The Ultimate Moving Checklist: The Day of the Move

This article was crafted with the help of Jamie Furrate, Judy Scandura, and Chris Maples of Curtis Specialized Moving & Storage.

Moving day has finally arrived, and you want to make sure that you are ready. If you’ve been completing the previous segments of our checklist for moving, you should be in good shape as far as preparation goes, but it is important to anticipate the needs of the movers as well. We spoke with some of the professionals at Dallas-based Curtis Specialized Moving & Storage to get insider tips about how to ensure your move goes smoothly.

On the Day of the Move…

Get up bright and early. You want to be completely ready when the movers show up. Jamie Furrate, the owner of Curtis Specialized Moving & Storage, says that it is very important for you to already have everything prepared and ready to go so that the movers can begin working as soon as they arrive. “Typically, the customer is paying by the hour,” Jamie says, “so we try to do the job 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 prior to the arrival of the movers. Not only could they slow the process down by getting in the way, but they can also present safety hazards by being 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 we don’t get to see how something was set up initially, it makes it much harder for us to put it back together,” Jamie explains. “It’s going to take up more time, and we might not get it exactly right.” The movers want you to be pleased with their work, so give them a fair opportunity to get things right.

Leave all of the actual moving to the movers. Because they move people every day, the movers will know what they are doing as well as all of the best and safest practices. “Moving is a stressful exercise in and of itself, and we’re trying to take the stress away from the client by handling all of these things,” Jamie assures. It is better to stay out of the way and leave the heavy lifting—literally—to the experts.

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. “If we’re standing around, trying to figure out what you want us to do or how you want us to do it, it’s just going to add time to the process,” Jamie explains. “The more prepared you are for the move, the more efficient we’re going to be, which is going to translate to lower costs.”

Treat the movers well. Hauling heavy items is tough, and your prized possessions are being handled, so it’s worthwhile to go the extra mile to make sure your moving crew is happy and motivated. Be sure to offer them water, and while it is not mandatory, treating them 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. Jamie says, “We welcome tipping, but there is certainly no obligation. We don’t expect a tip, and the guys are happy with anything the clients are willing to give them.”

Be flexible. Sometimes, things happen that are out of your control, such as a bad thunderstorm. If your move ends up taking much longer than anticipated or has to be postponed, have a backup plan prepared. The movers will do everything they can to help your move go as seamlessly as possible.

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.

This spotlight article was crafted with the help of Curtis Specialized Moving & Storage, a Movers Best Pick in Dallas. While we strive to provide relevant information to all homeowners, some of the material we publish may not pertain to every area. Please contact your local Best Pick companies for any further area-specific advice.