Tips for Moving in the Spring
Tons of people choose to move homes in the spring, and it’s easy to see why. Spring provides movers with the perfect weather – not too hot, not too cold. It’s a fantastic time to list and sell a house, and not too busy for moving. Spring is one of the cheapest times to move because it’s just before peak moving season when prices are still competitive. Despite it being one of the best times to move, there are some things you need to keep in mind. Below are our best tips for moving in the spring.
Benefits of Moving in the Spring
Fair Weather
Spring has the ideal weather conditions for moving. Aside from the rain, you generally won’t have to take precautions against severe weather like you would for other seasons. Your best for spring moving is to find a home at the beginning of spring rather than late spring. The earlier you are in the season, the more competitive prices will be, both for homes and moving companies. You’re also more likely to get experienced movers since the moving companies won’t have their seasonal hires who come on for the busiest times of the year.
Safer Roads
In general, roads will be safer to travel on in the spring instead of the fall and winter. You won’t have to worry about driving a moving truck on ice or snow. This is also perfect if you are moving to a city because you won’t have to worry as much about parking. Many cities don’t allow parking on certain streets within a timeframe because of snow removal. When you move in the warmer months, you don’t have to worry about checking signs for parking regulations.
Sellers’ Market
Most Americans choose to move during the summer, as it’s still good weather and ideal for those with school-age children. Because of this, there’s a high demand for houses in the spring. This results in quick sales and higher offers for those looking to sell in the spring. The best part about this is that, despite being a sellers’ market in the spring, rates for moving companies and storage are still lower than in the summer months.
Garage Sales
Depending on where you live, you could take advantage of the start of garage sale season. Unlike moving in the colder months, you can try to get rid of any unwanted belongings by selling them a few weeks before moving. If you can’t sell your belongings through a garage sale before you move, there are plenty of other ways to sell your stuff before moving.
Cons of Moving in the Spring
School is in Session
If you are a parent, taking your child out of school mid-year is something you will have to think about. Many parents choose to wait until summer to allow their children time to cope with the move and get ready to make new friends at the start of the new school year. Depending on your child’s personality, this is something to keep in mind. If they are more introverted or feel deeply rooted in your community, they may have a more challenging time adjusting. We put together an entire blog about helping your children adjust to moving. You can check it out here.
Rainy Weather
Spring is notorious for rain. Water on your belongings can wreak havoc, especially if they are going into storage. While not a huge deal, prepping to move in the rain is something you should consider if you plan to move in the spring. Don’t let it be a total dealbreaker, though! Despite spring moving meaning rain may be in the forecast, there are plenty of things you can do to prepare. Getting furniture covers like mattress and sofa covers can help keep your items dry, even if it rains. Placing your belongings in plastic containers versus traditional moving boxes will ensure everything stays dry. You may have to get a bit more creative when moving in spring, but it shouldn’t stop you from moving into your dream home.
Expensive Moving Costs
Peak moving season begins in April, making the cost of moving skyrocket. If you want the best price on movers, your best bet would be to move in the winter. You can avoid some of these high costs by planning early and reserving your movers well before peak season hits and prices increase. As we said earlier in the article, plan to move in early spring if you can. Rates coming just off of winter will still be low, and you won’t have to worry about your movers getting booked.
Tips for Moving in the Spring
Plan Ahead
As mentioned before, spring is one of the busiest times of the year for moving. Because of high demand, moving companies charge more for their services. If you plan to move in the spring, plan as far ahead as possible. Lock in a rate as soon as possible, as they will go up each day you wait. If you can control your timing, try to move in early spring while rates are still relatively low coming off of the winter months.
Be Aware of Weather
Spring weather is notoriously unpredictable. Weather forecasts change constantly, and sporadic rainfalls can happen even on a sunny day. Make sure to keep umbrellas and furniture covers on hand to keep yourself and your belongings dry in case of rain. Park your moving truck as close to your home or storage unit as possible to avoid long trips where items could get wet. If anything does get wet, make sure to wipe it down to avoid mold and mildew later on.
Plan Around Traffic
If possible, plan around traffic to avoid high-traffic times. Depending on where you live, this could include Spring Break traffic or tourists. Weeknights after work or lunchtime on nice weekends are times you may want to avoid. If you’re moving to a very tourist-heavy place, try not to move on a weekend when everyone is driving there. Instead, aim for a Monday or Tuesday, when most people would not be heading there to start their vacation.
Protect Against Pollen
With spring comes lots of pollen from trees and other plants. It can quickly collect in your home, and on your furniture and boxes if you aren’t careful. Make sure to seal your boxes and cover furniture when moving. Remove your shoes when entering your new home to avoid tracking pollen through. Don’t leave your belongings outside too long, as pollen will build. When in doubt, throw sheets and covers over top of your furniture and other belongings that you could easily toss into the wash.
Take Breaks
As the weather heats up, it’s important to make sure you take breaks and keep your physical well-being front of mind. Bring lots of water, energy drinks, and snacks with you to stay hydrated and keep your energy up. Pack extra water and snacks for your movers – they’ll be grateful for it.
Overall, moving homes in the spring should be a breeze! Conditions are excellent, and nothing will get you more excited for a fresh start than a bright, sunny day to move in. For more moving tips, sign up for our once-monthly blog newsletter and check out the rest of our blogs. Best of luck with your spring move!
