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Hiring professional movers significantly reduces the stress of moving day, but your role shifts from heavy lifter to proactive coordinator. The key to a seamless move is knowing how to support the crew without hindering their work. By focusing on clear communication, logistical preparation, and managing your own tasks, you can ensure the process is efficient and your belongings are secure.
How Should You Prepare Before the Movers Arrive?
Effective preparation begins days before moving day. Complete all personal packing unless your contract explicitly includes packing services. This prevents delays and ensures the movers can work systematically. Next, create clear pathways by moving clutter and ensuring all halls and doorways are unobstructed. Provide a detailed floor plan of your new home, labeling rooms (e.g., "Master Bedroom," "Kitchen") so boxes and furniture are placed correctly upon arrival. This preparatory step, based on our experience assessment, is crucial for avoiding confusion at your destination.
What Are Your Key Responsibilities During the Move?
Once the movers begin, your primary goal is facilitation. Stay on-site and accessible to answer questions but remain in a designated area away from the main traffic flow. Keep children and pets secured in a separate room or arrange for off-site care to ensure everyone's safety. While the crew handles the furniture, you should safely transport high-value items yourself. This includes jewelry, important documents, family heirlooms, and medications. For standard moving insurance to apply, items typically need to be packed by the movers; transporting irreplaceable items personally eliminates potential claims disputes.
| Task | Responsibility | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Transporting Valuables | Homeowner | Ensures safety of irreplaceable items |
| Moving Large Furniture | Moving Crew | Expertise prevents damage and injury |
| Final Walk-Through | Homeowner & Crew Lead | Verifies all items are loaded |
How Can You Support the Moving Crew Logistically?
Professional movers appreciate clients who make their job easier. Offer refreshments like water and sports drinks, especially during a long move; this is a common industry practice. Ensure the crew has uninterrupted access to the property—keep doors unlocked and reserve a parking spot for their truck if street parking requires a permit. It is also critical to verify the company's Certificate of Insurance (COI) before hiring. A COI is proof of commercial liability insurance and workers' compensation, protecting you from financial liability if an accident occurs.
What Are the Final Steps Before the Movers Leave?
As the move nears completion, conduct a thorough final walk-through of both the old and new properties. Check closets, cabinets, the garage, and attic for any overlooked items. Have your payment method ready as most companies require payment upon delivery. While not mandatory, tipping is a way to acknowledge exceptional service. A typical gratuity ranges from $4 to $5 per mover, per hour. For a two-person team working five hours, this equates to a total tip of $40 to $50.
Your moving day checklist should include:
