It’s Moving day – the culmination of the moving process. All your careful planning, meticulous organization, and hard work boil down to this moment and the outcome of your relocation endeavor depends, to a great extent, on how well the Big day will go.
There are many things out of your control that can go wrong on this fateful day and ruin your move, but there are also many things that you can do to ensure a successful relocation – you just need to know what happens on moving day, how to best prepare for it, and what crucial moving day mistakes to avoid.
Follow our expert moving day tips and detailed moving day checklist to keep moving chaos at bay during the most important 24 hours of your relocation adventure and achieve a safe, smooth, and efficient move day.
As you certainly know, organization is the key to success. So, you have to be as organized as possible on Moving day – stay focused, streamline your work, have all the necessary essentials at hand, and keep track of everything. To achieve this feat, you will need an efficient moving day checklist and a number of moving day essentials:
1) Moving Day Checklist
Here is what to do on moving day in order to make it smoother, safer, and easier:
The climax of your relocation adventure may seem like the culmination of a fairy tale adventure if you follow our expert moving day tips.
Wake up early – It will be a long and tiring day, so make sure you go to bed as early as possible the night before and try to get a good sleep. Get up early in the morning so you have plenty of time before the movers arrive and don’t need to rush things – enjoy a cup of coffee and a healthy breakfast and get ready for your relocation adventure.
Dress appropriately –Wear comfortable clothes appropriate for the weather conditions at the time of your move. Avoid loose, baggy garments and long jewelry pieces as they may get caught onto something and cause you to fall. Put on sturdy shoes with ankle support and anti-slip soles.
Pack up the last of your items (the things you needed during the night and on the morning of move-out day) and check if all the boxes are tightly sealed and clearly labeled. Make sure the items you’re going to need during the trip to your new home and the first couple of days after the move are packed separately – in your essentials box.
Ensure moving day safety – Take precautions to avoid injuries and accidents during the most critical 24 hours of your move:
Remove any obstacles from the corridors and entryway of your home and keep the path between the front door and the moving truck free of debris and potential hazards;
Lay anti-slippery coverings on the floors and stairs and protect your property against damage (see below for details);
Take care of children and pets – Moving day is both stressful and dangerous for kids and pets – they may get upset and scared by the hectic activities and unknown people in your home and they may get hurt if they get in the way (or cause someone else to get hurt). It’s best to ask a family member or a close friend to take your little ones to their place on the Big day or to keep them occupied in a safe and quiet room away from the moving chaos. If necessary, hire a professional sitter to look after your children and your animal friends;
Set aside the items you want to take with you – Put your essentials and valuables in a separate room, so they don’t get accidentally loaded on the moving truck.
Take plenty of photos to have proof of the pre-move condition of your items and visual aids when reassembling furniture and reconnecting appliances after the move.
Meet the movers – Welcome the moving team when they arrive, review the required paperwork (order of service, Bill of Lading, valuation addendum, inventory lists, receipts, etc.), show the movers around, provide them with all the necessary information, and make sure they can easily get to you if they have questions or need assistance.
Ensure efficiency and positive moving experience
Make sure you have all the essentials for moving day at hand (see below);
Prepare food for moving day – provide some healthy food and refreshing beverages to keep everyone’s energy and spirits up on the Big day;
Ensure good communication with the movers, treat them with kindness and respect, and tip them for their good service (see below for details).
Triple check everything – When all your belongings are loaded on the moving truck, do a final walkthrough of your home to check for forgotten items. Make sure the movers have the correct address to your new place, get the driver’s name and phone number and provide him/her with your contact information, and confirm the date and time when your shipment will be delivered.
Ensure the good condition of your old home – Check for damages, give your old home a good cleaning, and lock all the doors and windows before leaving your old house or apartment for the last time.
Click herefor a comprehensive moving day checklist and more details on what to do on moving day.
2) Things to Have on Moving Day
There are several essential things you will need on the Big day to ensure a safe, efficient, and trouble-free moving process:
How nice it is when everything you need is right where you need it to be.
Spare packing supplies – You will need some boxes and bubble wrap to pack the last of your items on the morning of moving day. Besides, you may change your mind in the last minute and decide to relocate something you considered leaving behind; or you may find some forgotten items; or you may need to repack some of your belongings for safety reason; etc. So, make sure you have extra packing supplies at hand – cardboard boxes and packing tape, padding and cushioning materials, stretch wrap and plastic bags, etc.;
Personal protection gear and property protection materials – Safety should be your primary concern on move day. To ensure your personal safety, you need appropriate clothing and footwear, as well as work gloves and a hard hat. To prevent damage to your property, you need protective materials (plywood sheets, carpet film protectors, corner guards, foam padding) and specialized moving equipment (dollies, furniture pads, moving blankets, etc.);
Medicines and toiletries – You can’t survive moving day without proper personal care, so make sure you have easy access to your essential toiletries and medication (prescription medicines, a first-aid kit, painkillers, allergy meds, etc.);
Documents – Be sure to keep your personal documents, financial reports, medical records, relocation-related papers, keys and tickets, etc. with you at all times. Needless to say, your credit cards should be readily available and you should have some cash on you as well;
Essential electronics – Your phone, laptop (or tablet), and camera are among the most useful things to have on moving day (just be careful not to forget their chargers). Some power strips and batteries may also come very handy;
Basic tools – You will need some tools (hammer, pliers, screwdrivers, nails, screws, measuring tape, duct tape, box cutter, scissors, etc.) for disassembling furniture pieces, removing doors from the hinges, measuring space and dimensions, securing items, cutting, sealing, repacking, etc.;
Cleaning supplies – To be able to clean your old home after the movers, you’re going to need a broom and a mop, wet wipes and paper towels, a bucket, a universal cleaning solution, and lots of trash bags;
Food and drinks – You can’t do without food on moving day, so be sure to provide some ready-to-eat snacks (not only sandwiches and pizza, but also nuts, fruits, granola bars, etc.) and refreshing drinks for everyone (bottled water and strong coffee, as well as cold drinks (if you’re moving in the summer) or tea and hot chocolate (for a winter move));
Kids’ items and pets’ items – If you have children and/or pets, they will need special attention during the move. Make sure you have all their essentials with you;
A list of key contacts – Keep a list of important contacts at hand (family and friends, emergency numbers, your moving company, credit company, and insurance company, the hotel you’re going to stay at on the trip to your new home, etc.), so you can quickly reach anyone you may need to during the most crucial 24 hours of your relocation.
When it comes to moving house, proper preparation is just as crucial as good organization. So, how to prepare for moving day? And more specifically – how to prepare for professional movers?
1. Sort out your belongings – Your first task is to look through your belongings and decide their fate:
All ready to go.
Get rid of unwanted items– Set aside the things you don’t need or don’t like anymore and get rid of them prior to your move (the fewer items you take to your new home, the easier and cheaper your relocation will be). Throw away damaged and worn out items, donate to charity or give away to family and friends unneeded items in good condition, and sell the things you can make some extra money from;
Know what movers won’t move – Request a list of the items your movers won’t load on the moving truck for safety reasons and decide what to do with any non-allowable items in your possession – use them up, give them away to neighbors and friends, transport the things you want to move to your new home yourself, arrange for the shipment of pets and plants, etc.;
Make a moving inventory – Create a detailed inventory list of the items you intend to entrust to the movers (Be sure to take several photos of every individual item you have for moving and include the pictures in the moving inventory – if you find any of your belongings damaged upon delivery, those photos will prove that the damage occurred while the items were in the movers’ custody and will come in very handy for your insurance claim);
Clean and organize your items- Group your items by type, purpose, destination room, or any other way that makes sense to you to speed up packing and unpacking. Make sure every item you’re going to put on the moving truck is clean and dry;
Set aside the things that should not be loaded in the moving truck– as discussed above.
2. Be ready when your movers arrive – The better prepared you’re, the smoother moving day will go (as your movers will be able to complete the job in a fast and efficient manner):
Be fully packed – Unless you’ve hired professional packers to prepare your items for shipment, all your belongings should be packed and ready to go by the time the movers arrive. If you’ve opted for a full-service move or requested packing services, the pros will pack up your household for you, but you can pre-pack small items to speed up the process;
Plan in advance– When preparing for moving day, you need to consider all the details and plan accordingly – inform your movers of possible difficulties, discuss any needed special services in advance, reserve a parking place for the moving truck close to the entrance of your home, reserve an elevator for the time of your move (if applicable), etc.;
Ensure a safe and easy way for the movers to take your belongings out of your home and into the moving truck – plan the best route out of your property, clear the way of obstacles, measure your larger items to see if they will fit through the doors and along the hallways, provide enough free space for the movers to maneuver your items around, etc.;
Plan for kids and pets as detailed above.
You can find more details on how to prepare for professional packers and movers here.
3. Protect your old home – To make sure that your property won’t be damaged during the hectic moving activities, you’re advised to:
Cover floors and carpets with tarps, carpet film protectors, floor runners, plywood sheets, old blankets, large cardboard pieces, or any other appropriate materials to protect the floors from damage and dirt and give the movers better traction as they carry heavy items around. (See also: How to protect floors when moving);
Cover the stairs with protective anti-slippery materials and wrap the banisters and railings in moving blankets;
Cover the walls with old sheets and protect the door frames with foam paddings;
Use corner guards to prevent denting or chipping the corners of walls and stairs.
Click here for more information on how to prevent property damage when moving.
Moving day can be not only stressful and exhausting, but also downright dangerous – accidents tend to happen in split seconds and can easily result in moving-related injuries and trauma. To ensure your safety when moving (and the safety of your family and everyone else involved in the relocation process), you need to take adequate precautions and stay focused and alert all the time.
Here are some proven moving safety tips to help you achieve a risk-free, trouble-free, and accident-free relocation:
Nothing is more important than safety – even on moving day.
Get adequate moving assistance – Even if you’ve packed your items yourself and completed all the laborious moving preparations on your own, you cannot do without help on move day. Lifting, carrying, loading and unloading furniture and other heavy household items poses serious risks to a person’s health and well-being and should not be attempted on one’s own. You need to ask your friends for help or hire professional moving assistance. Keep in mind though that maximum moving safety can only be guaranteed by professional movers. They’re properly trained and equipped to overcome relocation challenges and well familiar with all the applicable safety procedures and safety rules. The pros will perform your move in the safest and most efficient way possible, successfully preventing moving injuries and accidents and ensuring your smooth and trouble-free relocation experience.
Plan ahead –In order to avoid injuries during a move, you need to have a safe relocation strategy in place and plan a few steps ahead all the time. Mind the weather, the traffic, the peculiarities of your location, the possible dangers in your home, and any other relevant safety concerns when planning your moving day. Plan every step (both literal and figurative) you’re about to take and avoid rash decisions and hasty actions that can result in disaster.
Dress appropriately – The clothes and shoes you wear on move-out day should provide you with comfort and protection:
Choose weather-appropriate clothes made of breathable fabric that allow flexibility and freedom of movement. Avoid artificial fabrics and baggy garments;
Put on sturdy, comfortable shoes with ankle-support and rubber soles that provide good traction and flexibility. Avoid sandals, flip-flops, and high heels or other formal footwear;
Wear work gloves that will provide you with better grip and good hand/finger protection;
If you have long hair, tie it back;
Avoid wearing long jewelry pieces (they may get hooked onto something and compromise your safety) and large rings or rings with stones (they will make putting on work gloves difficult and may hurt your fingers when you lift a heavy item – not to mention that any delicate stones may easily break)
Keep hallways and pathways free of obstacles as detailed above.
Keep kids and pets away from the moving action (see the moving day checklist above).
Use appropriate moving equipment – Specialized moving equipment can save your back and feet from injuries, reduce the strain on your muscles, and protect your items and your property against damage. Using the right type of dolly is the best way to ensure safety when moving furniture, appliances, stacks of boxes, and other heavy items. Furniture sliders and moving straps can also go a long way toward preventing personal injuries and property damage on moving day.
Use proper lifting techniques – Moving injuries are most likely to happen when lifting and carrying heavy items. Professional movers know how to safely handle heavy lifting and can take your belongings into the moving truck without any accidents. If you’ve decided on a self-move, however, you need to get familiar with the right lifting techniques that will help you avoid injuries on moving day:
Know your route before you lift an item and plan your steps in advance;
Get a firm footing before lifting a heavy object and a good grip on the item you’re about to pick up;
Keep your back straight, bend your knees, and lift with the help of your legs, not your back;
Keep heavy objects close and centered to your body;
Make sure you can see where you’re walking;
Take small steps and keep your movements slow and steady;
If you need to turn around while carrying a heavy item, do not twist your back or your hips, but turn your feet;
Avoid lifting heavy items over your head and carrying weighty objects around for more than several minutes.
Stay hydrated and make breaks – Be sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day and have some refreshing drinks (or hot beverages if you’re moving in the winter) every once in a while. Have frequent breaks to avoid exertion and recover your strength.
Make sure you have a first-aid kit, some painkillers and allergy meds, and all your prescription medicines and personal health care products at hand.
Drive safely – Whether you’re driving a rented moving vehicle with your belongings in it or your car with your family inside, be extra careful on the road to your new home. Be mindful of the weather conditions, drive at a safe speed, observe the traffic rules, and make stops for food and fresh air every few hours.
Moving day is hectic and strenuous and nerve-wracking – and it is very easy to make a mistake when you’re anxious, tired, and stressed. Even a minor mistake, however, can have severe consequences on this fateful day. So, you need to be familiar with the most common moving day mistakes and learn how to avoid them, if you’re to have a successful relocation:
What was I thinking?!?
Oversleeping or not getting a good night’s rest – Even if you’ve already completed all the necessary moving preparation, there will be plenty of things to do on the Big day (see the moving day checklist above). You need to be well rested (so you have the energy and focus needed to survive moving day) and to have enough time to take care of the last details of your relocation endeavor before the movers arrive. It is, therefore, advisable to go to bed early the night before and wake up early in the morning on move day to make sure that you’re 100% ready for the challenge ahead;
Not being ready when the movers arrive – Failure to prepare well for the movers will result in wasted time and money:
If the movers have to wait until you finish your moving preparations, you’ll have to pay for the wasted time;
If you need help with some last-minute moving tasks, you’ll have to pay the movers for the extra services;
If you haven’t reserved a parking place for the moving truck close to the entrance of your home (or an elevator in your apartment building), you’ll have to pay a long carry fee (or a flight charge); etc.
Not having the needed moving day essentials – If you failed to pack your essentials in a separate box and set aside the things you may need on moving day (see above), you won’t have access to the crucial items required for a safe and smooth relocation process. You may need to open sealed boxes in search of a needed item or you may end up without a change of clothes at the end of the day, etc. (Related: How to pack an essentials box for moving)
Packing non-allowable items – As already mentioned above, there are items moving companies are not allowed for transport. If you packed any such non-allowables for moving, you will have to find a way to take them to your new home yourself, as your movers won’t load them on the moving truck;
Packing in an unsafe manner – If you’ve chosen to pack your items yourself but failed to observe the applicable safety packing standards, your movers may ask you to repack before loading your belongings on the moving truck;
Not labeling your boxes – Failure tolabel your packed boxes will not only make unpacking much slower and more difficult, but may also put your belongings at greater risk of damage as the movers won’t know which cartons require extra care. (Related: The biggest packing mistakes to avoid when moving);
Entrusting essentials and valuables to the movers –No matter how reliable and experienced your hired movers may be, there are some items that you should keep with you and move yourself – your survival kit, important documents, expensive jewelry, essential electronics, family heirlooms, collector’s items and other items of high monetary or sentimental value that you would hate to lose. If you have some larger valuables you cannot move yourself (such as antique furniture, for example), ask your movers to handle them with extra care and provide proper insurance for your treasured possessions (Related: 5 things you should never entrust to movers);
Overlooking moving safety – Safety should be your top priority when moving house and you should do everything in your power to avoid accidents and injuries on moving day (see above). Not taking adequate safety precautions may result in disastrous accidents and emergency visits to the nearest hospital;
Not treating your movers well –Getting in the movers’ way, ordering them around, shouting, etc. will only lead to tension and conflicts. To ensure a smooth moving day and encourage your movers to do a good job, you need to communicate with them openly, state your requests in a polite and friendly manner, and treat them with kindness and respect (see below for details);
Not planning the trip to your new home – You need to make preparations for the trip to your new area well in advance – get your car serviced and book hotel stays (if you’re driving across country); buy tickets and ship your car with a reputable auto transportation company (if you’re flying to your final destination); etc. Unless you’re moving just across town, it will be too late to organize the trip to your new home on move-out day itself (Related: Should you ship your car or drive it when moving across country);
Forgetting to switch utilities – It is common to forget about transferring utilities when preoccupied with important moving tasks, but arriving in your new home to find out that you don’t have electricity and water will be quite an unpleasant experience. Make sure you arrange to have the utilities running in your new home on move-in day. (Related: Critical mistakes when moving in a new home)
The countdown to Moving day is over and the most important 24 hours of your relocation endeavor are beginning to tick by. You’re up with the dawn, all ready and waiting for the movers to arrive. And you’re probably brimming with anxiety and worrying how things will go.
The pros know their stuff.
Even if you know what to expect on moving day, you may still be nervous – and if you’re moving out for the first time and have no idea how moving day works, you may be close to panic. Yet, you need to be calm and focused on the Big day in order to successfully overcome any last-minute relocation challenges and make your move as smooth and efficient as possible.
Knowing what happens on moving day will help reduce stress and allow you to stay on top of things all the time:
When the movers arrive, the driver will introduce the team and provide you with all the required moving paperwork. Once you’ve reviewed the documents and confirmed that everything is correct, the movers will get to work;
The first thing your hired moving day laborers will do is to conduct a walk-through of your home to:
see the items that are to be loaded on the moving truck, assess the condition of every article and assign it an inventory number (you need to check the movers’ inventory to make sure all the items you have for moving are included in it and their condition is stated correctly);
take note of special items that require extra care, furniture pieces that need to be disassembled, etc.;
determine possible difficulties;
decide what accessorial services will be needed for a safe and efficient relocation.
Next, the movers will take precautions to protect your property from damage and to prevent accidents and injuries;
If you’ve hired full-service movers or requested these services, the pros will pack your belongings, disassemble large furniture pieces, and prepare all your household items for shipment. The movers will also perform any specialized services you’ve asked for and any extra services required to provide proper protection to your belongings, safely take them out of your home, and put them on the moving truck without accidents;
When everything is ready, the movers will use specialized tools and equipment (moving dollies, carrying straps, furniture pads, loading ramp, etc.) to safely and quickly load your belongings on the moving vehicle. The pros will distribute the weight of your items evenly throughout the truck, will optimize the available space, and will secure your belongings, so they don’t shift or topple over during transit;
At this point, you will need to do a final walkthrough of your home to make sure nothing has been left behind. The driver will give you the Bill of Lading – your moving contract – and you will have to sign it before the movers can depart for your new home (make sure you read the document very carefully before signing it!);
If you’re moving locally, your items will be delivered within several hours. If you’re moving long distance, you need to confirm the date and time of delivery with the driver and get to your new home in time to receive your goods.
The pros know their stuff and will do a good job, but there are some things you can do to make moving day easier as well:
Be there but stay out of the way – You need to stay around as your movers may have questions or want to consult with you. Yet, you should not try to tell the pros how to do their job – they have rich experience and proficient skills and will take good care of your move;
Prepare well (see above) – If you’ve planned in advance and completed all the necessary moving preparations by the time your movers arrive, the Big day will go like clockwork;
Make sure your items are safely and efficiently packed – use strong moving boxes of the right sizes, wrap individual articles before putting them in the cartons, place heavier items first, do not make the boxes heavier than 50 pounds, provide sufficient padding inside the cartons, seal the boxes tight and label them properly, use the safest and most appropriate packing techniques for different types of items, etc.;
Ensure moving day safety (see above);
Ensure good communication with the movers and treat them well (read on for details).
Moving day is quite exhausting – not only for you, but for your movers as well – so any acts of kindness on your part will be highly appreciated. Besides, being polite and friendly to your movers will encourage them to do a good job and will guarantee your smooth and successful relocation experience. You’re therefore advised to treat your movers with respect, be considerate of their needs, communicate openly with them, and keep a light mood throughout the Big day:
Treat your movers the way you want them to treat you.
Be home to meet the moving crew at the agreed time;
Provide all the information your movers may need (specific requirements, expected difficulties, etc.);
State your requests clearly and politely;
Use humor to reduce stress and keep your calm even if something doesn’t go according to plan;
Equip a bathroom with liquid soap and disposable paper towels and show the movers where it is;
Offer your movers bottled water, coffee, and refreshing drinks or hot beverages (according to the weather);
Provide healthy, eat-on-the-go snacks (sandwiches, cheese bites, nuts, cookies, etc.);
Buy your movers lunch if the moving job takes more than a few hours (it will be thoughtful of you to ask them what they would like to have instead of just ordering pizza);
Reward your movers with generous tips if they provide quality service (see below).
Hauling heavy items around and taking care to avoid damages and accidents is hard, challenging, and exhausting work. So, if your movers arrived on time, behaved in a professional, respectful, and friendly manner, took precautions to protect your property from damage, handled your items with care, and worked quickly and efficiently, they deserve to be rewarded for their efforts. And the best way to show your gratitude for your movers’ hard work and professional attitude is to tip them for their services.
But how much to tip movers? It depends on their performance and your satisfaction with their work:
The standard amount to tip movers is $5/hour per person;
If your movers did an outstanding job, you may want t reward them with bigger tips;
If your movers were careless or rude, caused damage to your property or broke some of your belongings, disregarded the terms of your moving contract or tried to add extra charges in the last minute, then they should not be tipped at all.
However well prepared you may be, there are some things that can go wrong on moving day and ruin your relocation experience:
1. Adverse weather – Intense heat, heavy rain, snow and ice, dense fogs and high winds can all cause severe problems on move day:
Your belonging may get damaged if they get wet or exposed to extremely high or extremely low temperatures;
Intense heat can pose a risk to your health or cause the moving truck to overheat and break down;
Large snowdrifts may block your driveway or the road between your old home and your new one;
Ice can make the roads slippery and very dangerous;
Severe storms can cause irreparable damage to your belongings and put your safety at risk;
Rain will pose a number of unique relocation challenges – you will have to find a way to keep your belongings safe and dry and to protect the floors and carpets in your home from the mud and dirt that will be tracked inside, not to mention that the risks of accidents and injuries will be significantly higher when moving in the rain (See also: Rain on moving day – good luck or bad fortune);
Dense fog will cause decreased visibility and slick roads and may result in traffic accidents;
Strong winds may lead to road closures due to flooding, fallen trees, or downed power lines, etc.
There are circumstances beyond your control that can ruin your move.
2. Traffic problems – Traffic problems can also cause you severe headaches on the day of your move:
Truck breakdown – If the moving truck transporting your shipment breaks down along the way, your items will have to be transferred to another vehicle. This will result in late delivery, not to mention that some of your belongings may be damaged in the process;
Road accidents – A traffic accident on the road to your home may delay the moving truck, but if the moving vehicle itself has an accident, your move may be entirely postponed (if the moving company doesn’t have another truck available for the same day) or you may lose all your belongings (if the accident happens while the moving truck is transporting your items to your new home);
Traffic jams – Traffic jams may cause considerable delays and disrupt your plans (there may not be enough time for loading or unloading your items that day, you may miss your flight, for example);
Parking problems – If there isn’t a convenient parking place for the moving truck close to the entrance of your home, you will be charged an extra fee (long-carry fee) and your move will take longer;
The moving truck can’t access your home – In case a large moving truck is not able to access your property because of physical obstacles (narrow streets, low bridges, construction works, etc.), you will have to pay extra for shuttle services.
3. Movers are late (or don’t show up at all) – Professional movers may be late because of adverse weather conditions, traffic problems, technical issues with the truck, wrong address, etc. In all these cases, your move will be delayed but may still be successful. (See also: What to do when movers are late).
If the movers don’t show up at all, however, and you can’t reach the moving company on the phone, then you have no choice but to look for same day movers or postpone your move.
If you’ve fallen victim to moving scams, the rogue movers may:
disappear with the money from your deposit and not show up at all;
request much more money than previously agreed for alleged extra services;
disappear with your belongings or hold them hostage until you pay a considerable ransom, etc.
4. Furniture doesn’t fit through the door – If your larger furniture can’t be disassembled and doesn’t fit through the doorways or hallways of your old home or your new residence, you will have to either leave it behind or request expensive hoisting services. Be sure to measure your furniture pieces and the available space in both your old property and your new one in advance, so you’re well prepared for such a troublesome relocation scenario. In fact, it’s best to make a floor plan of your new home before moving. (See also: What to do if furniture doesn’t fit through the door)
Keep in mind that improper packing and improper organization may also result in lots of wasted time, money, and nerves on Moving day – you may need to leave some of your items behind, open sealed boxes to find a needed item, repack some of your belongings, pay for last-minute packing supplies and/or packing services, have your essentials loaded on the moving truck, etc.
5. Lost keys, tickets, documents, etc. – There is no way to enter your new home if you don’t have the keys to the property and you’ll have a lot of trouble starting your car without the key or getting on the plane without your tickets. And if you lose some of your important documents, you may have even greater problems – both during and after the move.
6. Personal injuries – Personal injuries top the list of the worst things that can happen on moving day, so you need to take every possible measure to ensure moving safety (see above).
When things don’t go according to plan…
There are many things that can go wrong on the day of your move, but careful planning and proper organization will help you avoid most of them – so that you don’t hear any of the terrifying sounds of moving day during the most critical 24 hours of your relocation adventure.
Moving is always hard but even more so in the event of a self-move when you can’t rely on professional help and need to take care of every single detail yourself. You need to know how to do things right or you risk having a nightmare relocation experience. This is especially true on Moving day – the most critical part of the relocation process.
Here are some efficient tips for surviving moving day when moving without professional assistance:
1) Pick up your rental truckthe evening before your move or early in the morning of moving day
Unless you’re moving locally and can make several trips between your old home and your new one (so you can transport all your belongings in yours and your friends’ cars), you will need to rent a moving vehicle for your DIY-move. Make sure you choose the right size moving truck for your needs (big enough to accommodate all your items, but not so large that you end up paying for space you don’t use), inspect the vehicle for damage, and know all the applicable return requirements and special conditions. (You can find everything you need to know about moving trucks here.)
When going to pick up your rental truck, make sure you have your driver’s license (and a credit card) with you. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the operation and handling of the vehicle – driving a large moving truck is quite a challenge, so you’re advised to practice some basic maneuvers in an open space while the truck is still empty.
2)Have all the necessary tools and equipment
To avoid property damage and personal injuries on the day of your move and minimize the risk of damage to your items, you need to use the right equipment for the job – a moving dolly, furniture sliders, moving blankets, moving straps, etc. Make sure you have some basic tools as well (see the list of moving day necessities above).
Click here to find out what essential tools and equipment to have when moving by yourself.
Use quality packing materials and safe packing techniques to provide the best possible protection to your items:
Place as many of your items as you can in sturdy, similar-sized moving boxes that can be easily stacked on top of one another (make sure all boxes are properly labeled);
Wrap all furniture, appliances, and other larger household items in moving blankets to keep them safe during loading/unloading and transit;
Disassemble larger furniture to make them easier to pack and carry. This will not only reduce the risk of damage to your furniture, but will also help maximize the space in the truck. (Related: How to pack furniture for moving).
3) Protect your property
Be sure to take all the necessary precautionary measures to prevent damage to your property – as discussed above.
4) Do everything possible to avoid injuries and accidents on the day of your move
Take measures to ensure your safety and the safety of your family and friends (see the moving day safety tips above).
Many hands make light work, you know.
5) Have a few reliable friends to help you
Moving house and loading a moving truck, in particular, is not a one-man job – you need help. So, as soon as you decide on a self-move, be sure to reach out to your friends and ask them for help:
Ask some of your friends who are not very strong physically but have good organizational skills to come earlier on move-out day and help you finish your moving preparations (packing, protecting your property from damage, moving smaller items out of the way, etc.). Meet them with freshly made coffee and spare a few minute for a good laugh to set a positive tone for the day;
Arrange for your friends who will be lifting and carrying heavy items to arrive when everything is ready and the loading process is about to begin;
Give everyone specific tasks – Let your friends take care of what they’re good at (entrust your books to a book-lover and your TV and computer to a tech geek; ask a friend who loves children and animals to take care of your kids and pets on the Big day; let your strongest pals handle the heavy lifting, etc.). Make sure everyone knows exactly what they will be doing, so they can prepare properly and make their own plans;
Do not rush things, provide directions in a courteous and friendly manner, stay calm, and keep your sense of humor;
Make it fun – Think of amusing moving games (Search and find, Treasure hunt, etc.), tell jokes and share happy memories with your friends while working, etc. Provide plenty of snacks and drinks, play everyone’s favorite music, and do your best to make the day as pleasant as possible;
If your friends are going to help you get to your new home and transport some of your items in their cars, be sure to reimburse them for the gas;
Once you arrive at your new house or apartment, give your pals a walkthrough of the place and let them know where every box and item should go. Let everyone go as soon as your belongings are unloaded and taken inside;
Thank your friends for helping you move – send everyone who lent you a hand a thank you letter, get them small gives, buy them a ticket to an event they would like to attend, invite them to a party, etc.
Improper loading may put your items at risk (they may bump against one another or topple over during transit) and make the moving truck more difficult to drive (and more likely to have an accident), so you need to know how to pack the vehicle in a safe and efficient manner:
Distribute the weight of your items evenly throughout the truck;
Start with your largest and heaviest items;
Load the front of the truck first;
Put longer items along the walls of the truck and place them upright;
Position tables, desks, chairs and other smaller furniture in the middle and put heavy boxes underneath them;
Place lightweight items on top of and around heavier items;
Load the truck in rows from floor to ceiling and pack items tight;
Make sure every layer is independently secured and every item is safely wrapped, tied down, and fully immobilized;
Plan your route in advance – map out the safest and shortest way to your new area and find out if trucks are prohibited on some of the roads, where weigh stations are, what road tolls will be required, etc. Keep in mind the clearance of the truck and any physical restraints along the way (narrow streets, weak bridges, etc.) and plan for detours. When you set off for your new home, be sure to:
Drive carefully and keep a safe distance from other vehicles;
Make your turns wider than usual and use caution when changing lanes and merging;
Avoid accelerating too quickly, slamming on the brakes, and overtaking other vehicles;
Pay special attention to road signs meant for truck drivers.
The end of your relocation endeavor is within sight – the movers have departed with your items and you’re ready to leave your old home for good. Before you can do that, however, you need to clean the place and ensure its excellent condition, so you can get your security deposit back or make your property more desirable for potential buyers.
Your prudence and vigilance will pay off with a trouble-free moving day.
So, get down to work and get your old home in top-notch shape – wash the windows, sweep and mop the floors, remove dust and cobwebs, take out the garbage, etc. (or hire a professional cleaning company if you don’t have the time or the energy to complete the laborious task yourself).
When ready, make sure all the lights, ceiling fans, remaining appliances, heating and cooling systems, etc. are turned off, write down the meter readings, close the windows, and lock the door. Have a safe and fun trip to your new home and your new life!
If you’re moving locally, move-out day will also be move-in day. You will arrive in your new place shortly and so will your shipment. Make sure the utilities are on and your new house or apartment is clean and ready for moving in. Show the movers around and let them know where each of your items should go. Once they leave, unpack the essentials you will need that evening and the next morning – bedding, bathroom necessities, kitchen basics, kids’ and pets’ essentials, etc. Make the beds, set up the bathroom, order some food, take care of your children and animal friends, and call it a day – it’s time for a relaxing shower and a good night’s sleep.
If you’re moving across the country, your items may take several days to arrive – you need to stay in touch with the movers so you know exactly when to expect your shipment. Make sure your new home is ready by that time and be there to meet the movers – inspect the delivered boxes, have every item taken to its rightful place, and start unpacking your belongings and settling into your new life.
Now you know how to make moving day easier, safer, and more efficient – all that remains is to find out how to make it stress-free.
How to Make Moving Day Less Stressful
To chase anxiety away and make the adrenaline-filled moving day smooth and successful, you need to:
Moving day is over – your new life is about to begin.
Prepare well – hire experienced and trustworthy movers to help you relocate, pare down your possessions, have a detailed moving inventory, get proper moving insurance, prepack small items (or have all your belongings boxed up and ready for shipment, if you’ve decided to pack your household yourself), have all boxes clearly labeled, keep your valuables and essentials with you, reserve a convenient parking place for the moving truck, take measures to prevent property damage, etc.;
Prevent possible stress situations – ensure adequate moving day help, provide proper protection to your items, do everything possible to prevent accidents and injuries while moving, arrange for someone to look after your kids and pets, mind the weather and prepare accordingly, have all the things you may need on moving day handy, etc.;
Keep stress at bay – get a good night’s rest so you’re fresh and alert on the day of your move, don’t rush things, stay calm, be flexible, and keep your sense of humor.
In a word: be prepared and be positive – the Big day will play out in accordance. Happy moving!
Posted on November 19, 2019
Jessica Ryan
Jessica Ryan is an experienced moving expert and regular contributor to MyMovingReviews.com with in-depth informative articles and useful relocation guides.
She likes to focus on the small details that make every person unique and every moment worth living by incorporating non-traditional ideas, solutions, and points of view in her work.
For the last 5 years, she has been focused on helping people make the right relocation decisions as she has covered a wide range of moving-related topics.
You can contact Jessica at: jessica.ryan.web@gmail.com | Linkedin
In depth on Moving Day Checklist: Tips to Survive the Big Day
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