Moving in a Chicago Winter: How We Keep the Day on Track

Every January somebody asks us whether they are crazy for moving in a Chicago winter. They are not. About a fifth of the moves we run each year happen between December and March, and many of them go more smoothly than a June move on the last Saturday of the month. Rates are lower, crews are less rushed and buildings have far fewer competing reservations for the freight elevator. The trade-off is that the weather adds a few new jobs to your list, and the city does not care that you have a truck to unload.

Andre here. I plan around forty moves a week, and in winter I spend a good part of every morning watching the forecast. Here is how our crews handle cold-weather moves, and what you can do to help the day go well.

Why winter can actually be a good time to move

Demand drops sharply after the holidays. That means more open dates, more flexibility if you need to shift a day and, often, lower hourly rates. Our winter rates for local moves usually run 10 to 15 percent below peak summer pricing. Landlords and sellers are also more willing to negotiate move-in dates when fewer people are looking.

The challenge is that a Chicago winter is unpredictable. A sunny 30-degree morning can turn into 6 inches of lake-effect snow by the afternoon. The goal is not to avoid weather entirely; it is to build a plan that can absorb it.

Book a flexible date and a morning start

Daylight is short in December and January, with sunset around 4:30 p.m. We schedule winter moves to start at 8:00 a.m. whenever we can, so most of the carrying happens in daylight when sidewalks are easier to see. If your lease or closing allows it, ask your mover whether there is any flexibility to shift a day if a major storm arrives. We keep a few open slots during winter weeks just for that.

Watch the forecast for the five days before your move, and talk to us as soon as you see a big storm or a dangerous cold snap. When temperatures drop below zero, we may shorten work blocks or add a crew member so nobody spends too long outside.

Clear the path before we arrive

The most important thing you can do on moving day is make the walking route safe. Our crews carry heavy, awkward items while looking over the top of them, and ice is the single biggest risk in a winter move.

• Shovel and salt the sidewalk, front steps, porch and any back gangway the night before and again in the morning.
• Clear a wide path to the curb where the truck will park, including the snow bank the plows left behind.
• Do the same at your new home, or ask the landlord or building manager to handle it.
• Lay down old rugs or cardboard inside the entryway to protect floors from slush.
• Keep a bag of salt and a shovel by the door, not packed in the truck.

What our crews do differently in winter

Our trucks carry extra gear from December through March: a few bags of ice melt, two shovels, waterproof floor runners, boot covers and twice the usual number of moving pads. Crew leads walk the route at both homes before anything leaves the house, looking for icy patches, low-hanging gutters dripping meltwater and steps without railings. On very cold days we rotate who carries and who wraps inside, so nobody spends a whole morning in the wind. We also keep loading times tight. A truck with its door open in 10-degree weather loses heat fast, so we stage items near the door and load in quick bursts rather than one piece at a time.

A ten-minute shovel at 7:00 a.m. does more for your furniture than any amount of bubble wrap.

Andre Williams

Parking and permits in snow season

Most Chicago streets require a temporary no-parking permit for a moving truck, and you will need to request it well before your move. Signs must be posted ahead of time so neighbors have notice. In winter, also check whether your street is on a snow route or has overnight parking bans that start on December 1. If a snow emergency is declared, cars must come off those streets, which can actually make it easier to park the truck, but the rules change by block, so check with the city before you plan.

Snow piles at the curb often take up half of a parking space. If you have a choice, ask for permit signs that cover a slightly longer stretch than you think you need. A truck parked 40 feet farther away adds real time when every trip involves a slippery sidewalk.

Protecting your things from the cold

Most household items handle a short trip in the cold without trouble. A few need extra care:

Electronics

TVs, computers and game consoles should be packed in their original boxes if you still have them, or wrapped in blankets. After the move, let them sit at room temperature for at least a few hours before plugging them in. Condensation forms inside cold electronics brought into a warm room, and powering them on too soon can damage them.

Plants, liquids and wood

Houseplants can be damaged in minutes at freezing temperatures. Wrap them in paper or a sheet, move them last and carry them in your own warm car rather than the truck. Liquids like paint, cleaning products and wine can freeze and expand, so those should ride with you too. Solid wood furniture and instruments like guitars and pianos do not love fast temperature changes; we wrap them fully in pads and move them in and out quickly.

Keep the heat on and the floors dry

Doors stay open for much of a move, and both homes will get cold. Leave the heat running at both ends; turning it off to save money can lead to frozen pipes if a door stays open too long. Our crews prop doors only while actively carrying and close them between trips when we can.

Make sure the utilities at your new home are switched on before move day. In January, a few hours in an unheated condo can feel very long. We bring floor runners and boot covers to every winter job, but extra cardboard by the doors helps soak up melting snow.

Pack a cold-weather bag

Set aside one bag that travels in your car, with everything you need for the day:

1. Warm layers, gloves, hats and a dry pair of socks for everyone in the family
2. A thermos of something hot and easy snacks
3. Phone chargers and a small flashlight, since it gets dark early
4. Ice scraper, salt and a small shovel
5. Medications and important documents

Winter moves reward planning more than luck. If you are thinking about a move between now and March, call our office at 555-0137 or email hello@brightway.example. We will help you pick a date, explain what permits you need and build a plan that leaves room for whatever the lake decides to send.