8 Tips for Moving in the Summertime
Stated by long distance movers in Dallas, whether you are relocating because of work, school, or “just because”, moving can become quite a stressful process. Add the summer heat on top of it and it can be almost unbearable. But, fear not! Down below, we have gathered some of our tips and tricks for moving in the summertime. Before you know it, you will be in the place of your dreams.
1. Planning Ahead is Key
Before a huge move, making sure you are prepared is key. When that move is happening in the summertime, ensuring that you are completely prepared is even more important. If you are planning on having professional movers, hire a company at least two months before your moving date. Summer is a highly popular season for moving. If you do not hire a moving company way in advance, they might not be able to fit you into their schedule. Also, if you are in charge of the packing, purchase your packing materials as soon as possible. Since summer is such a highly popular season, you may find that it is difficult to get the materials that you need, especially boxes.
Set up your utilities to be on at least a day or two before your prospective moving date. There is nothing worse than completing your move, finally getting to your brand-new space, and then realizing that there is no A/C. Additionally, be sure to pack all of your belongings before your actual due date. Label them appropriately with the type of things that are in them. On your move day, the last thing that you should be worrying about is where random things are in your home.
2. Be Smart About Your Move-Out Date
If you can choose your move-out date, there are a couple of things that you should keep in mind before buckling down on a particular date. Choosing the right date can even help you save money, especially if you are thinking about hiring movers. Stay away from Memorial Day weekend, which is an extremely busy time for moving. The beginnings and ends of months are very popular times for moving as well. Additionally, if you can, do not pick a weekend. Choosing a weekday will help you save money and give your move as much ease as possible. Ideally, choose a weekday in the middle of the month.
3. Start Early
Getting an early start on the day will surely help you and your crew beat the heat. The day is going to be its hottest between 11 AM and 3 PM. It is best if you are not outside during that time range to avoid the effect of the heat, especially when you are constantly moving.
4. Wear Appropriate Clothing
When you are trying to conduct a successful move, what you wear on moving day is one of the largest factors in staying comfortable. Fabrics like cotton or linens are very breathable and will help you stay cool as much as possible. Also, be sure to wear light colors like whites, pastels, or tans. These light colors will reflect the sun’s rays and keep you cool.
Even though you might be tempted to wear sandals or other open-toed shoes, it would be best to wear closed-toed shoes. This protects you from the countless number of heavy objects being moved around your home, and from stubbing your toes on corners and appliances. It would also be best to not wear any jewelry that can get caught on things while you are trying to move around.
5. Stay Hydrated
Your best weapon against heat exhaustion is by keeping hydrated. Keep cold bottled water available for everyone on your team to drink. When you are out for hours on end moving heavy objects from point A to point B, you are going to end up sweating profusely. Drinking as much water as possible helps to rejuvenate the body and keep you hydrated. Before the move, it is important to drink at least 15-20 ounces of water. This helps jumpstart your body so you can stay active throughout the day. Also, be sure to make time for water breaks.
6. Take Care of Your Skin
The sun can wreak havoc on your skin. This is especially true throughout the middle part of the day (11 AM to 3 PM) when the sun’s rays are at their most powerful. Be sure to put on high-power, with an SPF of 30 or higher, sunscreen at the beginning of the move and reapply it every two hours to ensure that it protects your skin throughout the day.
7. Pack Accordingly
With the summer, comes intense heat. As you pack, you want to make sure that you keep track of the items that are vulnerable to heat. This includes linens, antiques, clothing, books, photographs, candles, and vinyl records. Additionally, electronics are extremely vulnerable in the heat and can end up warping.
If you are making a short-distance move, pack these items last into the moving truck and unpack them first into your brand-new home. If you are making a long-distance move, you may want to pack them into your own car. This ensures that they will not get destroyed throughout the move since your car is going to be temperature controlled.
8. Pack an Essentials Bag
Once everything is in the moving truck and packed away, the least of your worries should be where you packed your trusty shampoo. Pack a bag with all of your toiletries, a couple of days’ worth of outfits, and anything else you will need in the next couple of days (prescription medications, hats, etc.) When you get to your forever home, you will know exactly where the things that you need are and will not have to scramble through tons of boxes. Then, you can begin the unpacking process with a smile instead of a frown.
35.5 million Americans move each year, according to Move.org. If you have chosen to be one of the many summertime movers, the above tips will give your move the best chance of going smoothly. Be sure to stay hydrated, stay cool, and stay level-headed in the heat.