Moving house is never easy, and moving house in summer makes things even more complicated. Let’s face it: when the sun is out, most of us would rather be at the beach or relaxing in an air-conditioned café. Moving house in the heat is nobody’s idea of summer fun.
But there’s good news: while Australian summers are hot, moving house in summer doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. Summer is the peak moving season in many regions, and many families prefer to move when school is not in season.
Australian summers are getting hotter, hitting new records for temperature in some parts of the country. Luckily, help is at hand to get through even the most sweltering of seasons. Ready Movers will provide some tips for moving house in hot weather and explore the best season to move house.
Tips for Moving House in Summer
No matter the time of year, some handy moving house tips can take the hassle out of your relocation. Here’s how to make moving house in summer easier:
Plan early
Summer is a busy time to move, so it’s worth planning as early as possible. Whether you’re hiring a moving company or renting a truck, the earlier you make the necessary preparations, the better. This also applies to planning for time off work.
Avoid peak days if possible
Mondays, Fridays and weekends are the busiest times for moving, followed by the beginning and end of the month. If possible, schedule your move for a mid-week day in the middle of the month.
Make a budget
Moving can be expensive, and unexpected costs can arise. Create a detailed budget that includes expenses like moving company fees, truck rentals, packing supplies, and emergency costs.
Protect your things
Some of your items, particularly electronics, are especially vulnerable to the summer heat. If possible, try to keep electronic devices like laptops, phones and tablets with you in the car rather than leaving them in a moving truck with no temperature control. Make sure you take all the usual precautions for moving, like wrapping your delicate possessions in bubble wrap.
Stay hydrated
Moving house is physically demanding and exhausting, especially if you intend to tackle the task yourself with only a close friend or two for assistance. Make sure you and your helpers drink enough water.
Wear comfortable clothing
Wear light, breathable clothing, a hat and sunscreen, and avoid dark colours that attract the heat. Make sure you choose clothing that doesn’t restrict your arm or leg movements, which can increase the risk of strains. The right footwear is essential, too. Choose both comfortable, sturdy shoes so you don’t lose your balance or drop anything on your feet, and avoid thongs.
Be mindful of children and pets
Moving house can be hard on kids and pets, especially when the weather is hot. If possible, sending them to stay with a relative makes for an easier moving day for them and you.
Positives & Negatives of Moving House in Summer
Just like every other season, moving house in summer has its pros and cons. Here are some positives and negatives of choosing this time of the year to make your move.
The positives
Days are longer
Moving is easier in the light of day, and summer has more hours of daylight for you to get the job done. That is if the good weather doesn’t distract you from the task.
Workplaces slow down
During summer, many businesses head into their quieter seasons. Shorter hours at work can free up your time for moving house.
Better weather to move in
When the sun is out, you won’t have issues like heavy rain or flooded roads to deal with. However, trying to move during a summer storm is a different story. Moving in sunny weather is safer and cleaner for you and your removal team. Plus, there’s less chance of leaving muddy footprints in your old or new house.
School holidays
The kids are off school for weeks during summer, so you won’t have to do the school drop-off or pick-up. There’s also less chance you’ll have extracurricular activities or commitments to meet.
Negatives
Removalists are busier
Because summer is such a popular time to move, finding a good removalist can be a lot harder unless you book months in advance. You may find some moving companies hire seasonal labourers who don’t give your possessions as much attention and care as the regular staff.
Higher costs
Whether you hire removalists or choose the DIY option, you may find that everything is just a little more in demand in summer and, therefore, more expensive. This applies just as much to hiring a moving van as booking professional removalists.
Heat-related risks
Heatstroke and heat-related exhaustion are major risks when moving house in summer, particularly when you forget to stay hydrated. Delicate objects like electronic goods, paintings, and antiques are also at risk of damage from overheating.
The Best and Worst Season To Move House
What’s the best season to move house? There’s no one right answer, as each season has its pros and cons.
It’s easier to book a removalist in autumn when the weather is mild but the days are shorter. In winter, you’re unlikely to have any trouble booking a removalist, but cold weather, heavy rain, and (depending on location) snow can make the experience unpleasant, if not outright dangerous. Spring has extended daylight hours and pleasant temperatures, but the weather can be unpredictable, and it’s often a busy school period for the kids.
Overall, Australians tend to move house more in January—right in the middle of summer—than in any other month in the year.
The right removal company can carry out your move to the highest professional standards no matter the time of year. If you’re wondering how to move house without all the usual stress, hiring a professional removalist offers the best and most effective option.
Stay Cool This Summer And Hire Ready Movers
No matter the time of year or the type of move, the team at Ready Movers is trained to handle all kinds of relocations with our home removalist services.
An AFRA-accredited moving company that adheres to the highest Australian removal standards, Ready Movers offers a stress-free and seamless move to suit your needs. Fully insured, with a no-damage written guarantee on local moves, we can carry out everything from moving you around the corner to long-distance interstate moves.
If you’re moving interstate, we use rail rather than transporting your furniture in the back of a truck on rough Australian highways. When you book long-distance moves with Ready Movers, you get a dedicated move manager for every step of your journey, taking the stress off your shoulders.
We can help you with the most time-consuming and least pleasant aspects of your move like packing and unpacking your possessions, assembling and disassembling your furniture, assisting with particularly large and fragile options and supplying packing materials if you need them.
Contact the Ready Movers team to find out more about our summer moving services and to get your moving quote.
