Moving Day Tips
Making the day go as smoothly as possible…
Packing Up
Check the Bill of Lading. Moving companies are required to show you this contract before they start loading your boxes and furniture onto the truck. Take a few minutes to read it thoroughly. Make sure it matches the terms on your original service order, and address concerns before you sign it. Hang onto your copy until you've unpacked the boxes, because you'll need it on hand if anything gets damaged. This is also the time to ask your movers about their insurance policy and claims details. It is recommended to purchase full-coverage insurance from your moving company.
Supervise the packing process. You may be tempted to let the movers run the show -- after all, they do this for a living. You can save yourself a lot of chaos in the long run if you oversee the process.
Prepare to leave these unpacked: Leave out a few rolls of toilet paper, hand soap, paper towels, and kitchen trash bags that can be placed in the bathroom(s) and at the kitchen sink immediately upon arrival at the new house so that you and your movers can use them.
Provide sustenance. Whether you're working with pros or pals, provide snacks and water for everyone who's helping out. It'll keep their energy up, and it never hurts to inspire some goodwill in the people who are hauling your things around.
While the Movers are Loading the Truck
It is common for moving companies to leave their truck unsupervised during the loading process, even the best ones. Why? Because it takes a lot of extra time and vigilance to close/lock/unlock/open the truck’s roll-up door each time a mover arrives to load something in. You can choose to pay the movers for an extra person to stand guard at all times, or your can give this job to a friend or family member. They will need a chair, a jacket, sun protection, water, tunes or a good book, and a lot of patience.
Note: Your move manager does not provide this service, as she needs to be constantly going through the house overseeing what is happening inside. She may periodically walk outside and check on the truck, but will not be there every minute. Consider finding a friend to help out with this job if you’re concerned. This is another good reason to purchase full coverage insurance from your movers.
Check Your Home One Last Time
When the movers are finished loading and before they leave to your new home, do one last walkthrough of your home with the movers to make sure everything looks good. Don't forget to:
Check the house for anything you may have forgotten to pack or that the movers forgot to load. Check every closet, behind every door, the attic, the crawl space, the garage, the medicine cabinet, the front/back/side yards, the drawer under your oven. If you're leaving any large appliance guides/manuals, or house plans behind for the new owners, you may want to place them safely on the kitchen counter so that they can be found immediately.
Check for any damages caused by the movers. You don't want to lose part of your security deposit or haggle with the homebuyers because your mover left a hole in the wall or made a large scrape across the wooden floor with their hand truck. Address any issues directly with the moving supervisor during the walkthrough.
Write down your meter readings. When you receive your final bill from your utility companies, verify that the figures match up.
Supply Food & Drinks. It’s never required nor expected, but supplying your movers with lunch or at the least snacks and cold electrolyte drinks at the new location upon their arrival makes for happy workers. Please let your move manager know if you will like to provide a budget for these items to be picked up by her for your movers.
Check for cash. Have cash tips of $20 to $25+ per mover ready, along with money for any tolls along the way.
In Transit
Before you leave your old house, text to the moving supervisor and/or moving truck driver your cell phone number in case either party gets delayed or lost, and always have the moving supervisor and/or moving truck driver text back with their cell phone number to confirm that you each have the correct number.
If you're driving a rental truck, take it slow -- the extra weight will make the truck harder to handle. Watch out for low clearances, especially if you make a pit stop at a drive-thru window. If you stop along the way, lock the cargo door.
Inspect Your New Home
Arrive at your new home at the same time or before the moving truck does, otherwise you may be billed for stand-by time. Once you arrive:
Ask your movers to roll out floor protection. This is to help prevent floors and carpet from dirt and damage caused by shoes and rolling hand trucks. It can be very slippery and unsafe for movers to wear shoe covers while unloading (they easily slip off fast-moving feet.) Tip: request floor protection during your initial movers estimate or at least make contact about it with them before your moving day. Your on-site movers will usually need to be reminded about it on moving day.
Do a walk through with your movers. This is when they learn which rooms are which and any special unloading directions or needs that you didn’t already inform them about during your initial estimate. The moving supervisor will assess and let you know the path along which they will best be able to get your things into your home.
Check the utilities in your new home. Take a few minutes and check the outlets, light switches, appliances, faucets, and toilets for working condition. If anything's broken, you'll have a chance to address it right away.
Get organized. Have toilet paper rolls, hand soap, paper towels ready and placed in the bathroom(s) and at the kitchen sink for you and your movers to use. Having room signs pre-printed and placed during the walkthrough can assist the movers as they unload.
Unloading
While your boxes are being unloaded, oversee the process and make sure they end up in the right rooms. (You did label them, right?) You don't want to be rummaging through the boxes for your coffee pot tomorrow morning.
Tip: Have movers unload kitchen boxes into a room adjacent to the kitchen, and not directly onto the counters or up against counters and cabinets. You’ll need to get into these areas immediately to unpack, and you don’t want to be lugging heavy boxes out of the way to do so. Is there free dining room space for these boxes? Make sure that they are stacked with labels facing forward.
To avoid feeling overwhelmed, make moving your sole task for the day --
Schedule television and cable installation, phone service, and internet hookup to happen after you've settled in. If you need to schedule installation services for moving day and hired our move manager, she will oversee the movers while you communicate with any third-party services as needed.
It’s recommended to book art installation and interior decorating services for after you’re moved in and all furniture and rugs are in place.
You may want to book a baby and pet sitter for moving day. It’s important to not let little kids nor pets run around the houses on moving day; this can be a serious trip and fall hazard for everyone, and those helping with your move may be allergic to pets.
Stay hydrated, pack snacks, and take short breaks when you need them.
Moving day might be hectic, but if you're prepared, you can pull it off smoothly. You can always book Girl With A Truck™ Move Management services to take a large part of these tasks off your hands.