Almost everyone plans their move during the summertime. Children are on a break, and the weather is pleasant. Even though it seems that moving in the summer is the best option, there are some challenges one can encounter along the way. Follow our tips and tricks so you can adequately pack, choose a relocation company, and keep your belongings safe from extreme temperatures and high humidity levels.
So, is it good to move in the summer and why do more people move in the summer? The season is convenient for relocating since the children are out of school, and it is the peak selling season. Kids won’t have to deal with adjusting to a new country and school in the middle of a school year. Also, summertime is the season for selling homes since the demand is very high. However, movers are booked throughout the season, so it might be difficult to schedule a move. Also, you have to know some helpful relocation tips to protect your belongings from scorching hot days.
If You Want to Move Successfully, Plan Ahead of Time
Moving internationally can be stressful and overwhelming. It just seems like there is not enough time to accomplish everything. That is why making a plan in advance is of the utmost importance. The sooner you book your movers, gather important documents, purchase packing supplies, and start boxing up your belongings, the better!
For instance, in case you want to relocate in July, you should already hire a trustworthy company and start crossing off tasks from your moving abroad checklist by mid-May or early June. The earlier you start, the better organized you will be when the relocation date arrives.
Avoid Preparing to Relocate to a New Home on a Weekend
In case you are wondering is it more expensive to move in the summer, you should know that even though it is costly, you can avoid paying a high price for the move if you know when to book the move during summertime. When you decide on the month you want to relocate and start preparing your belongings, avoid scheduling the date of the move on the weekend and the end of the month.
This is the busiest time of the year for relocation, which means that it will be more expensive, too. Delays and cancellations are possible since there are too many booked moves for these days. You will move far more efficiently if you settle on a date in the middle of the month and on a weekday. Most people tend to relocate on the Memorial Day weekend and the last week of July since it is close to the start of the next school year. Therefore, when you start planning, bear in mind that weekdays would be the best time to schedule the date of the move.
Search For Professional Movers You Can Trust
You might be wondering – how do you move in summer successfully? Well, the key to pulling off a move during the summertime is hiring a reliable international moving company. It is vital to find reputable movers who will show up during peak season and who are experienced and trustworthy. Knowing that you have the best crew will keep relocation stress at bay.
Research all the companies you can find on the Internet. Read testimonials as well as customer reviews. If you are still not confident in your decision, ask friends and family members for help and recommendations. Invest in a relocation company that will offer you a free in-home estimate, partial or full packing services, and the option to choose between various international moving services.
When Booking Moving Services, Reserve the Morning Slot
If it’s possible, schedule the arrival of your crew for the early morning. This is the best way to escape the midday heat. Therefore have the crew load the truck as early as possible. It will be easier to stay cool and hydrated, and your valuable relocation essentials won’t be exposed to direct sunlight. For instance, it is essential to keep your electronic devices protected since they can get overheated and ruined. If you make sure to book the movers a month or even two months earlier, it will be possible to schedule a morning move.
Don’t Forget to Ship Your Vehicle Overseas
It might slip your mind that you also require your vehicle to be transported. If you are not sure whether purchasing a new vehicle upon your arrival in a foreign country is the best option, don’t forget to request vehicle shipping. So, upon booking your international relocation company, get all information about shipping a car overseas.
If you decide to invest in overseas vehicle shipping services, make sure to prepare your car for transportation. Wash the car properly and take out all the documentation you might keep inside. Disable the alarm and hand over the keys to the professional relocation crew.
Packing Tips For Moving in the Summer
You’ll be transporting a lot of things, and you should know all the tips for moving in the summer heat and how to properly pack and prevent things from breaking. You will first have to decide what you want to keep and what can be discarded. If it is possible, opt to pack only those belongings that you cannot live overseas without. Other things that can be replaced and that you can buy when you move, you can leave behind. Everything you don’t require can be donated or sold if you don’t want to see them in a bin.
Tips for Getting Rid of Old Things – Organize a Yard Sale or Donate
Summertime is the season of yard and garage sales. Take advantage of the nice weather while you can and sell everything you won’t be shipping overseas. Invite friends, neighbors, coworkers, or family members to stop by and see whether they can find some of your old belongings useful.
Are you still holding on to camping gear, old fishing rods, vintage china, board games, books you won’t read again, and antique jewelry you don’t really like? Sell anything that has been collecting dust in your home for the longest time. That is an excellent way to declutter and earn a bit of extra money for the move. What doesn’t get sold can be donated to the local Goodwill or a charity of your choosing.
Start Packing Things You Don’t Require Right Away
When you begin to sort out your belongings and start filling cardboard boxes, first pack stuff you are not going to use in the period before the move. Things that most people would want to pack first when moving overseas in the summertime are:
- Winter clothing,
- Holiday decorations,
- Books,
- Artwork,
- Least used appliances,
- Linen and extra bedding,
- Collector’s items.
As you start packing your belongings, there is a chance you will have to purchase more cardboard boxes and supplies. If you begin to pack in advance, you will realize what you need to purchase more of so that you don’t have any issues on the day of the move.
Separate Sensitive Items and Pack Them With Extra Care
There are particular sensitive items that cannot be easily moved in hot weather. These include certain electronics, perishable food, candles, and even indoor plants. It is important to take precautions and keep them protected from high temperatures.
You will have to plan how to pack and move them to the new city. For instance, perishable food and candles are among the items movers won’t move, so you will have to take them with you if you want them to be transported. For food, use coolers with ice packs if you don’t want it to get spoilt. If you don’t have to, don’t move your indoor plants since they will likely be damaged.
Electronic devices such as smartphones, appliances, and laptops should be placed in waterproof bins and bags. Make sure to keep them in a cool place at all times. They should be the last to be placed in the relocation truck and the first to be taken off the truck.
Watch this video for additional advice on how to pack fragile items, furniture, and valuable belongings:
Tips for Surviving the Heat on Relocation Day
It is beneficial to know some relocation hacks for the day of the move. There are simple tricks and tips you can follow so as to avoid getting dehydrated and fatigued. The process will go smoothly if you make sure to:
- Wear light clothing,
- Hydrate every 20 minutes and have extra water bottles around,
- Apply sunscreen, at least SPF 30, to avoid getting sunburned,
- Don’t drink alcohol or coffee because it can dehydrate you,
- Wear sunglasses that have a UV protection label,
- Don’t neglect the signs of exhaustion, confusion, headaches, and nausea,
- Start the move early in the morning.
Take Care of Your Movers
Is summer the best time to move? Perhaps if you asked your movers, they would probably tell you flat out – No. They are usually booked all throughout the season, and they will most likely have to relocate more than one house on the same date. That is very hard to pull off, so make sure to take care of the crew while they are in your home.
The workers will have to load and unload the truck on a hot summer’s day, so they will quickly get exhausted. Make sure to always have extra water and drinks so they can stay hydrated. Also, have some soap and cold, damp towels in the house so they can freshen up after working hard and sweating all day.
Take Care of Your Pets and Children
How should you keep your children and pets out of the heat while your house is filled with cardboard boxes, suitcases, and packing supplies? They will quickly get bored in the house and will likely go outside. The doors must be opened, so the air-conditioning will not keep the home cool.
The best thing one can do is to reach out to relatives and friends and leave your children with them ahead of your move across the world. If you are relocating with dogs or any other pet, a good idea would be to leave them in a pet daycare.
Don’t Keep These Items Outside on High Temperatures
There are particular belongings vulnerable to high temperatures, so it would be best to always keep them in a cool place. Cardboard boxes filled with these things shouldn’t be left outside in the sunlight for too long or in the relocation truck for extended periods. These belongings include:
- Medicine,
- Batteries,
- VHS tapes or cassettes,
- Electronics,
- DVDs,
- Cosmetics,
- Cleaning products.
What Season is Best for Moving?
If you don’t think you are up for the challenge of relocating during summertime and have second thoughts, we recommend you consider scheduling your move for another time. The best period for relocating is from mid-September to April. The demand slows down during these months, so it will be easier to book a reputable company, and the prices will be lower. So, for those wondering what month is the best to move in, we recommend opting for February and March since it is after all the holidays, and you will most likely get a great deal.
Don’t Worry, With These Tips and Tricks, Summer Move Will Be a Piece of Cake
Sometimes relocating during summertime is the only option. But even though it will be challenging, you will be able to manage everything by following this useful advice. So, without further ado, write down a relocation to-do list, hire an international relocation company, stock up on water bottles and prepare a high-quality sunscreen. Stay away from direct sunlight, and wear light clothes and a hat. Life abroad awaits, and you will be ready for a new chapter after an arduous move.