From Nicolae Gandrabur, CEO of Home2Home Moving Company, Tacoma
Winter isn’t necessarily the best time of the year for moving. One reason is the holidays, another reason is the cold weather, icy driveways, early sunsets and everything else that comes with a winter season can make everything feel harder. But after helping hundreds of families move from town to town in the cold seasons of Washington State, we learned how to make the process smoother than you think, if you approach it the right way.
Here are my five expert tips to make your experience not just manageable, but maybe even enjoyable.
Prepare Your Walkways Like You’re Welcoming Guests
Prior to loading the first box, ensure sidewalks, steps, and driveways are free and clear. Sand and de-ice can prevent slipping, and removing slush or leaves helps keep you and your hardworking movers safe.
A warm welcome not soon forgotten, especially on a cold day, and this conveys that the home is in good hands. And trust me, no one forgets this kindness.
Keep the Heat Where It Matters
Frequent opening of doors, can allow significant amounts of heat to escape, chilling the home to subzero temperatures. As an adjustment, I suggest partitioning off areas that aren’t in use so that warmth isn’t wasted. If there is a space heater available, it can be quite beneficial to the morale of the movers to have a warm-up period in a heater-adjacent room, so placing it where your helpers tend to take breaks will be quite helpful.
Protect Your Belongings From the Elements
Moisture damages cardboard boxes while frigid temperatures can be harsh on electronics, as well as fragile wood furniture finishes. Heavy-duty plastic wrap should be used on sofas and mattresses, and boxes should be doubled layered.
The regard that allows a client to wrap a cherished family photograph album, or a child’s stuffed toy, is a prompt to me that moving is not only furniture shifting, but a migration of warm memories.
Start Earlier Than You Think
Daylight is limited in winter, and nobody likes to unload in the dark cold temperatures. If possible, schedule your moving crew to start in the morning. Even one extra hour of daylight makes a difference to either a calm, steady relocation or a rushed, stressful finish.
Stay Flexible and Kind – to Yourself and Others
In Tacoma, winter weather can be quite capricious. Although snowstorms are uncommon, freezing rain and high winds can thwart even the most carefully scheduled agendas. Make sure to have at least one backup plan, allocate extra time than what is scheduled, and most importantly, allow yourself to relax in situations where things do not go as planned.
In all the years that I have spent relocating individuals, I’ve come to appreciate that the success stories that stand out are the resilient stories. They have overcome so many more difficulties than many of us can even imagine.
Final Thought from Nicolae
I’ve seen winter moving days that start with icy sidewalks and gray skies and end with families laughing together in a warm, half-unpacked living room. What makes the difference isn’t just planning—it’s people. It’s the neighbor who lends you an extra pair of gloves. It’s the mover who quietly wipes the snow off your box before bringing it inside. It’s the moment you take a break, sip something hot, and realize that this—right here—is the first memory you’re making in your new home.
A move is more than a change of address. In winter especially, it’s a reminder that new chapters don’t always wait for perfect weather—they begin when you decide it’s time. And sometimes, the coldest days bring the warmest connections.
So, as you prepare, remember this isn’t just about getting from one place to another. It’s about carrying your life forward with care, courage, and maybe even a little joy along the way.