Moving Home in Bad Weather: Rain, Winds, Frost or Snow

If you ask a remover what the best time of year for moving house is, they’ll almost always tell you to get it done in the summer. Warm and dry weather will not only make your moving day more pleasant for everyone involved, but it will also provide optimum moving conditions.

Having to move during nasty weather can add several complications to a moving day. Rain, wind, frost and snow can all create hazards for your removers, not only on the road but also when they are carrying your belongings. In a worst-case scenario, you could even have to delay your big day, which will require you to have all the necessary contacts on standby for making any new arrangements.

Of course, you will not be expected to account for all of this on your own. Professional removers will know what hazards to look out for on the day and prepare potential workarounds, such as route changes and insurance coverage. However, they will likely ask to be informed about certain potential complications in advance.

With that in mind, let’s look at the best ways to prepare to move during nasty weather!

Preparing for moving house in bad weather

If you are moving house during the winter or spring, you will be far more likely to encounter poor weather conditions. Regardless of whether you might be facing snow, frost, rain or wind, you will want to address a few points well in advance:

• Weather and travel forecasts - Whenever you think there is bad weather on the way, there are two things that you will want to check before anything else. The first will be the local weather forecast for your moving day, as well as the forecast for your destination.  The next step will be to check for traffic reports for your chosen routes. If there is serious snow, flooding or frost, you could face stretching traffic jams or road closures. You may need to prepare alternative routes, or even make plans for the worst if there is a chance of getting stranded. Again, experienced removal companies should be able to help you prepare for any likely problems
• Parking - Do you have parking spaces that your movers will be able to use, or will they need to pay for parking on the day? How far away are the spaces from your home? You should know this in advance to avoid having to come up with a solution on the day. Try to find space as close to your door as possible, especially if conditions are dangerous
• Stairs - Carrying heavy furniture up and down stairs can be dangerous even at the best of times, but it can be seriously deadly in poor weather. Be sure to warn your removers both in advance and on the day if they will have to face any stairs either indoors or outside
• Access - If your home is located down difficult roads, or if the movers will have to carry your belongings through any tight spaces, it could cause serious delays. If you are expecting snow or ice, it will also be important to clear it from the walkways in advance of the move getting started
• Belongings - Depending on what you are transporting, you and your removers may need to do more to keep everything safe. Items like heavy or fragile furniture can require additional manpower or even specialist equipment. Because of this, letting your removers know what you want to transport in advance will be crucial. In case of rain or snow, you will also want to make sure that your belongings are secured and sealed with enough packing tape. There is no need to use unsafe containers, especially when it is so simple to find free cardboard boxes. Everything else should be adequately protected from the elements. Clothes can go into black bags, while frames should be wrapped up in plastic. Furniture should also be covered.
• Keeping clean - if your removers will be tracking in mud and slush, it will be worth taking precautions to keep both your old and new properties clean. You can avoid packing your doormat, for a start! You can also lay towels or cardboard around your entrance, to keep the floor as clean as possible. If the cleanliness will have an impact on your deposit, it may also be worth booking a local cleaner for after the move is finished. Finally, it can be worth keeping cleaning supplies on hand for the day itself, just in case
• Insurance - Your chosen removal company should be able to provide adequate insurance coverage for your moving day. This will include goods in transit insurance for your belongings and public liability insurance for their removers. If there is a chance of the weather delaying your move, you may be asked to pay an additional waiver to avoid fees for additional hours
• Poor weather policies - Experienced removal companies will have dealt with most potential problems at least once. Ideally, your final choice should have policies in place for if your moving day needs to be rescheduled. You will also want to have the number for your estate agent handy in case of you having to reschedule gaining entrance to your new property

Moving in rain, wind, frost or snow

Once you have an idea of what weather to expect, it will be time to make sure that you have the appropriate clothing. Waterproof shoes will be a must for rain or snow, as will waterproof hooded coats, gloves, hats and several layers. Remember not to take any chances, especially if you are starting off early in the day. You should also keep in mind that weather can vary across the UK, so be prepared for changes if you are making a long-distance move

On the moving day itself, it will be a good idea to wake up early and check the weather and traffic reports again in case of any unexpected developments. Certain conditions, particularly lightning storms or heavy snow, may be too dangerous to drive in, so there is always the chance of a last minute cancellation. Whatever the case may be, it will be a good idea to ask your removers for a second opinion about whether it will be safe to proceed.

Once you start out, the most important thing to remember will be to go slowly. Rainy, frosty or snowy weather can create unsafe roads as well as poor visibility. Going too fast could lead to a serious accident, especially if you expect too much out of any larger removal vehicles. You should be prepared to add a few hours to your schedule if necessary.

Finally, it should go without saying that checking your current insurance policies will be absolutely crucial in the run-up to your move. It may be that your belongings are not covered for moving days, or that you are not expected to drive in certain weather. In this case, it will be crucial to update your coverage as soon as possible. Taking the time to check this in advance could help you avoid devastating costs.