Cold Weather Move-in Tips

When it comes to the weather forecast in Illinois, the only thing predictable is its unpredictability. The best thing you can do is track the forecast, hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Moving during the late fall or winter in and around Chicagoland likely means dealing with some combination of blustery winds, snow, and rain. Dress appropriately, make sure your vehicle(s) have enough gas and are in tip-top shape, and reconfirm pick-up and drop-off times with your nearby moving company. In other words, put yourself in the best position to succeed despite the circumstances.

As a leader in property management near Rockford, our experienced local realtors have seen it all in terms of bad-weather moves. And we can safely say that properly securing your belongings and protecting them from the elements is vital for a safe, successful move. We recommend:

• Placing small electronics, cords, and cables in sealed, waterproof plastic bags before packing them in boxes.
• Having your moving company professionally wrap and pack your larger electronics.
• Wrapping wooden furniture, appliances, artwork, and mirrors in heavy plastic wrap or blankets.
• Shrink-wrapping your personal items, such as clothing, before packing them.

With movers and your family constantly coming and going in your new home, trails of mud or snowy slush are prone to popping up on a bad weather day. Here are some tips for keeping your new digs clean:

• Protect your entryway floors with towels and large blankets in the doorways, doorsteps, entryway, and hallway. Create a designated spot for everyone to wipe off shoes and boots before entering the house.
• If your new home has wood floors, cover the floors in the entryway with a waterproof tarp. Wood flooring is highly susceptible to water damage, leading to floors that warp, swell, and crack.
• If the weather is wet enough that your moving boxes are soaked, unpack them as quickly as possible to avoid water damage to the contents.
• Moving day hustle and bustle, combined with cold, slick conditions, is a recipe for slips and falls inside and outside the house. If it’s snowing, sleeting, or raining, make sure the driveway, sidewalks, and front doorsteps are clear of moisture and debris, and safe to walk on. Depending on how extreme the weather is, it won’t hurt to break out the salt.

When you hire a qualified moving company through a local apartment rental agency like Superior Realtors & Rental Properties, you can look forward to working with seasoned movers who have the skills and tools to keep your belongings safe and dry during a bad-weather move. If you’re preparing to move into a new home, apartment, or condo, contact us today for assistance and advice.