Safety Tips When Moving During COVID-19

From the time Canadians first learned about coronavirus COVID-19, how it spread, and how it was already affecting the health of so many, it didn’t take long before the way we lived our everyday lives changed drastically.

Many non-essential services have been forced to shut down, and we’ve learned that the best way to keep ourselves, our families, and our friends safe is to practice social distancing and strict cleanliness routines.

However, it all happened so quickly that many people had already closed on the sale of their homes, or purchased new homes, which isn’t something that can easily be postponed or cancelled. And, sadly, we also know that with the uncertainty of jobs, income, and the economy, some will be forced to change their living situations in order to manage financially.

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At BigSteelBox, our promise to our customers is to do whatever we can to help make moving and storage feel better. This promise holds true today more than ever. Our team knows that many people still need to move homes during this uncertain time, so we’ve committed to taking all possible steps to ensure that your move is as safe as possible.

Here’s more information on how we’re keeping our customers and staff safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ultimately, the health and safety of our customers and staff is our number one priority. As such, we want to give you some helpful information and tips on how to make your move as safe as possible, regardless of the moving service you choose.

1) Do-It-Yourself Moving Options

The best way to ensure that your items are not being contaminated is to handle them yourself. If you’re able to do all packing and loading yourself, then this is one of the safest and convenient moving options. Here are a couple DIY moving options to consider:

Using a Moving Container

The biggest benefit to using a moving container, like a BigSteelBox, is that you’re in complete control of your move. Only you have access to your container, you will be the only one packing and handing your items, and you keep the key.

The only people who would come in contact with the container would be the truck driver and the person loading the container onto the delivery truck. Both people would be able to handle their responsibilities with minimal contact with the container or customer.

If you choose to move with a BigSteelBox, we’ll deliver your moving container to your home in advance of your move so you can take your time loading. Once you’re done, you close it up, add your padlock, and we’ll pick it up and move it to your new home or to one of our secure storage facilities until you’re ready to have it delivered again.

We have taken a number of steps to ensure the safety of our customers and Drivers including no handshakes, requiring at least 6′ of space between people at all times, and we are disinfecting handles, lock boxes and door edges before containers are re-delivered. (See the complete list of BigSteelBox COVID-19 safety guidelines)

Advantages of using a Moving Container:

Only you handle your items.
You can take your time packing/loading and unpacking/unloading.
Portable storage is built into the service.
Moving containers that are shipping containers are weather and rodent proof, so they’re extremely secure. (Note: this does not apply to aluminum sided containers, or containers with roll up doors)

Questions to Ask:

What safety measures are they taking to ensure the cleanliness of your moving container (inside and out) before it’s delivered?
If I need my container longer than expected, what are the additional costs?
What is their cancellation or date change policy?

Using a Rental Truck

If you choose to rent a moving truck for your move, you will have the peace of mind knowing that you’ll be the only one handling your items during the loading and unloading process. You will, however, need to complete your move in 1-2 days in order to take advantage of the cost savings.

Advantages of using a Rental Truck:

Only you handle your items.

Questions to Ask:

Can they provide secure storage during your move if needed? If so, what is the additional cost?
How much time will you have to load, move, and unload your rental truck?
What safety measures are they taking to ensure the cleanliness of your rental truck (inside and out) before you pick it up?
If you need your rental truck longer than expected, what are the additional costs?
What is their cancellation or date change policy?

2) Using Full Service Movers

If you’ve already committed to using a full service moving company where they do the packing and/or loading for you, or you need help with the packing/loading and unpacking/unloading of your belongings, be sure to speak directly with the company to be clear on the safety precautions they’re taking for their customers and employees.

Advantages of using a Full Service Mover:

They provide labourers, so you’ll have help with the packing/loading and unpacking/unloading.
They will move your items from your current home to your new home.

Questions to Ask:

Are they properly equipping their staff with safety gear, such as masks, gloves, clothing and hand sanitizer?
Have they implemented strict and extensive cleaning and sanitizing practices for their moving equipment like blankets and straps, and the interior and exterior of their trucks?
Are they monitoring their staff for symptoms and encouraging them to stay home if they are not feeling well?
Can they do a virtual walk through of your home prior to quoting your move to ensure the charges are accurate? (Learn more about how different moving companies quote)
What is their cancellation or date change policy?
Can they provide a secure storage option during your move in case you need it? (Note: If the storage option they offer is from a separate company, you will need to verify their safety measures as well, and get separate quotes)

3) Before You Move Into a New Home

Before you unload your moving container, moving truck, or allow full service movers to unload your items into your new home, be prepared to perform a deep clean. Here are some cleaning and disinfecting guidelines from the Government of Canada for public and individual spaces.

According to the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 awareness resources, it’s not yet known how long the virus causing COVID-19 can survive on surfaces, however, early evidence suggests it can live on objects and surfaces from a few hours to days. The key to sanitizing your home will be to clean all hard surfaces with products that clean and disinfect all at once (i.e. premixed store-bought disinfectant cleaning solutions and/or wipes). Learn more about approved hard surface disinfectants. If your new home has soft surfaces, such as carpets, you should arrange to have them properly cleaned and sanitized.

We’re here to help make you feel better about moving during COVID-19

Our team at BigSteelBox understands that moving is something that can be quite stressful on its own, without the added fear of compromising your health and safety. As such, we’re working harder than ever to help make our customers feel better about moving and storage.

If you have questions or concerns about moving and storage during the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact us at 1-800-373-1187. You can also request a free moving quote online. We’re happy to help in any way we can.