How to prepare for a move during the COVID pandemic?

Planning for a move in the best of times can be a challenge. A change in circumstances, such as being ill, can present some new challenges and needs for your relocation plans.

This is definitely the case given the current COVID-19 pandemic; a wrench could be thrown in your moving plans if you or someone in your family receives a positive COVID diagnosis.

However, if you hire professional movers like Piece of Cake Moving, they will work with you to implement safety procedures during your move. They’ll also be flexible to meet your needs and reduce risk of infection. That said, it may add some additional steps to execute your relocation. If you need to make adjustments to your moving plan, knowing what to expect and what factors to consider will help you stay as healthy as possible while keeping your move on track.

Here’s some additional steps and considerations to add to your checklist to keep you, your loved ones, and your movers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic:

• Find a mover who has COVID safety protocols in place. When doing your homework to hire a mover, look for information or ask about what steps they are taking to keep clients and their staff safe. Get a sense of how experienced the company is with moving during the pandemic. Also, given the rapidly changing circumstances, you’ll also want to ask about their rescheduling policy in the event that you test positive for COVID and need to change your moving plans. If you work with Piece of Cake for your next move, you can rest easy knowing that you can reschedule your move free of charge if you test positive for COVID.
• Keep your movers in the loop about a positive COVID test result. Moving companies don’t require negative COVID test results in order to move you. However, if you or anyone who lives with you gets a positive result, it’s good to let them know. In that case, the benefit of working with a professional moving company is that they will be able to find alternative ways to meet your relocation needs in this case. This may include offering contactless moving services or rescheduling free of charge.
• Consider opting for a contactless move entirely. This option allows you to avoid prolonged human contact, particularly during the pick up and drop off of your belongings. Features of this option can include video chat, electronic contracts and payments, as well as communicating by phone and text message during the moving process. After approving the itemized itinerary list (which can be done by video call) and allowing the movers access to the pick up and/or drop-off locations, you can socially distance or be off-premises during the move to minimize contact.

To reduce risk before, during, and after your move day:

• Prior to your move day, disinfect the items you need moved. Before the movers arrive, use disinfectant to wipe down your items before the move. You’ll want to make sure that you are using a disinfecting cleaner that is both safe for your belongings and effective at killing germs. Beyond cleaning frequently touched hard surfaces such as doorknobs, tables, handles, and countertops, the CDC is a great source of information on how to disinfect special items, such as laundry, soft surfaces, and electronics, and what types of cleaners are effective against COVID-19.
• On move day, take precautions if you are present during the move. This includes socially distancing, washing hands or using hand sanitizer (that contains at least 60% alcohol) frequently, and wearing a face covering or mask that fits snugly over your nose and mouth for the duration of the move. Professional movers, like Piece of Cake, will ensure that all on-site movers wear masks and will sanitize often.
• Before and after the movers unload your items at your new home, use disinfectant to clean hard and soft surfaces. Again, it’s good to pay attention to surfaces that are frequently touched or if they were exposed to common areas such as building foyers or elevators. Making sure to use strategies and cleaners that are both safe and effective to disinfect your items is key. You may consider wearing gloves to protect your hands from harsh chemical disinfectants if you are using them on your furniture or other belongings.

No matter where your next move takes you, the 5-star service from Piece of Cake Moving extends to a safe and flexible relocation experience during COVID-19 pandemic. Our COVID-19 safety protocol includes sanitizing our trucks regularly, daily monitoring and health checks for our movers and formen, and vaccinated movers that wear masks and use hand sanitizer frequently during moves.

If you receive a positive COVID test result, we’ll work with you to reschedule your move at no cost. In this time, we understand the complexities of making sure that your belongings make it safely to where they are going and aim to make the health of you and your loved ones a priority in the process.