Moving is stressful in the best of times, but the pandemic adds a new safety wrinkle.
If you’re considering moving, here’s what to know from a financial standpoint, as well as tips to make moving day safer.
Budget for extras
Aside from the usual expenses like buying boxes, renting a van, or hiring movers, plan for extra costs because of the pandemic.
You may need to buy heavy-duty supplies to deep-clean your old place and to sanitize your new accommodations. If you are moving out of a rental unit, some landlords may ask you to pay for professional cleaners or take the cost out of your security deposit.
Moving across county or state lines? Check what the quarantine requirements are in your new location. You may have to pay for quarantine accommodations like a hotel or Airbnb if your new apartment or home is not move-in ready,
If you are receiving unemployment benefits, check the rules on how your benefits carry forward in your new location and what the taxes are if it is a new state. You can typically find this information on your state’s Department of Labor website. If you are unemployed or your income has dropped as a result of the pandemic, you can also check whether you qualify for moving assistance by calling 211.
You might not be able to really get to know your new place until you’re living there, so prepare yourself and your wallet for surprises, like leaky faucets or broken appliances. Landlords and real estate agents may offer only virtual tours. And if you can see the new accommodations in person, you may be required to sign a waiver, wear a mask and avoid touching anything while in the house.
Stay safe during the move
How to move safely depends on whether you are doing it yourself or using movers. Current guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that the main way the coronavirus spreads is through respiratory droplets. Wearing a mask and staying away from people is important to slow the spread of the virus, along with sanitizing all surfaces.
Moving: If you’re renting a moving truck, companies like U-Haul offer contactless pickup and drop-off options. Sanitize the door handles, steering wheel, radio, and the metal tongue on the seatbelt in the rental van.
Using movers: Before picking a moving company, check its website or call and ask about its safety practices in response to the pandemic. Ask whether the movers wear masks and gloves during the move.
Moving day: Limit interaction with movers and maintain social distancing. This includes packing as many things as you can yourself or consider using a self-pack moving container.
If the movers will pack the truck, create a schedule for the movers. Ask them to start with a particular room as you stay in another. This is also particularly useful if you live with family members who are vulnerable or immunocompromised. Try to limit their involvement with the move as much as possible. Keep hand sanitizer or soap handy during the move so that you and the movers can use it periodically.
Information provided by the personal finance website NerdWallet, Amrita Jayakumar.