Summer is finally upon us! For a Chicago moving company, this means that our busy season has begun. There is no doubt that summer is the busiest moving season, particularly for those who are moving locally. But why is it a good time to move? Are there other better times? Are there times in the year when you should not move?
While moving during the summer has plenty of advantages, keep in mind that it might not be as easy or straightforward as you think. Some people claim that summer moves are even more complicated than moving during the winter. But with the right moving team on your side, moving in the summer is completely feasible.
Benefits of Moving During the Summer Season
Are you ready to pack up and move to a new location this summer? Let’s discuss some of the most noteworthy positives of moving in the summer season.
The Weather Is Great
Winter just makes everything harder when it comes to moving. If you have moved during the wintertime, you’ll understand the challenges that come with moving in the cold. Icy walkways, slipping and sliding on the roads, dealing with snowbanks when trying to pull up close to the curb, etc. And of course, the freezing hands and feet while lugging item after item to and fro.
Moving when the weather is warm and dry is certainly a lot easier and more enjoyable which is why summer is the peak moving season. Good weather also ensures that your stuff won’t get wet, moldy, or freeze – that helps when moving antiques or other items that are more sensitive to the weather.
Great Time for Garage Sales
Besides moving season, summer is also the garage sale season. It is just a North American thing – people love to go to garage sales in the summer, so it’s the perfect time to host a yard sale. Why not make some money while getting rid of unwanted items? It will surely help with the expense of moving.
Good Time to Sell Your House
Summer (and into fall) is also when houses start to sell. Selling and moving are two sides to the same coin. You sell, so you move. Or you decide to move, and so it’s time to sell. However it turns out, the stats are there to prove that houses (and people) move the most during summer.
Summer Break at School
Is summer or winter better for a move? After all, moving is all about timing. The school year starts in the fall, so if there is moving to be done, you should try to move before the new school year starts. Don’t forget you need to budget time to research good schools ahead of time, so summer is when you want to move to your new location. Also, it is less disruptive to move in the summer when the kids are out of school. Moving in the middle of the term is unsettling.
Moving for Work
People find seasonal work in the summer, and some of them may be forced to relocate, if only temporarily. While hiring tends to not happen in the summer as much as other times of the year, people still choose to move during the summer for an upcoming fall move.
Students Are Moving to College
Summer is also the time when college-age kids move out of the home to go to college, perhaps in another state. Even high-school graduates who decide not to go to college, or to take a year off, are also moving out of home in the summer.
With all the reasons for moving in the summer, it is not surprising to find the volume of moving that takes place during this peak season. So don’t forget that if you do have to move during this busy season, allow for the fact that movers and trucks will be in demand.
Tips for Moving in the Summer
Now that we know that summer is a good time to move, make sure to implement the following tips.
1. Be Careful When Packing
It’s possible to save money by packing your household items on your own. For items such as knick-knacks and other personal items, make sure to compile packing supplies such as packing boxes, plastic wrap, bubble wrap, and packing paper. For the larger items that are more difficult to pack, make sure to find the right packing services to assist you. Other items such as electronics should be taken into consideration as they are not very heat tolerant. If you are skeptical that some items could become damaged in the move, make sure they are the last items off of the truck and the first items onto the truck.
You can also consider investing in a storage unit for the summer that will store some items during the summer months. Always make sure that the storage unit has the ideal features for your needs and that it is climate controlled.
2. Find Movers In Advance
It’s possible to move entirely without the help of a professional team. While this is a great option to save money, it could also mean that you are stuck doing a ton of heavy lifting on your own. This can be incredibly exhausting and you run the risk of damaging your items. This is where another tip for summer season moving emerges. If your budget allows it, hiring a professional moving company can save you a significant amount of time and stress.
When looking for residential moving help, make sure to start your search sooner than later. As the summer is already a popular time to move as it is, you’ll want to call ahead of time to secure your movers so you are on their schedule.
3. Plan Your Move Early in the Morning
The summer temperatures will quickly rise throughout the day. Another summer moving tip is to make sure that you beat the heat by getting up as early as you can. It is during this time that the temperatures and humidity levels will be the lowest.
Not only is starting your day as early as possibly beneficial in terms of weather, but you can also beat most of the morning traffic by doing it this way. If possible, start by 7 or 8 a.m. for the best results. If the mornings simply aren’t feasible for you, consider waiting until later in the evening to move when the temperatures have calmed down.
4. Wear Comfortable Shoes
Another tip for the summer moving season is to make sure that you’re wearing a comfortable pair of shoes. It may seem straightforward to mention this tip, but you’d be surprised how many people make the mistake of wearing uncomfortable shoes! Wearing the right shoes is particularly important if you are going to be doing the move on your own without hiring a professional team as you will be on your feet all day. The right type of shoes will be lightweight and breathable. If possible, they will be neutral in color (except black) to avoid attracting too much sunlight and heat.
5. Turn on the AC in Your New House
Here’s another summer moving tip you won’t want to ignore. There’s nothing worse than putting in a long day of moving only to walk into your new home and realize it is sweltering hot. In situations like these, we always recommend turning on your utilities before you move so you can walk into a cool and refreshing space. Coordinating this beforehand can make your transition that much easier. If you are moving outside of the city or over a longer distance, make sure to flip on the AC as soon as you arrive at your destination.
6. Keep Your Electronics Cool
It goes without saying that you should always use extra precaution when it comes to moving your electronics during the summer months. All it takes is for one item to sit in the heat for too long for it to become damaged. Sensitive electronics include TVs, appliances, laptops, smartphones, and other smaller electrical items. The best way to keep these items in a safe condition during the move is to pack them separately and to keep them inside for as long as possible. Electronics should be some of the last items placed onto the truck and some of the first items unloaded from the truck. You can also use waterproof bins or bags to prevent water damage from occurring.
7. Have Plenty of Water Handy
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Moving in the summer months will undoubtedly require a fair amount of water to get through the day. Even if you are hiring a professional moving team, you’ll want to pack extra water and have it easily accessible to grab. Make sure that you’re hydrating in the days leading up to the move so that your body has plenty of energy and fluids during the warm summer months!
Get a Free Quote Today
Moving in the summer may seem overwhelming but it is very doable, especially with the right team on your side. Our schedules are filling quickly as peak moving season is around the corner, but there are still plenty of spots open for an upcoming summer move! We are passionate about helping with a range of moving services and we treat all property as if it were our own. Get in touch with our team at Alliance Moving & Storage today and take advantage of our free quotes.
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