Whether you landed a new job in a new state, or you simply desire to relocate somewhere that’s more preferable to you, it’s no secret that the moving process can be a real drag.
To make matters worse, COVID-19 has complicated this process even further.
If you’d like to learn how to move during these unprecedented times, you can benefit tremendously by reading this moving guide. Below is a list of moving tips to know before, during, and after the moving process in a COVID-19 world.
Before You Move
Whether you make your way out of your home with the help of a moving company or you take matters into your own hands, you’ll want to know how to keep your belongings safe and COVID-free.
A few questions you can ask yourself before you even get your couch out the door include:
- Does my moving company have COVID in mind?
- Does my moving company have good customer reviews post-COVID?
- What sanitary actions should I take to respect their moving staff?
- What should I do if the moving staff was diagnosed with COVID?
- Will I be able to get the supplies I need before my move?
- What are the business hours for moving companies near me?
COVID-19 has ravaged moving and storage businesses, effectively slowing down their business models. They may be booked.
You must schedule well in advance if you want to move on time with minimal roadblocks.
Consider throwing out or donating things you don’t need. You will want to be more diligent about this than you normally would have been before COVID-19 happened.
You may run into some trouble with donating. Many of these centers and services have reopened, but their storage space is more limited than before. They may be picky about what they are willing to receive from you.
There are Buy Nothing communities all over the internet. You may find a Buy Nothing community on Facebook near you that you can use to donate your things to strangers just by leave your donation at their doorstep.
Storage Services
If you’re using a storage service, be sure to ask them about their standards and procedures to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
You can gauge whether you want to do business with them by their answers to your questions and their customer reviews.
Clean and Disinfect
Make sure you don’t just clean and disinfect your own equipment. You’ll want to make sure that the place you’re moving safely into is COVID-free as well.
You can save time by hiring professional cleaners to assist with all of your moving in and moving out needs. This isn’t the safest option, though.
If you’re willing to spend a little extra time on your own cleaning both your old and new place of residence, your chances of catching COVID-19 will be much lower.
When cleaning and disinfecting your house, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends:
- Clean frequently used surfaces on a routine basis
- Clean surfaces with EPA-registered disinfectants.
- Follow the instructions of EPA-registered disinfectants
- Follow safety instructions like your life depends on it
- Wear rubber gloves
- Open your windows to facilitate ventilation
To save your time, most moving companies offer virtual estimates of moving costs. This means you can do all of your paperwork online before the move.
When Your Movers Arrive
There are several procedures you’ll want to follow when your movers arrive that are different than they would have been before COVID-19.
- Don’t shake their hand. Smile instead
- Stay 6 feet away
- Wash your hands before they arrive
- Request your movers wash their hands before they arrive
- Limit restroom use to one restroom
- Provide disinfectant wipes – for doorknobs, light switches, etc
If you start to notice symptoms before, during, or after the move, let your mover know right away. Every moving company has altered its procedures as they relate to COVID-19.
Your mover will know how to respond. They will assist you as you take your next precautionary steps to maintain your own safety and the safety of those around you.
You can also make sure there is a representative on-site who will keep track of everyone’s health before, during, and after the move. If the on-site representative notices one of their works has any COVID symptoms, they will be asked to leave.
After The Move
Just as you disinfected your old home before the move, you’ll want to disinfect your new home before unpacking.
Some unpacking best practices include:
- Properly dispose of all packing equipment and materials
- Sanitize all surfaces
- Launder everything
Although it has recently been found that COVID isn’t as easily transmissible on surfaces as what was previously suspected, sanitizing surfaces will help prevent the spread of the virus.
Canceling Your Move
If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you will have to cancel or postpone your move until your symptoms have been relieved or it is discovered that you don’t have COVD.
During this time, contact your moving service immediately. Moving service contracts are typically non-binding and you won’t receive any financial liability or penalties for canceling.
Because of COVID-19 policies, even non-refundable deposits may be returned to you. There is no guarantee that this will happen, but the chances are much higher because of the nature of these safety concerns.
Most moving companies will be courteous and understanding about your health situation.
Did You Find This Information Useful?
We certainly hope so. But if you have any further questions about how to move safely by mitigating COVID-19 risks, be sure to let us know how we can help.
You can also call us for a free quote at (512) 298-5311.
