In coronavirus-challenged 2020, house sales have dramatically declined. In fact, the market for new single-family homes is experiencing the largest decline in almost a decade.
But that doesn’t mean people aren’t moving into new digs.
Whether you’re a renter in a cramped studio, a family up-sizing to a house with a yard, or an entrepreneur running your business from home, a move during these unpredictable COVID-19 times can be more stressful than ever.
From dousing your kids in hand sanitizer to dealing with social distancing restrictions, read on to find out how to make moving during a pandemic easy.
Dealing With Social Distancing
In the USA, the CDC asks citizens to practice social distancing when out and about in public places. Whether you’re indoors or outdoors, you should stay at least six feet away from strangers and wear masks.
For safety, move your belongings in your vehicle when social distancing guidelines are in place. If you don’t have a van, truck, or trailer, this won’t be an option. In most states, you can still hire moving vehicles. Run through a sanitization checklist with your service provider before hiring the vehicle. And work out the pick-up and drop off details in advance to avoid unnecessary contact with people outside of your immediate family.
If your moving dates are flexible, high-risk individuals such as those over 60 years of age or with respiratory issues may want to put off a moving house. Wait until your local government has lifted social distancing restrictions.
Moving During a Pandemic: The DIY Move
If you’re planning to do a move all by yourself, you can pretty much proceed as you would have before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
The golden rules of a DIY house move during coronavirus are:
- To ensure you adhere to social distancing rules, don’t invite your friends over to help you move.
- To keep yourself and your family in good health, keep masks, hand sanitizer, soap, and paper towels accessible at all times.
- To limit stops, take a detailed route plan and share it with your family, including where you’ll get lunch or dinner.
- If you’re a renter, ask your landlord if they’d be OK with a porch drop for keys, returnable security deposits, and any other items you need to exchange.
You might need to put the usual things you might do when moving house, like donating old clothes and furniture, on hold. Designate some areas in your new home for storage.
When to Hire a Moving Company
In many cities across the US, moving companies are still operating. Why not take a load off and take advantage of the services that they offer?
A moving company like Memphis-based Titan Elite Moving & Packing cares about the safety of their customers and their staff. Make sure any company you work with has implemented measures like sanitization of trucks and equipment, providing staff with masks and gloves, and stocking vehicles with hand sanitizer.
Some companies may ask you to pack your belongings into new boxes at least 24 hours in advance of pickup to avoid contamination. And many are offering virtual quotation services, where they assess the contents of your home and provide you with a quotation online.
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Planning Is Essential
Moving during a pandemic is difficult, but it’s not impossible. Whether you’re moving on your own or working with a moving company, careful planning is your key to success. And don’t be surprised if prices for vehicle rental and moving services are higher than usual. Be sure to budget accordingly.
Read more articles about managing your business during the pandemic right here on our site.
