While it certainly doesn’t get as cold in Australia as it can in some other countries across the winter months, that doesn’t mean we are exempt from bad weather. Many parts of Australia still get plenty of rain and chillier days during winter. Moving in winter add an extra dimension to the move, which requires additional planning – get ahead of it by using our advice below if you’re planning on moving in winter.
Confirm the Date and Time
The last thing you want to do is be waiting for your house removalists in Melbourne, only to realise that you got the date wrong! It always pays to contact your professional movers ahead of time just to double-check the date and time of your move. This will prevent any disasters from occurring on the day.
Plan for the Weather
Whether you’re moving from Melbourne to Brisbane or just across the city, you’ll need to check the weather forecast so that you can come up with a plan of attack. Knowing what to expect on moving day can help you tremendously during your preparations for moving.
For example, if no rain is expected, then you can go about your move as usual. If it looks like there might be heavy rain on moving day, it may be worth investing in some tarps to cover your precious items as they are transported between your place and the moving van. This can prevent furniture such as couches or beds from getting wet so that they are ready to use right away after unloading them at your new house.
Get a Pet Sitter and/or Babysitter
If you are moving in winter, paying for someone to look after your children or fur babies is well worth it. Not only will they not be underfoot while you’re trying to get stuff done and complete the last-minute packing, but you don’t need to worry about them getting wet or muddy and getting everything dirty again! You will save a lot of time and hassle by knowing that your children and pets are safe somewhere else, and you can get on with the job at hand.
Ideally, leave them with a friend or grandparent, but you won’t regret paying for a babysitter if necessary. Book the person in for the whole day to make things easier on yourself – that way, at least you can start unpacking before you go and pick them up. You can even get their bed ready before they get home to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Start Early
Don’t forget that the daylight hours are still getting shorter! So, it’s best not to leave your move until late in the day. In fact, all year long when it comes to moving, earlier is better. The sooner you move your belongings out of your last place, the more time you’ll have to clean it, and the more time you’ll have to set up your possessions at your new home. Otherwise, you’ll need to give yourself some leeway with the end of your lease, so you have time to go back and clean later in the week. Get it all done and out of the way early so that you can start fully enjoying your new home.
Protect Fragile Items
In winter, there is more risk that you could slip and drop a box. Make sure that you fully protect all of your most cherished fragile items to prevent them from getting damaged. Invest in a roll of bubble wrap or use clothing and sheets to wrap around larger things that need a buffer in case of disaster. That way, you don’t have to stress every time someone picks up a box, as you’ll know that it can likely survive a fall.
Cover the Floors
If you are expecting rain on moving day, the obvious thing that goes hand in hand with it is mud. Your family, as well as your professional movers, will all be traipsing in and out of the house, but taking shoes off will be time-consuming and impractical when carrying heavy furniture. Instead, you can use old sheets, tarps, or anything else you don’t mind getting dirty as a floor covering. Place these over the carpet on the main entryway and any other high-traffic areas to keep your floors as clean as possible.
You may still need to allow time to clean your floors again after all of the items are out of the house, especially if you’re dealing with a landlord who expects a completely clean home when you return the keys. Easymove does offer end of lease cleaning services in addition to being house removalists in Melbourne. You can always book this option at the same time you book our moving services to reduce hassle and save time, so you can spend longer getting your new place set up and less time cleaning.
Keep Gear in Your Car for Emergencies
Keeping things in your car is the best way to have them close by without the risk of being accidentally loaded onto the moving van. So, create yourself a kit of things you may need in your car. In winter, this should include a first aid kit, gloves, warm hat, scarf, rain jacket, and some snacks.
Don’t Get Friends to Help You Move
It might be tempting to skip the professional movers and ask your friends to help you move, but this is a mistake. When you’re moving in winter, there is plenty that can go wrong when your precious furniture is in inexperienced hands. Couches carefully carried outside can get dropped and get all dirty and wet on the ground. People can slip on wet patches, causing breakage to your belongings. It’s just not worth the risk or the stress.
Booking professional movers is no doubt the best way to go. Give Easymove a call today to find out more about what we can offer you to make your winter move go smoothly.
