This is clearly not an ideal time to have to pack up and move, but with the moving industry deemed an essential service you can at least do so if the need arises.

In fact, with the entire country in a virtual lockdown, and unless you want to break social distancing rules and have friends and family do it instead, hiring a moving firm is your only option.

Fortunately, technology advances are helping the cause for both individuals who are moving and the personnel who make it happen.
John Prittie, president and CEO of moving franchise Two Men And A Truck Canada, says that in pre COVID-9 days, the standard procedure would be for a crew to physically go to a residence before a move, conduct a walkthrough, initiate a full inventory and answer any questions a customer may have.

That is no longer an option. Instead, the firm uses a software application called Gruveo, which allows a virtual walkthrough to take place instead via a video hook up between the two parties. “We are doing things differently,” says Prittie. “It’s not business as usual, but we are trying to make it as seamless as possible.” “With Gruveo, we send them a request and it is much like a FaceTime call. Basically, we do a virtual tour of a customer’s home and then we can give them an accurate estimate based on a video walkthrough. “We tell customers we have to do things differently. When we arrive, we will be wearing masks and gloves and taking all the appropriate precautions. There will be no shaking of hands. We keep a two-metre distance and we prefer it be a contactless move.” As for any personnel catching the virus, there had been no incidents and only one close call. The girlfriend of one mover was diagnosed with COVID-19 following a trip to Las Vegas, which resulted in him being quarantined for 14 days, but he is now back at work.

On its Web site, the company states that it is closely following guidelines put in place by the federal and local governments, as well as provincial health agencies and the World Health Organization. “Locations are also taking extra safety measures, including regularly sanitizing trucks and equipment, using hand sanitizer throughout the move, and practicing social distancing with our teams and customers,” it says.

The moving industry has been deemed an essential service because of the level of activity going on at any one time. According to a Statistics Canada survey released last year, an estimated half of Canadian households have either moved within the past five years or plan to do so within the next five.

“The most common reason for moving — reported by 9.7 per cent of households — was to upgrade to a better-quality home. This was followed by moving to a more desirable neighbourhood, becoming a homeowner, moving because of a change in household size or to lower housing costs.”

It is estimated that two million families in Canada moved last year. “Moving is part of the circle of life,” said Prittie. “Good times or bad, people are always moving.” “We only want to have contact with one person and after we do the walkthrough and review the scope of work, we prefer it if they retreat to the den. We know what we are doing so we can get everything packed up and loaded.”