Has the Coronavirus Pandemic Changed Moving?

How has Moving Changed During 

the Coronavirus Pandemic?

Real Estate is still booming and homes are selling quickly.

But has the process of moving changed?

I checked in with four different businesses that help with moving: 

White Glove Movers, Two Men and a Truck, 

One Place (Organize, Move, Consign), and PODS .  

Here's what they shared:

At White Glove Movers, they're staying busy though not seeing the usual Spring uptick.  They've had customers call to reschedule, but they've also had customers who have been booked call in a panic to be sure they are still open for business and honoring their scheduled move date.

I was reassured they definitely are open and like all businesses are doing everything they can to protect the health of their staff and customers.

Photo courtesy of White Glove Movers Facebook page

One change they've implemented is using Facetime with clients for estimates.  Instead of going into their home, Facetime has allowed the client to give a walk-through tour of the house so White Glove can give an accurate estimate.

Their trucks are well supplied with hand sanitizer, wipes, gloves and masks for staff.  Additionally, if boxes are well labeled, homeowners can be away during the move if they prefer, so long as they're reachable if there are questions.

The PODS moving approach is different.  They deliver portable storage containers to your home and you can load them at your pace.  The POD can stay on-site at your home, or it can be picked up and stored with PODS, then it can be moved (local or nationally) - when you decide.

I was told their business overall is slower due to the virus, but it has still been steady.  Since they're a national company, they are involved in moves for military personnel.  With the military on lockdown, those moves have stopped.  Once restrictions are listed my 

contact said there will be a huge backlog.  

Fewer moves now is helping keep prices down, which fluctuate throughout the year.  Summer moves are usually the most expensive, but with the virus that's slowing the rate hike.

Contact them for pricing and specials.

PODS might be a great option if you prefer not to have anyone in your home.

Additionally, if you work with a REMAX Realtor there are special discounts.  

Becky Esker from One Place  has a wider-ranging business that

can handle moving but also has services for packing/unpacking, space planning, home clear-outs/organizing/downsizing, plus donations/recycling/consigning.  

Becky says they've been hit-and-miss for being busy.  Some weeks have been crazy and others a little slower.  They've been following the CDC guidelines for weeks by minimizing in-person contact with clients, and being mindful of social distancing.  Video options have been helpful for estimates or clients can provide detailed information so that Becky doesn't need to enter the home.  Home moves can be done without the owner on site so long as boxes are labeled and during the virus that's the preferred method - home owners being away.

Becky said she's relying on more phone calls now 

to keep person-to-person interaction to a minimum.

They also handle business moves, which tend to be larger and require more in-person contact.

Becky wearing a  custom made face shield based on directions from NewBoCo

Staff are monitored closely and are supplied with gloves, masks, shields (which Becky has made), hand sanitizer and wipes.  They're taking extra time to wipe down ramps, steering wheels - whatever they come into contact with.

Staff meeting are held via video instead of in-person.

Many of One Place clients are home owners moving to retirement communities.  They've had a handful of those in recent weeks; some retirement communities have initiated a policy of allowing only 2 movers, so planning for those moves is different than under normal circumstances.  

With landfills closed to the general public for normal drop-offs and most donation and consignment shops temporarily closed, I asked how she's handling "clear out" jobs.

Commercial garbage/waste companies will still deliver dumpsters to residences 

and pick them up and haul away.  

Since time is often of the essence when moving, her company will put 

items on the curb marked "free" and post them on Craigslist, or the 

Marketplace on Facebook to be sure they're picked up.

Sorting through and pulling out scrap metal can be a big help in reducing 

dumpster costs to the seller as well.

Becky says the Salvation Army is one of the only businesses that has been open during the pandemic to accept donations.  She recommends calling though because they have limited space to store donations and aren't always taking more.

Simply Serendipity is the name of Becky's consignment shop, where she is able to sell client belongings - under normal circumstances.  

Photo courtesy of One Place

There have been cases where customers choose rent a small storage garage to store possessions/recycling, etc until consignment stores and resale shops open back up.

Two Men and A Truck
The virus isn't affecting Two Men and a Truck at all, I was told.  

While they maintain their full schedule the staff are implementing hand sanitizer, 

gloves and masks plusthey call customers to be sure they're well before entering homes.  

For estimates, they continue to meet in person, or with some online research they are able to get a good idea of the house size and offer an estimate.

More customers have called worried that Two Men and a Truck aren't moving and won't be able to help them than calls to cancel or reschedule.

If you're moving, there are plenty of options to help you - 

all actively in business and ready to book.

These samples represent just a few of the many moving options 

available in the Cedar Rapids area.

When you're ready to move, contact Judy or Steve to help with your home sale.

In the meantime, stay safe!

~ Judy