Moving Cross Country During Covid 19 Pandemic In 2022

Thanks to the proliferation of Covid 19 and its subsequent variants, life in our country and around the world has gotten a lot more difficult. People plan their moves and activities much more carefully now in order to hopefully avoid contracting Covid 19, and what used to be activities taken for granted suddenly take on added weight, where we fully examine the consequences and risks of taking them on. If you are planning a cross country move in 2022, the reality is that Covid is most likely here to stay, at least to some degree, and it is important to do your moving and planning with that in mind.

Planning For Your Move

The good news is that in most states, moving companies are considered essential businesses and are not likely to be shut down or out of action in the event of future surges or lockdowns. A good many of them have adjusted their procedures accordingly in order to minimize and risks to their employees and clients. A simple phone call or email will let you know if the company you are considering for your cross-country move is doing what they should with regard to mask wearing, social distancing, and screening their employees on a regular basis to greatly reduce the chance for any infectious spread.

Many companies have also introduced contactless services, eliminating the need for most face-to-face interactions. Most now offer virtual surveys instead of in-home estimates in order to determine a price for your moving project.

Most storage companies also continue to operate during Covid, although you may be looking at decreased hours of operations, as well as different requirements for being on the property, such as a reduction in the amount of people who can access units at any one time.

Do not hesitate to ask your moving company directly about their Covid policies. Reputable companies will be only too happy to answer as many questions as you have. After all, it is their reputation that is ultimately on the line here.

Among the protocols established within the moving industry:

  • To follow local and federal guidelines as far as social distancing and sanitization.
  • Frequent deep cleaning of trucks and equipment.
  • Social distancing with customers and within the moving team
  • Wearing masks, gloves, and other protective gear.
  • Keeping offices and trucks well stocked with hand sanitizer.

If you need to cancel a move due to circumstances regarding Covid, you should contact your moving provider as soon as possible. Most moving contracts are non-binding, which allows you to cancel a move up to a certain time frame without any financial penalties. Many companies are more lenient on supposed “nonrefundable deposits” due to the unusual circumstances often surrounding Covid 19.

Prepping For the Move

Purchase all of your supplies at once. You want to avoid running back and forth to the store or supply company, as doing so increases the chances for infection.

Clean as you pack. Use the packing process to wipe down and disinfect as many items as possible. If you forgot to purchase disinfectant, you can make your own by mixing one tablespoon of bleach to one gallon of water and voila, instant cleaning solution.

If your move is imminent and you find yourself not feeling well, you should, again, notify your moving provider. This allows them to know the potential risk to their employees so they can make any alterations to their Covid protocols that may be needed. Similarly, let your moving provider know if there is any chance anyone in your family has been exposed to Covid.

If you are feeling fine and no one has tested positive for the virus, maintain that status by wearing a mask and gloves when packing, and sanitizing any items that your movers will be handling directly. Try to be completely packed up no less than 24 hours before the movers arrive, store materials in a closed room (as the virus can survive on surfaces for several hours), and once the movers arrive, stay out of everyone’s space (social distancing). Continue wearing a mask and gloves. Provide hygiene products for your movers such as hand sanitizer, soap, paper towels and disinfectant at every entrance and exit.

Do not use free or recycled moving boxes as Covid can live on cardboard surfaces for up to 24 hours. With that in mind, grabbing free boxes from the shop down the street may not be the best course. Boxes and boxing materials are inexpensive and purchased at your local home improvement store.

For your own safety on the road during this process, you will want to look into disposable gloves for small transactions such as getting fuel. Have a supply of masks handy for when you have to be in social situations, and keep plenty of hand sanitizer within reach, washing your hands whenever possible. While most of us want to keep our vehicles clean, do not overdo wiping down every exposed surface in your vehicle, as this is not how Covid is spread.

Yes, you can move during the pandemic, should it stretch into 2022, and you can do so safely, as long as you follow some simple common-sense recommendations.

If there is anything good that comes out of a hundred-year pandemic, it means that protocols such as social distancing and deep cleaning also mean more time to go through your possessions and determine what needs to be kept and what needs to be discarded. If you choose to donate items, contact those businesses and again, find out what their Covid policies are. Donations may mean jumping through a few more hoops, but with the new normal we find ourselves in, it is necessary and worth it.

Bottom Line

Think safety. These are precarious and uncertain times, but with a little judicious planning and preparation, there is no reason that your cross-country move cannot happen as planned and on schedule in 2022.

Moving to a new home is a good opportunity to go through your belongings, and only move what you and your family need and cherish.  

Where can I take unwanted items? 

Once you’ve sorted through your stuff, next thing is to get rid of all your unwanted items. So, where can you donate the things you no longer need? There are many different organizations and charities that accept donations, these include: Goodwill, Salvation Army, Baby2Baby. A lot of the common charities accept most things, however, some organizations, such as the library will only accept certain items, make sure to check before you donate or schedule a pickup. In addition to donating to local donation centers, shelters are always in need of certain items. What items do homeless shelters need most? new, unused personal hygiene products, toiletries, clothes, shoes, and bedding are some of the important item’s shelters will accept. There are also charities that help homeless people get back into work, so, if you have working electronics, these can really help someone learn a new skill.  

What should you not donate? 

There are some items that should not be donated. These include: dirty, stained, or ripped clothes, shoes with holes, furniture that’s in really bad shape, or has bugs, broken glass or mirrors, dirty or broken household appliances, broken toys and children’s items.  

Moving day is approaching, and everything needs to be ready when the movers arrive. So, What happens on the day of moving and what can you expect?  

What should I do the day of moving? 

To best be prepared, start your day early. Ensure everything is ready and packed, unless you’ve hired the moving company to do the packing. Once the moving crew arrives, expect there to be quite a few people in your home, with a lot of movement and heavy lifting between the moving truck and your house. When possible, try to have children and animals out of the way. Have some snacks and beverages available for the movers and anyone onsite assisting with the move. In colder climates, also offer something warm. Before the movers leave, do a walk through of your home ensuring nothing has been left behind. Once everything has been loaded onto the moving truck, you’ll receive the bill of lading, this is your contract. Keep it safe with all your other moving paperwork. If you’re going to tip your movers, have the exact amount of cash ready, either to give to each crewmember, or to the foreman who will divide among the crew.  

How Does Knowing What To Expect On Moving Day Help Determine the Size of the Moving Truck Needed?

Knowing what to expect on moving day can greatly help determine the size of your moving truck. By understanding the nature and quantity of your belongings, you can accurately assess the space required for transportation. This allows you to avoid the inconvenience of renting a truck that is either too small, forcing multiple trips, or unnecessarily large, resulting in wasted space and money.

What is the most common moving day?  

Friday and Saturday are the most common days to move, after that a Monday. One of the reasons Friday is common, especially for local moves, is that unpacking can happen over the weekend.  

What makes moving easier? 

 Being organized! 

This is a question many people ask themselves prior to moving. If you’re undecided, remember, it’s always better to have insurance and not need it, than not have it and need it! Even for a local move. Professional moving companies will do their best to ensure nothing gets lost or damaged, but, on the rare occasion something does happen, or there’s a natural disaster, you’ll be glad you’re insured. So, when asking yourself “Do I need insurance when moving house?” question if any of your belongings are of value, either sentimentally or financially and if you want them protected.  

 How does insurance work when moving?

If you’ve hired a reputable moving company to transport your belongings, that company is obligated to provide you with information about the available options to obtain the right coverage for your move. If you’re doing a DIY (do it yourself) move, and hiring a rental truck, make sure to see and understand the available insurance options before signing any rental agreements.  

 What happens to house insurance when you move?

Some home insurance companies cover the contents of your home while they’re in transit between your old home and your new home.  However, you will only be covered if using the services of a professional moving company. If your home insurance company does not cover items while in transit, you will therefore need to get additional moving insurance!  

What are moving documents?

Moving documents contain important information relating to ones individual move. Once you begin preparing to move, you’ll start to receive documents and forms from different companies and service providers. This will continue throughout the duration of the move. Whether its paper or digital copies being received, it’s important to know what each document is, keep them organized, and have them accessible. It’s very important to know what form do you fill out when you move, and ensure you have all the right documents and forms. Here is a list of some documents you’ll receive from the moving company. In addition to these documents and forms, you might also receive paperwork from places such as: USPS postal service, to file a change of address, the DMV, IRS, or customs, for an international move. Moving means paperwork, some informative, some legally binding.  

pen and calendar
  • Moving Estimates 
  • Your Rights and Responsibilities,  
  • Order of Service  
  • Bill of Lading 
  • Inventory sheet  
  • Statement of service 

How do you pack documents?

If you have a lot of documents to be moved, consider digitalizing them. The amount of paperwork in your home will be reduced, and less to be moved. If you do move the hard copies, pack them systematically, so unpacking is kept simple. Keep all moving documents with you while your personal belongings are in transit.  

Shannon L.
Shannon L.
Jan 5, 2024

Movers who packed my things up in NY were great. I was also very impressed with how clear everything was, how fast the move coordinator Eric was with getting back to me. Read more testimonials

Danielle
Danielle Francisco
Feb 11, 2024

Terrific experience with Andres and his team. They were quick, efficient and very knowledgeable. Read more testimonials

Ria B.
Ria B.
Jan 10, 2024

Everything went smoothly with CA-NY Express Movers. They packed up my apt in NYC in no time, put it into storage for me while we found our new house. Read more testimonials

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