Moving During COVID-19 Part I

As we have noted in previous articles, the housing market is slowing down despite the fact that some lucky people are poised to get the deals of a lifetime. However, slowing down does not mean stagnant, and some people will be moving during the COVID-19 pandemic. We all know how stressful moving is, and it becomes exponentially more stressful when pairing in the risk that this virus poses to us all. This article will briefly discuss how to move safely during these dangerous times.  More specifically, this article will discuss how to prepare for your future move with an eye towards keeping it as risk free as possible. Future articles will discuss what to do on moving day, and what to do after moving day. 
It’s more important than ever to have all your ducks lined up prior to moving, and there are some things you should do before your actual move date. 
First, you want to thoroughly research the moving company you are using. The cost of a moving company varies wildly (if you have an option, flat rate is usually superior to a rate by cubic foot if you own a home; if you are charged by cubic foot the movers have every incentive to pack the truck more sloppily); but you get what you pay for in most cases. Relevant to the current state of the world, bigger companies tend to have their own equipment, which they can disinfect regularly. Smaller companies typically rent everything they need for the move, and then pass the cost onto the client; this means there are more opportunities for the movers to come into contact with infected items (most moving materials are metal, and COVID-19 can last up to three days on a metal surface), which they are bringing into your new home. 
Second, get an appointment to set up your internet and cable well before your move date; with COVID-19, it’s far more difficult to get an appointment for these things (even before COVID-19 they’d tell you a technician would be around between 8am and 5 pm on a weekday), so plan accordingly. 
Finally, it’s standard to give your movers a tip, or food, or something, but during COVID-19 it’s even more important that you provide them safety. Before moving, make sure you purchase enough cleaning supplies for your new home, the equipment the movers are using, and the movers themselves. This will keep everyone safe, and the movers will probably feel a bit relieved to know that you take their safety seriously as well.
At the Chernov Team we understand that knowledge is power, and knowledge of how to minimize the risks of moving during a pandemic is powerful knowledge indeed. At the Chernov Team we know that whoever comes to the table most prepared leaves with the most, and the Chernov Team always leaves with the most.