available

Everyone will appreciate a hot drink when the weather is cold and wet, and it will be a real morale booster.

Warm a room

As soon as possible, get a heater going in a room of your new home.

It is pointless heating the whole home as people will be traipsing in and out and you will just be wasting money.

But having one room heated will give you a refuge to defrost yourselves and can be where you put your electronic items, which are particularly vulnerable to variations in extreme temperatures.

Consider storage

Just as a precaution, speak to the removal company about the option of storage should snow, for example, mean that you are able to move out of your old home, but not gain access to your new home.

You may also like to read: How to Choose a Storage Unit. Storage units can be a great option whilst you get your new home prepared. In this guide, we look at the various storage options, the costs involved, and what to look out for when choosing a storage unit.

How to Move Home in the Rain

Absolute deluges of rain may cause some damage to cardboard, but your brand-new moving boxes are stronger than you think and will withstand a moderate amount of exposure to rain.

If you are reusing cardboard boxes, check for areas that have worn thin or are damaged. Reinforce those areas with plenty of tape.

For things which are susceptible to damp or water damage consider packing them in plastic tote boxes.

It pays to be prepared, those few raindrops can become torrential in the blink of an eye, so here are our top tips for moving home in the rain.

Wrap your moving boxes in bin liners

Have some strong rubbish sacks available to wrap around your moving boxes. You could also use industrial wrapping film which is available to buy online.

How to keep furniture dry

Industrial wrapping film is ideal for this, or alternatively, have some thick blankets, plastic sheets or good quality plastic rubbish sacks to wrap around your furniture.

You may also like to read: Plastic Wrap for Moving – How and Why it Will Make Your Home Move Easier. There are plenty of very good reasons why professional movers use plastic wrap. In this guide, we look at how and why it makes home moves so much easier.

Organise parking space

Having the removal van park as close to your home as possible will reduce the amount of time your items are exposed to the elements.

Organise this with your neighbours before moving day and ask the current owners of the property you are moving into to do the same for your arrival at your new home.

Dress for the weather

Have the appropriate clothing to wear to keep you warm and dry, and having a few dry towels available is a good idea too.

You may also like to read: What to Wear on Moving Day: Clothes, Shoes, and Protective Gear. In this guide, we suggest what is best to wear on moving day for not only your own comfort but for safety reasons.

Form a human chain

To minimize the number of feet leaving wet and muddy footprints everywhere in your home, form a human chain.

This will make the loading and unloading quicker too and minimize the time your goods are in the wet.

By the way, when it comes to moving home in rain superstition, water means money in Feng Shui.

Therefore rain symbolizes a blessing and is a sign of prosperity.

According to the belief, it is said that a rainbow is the resplendent sign of rain, which signifies the unity of yin and yang.

Every cloud has a silver lining!

You may also like to read: How to Bring Good Luck and Positive Energy to a New Home. Not only is rain considered good luck on moving day. In this guide, we look at lots of ways that you can bring good luck to your new home.

How to Move Home In Bad Weather – The Easy Way

Hiring the services of a reputable and professional removal company will take most of the hard work and worry out of your home moving, no matter what time of year or type of weather.

They will have years of experience moving people in all weather conditions and will have the knowledge and protective coverings to prevent any weather-related damage to your precious items.

Also consider that if you were contemplating a self-move, and hiring a van to transport your goods yourself, that the risk of damage to the van, and therefore a potentially hefty insurance claim, may well end up costing you many hundreds of pounds.

If you hire a removal company the risk and stress of driving in bad weather is all theirs.

You may also like to read: How to Pick a Good Removal Company. The Ultimate Step-by-Step Guide. Choosing the right removal company to help you move is essential. In this guide, we take you step-by-step through the process of finding the best movers for your home move.

Once you have decided that hiring a reputable removal company is the best option for your home move you can then dedicate your time to other home moving tasks such as changing address, preparing your open me first box and finding out all you can about your new local area.

And why not take the time to organise a homewarming party too!

That is certainly more fun than packing boxes.

Stay safe and good luck in your new home.