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Moving day is almost here!
If you’ve been following Part 1 and Part 2 of our checklist, you should be almost ready for your big move. If you’re driving to your new home, now is the time to pack the car. Pack your luggage if you’re flying, making sure to keep medications, move-related paperwork, and other essentials in your carry-on bag.
Do as much as you can before the movers arrive—the pros have a plan and a method, and things are more likely to go quickly and smoothly if you can give them space to work.
Ready to jump in and start the final sprint to the finish? Keep reading! (When you’re through, you can print this checklist if it will help you stay organized.)
The Day Before the Move
Finish packing
- Pack any last-minute items. No matter how closely you followed our packing and moving tips ahead of time, there will inevitably be at least a few things that you couldn’t pack earlier because you needed to use them during the week leading up to the move.
- If you have any expensive, fragile, or meaningful items that you are uncomfortable with the movers handling, separate them from everything else and plan how they will be transported to your new home.
- Ensure that all boxes are labeled properly and grouped together logically so that it will be easy for you and the movers to figure out where to unload them.
Do a final walk-through
- Check all closets, drawers, and cabinets to make sure that everything has been cleared out. Not only do you want to make sure that you don’t leave anything behind, but it is also much harder for movers to haul nightstands or dressers if the drawers are not empty.
- Dispose of any trash that you’ve accumulated through the sorting and packing process. Doing this now will clear up some extra room so that the movers will have more space to maneuver.
Take care of the final details
- Make sure you have the right form (and amount) of payment for the movers. For instance, if your mover doesn’t accept credit cards, you may need to stop by the back for cash or a money order. It’s also helpful to have some cash on hand if you’d like to tip your movers.
- Drop off your pets and kids with relatives or sitters. The movers will most likely arrive early the next morning, so it is easier to have the children and pets already taken care of and out of the way.
The Day of the Move
Get up bright and early
- Have everything prepared and ready to go so that the movers can begin working as soon as they arrive.
- In most cases, you’ll pay for moving services by the hour, so you’ll want the movers to be able to work as efficiently as possible.
Drop off pets and kids
- If you were unable to take your pets and kids elsewhere the night before, be sure to get them where they need to go before the movers arrive.
- If your kids and pets are staying with you, give your kids an activity to keep them busy. Consider crating your pets while the movers are working to prevent tails and paws from getting underfoot.
Do not disassemble any large furniture or electronics prior to the movers’ arrival
- The movers need to be the ones to disassemble things if you want to be sure that everything will be reassembled correctly.
- If you take apart smaller pieces of furniture, place any fasteners and hardware in a labeled plastic bag, and attach the bag to the furniture with painter’s tape.
Leave all of the actual moving to the movers
- Because they move homes every day, the movers will have the experience to get the job done right and will also know all of the best and safest practices.
- You’ll pose a liability to the moving company by attempting to help move anything, so don’t jump in unless you’re specifically asked to do so.
Have a plan of where you want all your items to be placed at your new home
- You don’t want to waste time discussing with your spouse where something should go while the movers are already unloading. The more prepared you are, the better and faster the process will go.
- Know exactly where you want heavy or bulky pieces of furniture to be placed, being mindful of any space restrictions, such as narrow hallways and staircases or non-standard door frames.
Treat the movers well
- Offer them plenty of water.
- While it isn’t mandatory, treating the movers to a meal is a nice gesture if your move will take place around lunch or dinnertime.
- Tipping is also up to your discretion, but it is obviously always appreciated by the crew.
Be flexible
- Keep an eye on the weather forecast to be as prepared as possible for inclement weather, but try not to stress over things that are out of your control.
- If your move ends up taking much longer than anticipated or has to be postponed, have a backup plan prepared for where you might spend the night or grab a bite to eat.
Take a Deep Breath. You’re Done!
You’ve made it to the finish line! And now you’re surrounded by boxes. But the good news is that the hardest part is done.
Whether you’ve moved a dozen times before or are moving for the very first time, keep in mind that professional movers are extremely experienced and knowledgeable about the process. Prepare properly, take their advice, and treat them with respect in order to make your move as pleasant as possible for all parties involved.
Once you’ve unpacked and settled in, you’ll probably begin to notice little things here and there that need to be fixed. A gash in the wall here; a chip in the paint there. A handrail that suddenly feels loose; a mysterious carpet stain that slipped by you during the purchase and inspection process. Or maybe you draw the short straw and one of your appliances gives up the ghost the day you move in.
These things happen, but the good news is that Best Pick Reports is here to support you 100 percent. Our experienced, vetted Best Pick companies are ready to take care of almost any home-related stumbling block you might encounter as you make your new house a home. Give one of our pros a call, and you’ll be satisfied with the service you receive—we guarantee it!