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Moving Day Etiquette: 10 Things Movers Want You to Know

Moving Day Etiquette

No matter which profession you’re in, your work involves interacting with fellow human beings fairly regularly. They could be your customers, colleagues or providers. There are probably a few things you wish they knew which would make your interactions more productive. When you’re hiring a moving company, they feel the same way. Here are ten things your movers wish they could tell you that will make moving day easier for everyone involved:

  1. Let them do their job

    How can you help your movers the most? Just let them do their job. You may think you know just the way to get everything done perfectly, but you hired full-service movers for a reason. They are trained professionals with extensive experience. When you let them do their job, you’ll feel less stressed, and they won’t feel micromanaged.

  1. Finish packing before moving day

    Do your movers pack for you? They do when you pay for a full-service move. If you chose not to splurge on the additional cost of packing services, make sure you finish your part of the work before they show up. Their job is infinitely easier if the house is completely ready to be put on the truck when they pull in. If they need to wait for you to finish packing, it’s a waste of their time — which you are paying for.

  1. Carry cash, jewelry, and prescription medications with you

    Certain items are nothing but a headache for your moving professionals. They do not need to be burdened with valuables like cash or jewelry and prefer to steer clear of the possibility of being accused of such items are misplaced. Hold onto your valuables and let the moving crew take care of the rest.

  1. Label the boxes with their intended destination

    Labeling each box clearly with it’s preferred destination will help your movers unload more efficiently and save you the hassle of playing traffic director. This is important especially if you are paying them an hourly wage.

  1. Always tell the movers or label the box clearly if something is fragile

    If something is fragile or requires gentle handling for any other reason, tell your movers! They need to know clearly and ahead of time. Write it, mark it or say it, and do it sooner rather than later.

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  1. Make sure they have easy, hassle-free access

    Assist your movers by making sure you know where they can park their truck, how they can best access your apartment, and if there are any time limitations on parking or moving hours. Your movers operate on the assumption that this information has been researched. They would be upset to realize your poor preparation has gotten them stuck with a parking ticket.

  1. Don’t pack heavy items in large boxes

    It makes sense to put all those books in one box, right? Wrong. Even moving pros will find a big box of books difficult to carry. Always pack heavy items in smaller boxes and lighter items in larger ones. If you need some extra boxes to make up the difference, check out our guide for finding free moving boxes around town.

  1. Empty your drawers, armoires, and desks

    Not only does it make the item heavier for your movers, it can also pose a danger with sliding drawers and shifting content. As a result, most movers won’t handle furniture or filing cabinets that still have things in them.

    Some packing experts recommend leaving everything in the drawers as a way to simplify packing. This only works if you manage to safely secure the contents of the drawers by tightly wrapping them in plastic.
    If you’re not sure how to pack, check out our guide on packing like a pro.

  1. Don’t disappear on your movers

    They need you to stay out of the way, but they can’t be left to do it all on their own. Keep close enough so they can find you if they need you. Moving etiquette says you should stay around the house, and let your movers know where to find you if you need to pop out for a short while.

  1. Not sure how much to tip movers?

    Generally, the standard tipping practice is $25-$50 per move or 10% to 15% of the move total, depending on how long they worked, how many awkward staircases they had to navigate, and how pleased you are with their service. Providing snacks and drinks throughout the day is also highly recommended as it will keep your moving team energized and moving quickly and efficiently. You can also check out How much to tip movers guide.

Bonus:

To make the moving day even more enjoyable we created the Ultimate Moving Playlist. Turn it wa-a-a-y up and be on your way!

About the author

Ashley Hernandez