By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
This is a quick, helpful guide of ways to complete a residential move with virus safety and social distancing.
Instead of touring a home for purchase or rent, take a virtual tour. Prioritize properties with a vivid photo tour or a 3d walk-through that gives you a real sense of the space with high-detail images. Virtual tours use 360 photography to allow you to move from point to point in the home and look around by click-dragging the frame.
For all the boxes, crating, packing paper, and dish packs you need for the move, order ahead. Online or phone orders can allow a local moving company or store to prepare your packing material. You may want to come by and pick up the boxes curbside, with a no-contact team to load up your trunk. This is a safer alternative to shopping for boxes in person.
You will also want a few strategies for moving without direct contact with your professional movers.
Find a moving company that offers a no-contact consultation. Many can assess the size and contents of your home with a quick video tour hosted on your phone. Simply switch the camera around during a Zoom video chat (or similar program) and get a quote without an in-person walkthrough of the home.
Packing Service
The safest way to pack during pandemic conditions is to pack yourself. For those who cannot or do not wish to pack themselves - we advise closing into one room or suite while your packing team works in designated areas to enable the maximum social distancing.
Likewise, you can keep a safe distance when it is time to load your boxes onto, then off of, the moving truck. Whether you are driving yourself or hiring a moving company to, you need to be present when the boxes are loaded for transport but can be socially distant from the moving crew. Don’t forget to wear your mask, as well.
When it comes time to handshake, propose a friendly elbow-bump instead.
During travel, take care to minimize your contact with others and with public environments.
Skip the restaurants this time around. Instead, pack a cooler of sodas and snacks and sandwiches.
When you need to stretch your legs, look for an open grassy area instead of a convenience store. Stop at public rest-stops with fields and picnic benches or look for public parks. You can even stop by a roadside field. All are safer than populated areas.
Hotels can be a potential risk. If you are moving in good weather with camping supplies, consider car-camping instead of stopping in a hotel. If you need a hotel break, bring clean sheets and cleaning supplies. Quickly sanitize the room with surface cleaner and lay clean sheets over all the furniture. You can isolate further with a packed bedroll.
If you need supplies along the way, use your phone to arrange for curbside pickup. On the road, simply make your order at least a half-hour before you'll be pulling into town. This saves you the risk of going into convenience stores and other venues along the way.
Finally, consider scheduling 14 days of complete isolation in the new house after arriving. When it's just you and the boxes, this is the ideal time to unpack and ensures that if you are passive carriers, that any invisible virus will fully run its course.
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Here at A-1 Freeman Moving, we believe in providing the professional residential moving services that clients need. In 2020 and beyond, that means no-contact moving and tactful service coordination. Get in touch today to discuss how to best meet the needs of your moving plan.
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