DON’T MOVE UNTIL YOU READ THESE FIVE TIPS

You’ve sold your house and are moving to an upgrade.

You have retired and are moving into a retirement community.

You have accepted a job transfer to a new location out of town.

There are many reasons for having to move households, but now that you are faced with making that move most people are now being urged by the various levels of government to remain socially isolated. Will that be a problem?

 

Undertaking a house move during this current virus pandemic need not be overly complicated as long as you keep in mind that in addition to the way that you may have moved house previously you are now simply required to maintain social distancing throughout the move and observe a few recommended protocols of cleanliness. Your move need not be as complicated as you may have thought. That said, here are some key points to consider:-

 

SELECT A MOVING COMPANY THAT OBSERVES COVID-19 PROTOCOLS FOR HEALTH PROTECTION AGAINST THE VIRUS

 

Many progressive moving companies staying ahead of the game now offer a full range of precautionary procedures to reduce the risk of viral contamination to a minimum while moving household effects for their clients.

 

A good moving company will offer a virtual quote via linked cellphone apps where the homeowner will do a video walkthrough of each room answering questions posed by the mover’s estimator. It is still possible, though, to have the moving company send an estimator around to the house for a walkthrough which mutually observes all the rules of social distancing. The moving company will then be prepared to assist you in your move in a way that takes all precautionary steps to ensure your safety.

 

Prior to the move such a moving company should supply adequate clean new packing boxes* and clean furniture protector pads or covers.(The Covid-19 virus has been known to remain active up to 24 hours on cardboard surfaces).

 

During the actual move the employees of the contracted mover should be expected to wear:-

  • gloves,
  • slip-on booties,
  • clean coveralls and
  • medical grade facemasks.

 

Thinking of the safety of the movers you may wish to wear a mask as well.

 

PREPARING YOUR HOME FOR THE MOVING COMPANY

  • Leave your items in the rooms that they are currently in.  Do not put everything in one room.  This allows the crew to work independently with physical distancing for some of the time they are in your home.
  • Disinfect all doorknobs, handrails, and bathroom and kitchen countertops.   Do this before the crew arrives and immediately after they have left.
  • If you have more than one washroom, please designate one washroom for the moving crew to use to wash their hands.  Provide soap and a towel (or paper towel with a plastic bag to put the used paper in).  Please disinfect before they arrive and after they have left.
  • Have your own pen handy to sign paperwork.

 

MAINTAIN THE RECOMMENDED SAFE SOCIAL DISTANCING

 

The movers should be trained to observe safe interpersonal distances at all times from the householder and their family. Family members should not attempt to help with the actual movement of household effects and should preferably out of the way together with any household pets. There should not be more than five individuals present in any one area of the house.

 

PACK LOGISTICALLY FOR THE MOVE

 

Arriving at your new home and facing the dilemma of a mountain of unopened packing boxes can be quite intimidating. Therefore, as a prepared homeowner you should clearly identify priority items which you will want to unpack first.

 

Such items would include:-

 

  • Cleaning materials to disinfect contact areas at the new household such as door handles, light switches, sinks & toilets, built-in appliances.
  • A box containing clothing you expect to wear upon your arrival at the new destination.
  • Toiletries for the first night at the new residence.
  • Bedding and sleepwear for the first night.
  • A few simple cookware items for preparing meals. (A microwave may prove handy).

 

Upon arrival you should have these clearly identified boxes separated from the rest and placed adjacent to those areas of the house where they will be needed.

 

FINDING A RECOMMENDED MOVER

 

 

The Canadian Association Movers (CAM) and its 400 members, are committed to everyone’s health and safety during this extraordinary time. CAM has been in regular contact with its members since the end of January with updates and allaying concerns about conducting business. Moving and warehouse storage are considered essential services.  To find a certified, professional mover near you, visit https://www.mover.net/movers/news/COVID-19 to access their mover search function.