The better prepared you are, the faster the move goes. Here are eight things to have ready before the movers ring your doorbell.
1Declutter in good time
Sell, donate or throw away what you do not need. Fewer items make the move both shorter and cheaper.
Every box you do not have to move saves time both when loading and unpacking. Start with storage and wardrobes. What you have not used for a couple of years you will probably not miss.
2Pack what you do not use
Boxes with seasonal clothes, books and ornaments can be packed days in advance.
Aim to have everything except the bare essentials packed the evening before. If the movers have to wait while the last things are packed, the clock is running – and with an hourly rate that costs money.
3Label the boxes
Write the room and contents so everything ends up in the right place in the new home.
Write the room in the new home, not the old one. Put notes with the same names on the doors of the new home, so the movers find the right place without asking.
4Empty and defrost the fridge and freezer
Do it the day before, so nothing leaks during transport.
Put towels on the floor in front of the freezer and leave the door open overnight. Chilled food that is coming with you is packed last, in a cool bag.
5Remove loose items
Empty cupboards, drawers and shelves or tape them shut, so nothing slides out or breaks.
Chests of drawers and cupboards become heavy and unstable when full, and drawers can slide out on the stairs. The washing machine should be drained and the drum ideally secured for transport – check the manual.
6Arrange parking and access
Check where the truck can park, whether the elevator needs to be booked and that the front door is unlocked.
The truck needs to stand as close to the entrance as possible. Check whether the street has a parking ban or street cleaning that day, and whether the association requires the lift to be booked. If you can, park your own car in the spot the evening before and move it when we arrive.
7Keep important things with you
Wallet, keys, documents, jewellery and chargers are best carried yourself.
Put them in a bag that travels with you, not in the truck. The same goes for medicines, passports and hard drives with backups.
8Mention anything special
Tell the movers in advance about heavy or fragile items, narrow stairs or a missing elevator.
A piano, safe, aquarium, large mirrors and marble tops often need extra people or special equipment. If we know in advance, the right team comes with the right equipment and the time estimate holds.
The evening before the move
Charge your phone and make sure keys, door code and the movers' phone number are close at hand. Unplug and coil cables, take down pictures and curtain rails and take apart anything you want to dismantle yourself. Gather the boxes near the front door, but keep the walkway clear.
When the movers arrive
Do a quick walk-through together and point out what is coming, what is fragile and what is staying. After that you mostly need to be on hand for questions. At the new address, show where the large furniture should go – it is easier to get it right straight away than to move it later.
Common questions before moving day
Do I need to be at home the whole time? It is usually enough to be there at the start and at the new address, but stay reachable by phone. Does the furniture have to be taken apart? No, but tell us in advance if you want us to do it, so we bring tools and allow for the time.
What about children and pets? Moving day is calmer for everyone if they can stay with someone else during the carrying – doors are open and heavy things go through the stairwell. And if something takes longer than planned? With an hourly rate you pay for the time actually spent, so good preparation shows directly on the invoice.
A checklist to tick off
Everything is packed and labelled. Fridge and freezer are empty. Drawers and cupboards are emptied or taped. Parking and lift are arranged. Valuables are in a bag of their own. The movers know which items are heavy and fragile.
