It’s no surprise that Summer is the busiest moving season of the year: school is out, vacation time is up for grabs, and long weekends are abundant. In fact, over 80% of moves take place between April and September! So if you’re planning to join that percentage, there are some things to keep in mind in order to have a safe, efficient, and easy move.
Keep reading to hear our Do’s and Don’ts of planning a Summer move!
DO:
DO Prepare for the heat. Stock up on water bottles, ice packs, box fans, spray bottles, plenty of refreshing snacks, and damp cold towels. And don’t forget about your movers! Be sure to offer them heat precautions to keep them safe.
DO Take care of pets and keep them inside. If you can, take them to a friend’s house or to doggie daycare. Unsupervised dogs can become a tripping hazard for movers and leaving them outside in the heat is dangerous for their health. On the other hand, cats should go in a small room away from moving boxes and furniture so there is no concern they’ll get out while doors are open. Be sure to give them food, water, their litter box, and maybe even a fan to stay cooled off.
DO Set up your utilities at your new home so you can have your AC running before you start moving in (and so you can take a nice long shower when it’s all done!)
DO Schedule your move early in the day to avoid peak sun and heat. The more you can get moved before the sun is at its highest and hottest, the less you’ll have to worry about sunburn or heat exhaustion, which can be very dangerous.
DON’T:
DON’T Wait until the last minute to schedule. Hire movers early to avoid companies being booked out. Because Summer is peak moving season, the later you wait, the more expensive it’ll be and the less likely you’ll be able to schedule at a convenient day or time. The same goes for renting a truck for a DIY move—don’t wait until all of your options are gone.
DON’T Avoid getting help. Especially if you’re moving when its hot, it’s important to avoid overexerting yourself. The more help you have the less likely anyone is to overdo it.
DON’T Wait until the last minute to pack—start early so you aren’t stressed when the big day comes. It’s important to pack well so that all your items arrive in one piece and are easy to find.
DON’T Forget to consider the temperature when packing things like electronics, candles, and other sensitive items. You’ll need to take extra care packing more these items since they may be sitting in a hot truck for a while.
So whether you’re hiring movers or you’re planning a DIY move, keep these things in mind and you’ll be on your way to a safe Summer move! And if you are looking for help planning, packing, or coordinating (or all three!) we’re ready to match you with an assistant who will make your move smooth and stress free!
