Summer Moving

Summer is almost here, which means it’s time for ice cream, swimming pools, beach trips, and barbecues. The kids are off from school, and workdays feel shorter, easier, and more carefree. For many of us, it’s the one season of the year that life seems to move slower, giving us a chance to relax and really enjoy it to the fullest.

That is, unless you’re planning on moving to a new home.

As the hottest time of the year for relocation—both literally and figuratively speaking—moving over the summer can come with its own set of disadvantages, which can easily turn this fun season into a challenging one. The good news is that by knowing how to handle them properly, you can organize a fast, smooth, and seamless move—while still having time to enjoy the rest of your summer.

If you’re moving over the summer season, here’s a guide to making the most of it—brought to you by the residential moving experts at 495 Movers.  

Moving During Peak Season

Moving can be complicated during any time of the year, but summer can be especially tricky. Summertime is the peak moving season for people in the Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia areas, and across the entire nation as well—with an estimated 70% of relocations taking place between Memorial Day weekend and Labor Day.

This means that moving during the summer months requires a bit of extra planning in advance. Reputable moving companies book their appointments early in the year and tend to fill up their available spaces over the summer months. At 495 Movers, we usually begin seeing a rise in moving appointments around the second or third month of the year, and sometimes even earlier. As a general rule, we recommend booking your desired moving date as soon as you know when you want to move—hopefully, several months in advance!

Finding a Reputable Moving Company

Because moving companies are in high demand over the summer season, it’s quite common to see new, inexperienced, and unqualified companies and scam artists taking advantage of desperate customers in need of help with moving. Unfortunately, these service companies and independent contractors are often unlicensed, uninsured, and incompetent.

The downside to hiring these types of movers can be serious, and too many people wind up losing possessions, time, and money each summer as a result. Customers should be wary of hiring residential moving companies that lack the proper training, equipment, and professionalism necessary to complete a successful, well-organized move—especially over the summer.

To avoid a potential disaster, make sure your moving company is a reputable one that has plenty of years of service in the community. Companies like 495 Movers are licensed, insured, and well-known in the area, with formal websites, social media pages, and high ratings from real customers posted online.

Staying Cool in the Summer Heat

Moving in the sweltering summertime heat can be difficult and dangerous—which is why it’s so important to be prepared. To avoid dangers like heat stroke or heat exhaustion, make sure you follow these rules for safe summer moving in the DMV region:

·  Start Early, and Quit Early: Start packing and moving your things as early as you can in the day. The earlier you can start, the more you can get done before it gets too hot to continue. Once the temperature gets too high, it’s probably time to take a break until the evening, or even until the next morning, if you can’t get it all done in one day.

·  Turn on the Air Conditioner: In the summertime, there’s nothing like entering a cool, air-conditioned home, especially when moving. On moving day, make sure to turn on the air conditioner at your old home and at the new destination to provide a bit of relief for both you and the movers.

·  Drink Water and Take Breaks: Make sure there’s plenty of water and ice on hand for you and everyone else helping with the move. Leave self-serve water stations at your old home and your new one for you and the rest of the crew to help themselves whenever they need a cold drink.

·  Know the Signs of Heat Stroke: Heat stroke, or sunstroke, can be very dangerous and even deadly. Make sure you know how to avoid heat stroke, as well as the signs of it—which include dizziness, throbbing headache, muscle weakness or cramps, nausea or vomiting, and red, dry skin, among others. 

If you’re planning a move in the upcoming summer months, let us know! The team at 495 Movers is proud to offer excellent, high-quality residential services, commercial moving solutions, and flexible storage options at affordable prices in the Washington D.C., Virginia, and Maryland areas. For more information about 495 Movers, give us a call now. You can also request a free pricing estimate in your home—just fill out our online form to get started!