Moving day is finally here, and your professional movers will arrive soon. While hiring experienced moving professionals takes much of the stress out of relocation, proper preparation on your end can make the entire process even smoother and more efficient. Taking time to prepare your home before the movers arrive helps prevent delays, protects your belongings, and ensures a successful moving day.
Based on insights from movers, here’s exactly what you need to do to prepare your home for moving day.
One Week Before the Movers Arrive
Confirm Your Moving Day Details
Contact your moving company to confirm the arrival time, crew size, and any last-minute details. Make sure you have your moving coordinator’s phone number and verify the addresses of both your current home and your destination.
Finish Packing Non-Essential Items
Most of your belongings should be packed by now. Focus on finishing the remaining boxes of non-essential items, leaving out only what you’ll need for the final week. Clearly label all boxes with their contents and destination room.
Arrange for Parking
Moving trucks need an adequate parking space close to your home. If you live in a neighborhood with limited street parking or in an apartment complex, reserve a parking spot or obtain necessary permits. Clear your driveway and notify neighbors about the moving truck.
The Day Before Moving Day
Empty and Defrost Your Refrigerator
Unplug and empty your refrigerator at least 24 hours before the move. This gives it time to defrost thoroughly and dry out, preventing water damage and mold. Clean the interior thoroughly and leave the doors open.
Disconnect and Prepare Appliances
Disconnect your washer and dryer, making sure they’re completely dry inside. Secure any moving parts on appliances. If you need help disconnecting gas appliances, hire a professional. Coil and secure all power cords.
Disassemble Furniture if Needed
While many moving companies will disassemble furniture for you, doing some of this work yourself can save time. Take apart bed frames and remove table legs if they detach easily. Keep all hardware in labeled plastic bags taped to the corresponding furniture piece.
Pack Your Essentials
Prepare a box with everything you’ll need for the first 24-48 hours: toiletries, medications, phone chargers, change of clothes, important documents, cleaning supplies, and snacks. Keep this with you rather than loading it on the truck.
Pack a separate bag for the moving day itself with water bottles, snacks, paper towels, scissors, box cutter, phone chargers, basic tools, first aid kit, and your moving documents.
Moving Day Morning: Final Preparations
Clear Pathways Throughout Your Home
Walk through your entire home and remove any obstacles that could slow down the movers or create safety hazards. Remove area rugs, clear toys from floors, and ensure hallways are completely clear. The easier you make it for movers to navigate, the faster and safer the process will be.
Protect Your Floors and Walls
While professional movers take care to protect your home, consider adding extra protection to high-traffic areas with cardboard or protective floor covering. Check with your movers about their floor protection policies.
Secure Loose Items
Do a final walk-through to secure any loose items. Remove or secure light fixtures, take down wall decorations, remove curtain rods if necessary, and ensure closet shelves are empty. Check that all cabinet and drawer contents have been packed.
Designate a “Do Not Move” Area
Set aside one room or a clearly marked area for items that should not be loaded onto the truck: essentials bags, important documents, valuables, cleaning supplies, and anything you’re transporting yourself. Use bright tape or signs to clearly mark this area.
Prepare Rooms for Inspection
Open all closet doors, cabinet doors, and storage areas. This allows movers to verify that everything has been packed quickly, speeding up their initial walkthrough and inventory process.
Set Up a Staging Area
Designate one area where all packed boxes and furniture will be staged for loading. This helps movers work efficiently and ensures they know exactly what needs to be loaded onto the truck.
Special Considerations
Apartment Buildings
Reserve the elevator for your moving time slot. Notify building management about your move date and confirm any specific moving rules. Protect common areas if required and schedule your final walk-through inspection.
Homes with Multiple Stories
Organize boxes by floor and clearly label them. Remove furniture from staircases and ensure good lighting in all stairwells.
Rural or Hard-to-Access Properties
Provide clear directions to your movers in advance. Mention any narrow roads, low-hanging branches, or unpaved driveways. In winter, ensure your driveway and walkways are cleared of snow and ice.
When the Movers Arrive
Conduct a Walk-Through
Do a complete walk-through with the crew supervisor. Point out any items that need special handling, show them the layout, and answer any questions. Mention any concerns about specific furniture or tight spaces.
Review the Inventory
Professional movers will create an inventory as they load your items. Stay available to answer questions during this process. Review the inventory list and note the condition of furniture before it’s loaded.
Stay Accessible but Out of the Way
Remain on-site and available for questions, but let the movers do their job. Find a spot where you can observe without being in the way. Keep your phone charged and accessible.
Provide Necessary Information
Make sure the movers have your phone number and the address to your new home. If someone else will be meeting the movers at the destination, provide that person’s contact information.
Final Details Before Leaving
Do a Final Walk-Through
After everything is loaded, walk through every room, including closets, attics, basements, and outdoor storage areas. Check that nothing has been left behind. Look behind doors, in corners, and on shelves.
Check for Damage
Inspect your empty home for any damage that occurred during the move. If you notice anything concerning, document it with photos and discuss it with the moving supervisor immediately.
Secure Your Home
Lock all windows and doors. Turn off all lights, adjust the thermostat, and shut off water if required. Collect all keys and garage door openers and return them to your landlord or the new owner.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not having enough cash on hand: Ensure you have money available for tips and unexpected expenses.
Leaving valuables unsecured: Never pack jewelry, essential documents, or irreplaceable items in the moving truck. Keep these with you.
Forgetting to arrange for children and pets: Moving day is chaotic and potentially dangerous. Arrange for someone to watch them or confine them to a safe, empty room.
Not preparing for weather: Check the forecast and prepare accordingly. Have towels ready for rainy days, and ensure pathways are cleared and salted in winter.
Packing items movers won’t transport: Hazardous materials, perishables, and plants cannot be loaded on moving trucks. Dispose of or transport these items yourself.
Make Your Move a Success
Proper preparation makes all the difference on moving day. When you combine thorough preparation with the expertise of professional movers, you set yourself up for a successful, stress-free relocation. Take the time to follow these steps, and your moving day will be much smoother from start to finish.
Remember, the key to a successful move is organization and communication. Start early, stay organized, and work closely with your moving team to ensure everything goes according to plan.