Moving is one of the most thrilling events – you get a chance for a fresh start while exploring new customs and lifestyles. However, relocation may not always go smoothly, and that’s for various reasons. The most common reason that can affect your move is the weather because some conditions are just not safe for moves. As much as you plan and organize and do everything on your side to make it perfect, some things like the weather you can’t control and you may find your relocation affected by rain, snow, or storm. A question that people often ask is: Do moving companies work in the rain?
Well, the answer is not simple because there are different types of rain and snow and it’s always better to let your movers decide whether it’s safe to move in the rain. Reliable and trustworthy movers will have enough experience to determine whether it’s possible to execute relocation in a specific weather situation. Before you get discouraged, it’s important to be aware of the rain and other weather conditions that may interrupt your plans, so you would know if conduct a move or reschedule it.
The easiest thing to do is to check the forecast daily while your moving day is approaching and communicate to your moving company if you’re suspecting that a storm is coming. In the meantime, here are some general guidelines that may answer the question if moving companies work in the rain.
Most movers will usually continue as usual in case it rains lightly. It’s generally safe for them to go on with their operations because there won’t be any major problems caused by weather, such as fog or other hazards on the road. Your move may not be affected at all in case of light rain, but keep in mind that you should continue only if it rains really lightly.
While light rain is usually fine, that’s not the case with moderate or heavy rain and it should be avoided. Even though rain won’t affect and damage moving vehicles and some of the equipment, heavy rain brings other risks that you or your movers should avoid. Besides having slippery pathways and potentially causing falls and injuries, heavy rain can also be dangerous for transporting your goods – fog, landslides, and slippery roads may lead to traffic accidents, and you certainly want to avoid that and have everyone safe. Most heavy rains are clearly visible on the weather forecast a few days before the specific date, so you should be able to plan and adjust accordingly.
Winter doesn’t always stop you from moving – many people move during the winter months. However, snow and sleet should be avoided as much as possible because these weather conditions pose the same risks as heavy rain does, plus, ice and snow can block roadblocks and make transportation unsafe. You’ll usually find guidelines on how to be extra cautious in case to have to move in snow and most movers will consider how bad the weather is before deciding if it’s safe to proceed with relocation. In some cases, roads may be clear and movers will decide to carry on without changing plans, but if they consider the weather to be too bad for moving, take their word for it.
Chances are that you scheduled moving services way ahead of time and you have an exact date on your mind. You planned and organized and prepared everything for your moving day, but when the day comes, you learn there’s a huge storm coming. If that’s happening and you’re feeling anxious, you should know that you’re not the first one and it’s completely normal that you feel frustrated. But think about safety and whether you want to risk damage to movers’ equipment and your belongings because storms and harsh weather conditions can cause some serious damage. If your movers think it’s better to reschedule the move and continue after the storm is gone, trust their professional opinion.
While you’re choosing the best moving company that has the lowest moving rates and great customer services, there’s another thing to pay attention to – their cancellation policy. You should know exactly what happens in case your move has to be delayed because of bad weather conditions, will they charge a fee for rescheduling, will they take extra precautions to keep your items safe during rain or snow, what’s the time frame for another date, etc. You should be especially cautious about the cancelation policy if you live in an area with frequent weather changes or if you’re planning to move during the winter months.
In case your movers confirm it’s safe to move in the rain, there are a few things you should do to get ready for this type of weather. Firstly, make sure that the pathway from your home to the moving truck is clear of obstructions and that it’s safe for everyone – place cardboard on the floor if it’s too slippery and do the same with floors inside your home. Next, make sure your belongings are properly packed and covered in order to avoid them being damaged by rain. Use plastic wrap or other moving equipment to cover your items and moving boxes. You should also make sure that the moving truck is parked as close as possible to eh front entrance so you would make it easier and faster to carry and load the boxes.
Hopefully, our quick guide helped you learn whether moving companies work in the rain, but you’ll always get the best answer if you speak directly to a representative. While most movers want to conduct your relocation as planned, some weather conditions are not ideal and can make moving unsafe. If you’d like to learn more, we’re happy to answer all questions you have. Contact Movit Movit today to chat about your upcoming move.