Are Moving Companies Open? (Due to COVID)

Carol Gann

August 14, 2020

Moving Tips

If you’re wondering if moving companies are open due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re not alone. Government rules change depending on where you live, and a lot of people are wondering if it’s safe to move right now.

While officially the answer depends on the state or even county where you reside, the short answer is: Yes. Moving companies are still open and operating during the pandemic.

Here are what the moving companies all say.

What the US government says

In order to reopen businesses, the US government has recently released a tiered plan for each state governor to carry out at their own discretion. The plan lays out three suggested criteria for states to satisfy, followed by three phases of reopening.

But even before reopening plans, moving was largely considered an essential service. This means moving companies could stay open, because Homeland Security lists “transportation, including airlines, taxis, rideshare programs, and vehicle rentals” as essential infrastructure in America.

And even then, this isn’t a federal mandate; it’s up to states to decide. Most if not all states have allowed moving companies to remain in operation.

Can I hire individual movers?

Yes, you can still hire individual movers to load and unload your vehicle. This is still the best value in the moving industry.

But of all the ways to move, this option has been the most susceptible to stoppages. Why?

Movers are typically part-time or full-time employees from a local moving company. And like most small businesses, work stoppages have forced business owners to make tough closure decisions.

On top of this, there are still many safety concerns with inviting movers inside your home. It is vital that your moving company implements COVID-19 precautions and uses all safety measures put in place by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during this time, including:

Wearing proper masks and gloves
Up-to-the-day execution of CDC recommendations
Flexible cancellation policies
Communication with customers on current crew health

The best way to hire local movers during the pandemic are through sites like HireAHelper, which are marketplaces made up entirely of participating local moving businesses across the country. HireAHelper has adopted strict safety guidelines, their policies cover your move in case of COVID-related issues, and local movers on their site are vetted by the safety measures they’ve implemented.

Don’t just assume your local movers will be safe during this time. Go with the safest option available to you.

Can I rent a moving truck?

Yes, you can still rent a moving truck (or other types of vehicles) to move.

DIY moves are still the safest ways to move. But if you still need to rent a vehicle (and/or get movers to load and unload it), the major rental companies have updated their policies during this time.

U-Haul

Upped sanitation policies of trucks
New policies for their employees
Can reserve online and over the phone
Pick-up/drop-off without interaction

Read U-Haul’s COVID-19 FAQ page.

Penske

Upped sanitation policies of trucks
Can reserve online and over the phone
Pick-up/drop-off without interaction (only at non-Home Depot, Penske-owned locations)

Read Penske’s COVID-19 FAQ page.

Budget Truck

Upped sanitation policies of trucks
Can reserve online and over the phone
You may cancel or modify your reservation without fee (this is the only major truck rental business with this stated offer)

Read Budget’s COVID-19 FAQ page.

Other potential vehicle rental companies, such as Enterprise, have also adopted new COVID-19 policies. Whatever option is available locally to you, make sure to ask what they are doing to keep you safe.

Can I rent a moving container?

Yes, and this could potentially be the safest option, if you have the budget.

Moving containers are portable storage units that are drive to where you are loading your stuff, then picked up for you and driven to where you’re going (or a storage place).

This means that minus any needed labor, you never technically have to interact with anyone, and they don’t have to interact with your things either!

PODS

As a contactless service, PODS customers do not need to meet and greet their drivers
Drivers can no longer go into containers with customers to do a walkthrough
New CDC-guided health policies for employees
Upped sanitation policies of containers
Electronic signatures

Read PODS COVID-19 FAQ here.

1-800-PACK-RAT

Drivers can no longer go into containers with customers to do a walkthrough
New CDC-guided health policies for employees
Upped sanitation policies of containers
Automatic management of warehouse storage as needed

Read 1-800-PACK-RAT COVID-19 FAQ here.

Go Mini’s

No contact delivery and pickup of containers
Modified delivery schedules
Upped sanitation policies of containers
Restricted access to warehouse storage
Closure of main office, remote work for all employees

Read Go Mini’s COVID-19 FAQ here.

Other moving container companies, such as U-Pack, also remain open during this time, but have no stated COVID-19 policies.

Can I rent a freight trailer or hire a Full-Service moving company?

Yes, although this is the least safe and most expensive way to move.

Some freight trailer companies will park a truck at your home and allow you to load your belongings on your own (or with help) using the space you need, which promotes social distancing.

But Full-Service moving companies, the type that will come survey your home, plan out your move a month or more ahead of time, and send out a large crew to pack and load, drive, then unload all your belongings, are obviously a heightened risk service for everyone involved.

Atlas