Moving in the Rain in Seattle: How to Plan a Wet Weather Move

Moving in the rain is part of life in the Seattle area. From fall through spring, a dry moving day is a nice surprise rather than something to plan on. Rain does not cancel a move. With a little prep, your things arrive dry and your floors stay clean.

Here is how to get ready for a wet weather move, from prepping your home to unloading at the new place.

Do movers still move in the rain?

Yes. Our crews move in the rain all the time. Every piece of furniture is wrapped in moving blankets and stretch wrap before it goes on the truck. Mattresses and box springs go into commercial-grade plastic mattress bags. Inside your home, we lay down floor runners and FloorPro, our neoprene floor protection, along the paths the crew uses. All of this is part of our standard process on every move.

How do I prep my home for a rainy moving day?

Our crews handle the floors and the furniture. A few minutes of prep on your end keeps the day moving.

• Clear a path from the front door to the driveway or curb. Move planters, bikes, and anything else that could slow the crew down.
• Reserve parking for the truck as close to your door as you can.
• Set up a spot inside the door for wet shoes and jackets.
• Turn on the porch and walkway lights. Winter afternoons get dark early.
• Set aside anything you plan to move yourself so it stays out of the crew's way.

If you live in an apartment or condo, check whether your building has a covered loading dock. Our apartment and condo moving guide covers elevator and dock rules in more detail.

How should I pack for a move in the rain?

Cardboard boxes handle a short walk in the rain just fine. They do not hold up well sitting on wet ground or getting soaked through. These steps help.

• Consider Fireboxes, our reusable plastic moving boxes. They are sturdier than cardboard and hold up better in wet weather. We deliver them and pick them up after your move.
• Use plastic bins or Fireboxes for anything that cannot get damp, like documents and photos.
• Tape cardboard box seams fully on the top and bottom.
• Use our reusable wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes. Line boxes of folded clothing and linens with a trash bag.
• Keep packed boxes off the garage floor and away from open doors.

If you would rather not deal with any of it, our packing services team can handle it from start to finish. Our packing supplies page has boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper. We deliver supplies throughout King County.

What should I keep with me on moving day?

Keep a small bag in your car with the things you will want right away.

• An umbrella and a rain jacket
• A few dry towels
• A change of clothes and socks
• Phone chargers
• Important documents in a sealed plastic bag

Having towels on hand at the new place makes unloading much easier.

Can I help the crew on a rainy day?

You are welcome to help with lighter tasks. Keep pathways clear, have boxes ready to go, and stay close by to answer questions about where things go. For safety, our crew handles all of the heavy lifting and cannot team-lift with homeowners. Non-employees are also not permitted inside the moving truck.

How do I handle unloading at the new place?

Rain matters at both ends of the move. Before the truck arrives at your new home, set out towels at the door and decide where the first boxes should go. If you can get there early, plan where each piece of furniture goes so our crew can place it once. Less back and forth means less water tracked through the house.

For local moves, our crews handle loading, driving, and unloading in one trip. If you are loading your own truck or POD, our labor only crews can load and unload while you handle the driving.

Get a free on-site estimate

Every home is set up a little differently. A free on-site estimate gives our team a clear picture of what you are moving and how your home is laid out. That includes the entryways that matter most on a rainy day.

Request your free estimate and our team will help you plan a move that works with the weather.