How to Prepare for Movers in Just a Couple of Steps

The moving industry employs more than 122,500 people, and there are 7,000 moving companies in the USA. And like in any professional interaction, there are things movers would like you to do before they arrive. Knowing how to prepare for movers will make relocation easier not only for you but for your movers as well.

Whether you hired your movers to do everything for you or not, there are still some things you can implement to make this relocation go stress-free and smooth. If you organize and plan everything, you will move more efficiently, and most importantly, your relocation will be faster. Keep reading and find out what movers would like for you to know before moving day arrives.

Know What Items You Are Bringing Before You Book Cross Country Movers

Before you start with all the necessary preparations, you will need to contact your cross-country moving company and arrange an in-home estimation for cross-country moving services. But to do so, you will need to make a household inventory list. Declutter your home before you start making plans with your long-distance movers and make a list before they arrive.

Go room by room and label each piece of furniture you plan to bring. Make sure you have measurements of your new house before choosing what you will bring. Also, make piles of belongings you will bring and piles of things you plan to get rid of. Once you are done sorting everything, put all belongings you don’t need anymore in a garage and keep sorting to see what you can sell and what has to be thrown away. Of course, you can donate unwanted items too.

Finally, some items no mover would transport. Here are some things movers won’t move, so make sure you get rid of those things in advance:

• Food,
• Plants,
• Flammable items or chemicals.

Decluttering will be an excellent way to prepare your house for sale as well, so make sure you start with this on time.

Plan Your Garage Sale on Time

Once you have decided what to keep when moving and what to sell, it is time to plan your garage sale. Pick one weekend day for sale. Make sure to arrange everything in such a way that all visitors can have a clear view and put a price on each of the items you wish to sell. More valuable items should be inside of your garage, while others can be in your front yard.

Do not put out things that will repel potential buyers, like old towels or sheets. In fact, everything that is worn out should be donated or thrown away.

Step by Step Guide on How to Prepare for Movers

When it comes to organizing your move, the best moving tip every mover will give you is to start doing everything on time. Make a moving budget first so you can see if there is room for a full packing service from your long-distance moving company.

On the other hand, if you decide to pack everything alone, you will have to implement some packing tips. Start with items you will not use until the moving day arrives, so don’t pack your dishes right away. Leave them for now and pack them the night before your relocation day. Start with your Christmas ornaments, for example, or with pots and pans you will not use.

Step 1 – Prepare Your Items for Movers and Finish Packing Before They Arrive

If you start everything on time, you will probably be surrounded by halfway-packed boxes. In order to avoid this kind of mess, you should do your packing in your garage or basement. Once you start with a particular box, do not leave it unfinished. Also, make sure you reinforce the box with some duct tape on each side. If your boxes don’t have holes for holding, you can cut some. This will make your movers’ job a lot easier.

Step 2 – Clean Your House and Furniture Before Moving Day

Knowing how to clean the apartment and applying the knowledge will benefit not only your movers but will be good for your belongings, too, especially if you plan to keep them in storage facilities before shipment. You can book a cleaning agency for this, or you can do this alone. But, if you are relocating with pets, bear in mind that you will need a deep cleaning of your furniture and rugs so you get rid of all hair and odors. You can start your move-out cleaning days before the moving truck arrives. If you want to know how to prepare your home for movers by cleaning, you can’t miss if you clean one room in your house every day. That way, everything will be cleaned down to the last detail and without too much energy from your side.

Step 3 – Do Not Overfill Boxes

When packing boxes, one of the most common moving mistakes people make is putting too many things in one box. To avoid this, when packing books or some other heavy things, lift your box to see its weight. If it is hard for you to lift, it will be even harder for your movers. Don’t forget they will have a lot of boxes to carry all day. Furthermore, overfilled cardboard container might break up, and that’s whole another level of a potential nightmare.

Step 4 – Label Everything Correctly

Knowing how to prepare for professional movers is crucial, whether you are packing clothes for moving or some fragile items. The key is in good labeling. Not only will your unpacking be a lot easier, but loading on a truck will be too. If they know what is in each box, they will pack a moving truck without the possibility of any damage. So make sure you at least label boxes with fragile, liquid, and heavy stuff if you don’t have time and energy to label each box. But if you label your boxes with the name of the room they have to be placed in, your movers will place them there right away. After that, the unpacking will be a breeze.

Step 5 – Bring Cash, Jewelry, and Documents With You

When you start packing, think about the bag of essentials. Your moving essentials should include jewelry, cash, important documents, medicine, and electronics. Pack your essentials like you are going on a short vacation. Here are some of the more ordinary things you need to put here:

• Clothes, underwear, and towels,
• Bedding,
• Hygiene products,
• Toys for your kids,
• Laptops and chargers,
• Food, water, and snacks,
• Hairdryer,
• Universal cleaning supplies.

Step 6 – Clear a Path for Your Movers

Once professionals arrive, they will load heavy, bulky furniture first, as well as your kitchen appliances. Keep that in mind when you start to put your boxes around the house. Make sure your movers have enough space to maneuver heavy and big objects, and if you clear a path for them, they will load everything faster. It would be good if you could measure all your doorways to see if your furniture can pass through. Because if it is not wide enough, maybe you will have to take the doors down before the big day comes.

Do You Need to Empty Dressers for Movers?

If you wonder how to prepare for movers to pack and should you empty your furniture, the answer will be yes. Most professionals will come to your home and disassemble all your furniture, so it would be desirable if you could clean everything out. And if you wonder what to pack before the movers come, your dresser and drawers should be first on a list. It would be helpful to take out shelves from your dresser, but professionals will do this too if you are not up to the task. Don’t forget to take hangers out of the closet too. If you have some mirrors, make sure you protect them with bubble wrap and duct tape. Check out this video for more tips on how to declutter and pack in the most efficient way.

Prepare Your Car for Shipping

When moving across the country, car shipping is an inevitable part of the process. And of course, you will have to prepare your car for shipping as well. First, take all the things from it because the car’s weight will be used to determine the price. Secondly, prepare car documentation – your movers will ask for it.

Also, talk to your company and see if you have to get fuel out of your tank and if you have to disconnect your car alarm. Last but not least, take your vehicle to a car wash and take some pictures of the exterior for insurance purposes.

How Should I Prepare for a Mover?

Preparing for movers doesn’t only involve packing and moving hacks. You will also need to be ready for a bunch of hungry and thirsty people in your home. So if you are relocating in wintertime, prepare some hot beverages, like tea, coffee, or even soup. Since the night will come sooner than in summer, if possible, put some spotlights on your driveway so movers can see better. Also, put some salt on your driveway in case of freezing temperatures to prevent accidental slips from ice. A good idea would be putting some old sheets on your carpets and floor to keep them clean.

On the other hand, you will need many packages of cold water and working air conditioning in the summertime. Prepare some cash to tip your movers and some extra cash to order some food. Since (presumably) all of your items are already packed, buy some plastic mugs and plates to have when your movers arrive. Also, make sure you leave some towels, soap, and toilet paper in your bathroom as well. After professionals leave, you will have to clean your house once again and check each room to see if anything is forgotten.

What to Do While Movers Are Moving?

The best answer to this question is to leave your movers to do their job. Yes, you can help, but relocating certain items to a clear path and standing aside is the best possible way to help. If you are moving cross country with newborns or with kids, hire a sitter or ask a family member to keep an eye on them. The same is with your pets. Keep them in one room where they will be comfortable and away from people, with plenty of food and water. The most important advice is not to lift heavy objects alone because hurting yourself will not do good for anyone. If something is heavy, just leave it to your movers. After all, you are paying them to do so.