Covid 19

Home Covid 19

Covid-19 Safety Measures

The Government have confirmed that the housing market in England will currently remain open. This means that people looking to move home will be able to both continue with planned moves and view new properties to move into in the future. Estate and lettings agents, home stagers, removers, tradesmen (builders, plumbers, electricians etc), valuers and people in sales and lettings offices and show homes will be able to continue working provided they follow Covid-19 guidelines.

At Coastal Home Styling the safety and well-being of our customers and staff are always of the highest importance. Under Government guidelines we are still able to provide our services within customer’s homes where necessary. We ensure that we follow the latest guidelines and take the necessary steps to stay Covid-19 safe.

In line with the Government’s guidelines, the use of remote working tools to avoid in-person appointments should be used where possible. We offer Home Staging Services via on-line video or phone, however we are still able to carry out physical consultations where this a preference and where necessary.

Before the visit

  • Ahead of any visit to the property, we will have a conversation with the client to assess whether social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable, is acceptable) can be maintained between staff and householders. (If it is not possible to maintain social distancing guidelines while visiting or working in the property, then extra attention will be paid to equipment, cleaning and hygiene to reduce any risk).

  • We will phone 24 hours before the visit to ensure that no-one in the property is clinically vulnerable, has tested positive, has symptoms or is self-isolating with regards to Covid-19, and that the appointment can go ahead. (Where necessary visits can be rescheduled).

  • We will send the client an email asking for their confirmation in writing of the above to enable to appointment to proceed.

  • The property will need to be cleaned prior to us visiting; door handles and surfaces in particular. All doors and windows should be opened where possible prior to arrival to allow as much fresh air to circulate as possible.

  • Arrangements should be put in place so that the number of people present at the property is kept to an absolute minimum whilst visits are being conducted, and where possible household members should be confined to one room for the duration of the visit. Our staff numbers will also be kept to an absolute minimum.

During the visit

  • Face masks will be worn by staff members during visits. The use of hand sanitiser and / or hand washing will also be carried out as and when necessary. Disposable gloves will also be carried to each visit and used where required.

  • We request that face-to-face meetings are held outdoors or in well-ventilated rooms whenever possible, maintaining social distancing.

  • We ask that households leave all internal doors open to minimise contact with door handles.

  • We ask that clients identify busy areas across the household where people travel to, from or through, for example, stairs and corridors, and that they minimise movement within these areas.

  • We will do everything possible to minimise transmission during appointments by avoiding sharing items such as pens, documents and other objects. Where possible documents and reports will be sent via email.

  • When touching or moving any furniture, objects, hand rails etc, the surfaces will be sanitised afterwards using antibacterial wipes or spray. The same applies to any items or inventory being brought into the property, which will be thoroughly cleaned before entering where necessary.

  • We will do our best to keep visits as short as possible. Sometimes however it is necessary to spend longer periods of time (half day or full day). If this is the case we will bring our own food and drink and have breaks outside where possible.

  • In cases where there are more than one staff member in a confined space within the property, we will limit the number of workers within that space to maintain social distancing.

  • We will use a fixed pairing system if workers have to be in close proximity. For example, during two-person assembly or Staging.

  • If the need arises, we will allocate the same workers to a household where jobs are repetitive. Fixed pairing ensures the same individuals are allocated to a household where jobs are repetitive in nature.

  • Working materials, such as tools or domestic appliances, will be assigned to an individual and not shared where possible. If they need to be shared, they should be shared by the smallest possible number of people.

There are a few exceptions to social distancing guidelines that have been set out by the Government regarding safety in the case of incidents:

  • In an emergency, for example, an accident, provision of first aid, fire or break-in, people do not have to comply with social distancing guidelines if it would be unsafe.

  • People involved in the provision of assistance to others should pay particular attention to sanitation measures immediately afterwards, including washing hands.

Covid-19 risk assessment results will be shared with relevant colleagues and contractors. Any risk assessment, Health and Safety policy, Method statement and Accident reporting forms will be kept up to date and taken to site in a file with insurance and business terms and conditions documents.

For further information, the Government website www.gov.uk provides detailed information on Covid-19 related topics including

  • Advice on home moving during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak

  • Working safely during COVID-19 in other people’s homes

In addition, if you have any queries or concerns that have not been addressed in this document with regards to COVID-19 please do not hesitate to contact us info@coastalhomestyling.co.uk

Disclaimer

This guide indicates how Coastal Home Styling plan to work safely in line with recently published Government guidelines for working during Covid-19. These guidelines may be subject to change in line with changes to the Government’s guidelines. It is the responsibility of all clients and businesses / trades to keep themselves up to date with the most recent guidelines, and to action these accordingly.