By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group
How can you keep yourself and family safe from virus spread while still managing a practical and fun move? Here are a few helpful tips from professional movers to plan your move under “new normal” conditions.
The effort of packing boxes, wrapping furniture, and loading the truck isn't a solo act. Most people involve friends and hire a moving company to get the whole job done. With a few casual precautions, this can be done safely together.
When people are moving or packing indoors in non-family groups, be sure to mask-up. Comfortable cloth masks are both breathable and easy to wear indoors.
Moving can be hard work. When you need to take off your mask to take a breather, step outside. Groups can even take breaks together with 6+ feet apart and masks off. This can be an important method for lowering any mask-heat frustrations (you know the feeling).
If you have a team of friends or professional movers, have teams work in separate rooms. Splitting rooms can also help split up the work. You can play music on smart speakers or loudly from a central location to share energy.
When you move a box, wipe down the surrounding space. Every box you move, clean as you go. Clean high-touch areas like counters and tables several times throughout the day.
The road trip is an essential part of any medium to long-distance move. If you need to drive several hours or even overnight, plan to minimize your exposure to others while traveling.
Plan ahead. Calculate the space between rest stops and gas stations to pick stops that are directly along your route. Know where you will stop for gas, lunch, and for the night.
You can reduce time at the front desk by pre-booking a hotel. Some hotels offer mobile booking for fully no-contact stays.
When you make stops, stay masked and try to keep your distance. Avoid going into shops and take your meals to an open space or eat in the car.
The right car caddy supplies will make your distanced road trip easier. Good snacks, fresh bottled water, and antibacterial wipes before and after each stop will help the miles go by with less worry.
When you get to the new house, you want to make sure it stays COVID-safe for your family, and that's easy to do.
Start by getting there before the moving truck. Make sure the utilities are on, the HVAC is running, and the space is clean and ready for you to move in.
Establish one or more receiving areas for boxes and furniture. This is a great way to unload the truck quickly and efficiently. Carefully manage distancing at this final stage. Don't forget to catch breathers when you need them, trying to move quickly is hard work, whether you're unloading the trucks or stacking boxes in the right rooms.
Moving in this “new normal” is not hard to do, but a few of our decades-old expectations have changed. With just a few adaptations of the traditional move planning, you can have a safe and fun relocation. Contact us today to talk about how we make sure your possessions and family are safe during your move.
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