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Many people may think moving in the winter is more challenging and cheaper. You may also not want to move within the holiday season. However, moving in the winter has its advantages and disadvantages. Read on for our guide on whether moving in winter or summer is cheaper.
You can learn why people move during summer, the best time to move, and reasons to consider moving in the winter. This post also concludes with pro tips for moving in the winter.
Why People Move During Summer
People generally consider spring and summer the preferred seasons for moves because of better weather conditions. There are also extended daylight hours. However, spring and summer moves are more expensive as moving during peak seasons is less budget-friendly.
In other words, avoiding peak moving seasons such as spring and summer can be worthwhile because the demand for moving services is higher. Likewise, many people move during the peak moving season. This is when school is out, so it is an excellent time to move with kids and school-age children.
When is the Best Time to Move?
House moving tasks can get overwhelming, and you wouldn't want to top it off with a less-than-ideal time to move. Nonetheless, it would be best if you still decided whether to move during late fall, winter, or early spring.
The summer months in Australia include the months of December, January, and February. The fall season usually comes from March to May. Meanwhile, some people consider March and April to be an ideal time to relocate as they can move in the fall and avoid peak temperatures associated with summer.
There are several factors to consider regarding the best time of the year to move. Your ideal time for moving depends on factors such as the following:
- Your specific moving needs
- Your budget
- Moving costs
- The distance of the move
- Convenience in terms of work flexibility and family circumstances
Cheaper months for a move
If you are looking at your budget, you may decide to move within mid-September through April. These months are the most affordable time to relocate. They are the off-peak season for movers as the demand for their services is lower. Likewise, their moving rates tend to be lower during these months.
The best time of the month to move
The demand is lower in the middle of the month because many people move at the end of the month. As such, you can choose to move in the middle of the month.
Similarly, the demand to move is higher on weekends, and the moving rates are correspondingly higher. After all, more people choose weekend moves as they have time off work. As such, you can schedule your move for a specific day of the week.
The best time of day to move
Choosing to move in the early morning hours on move day has advantages. You will have a better chance of beating traffic and completing the move on time.
Reasons to Consider Moving in the Winter
Here are some reasons to consider moving in the winter:
Cheaper moving costs
Moving during the winter months is relatively cheaper than moving during the summer months. Winter is the cheapest time for moving for the following reasons:
- Kids are usually in school, so the demand for moving companies is lower
- The winter weather discourages many people from moving, so moving rates are less expensive to reel in customers.
Reduction in costs of storage units
Another reason the cheapest house moves occur in winter is that storage unit rental fees are lower. You can store your items in between moves at a more affordable rate, and you tend to get better moving house deals.
Greater flexibility for scheduling move-day
Apart from the advantage of cheap moving costs, you can get a more convenient moving schedule during the winter months. Moving companies have a clearer schedule to accommodate your personalised requests. In other words, you have more flexibility to move according to your preferred schedule and timeline.
The weather is less sweaty and exhausting
Moving in the summer or fall seasons can be unpleasant as there are usually more hot days, and you are more likely to sweat. If you are moving in the winter, you can simply wear layers of clothing and keep shedding them to get more comfortable.
Lower home purchase prices
Moving during winter provides an opportunity for low prices on new houses. On the other hand, you may have to sell your old home at a lower price.
Disadvantages of Moving in the Winter
Here are some disadvantages of winter moves for you to consider:
Possible inclement weather conditions
Moving in the winter comes with the risk of inclement weather. The temperature can get frigid, and the presence of snow, ice, rain, and cold weather can be challenging. You can take steps to limit these risks if you move during the winter. For example, you can waterproof your packing supplies and belongings and salt the walkways.
Missing out on the holiday season
The holiday season is usually a time to spend with friends and family. You may miss out on the fun if you do not streamline your move correctly.
Fewer daylight hours
Daylight savings time usually occurs during November and tends to get dark early. You should start your move early before it gets dark.
Reduced curb appeal
In winter, homes look less appealing, and buyers tend to want to avoid renting or buying a property. You can proactively improve curb appeal by clearing off dead plants and branches, salting slippery walkways, and shovelling driveways.
Pro Tips for Moving in the Winter
You can use the following moving tips to ensure a smooth winter move:
Get help from a professional moving company
Getting help from the pros means you are less likely to have weather-related accidents occur. Inclement weather can cause unexpected delays, so arrange a backup moving date with your moving company.
Avoid the stress of a move during the holidays
If possible, do not combine a move with your holiday season preparations. Flight costs may also be higher, which can add to the stress. You can move before the holiday season or after New Year's Day.
Get multiple moving quotes and compare
You can enjoy more flexibility and lower rates from prospective movers during the winter months. As such, you have enough room to negotiate moving estimates. Getting several moving quotes from different professional movers can help you get the best deal.
Protect fragile items
The cold weather can make fragile items more brittle. You can, therefore, double-box them if you are moving during the winter. This will help to protect the delicate items from breaking during transit.
Make adequate plans for cross-country moves
You need detailed planning if you will be doing a cross-country move. The snow, ice, and bad weather conditions mean you must service your vehicle beforehand. Moving during the winter also requires keeping your tires in great shape for the icy roads.
The winter months usually have shorter days, so schedule your move to start early in the day. Plan for a safe and warm moving process for your children and pets. Arrange for a babysitter if necessary. Be sure to factor in the cost of moving pets and plan your moving process accordingly.
Make plans for storage units and moving containers
In addition to making efforts to avoid peak seasons, you can rent a truck, a shipping container, or a moving container. This is one way to reduce the cost of DIY moves. If you opt for professional moves, confirm that the moving company has resources such as van lines or moving trucks to meet your transport needs. Using self-storage services during the off-season for moving companies is cheaper as there is less demand.
Make vehicle transport plans
Winter moving requires enough preparation, primarily if you work with long-distance moving companies. These car shipping companies will need you to book their vehicle transport services well ahead of time. Do note that the auto transport company will need your vehicle to be completely empty for the service.
Professionals Can Provide Affordable Moves
From this guide on whether moving in winter or summer is cheaper, you have learned that the cheapest month to move is between mid-September and April. Fewer people move in winter than in other seasons.
A professional moving company can help you use the winter season to meet your timeline safely and efficiently. They can perform extra moving services such as furniture removal and junk removal. You can also depend on them for international and local moves.
