Moving In Rain, Snow, or Shine

Even if you plan every aspect of a move, you cannot always predict what Mother Nature will do. You may have to encounter rain, snow, sleet, or other less-than-ideal weather conditions on moving day. However, there are some ways that you can prepare if a situation like this were to occur.

Some regions of the United States are more likely to experience rain than other parts of the country. If you currently live in or are moving to Florida, Oregon, Washington, or Alabama, rain is a common occurrence. Just as some areas of the country are more likely to see rain, others are more prone to snow and ice. This would include New York, Colorado, Utah, and Minnesota, to name a few.

Preparation steps will vary depending on the region, so it is important to be familiar with the area. We will discuss general moving tips for rain, snow, and shine. In addition, we will go over why it is beneficial to hire a professional to handle all your moving needs, including the transport of your car.

Preparing For Move-In Day

Preparation is key to not only having a successful move but also a safe one in times of bad weather. Here are some things to do when planning a move:

Know the area. It is important to know the climate and weather of your current and future cities. This will impact how you prepare for your move. A move to Montana will be quite different than a move to California.
Follow weather forecasts and reports. Staying up to date with the weather allows you to remain informed. You will know ahead of time if there are any storms predicted to occur at the time of your move.
Dress for the occasion. If you know what the weather will be like on move-in day, then you can dress appropriately. If it will be raining, then you will want to consider wearing rain boots and a poncho or rain coat. On the other hand, if it will be snowing, then you will want to wear a winter hat and gloves.
Know what the seasons bring. Understand how seasons affect a move. In most cases, when you move is out of your control. However, you should take it on yourself to become more informed about moving in the summer versus the winter. Summer is a busy time of year for moving companies. Children are out of school. In addition, it is the time to move to college. Winter may be less popular, but it comes with the risk of wintry weather.

Moving In Rain

It is never fun when you must move in the rain. It changes your entire moving strategy. You must take some extra precautions to ensure that your possessions remain dry and undamaged. Here are some tips when moving in the rain:

Cover everything. When moving clothing, artwork, furniture, and other items, it is important to protect them from the rain. To do so, cover your items in plastic or other material that will provide protection and water-resistance. If you are moving a mattress, use a tarp to keep it dry.
Pack possessions properly. Typically, cardboard boxes are utilized when moving from house to house. However, in rain, cardboard can become soggy. If a heavy rain is expected, you may want to consider investing in plastic tubs. This will prevent items from becoming damaged by the rain. In addition, it is a good idea to place electronics in waterproof plastic bags.
Cut down on the distance. Limit how far you and your movers must travel from your home to the moving truck. Have the moving company park as close to the door as possible. This will help cut down on the time spent in the rain.
Protect your floors. Lay towels, moving pads, or tarps down in the house to prevent damage to the floors. To keep from tracking in, you can have someone, inside the home, pass boxes to someone outside the home. It would be less clean up and would keep the process organized by giving each person a specific task.
Toss wet boxes. Upon arriving, unpack your items, quickly, especially those in boxes that may have gotten the worst of the rain. Toss those boxes, so that they are not sitting for a prolonged period of time.

Moving In Snow

Snow and ice presents numerous hazardous conditions. It makes moving more of a challenge, because you run the risk of injuries. Here are some tips for moving in the snow:

Keep the driveway clear. It is crucial to have access to the driveway. The movers need to get as close to the home as possible to load and unload your belongings. You should put salt down before the movers arrive. This will make you and your movers’ lives easier. It will also help in avoiding injuries and a trip to the hospital from any falls.
Have a Plan B. A move may be postponed if the weather is too bad for the company to drive on the roads. You should stay in contact with the moving company, and understand what would happen if a delay were to occur.
Set up utilities beforehand. Make sure the utilities are set up and working in your new home before you arrive. You want to have heat and hot water in your new home.
Keep hot beverages available. Coffee and hot chocolate are good to have on hand. These will keep you warm during the move, even when the weather outside is dreadful and cold.
Purchase extra gloves. Keep mittens or gloves on your hands. Buy a few extra pairs, just in case. You can buy them for a reasonable price from a dollar store or other local store.
Unpack electronics first. Electronics and other items are more sensitive to the cold weather. Therefore, you should unpack these items first upon arriving to your new home.

Moving In Shine

Even when you are moving when the weather is nice and sunny, you should take certain precautions. This is especially true if you are going to be moving items from your home and spending time outdoors. Here are some tips when moving in the heat:

Beware of heat exhaustion, sunburn, and dehydration. These are all concerns when spending an extended period of time in the sun. Know the warning signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Drink plenty of water. It is important to remain hydrated when you will be working out in the sun. Keep a water bottle on hand.
Protect yourself from the heat. Protect yourself by applying sunblock and by wearing either sunglasses or a hat to shade your eyes from the sun. Wear lightweight clothing, and take frequent breaks.

Hiring The Professionals

When it comes to a move, you have two main choices. You can either hire a moving company or do it yourself. There are many advantages to hiring a professional. Movers have the skills, experience, and tools to keep your possessions safe. In the case of an auto transport company, this would include your vehicle.

Driving (Do-It-Yourself Move):

When driving in poor weather, you must take into consideration the hazards. It is important to reduce distractions to remain focused on the road ahead of you. Below, you will find tips for driving under each of the following conditions:

Rain

Check windshield wipers. It is important to perform proper maintenance on your vehicle. Rain not only creates hazardous road conditions, but it reduces visibility.
Do not rush. Traveling too fast can cause the vehicle’s tires to lose traction, resulting in hydroplaning.
Give yourself enough time. Every driver must remain alert. It is typically recommended to leave a 3-second distance between yourself and the car in front of you. However, you may want to give yourself more time to react when driving under these conditions.
Turn your lights on. Lights help improve visibility. You want to be able to see where you are going.

Snow

Use snow tires. Snow tires are intended for use on snowy roads. They help with traction and grip.
Drive at a reduced speed. It will take longer to get somewhere, because you will want to be cautious.
Proceed with caution. If you do not have to get out on a snowy road, it is best to stay home. Do not run the risks of slides, skids, and other wintry road hazards.

Learn more about auto safety tips.

Auto Transport:

Going this route will mean that an auto transport company will come directly to your home to pick up the car. This is known as door-to-door auto transport service. Then, you will travel via an airplane to your destination. There are multiple benefits of using a car transport company. Here are a few of the benefits:

Safe – Leave it to a professional who is used to driving under these conditions. By choosing to ship your car, you will not have to drive on the road and battle these conditions.
Easy – With National Dispatch, a free, instant car shipping quote is just a call or click away. Our car transport quote is different. We do not require any personal information.
Save Money – Professional residential movers are trained to safely move your belongings. Similarly, an auto transport company is trained to safely transport your vehicle. These companies will have all the necessary tools to ensure that your most prized possessions are not damaged in the move. Replacing items due to a DIY move could become costly.

Auto Transport Options – Weather

When it comes to shipping your car, you have two main methods of transport. You can choose open auto shipping or enclosed auto shipping. Which auto transport service is recommended? Which is best suited for your vehicle?

Open Auto Shipping

Typically, open auto transport is the method of choice. This is because it is the most economical. In other words, it is cheaper than enclosed auto transport. This method utilizes an open-air carrier. It is usually multi-level. However, there are also single-level carriers, but they are less commonly used. The vehicle will be placed on a carrier with up to nine other vehicles. Since the car is exposed to the environment, the vehicle may encounter dirt, dust, grime, and other elements typical of the road.

Learn more about open auto shipping.

Enclosed Auto Shipping

You may want to use enclosed auto transport if the weather is predicted to be poor where your car is being shipped. This method of transport is commonly recommended for owners of high value vehicles. This would include luxury, exotic, and classic cars. These cars may not be driven daily and may be stored in a garage. Therefore, they are not exposed to the outside elements. Enclosed auto shipping provides extra protection and added peace of mind. The car will be placed in a carrier will sides and a roof, shielded from the weather and all road elements.

Learn more about enclosed auto shipping.

National Dispatch

National Dispatch is a nationwide car transport company with a company-owned fleet. We transport vehicles all over the country for residential movers, business professionals, military personnel, dealerships, snowbirds, vacationers, construction teams, and more. We provide both open and enclosed auto shipping, as well as door-to-door auto transport. In addition, we offer guaranteed shipping if you need your car as soon as possible.

We ship vehicles of all makes and models. This would include cars, trucks, SUVs, vans, and motorcycles. We also transport classic, exotic, sport, and luxury vehicles. We also have the means to ship your non-running car. Our top priority is to transport your car safely to its destination. We accomplish this by providing the best customer service.

Moving is stressful, but it does not have to be with National Dispatch. We are here to help with all your car transport needs. Use our online quote calculator to request a free, instant car shipping quote. No personal information is required. You can also call us at 800-321-2051 to speak with a representative.

Moving Time Does Not Have To Be Stressful

As a member of the armed forces, Mike has just been told that he is being relocated from his home in Charleston, South Carolina to “The Golden State”, California. As a husband to a beautiful wife, Linda, and a father to two young daughters, this move will be a difficult one. The family must pack up all their belongings and move across the country, where the children must start a new school and make new friends.

It is apparent that moving to a new home across the country can be stressful. If you are in the military, moving may be a more frequent occurrence. However, this does not make the process any less distressing.

If you are in the armed forces, like Mike, or relocating to a new home with your family, we, at National Dispatch are here to assist you. We have created for you a list of the common stressors associated with the moving process and tips on how to create a stress-free move, including suggestions on what to do with one of your most valuable belongings, your car.

Why Is A Move Stressful?

Moving to a new home is an exciting experience, but it is also a stressful one. Everyone in the family must re-adjust to life in the new house.

There are many unanswered questions. What will the new neighbors be like? What does the community have to offer, in terms of events, activities, etc.? Will the children like their new school?

Below you can find a few reasons why moving is stressful for all family members:

Labeling, labeling, labeling. All belongings should be packed into boxes and then labelled so that none of your possessions are lost in the move.
It’s an energy-sucker. It requires physical effort to move from one location to another, or you must pay for the assistance of others. Even if you pay a moving company, you still must unpack your belongings yourself.
There’s an endless To-Do List. When you move to another state or even another city, there is a long list of tasks that must be taken care of. You must worry about establishing accounts for utilities, updating car registration, and receiving your mail.
Settling in takes time. It takes time to become comfortable in your new home. You have to get back in the swing of things.
Think of the children! If you have children, they must leave their old friends behind and make new friends at a new school. This can be stressful on the parent of a child, as well.
What if I lose something? During the move, you may constantly worry about losing a prized possession.
What about the car? The car is valuable for the family. It gets you to and from work and takes the children to school. You may wonder, “How am I going to get my car all the way across the country?” and “If I do not drive the car, who am I going to trust?”.

This list is not to deter you from moving, because more often, than not, it may be inevitable. Moving should not be looked at in a negative fashion. Instead, it should be viewed as a new journey for your family. This list is to show you what to expect in the days before, during, and after your move and guide you in relieving stress associated with the move.

Creating A Stress-Free Move

It can be frustrating and overwhelming knowing that you must pack up all your belongings and move them to another home.

Below are some ways that you can reduce the stress associated with moving:

Have a positive attitude. This is a number one priority. When you are happy, you create an inhabitable environment for stress.
Organize and de-clutter your life, starting with your closet. Throw away all the items in your wardrobe that you are never going to wear again. Then, move on to the rest of your house. Do you really need to hold on to that high chair? If your child is getting into their teenage years and you are not going to have another child, consider donating it to someone who might use it. It will be one less thing to carry to your new home.
Ask your friends and family for help. The more, the merrier. The less tasks on your To-Do list, the less stress that you feel in the moving process.
Give yourself enough time. I think that this goes unsaid, but do not wait to pack everything the night before. This will only add stress and make you grumpy. Then, everyone in the family will be in a bad mood come move-in day, creating a rough start to your brand-new journey.
Upon moving in, get involved. Volunteer at your child’s school, or join an exercise program at the local fitness club. These are both great ways to get out into the community and meet new people.
Make sure your belongings are taken care of. Not only should you package all items with care, but you should take special note of where you pack important documents, such as passports, social security cards, and birth certificates. If you have children, you want to make sure that you do not leave behind their favorite toy or security blanket. Protecting your belongings are key, because you do not want to worry the whole plane ride if you forgot something at your old home.

As we talk about passports, birth certificates, and children’s toys, we have forgotten to mention one important valuable, the family car. How do we get the car across the country? What do I do if I do not want to or cannot drive it to my new home? These questions and more will be answered in the following section.

Shipping The Family Car

Why Use A Car Shipping Company?

Imagine this, you are sitting in a car, driving, for a total of thirty-seven hours, while your family is flying in an airplane to your new home in California in about four hours. You must stop for gas, pay for a hotel to sleep along the way, and have money to eat. How exhausting and stressful does this situation sound? This would be Mike, who is moving from South Carolina to California, if he did not hire a car shipping company, instead.

If the above situation does not stray you from driving yourself across the country, below are a few reasons why a car shipping company is the way to go:

It is easier. The professionals will come to your home, pick up your car, and load your car onto the car carrier. Essentially, all of the hard work is done for you.
Less miles, less wear, less tear. Let’s take Mike’s situation, for example. If you were to drive from South Carolina to California, that would put approximately 2,600 miles on your vehicle. More miles means more wear on the tires. This is less than ideal.
Worry-free. You no longer should stress about how you are going to get your car to your new home or what would happen if you got into an accident on this long journey across the United States.
What about the money? If you were to drive across the country, you would have to spend money on a variety of expenses, such as a hotel room, food, and gas. Instead, put that money towards car transport.

Why Use National Dispatch?

After outlining the reasons for choosing a car shipping company, you may be convinced. However, you may ask, “How do I go about choosing the right one for me?”. Check out a few reasons why National Dispatch is unique in the auto transport industry:

Company-owned fleet. Not all car shipping companies own their own trucks.
Get an instant free car-shipping quote anytime. No personal information is needed for the free quote. All we need is the vehicle make and model, pickup location, and delivery location. You will receive your quote in seconds!
Dedication to Customer Service. We care about our customers, and receive business from repeat customers frequently.
Pick-up and delivery is in a Timely Manner. We do all of the heavy work for you, and door-to-door service is provided.
We transport a variety of vehicles. We ship motorcycles, classic cars, and other vehicles (running and non-running).
Relocation anywhere within the United States. No matter where you are moving within the country, we are happy to assist you.
We offer both Open and Enclosed Auto Transport Services. We offer open and enclosed transport options to suit your needs. Your vehicle can be shipped in an enclosed trailer, free from dust, grime, and elements of the road.

Knocking Out The To-Do List

Now, we have identified the common stressors associated with moving, ways to alleviate stress during the move, and how to ship your vehicle. What about that long To-Do List that we mentioned earlier? We have outlined for you a few important places and people that need to be notified upon a change of address.

Below you will find a list of companies and services to notify:

Utilities: This includes the Water Company, Supplier of Electricity, Telephone and Internet Provider, and Cable or Satellite TV Provider.
Updating your Medical Records: If you are moving within range of your current doctors’ offices, you can notify them of your change of address. If you are moving to another state, then you will need to find another physician. When looking for a new doctor, check to see if the new physician accepts your insurance and meets your needs as a health-care provider.
Voter Registration: If you intend on voting in the next election, you will need to update your address.
General Subscriptions: You can forward your mail to your new home for a period of time. However, you will eventually need to update the address for any magazine subscriptions, etc.
Finances: If you have credit cards, you will need to update the billing address on your account to ensure that you receive statements. This will ensure that you pay them on-time, without late fees.
Car-related: It is important that you update your car registration and driver’s license upon moving. There is a limited amount of time to do this. You can go to http://dmv.org for more assistance on this process. However, we have listed a few points to consider when updating this information for your vehicle.

Here are a couple of points to keep in mind when updating your driver’s license and car registration:

Time is of the essence. Many times the DMV gives you 30 days to update your driver’s license, but in some states, such as California, you only have 10 days.
There are numerous ways to accomplish the task. You can update your information in-person, online, or by mail. This makes it fast and easy.

Thank You

We hope that these moving tips will prove to be useful to you in the future and that you choose us, at National Dispatch, for all your auto transport needs. Best of luck to you in the moving process, and I hope that it is a stress-free experience.

At National Dispatch, we would also like to extend a sincere thank you to all active duty and retired military personnel. Your service, sacrifice, and courage is incomparable and thus deserving of recognition.

National Dispatch is here to help alleviate some of your stress. If you are moving across the country, like Mike, or simply want to ensure that your vehicle is taken care of in the move, go to https://www.nationaldispatch.com/ to receive a free instant car shipping quote or call us at 800.321.2051.

Posts Tagged ‘Why Use a Car Shipping Company?’

Battling The Weather On Moving Day