Residential Moving Tips: How to Prepare for Moving Day

The most successful moves usually have one thing in common: the customer is prepared before the crew arrives. Moving day becomes much more difficult when packing, scheduling, access and household decisions are still being worked out while furniture is being loaded.

1. Do Not Wait Until the Last Minute

Start planning once you have a realistic moving window. You do not need every detail finalized before contacting a mover. Starting early gives you time to complete the estimate, choose packing services, identify storage needs, discuss access, coordinate your schedule and work around closing dates. Request a moving quote when you are ready to start planning.

2. Finish the Packing You Said You Would Finish

If the estimate assumes the customer will pack certain areas, those areas should be completed before the crew arrives. Packing takes considerably more time than many people expect. If you get behind, tell your mover before moving day so additional help can be planned. Explore our packing services if you need help.

3. Do Not Schedule Your Entire Life on Moving Day

Try not to combine your move with your real-estate closing, cleaners, contractors, repair appointments, work meetings or other major commitments. Moving day requires decisions and attention. If possible, give the move its own day.

Closing dates do not always line up perfectly. If there may be a gap between homes, talk with your mover about household storage options ahead of time instead of waiting until moving day.

4. Separate Items That Should Stay With You

Before the crew arrives, create a clearly separate area for anything that should not go on the truck. That may include medications, identification, financial documents, keys, passports, closing paperwork, laptops, chargers, jewelry, irreplaceable personal items and sentimental items. If something cannot be replaced, strongly consider keeping it with you.

5. Know What Movers Cannot Transport

Certain items should not be packed with the household shipment. Examples can include flammable materials, hazardous materials, certain liquids and other prohibited items. Jewelry and high-value sentimental items should generally stay in your possession as well. If you are unsure whether something can go on the truck, ask before moving day.

6. Label Boxes for the New House

Label boxes based on where they are going, not where they came from. For example: Primary Bedroom, Upstairs Office, Kitchen Pantry, Garage or Bedroom 2.

Put the label on the side of the box, not only on top. Boxes are stacked during the move, which means labels on the top often become impossible to see.

7. Be Present for the Entire Move

VMS recommends that the customer or another responsible adult remain available throughout loading and unloading. Questions will come up about furniture placement, items staying behind, storage, special handling, destination rooms and access problems.

When the crew is there, treat the move as your primary responsibility for the day.

8. Start With a Walkthrough

When the crew arrives, walk through the home together. Point out what is moving, what is staying, fragile items, items requiring special handling, rooms that are already complete, anything going into storage and anything that should not be loaded.

9. Do a Final Walkthrough Before the Truck Leaves

Once loading is complete, personally walk through the residence. Check closets, cabinets, drawers, the garage, attic, basement, sheds and outdoor areas. Crews work from the moving plan, but checking that nothing has been left behind is ultimately the customer's responsibility.

10. Stay Available Until the Job Is Finished

The same principle applies at the destination. Be available to direct the crew so furniture and boxes go to the correct rooms. Changing your mind after everything has been placed creates extra work. If possible, know the general layout of the new home before unloading begins.

A Better Move Starts Before Moving Day

The moving crew can handle the physical work, but a successful move still requires the customer's involvement. Be organized, finish what you said you would finish, keep irreplaceable items with you, stay available and make decisions before the crew is waiting for an answer.

Virginia Moving & Storage provides residential moving services, packing and storage throughout Richmond, Central Virginia and Hampton Roads. For Central Virginia moves, see our Richmond, VA moving services.

Request a Moving Quote when you are ready to plan your move.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do the night before the movers arrive?

Finish any packing you agreed to complete and separate medications, documents, jewelry, sentimental items, keys and other things that should stay with you.

Where should I put labels on moving boxes?

Label boxes on the side rather than only on top. Boxes are normally stacked, so side labels remain visible.

Should I be home while movers are working?

Yes. VMS recommends that the customer or another responsible adult be available throughout the move.

What should I do when the movers first arrive?

Complete a walkthrough with the crew so everyone understands what is moving, what is staying and which items require special attention.

Who is responsible for checking that nothing was left behind?

The customer should complete a final walkthrough of closets, cabinets, garages, attics, sheds and other areas before the truck leaves.