What can you expect on moving day? As your first major move nears, take a look at what you need to know about working with movers, organizing everything you’ll bring to your new home, and more.

When Will the Movers Arrive?

This isn’t a question that should wait until the morning of your move to answer. But it is something you will need to know. Contact the moving contractors at least one week before your moving day to confirm your appointment time.

Along with the time that the movers plan to arrive, ask about a point of contact employee’s or crew supervisor’s contact information. You may need this phone number in case something unexpected happens on moving day, you have concerns about potentially wild weather, or you want to check on the status of your mover’s day-of arrival time.

What Happens Before the Movers Arrive?

Now that you know when the movers will arrive, it’s time to turn your attention to the first prep steps. Discuss special preparation steps with the moving contractor before your move-out/move-in day. These steps can help to streamline the process and make the move easier for everyone involved.

You will need to clear a space for the moving truck or van. Ask your point of contact to provide you with information on the size of the truck and the amount of loading space the movers will need. Even though the truck itself may fit in your driveway or a space in front of your home, a ramp or lift at the back of the vehicle will take up additional space. You will also need to leave space for the movers to carry or wheel your largest belongings (such as furniture) from your home into the truck.

Other pre-arrival steps may include clearing walkways, removing toys or décor from your yard, and organizing your boxes and bins.

How Should You Organize Moving Containers?

The answer to this question depends on what you need to move, how many containers you have, and your preferred organizational strategy. You may want to organize everything by room, size, or type of container. If you’re not sure where to start or how to organize everything you need to move, ask a pro. The moving contractor may have pointers that can make your day easier.

What Happens When the Movers Arrive?

The arrival time is confirmed, you’ve cleared space for the truck to park, the walkways are clutter-free, and you’ve organized your moving containers. What happens next? Now you’re ready for the move to start.

When the movers arrive, they will park their truck and prepare to load everything into the vehicle. If you’ve already prepared a moving inventory, you can share this document (written or digital) with the contractor. This can help the mover to plan the day and may reduce the risks of mid-move losses. The movers may also prepare their own inventory to account for your boxes, bins, bags, furniture, and other items.

If the movers create their own inventory, review this document before they begin to lift and load your belongings.

Walk through your home with the movers and note fragile or breakable items. The contractor will need to separate these containers/items before they pack the truck.

While most homeowners are present during the moving process, they won’t need to participate in the lifting or carrying. This means you can sit back, relax, and let the movers use their experience and expertise to pack the truck. The pros may bring special equipment (such as moving pads or dollies) to make the process easier.

They may also have their own special strategy for ordering containers or packing items into their vehicle. This reduces the risks of mid-move damage and can help them to fit everything you own into the truck.

Are you planning your first move? Contact Dixie Moving and Storage, Inc., for more information.