When the pandemic struck, everything stopped. For almost two months the property market stood still, a situation unlike anything we’d seen before.
But then in May things were allowed to reopen and now the property market is thriving – and therefore so is the removals side of our business.
Understandably, some people are worried about how a move can take place given the current safety restrictions in place. Here at McCarthy’s we’ve undertaken lots of moves over the last few months and, with the appropriate measures in place, all have gone to plan leaving movers safely settled in their new homes.
So, what should you expect if you’re planning a move in the coming months? Of course rules are changing all the time, so nothing is set in stone, but we expect moves to be able to take place as they are now for the forseeable. Removals is one of the essential activities exempt from the local lockdowns at present.
If you are moving, our first advice is to plan ahead as much as possible. There is increased demand for our services currently and we want to be able to help you if we can. So, get in touch as soon as you know you’re moving, even if a date isn’t yet agreed.
From the moment you contact us, your safety and that of our team is front of mind. We can still come and visit you in your home to provide you with a quote if needed, but for most customers we are now doing a video survey. Given most of us have spent the last few months getting to grip with Zoom, Facetime and various other video apps, it’s really no different – you can show us round your home, highlight anything you think we need to take into consideration and we can both ask the questions we need. It works really well, and from that we can provide an accurate quote for the work involved in terms of numbers of crew and the size of van.
We can still offer our packing service too, but with extra levels of hygiene in place. We ask customers to ensure everything is as clean as possible before we arrive and we will of course ensure our team members are properly sanitised, with clean uniforms daily, vans cleaned every day and ample supplies of hand sanitiser and cleaning equipment.
If you are packing your belongings up yourself we can provide boxes and packing materials and help with advice for items you may be concerned about transporting. We ask that all packing is completed before the removal team arrive, and recommend everything is clearly labelled so we know what needs to be left in which room on arrival at your new home without having to ask.
If at all possible we ask that our team are provided with a toilet and sink area they can use, ideally not shared with yourself, to minimise contact. We appreciate it’s not always possible, but even things like giving the crew their own towel to use helps – or disposable paper towels are even better.
Social distancing must be upheld at all times. We will ask you to show the team around the house when they arrive, and then ask your family and pets to remain in one room while the removal experts do their thing. That will then be the last room we move. Again, it just helps minimise contact where possible. In the summer homeowners were sitting outside, but of course as winter approaches we don’t expect anyone to risk frostbite!
If it’s not too cold or wet, open the windows and doors in the house to ensure adequate ventilation, and when cleaning before we arrive pay particular attention to high touch areas such as door handles, light switches and taps.
Our crews have to sign in daily confirming that they have no symptoms and we do temperature checks every day. If, as the person moving, you find yourself having to be in self isolation over the period you are supposed to move, we would be unable to move you, for everyone’s safety. We recommend everyone considers taking out insurance in case of any unforeseen circumstances such as those.
Our teams are a friendly bunch and normally love a good chat, but we’re obviously trying to minimise interactions as much as possible at the moment. And although they normally love nothing more than to be offered a cuppa, they’ll be fully stocked with their own refreshments for now, so don’t worry about sharing kitchen facilities.
We won’t ask you to sign any paperwork on the day. At the conclusion of the move the foreman will check that all is in order and any work notes or inventories will be emailed to you as soon as practicable after the move.
If you require storage as part of your move, that’s still available and we can keep hold of your items for as long as you need us to. They’ll be left in crates, untouched and unopened, until they’re delivered back to you, ensuring their safety.
We will call all customers a day or two before move day to chat through how things will work and we’re always on hand to answer any questions. But moves are still very much happening as they were – just with some extra safety precautions for everyone’s benefit!