15 professional tips for moving in the summer

Summer is the time of the year when most relocations take place. The kids are out of school, the weather is generally favorable, and most people choose to take time off work during the summer. However, summer presents some unique moving challenges that you might want to account for, especially if moving across long distances. The first thing you will want to do is secure the help of some of the best long distance movers around. While relocating on your own is definitely a possibility, the presence of professionals simply makes everything easier. But even with professional help, you will want to be thoroughly prepared for the move. To make things easier for you, we have compiled a few of our professional tips for moving in the summer.

Professional tips for moving in the summer

1. Hire a professional mover
2. Get quotes from multiple moving companies
3. Prepare your packing supplies ahead of time
4. Keep an eye on the forecast
5. Hydrate often
6. Prepare snacks
7. Wear a sunscreen
8. Wake up early
9. Take regular breaks
10. Prepare some wet towels
11. Have a set of spare clothes handy
12. Learn to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion
13. Have a plan for heat-sensitive items
14. Turn up the air conditioning
15. Be mindful of your pet’s needs

Of course, as with every relocation, you will also want to prepare a moving budget and moving checklist, and enlist some help from friends and family. The more people you have helping you with the move, the easier it is going to be. And if you’re planning a nationwide family relocation, you will want to hold a family meeting and ensure that everyone is on the same page. All of the “standard” rules of moving still apply, such as transferring your utilities on time, preparing an essentials bag, etc. With that in mind, let’s take a look at our professional tips for moving in the summer in a bit more detail.

Tip #1 – Hire a professional mover

The most essential tip we can give you is to hire a professional mover for your relocation. DIY relocations may be somewhat less costly on paper but when you account for everything you will need to do, they may end up being more costly than if you were to hire professionals. This, of course, depends on your line of work and how much money you could potentially make in the time it takes for you to relocate. Hiring professional movers will make everything easier, though. You can get help with packing your home for relocation, access to high-quality moving supplies, professional advice, etc. However, hiring professional movers might take some additional time so make sure that you start looking for them early enough.

Tip #2 – Get quotes from multiple moving companies

The reason why hiring movers is a time-consuming affair is the fact that you never want to go with the first quote you receive. Chances are that you can get a much better deal if you “shop around” for a bit. Therefore, what you may want to do is get in touch with several moving companies and get a free quote from each one. In case of long-distance relocations, you will want to either find companies that offer free in-home estimates or pay to get a binding quote. You never want to undergo a long-distance relocation without a binding quote, as that opens you up to common moving scams. The more quotes you get, the easier it will be to figure out which moving company offers the best deal. It might take a while to find the best mover but it is more than worth it in the end.

Tip #3 – Prepare your packing supplies ahead of time

The last of our general moving tips includes obtaining packing supplies ahead of time. You can procure these supplies for your movers or you can get them on your own. The best thing to do, financially speaking, is to obtain as many free supplies as you can. Getting free packing supplies is one of the best money-saving tips when hiring movers, after all. You can get moving boxes from your local grocery stores, they will usually be able to send a few boxes your way. As for assorted packing materials, you have two great options. First, you can search the internet for people that are giving away their supplies. Note that this might not always be possible and will usually require a significant time investment. Second, you can browse various online marketplaces where people are selling their excess supplies.

Tip #4 – Keep an eye on the forecast

During the summer, the weather can be rather unpredictable at times. Summer storms are not all that infrequent and you will want to ensure that your relocation avoids them if possible. While you can never completely “predict” the weather, keeping an eye on the forecast can provide you with much greater chances of moving in great conditions.

Tip #5 – Hydrate often

During the summer, your body’s reserves of water are getting depleted at a much higher rate. That is why you need to ensure that your water intake is adequately increased. Always have a bottle of water near at hand and take regular sips. You don’t want to wait for too long between drinks, either. It is much better to drink small amounts of water more frequently than it is to gulp a gallon of water in one go.

Tip #6 – Prepare snacks

Moving in the summer might make you think that you’re not hungry but your body still needs the fuel. You will be exerting yourself and sweating a lot and you will need something to keep your energy levels high. The best snacks for the occasion include granola bars and fruits, as well as anything that is nutritious, small, and can be taken on the go. Try to avoid any salty snacks, though, as they will only make you thirstier.

Tip #7 – Wear a sunscreen

Whenever you are out in the sun for a prolonged period of time, it is smart to wear sunscreen. Sunscreen will help protect you from heat exhaustion and heat stroke alike, as well as prevent sunburn.

Tip #8 – Wake up early

Morning is the best time to do any physically demanding tasks in the summer. The temperatures will be at their lowest, allowing you to comfortably go about your business and avoid many of the risks of moving by yourself. And it will also help you finish everything in time!

Tip #9 – Take regular breaks

Even if you don’t feel overly tired, it is a smart idea to take a 15-minute break every hour or two. While you may want to get everything done in the shortest amount of time, overworking yourself in the summer might lead to heat exhaustion and you being bedridden for the next day.

Tip #10 – Prepare some wet towels

Having a few wet towels around the home is great for cooling and toweling off as the need presents itself. Sweat can easily get in the way and create accidents, after all. Make sure that wherever you go, there’s a towel handy!

Tip #11 – Have a set of spare clothes handy

All that summer sweat will do some work on your clothes, as well. That’s why you may want to have a set of spare clothes “ready to go” after you take a quick shower. That way, you will not need to rummage around the boxes and find appropriate attire.

Tip #12 – Learn to recognize the signs of heat exhaustion

Most of the time, people do not even realize that they are about to be struck by heat exhaustion. You want to stay vigilant and try to notice any of the indicated symptoms such as dizziness, thirst, fatigue, muscle weakness/spasms, headaches, and the like. Here’s a full overview of how to deal with heat exhaustion and heatstrokes. If these symptoms escalate, you may experience more severe symptoms such as blood pressure drop, high body temperature, rapid heartbeat, and even vomiting.

Tip #13 – Have a plan for heat-sensitive items

When moving in the summer, it is always a good idea to account for any items that are heat-sensitive. This is one of the more important professional tips for moving in the summer, as heat can cause serious damage to plants, artwork, computer equipment, food, and electronics.

Tip #14 – Turn up the air conditioning

While using an air conditioner might be a given in the summer, what you may also want to do is “crank it up”. You are going to be moving in and out of the home quite frequently and the AC will need extra power to keep the environment temperature under control.

Tip #15 -Be mindful of your pet’s needs

Lastly, if you are moving with pets, make sure that your pets have access to fresh water and a shaded area while you go about your business. Never leave your pets in the car, even if you think that you will be back soon. We hope that our professional tips for moving in the summer will help you conduct a safe, smooth, and enjoyable summer relocation.

For more information on anything moving-related and the best moving companies in the country, peruse the rest of the Consumer Opinion Guide. We are here to provide you with an easier way to relocate and ensure that your move is a successful one!