What to Do While Movers Are Moving Your Stuff

It is moving day, and you’ve hired movers to handle the heavy lifting. However, what are you supposed to do while movers are moving your stuff? While the movers are busy, it is important to be available to answer any questions they might have. This will keep the move on track and ensure your belongings are placed exactly where you want them. 

At Stack Moves, we believe that moving day does not have to be overwhelming. It is why we have moving boxes for rent to ensure that your belongings are well-protected while the movers are doing the packing your stuff. Our moving boxes are affordable as we offer competitive pricing and ensure to work with you every step of the way. Contact us today for a moving day consultation. 

In this blog post, we will cover the key things to do while movers are working and how to save money during the moving process. We will also talk about activities to do before movers arrive and how to find and hire these professional movers. 

Things to Do Before Professional Movers Arrive

Before the movers arrive at your home, there is some vital groundwork that you have to lay out to ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible. 

• Firstly, make sure everything is packed up and clearly labeled. This will help the moving crew know exactly where each box should go in your new home, minimizing confusion and speeding up the process. If you are not sure of how to label your boxes, you can check out our guide on how to label boxes for moving. 
• The next thing you should do is create an inventory list. This inventory list will help you keep track of all your belongings and ensure nothing gets lost during the move. It is also useful if you need to file an insurance claim later on.
• It’s also important to pack a separate bag with essential items like medicine, toiletries, and important documents. It is best to keep these personal items with you so you have easy access to them during the move and immediately after arriving at your new home.
• Additionally, make sure there is a clear path from your home to the moving truck. This includes moving obstacles like furniture or boxes out of the way and ensuring that doorways and staircases are clutter-free. 
• Similarly, before the movers start, go through your home and unplug all electronic devices from the walls. Not only does this make it easier for the movers, but it also protects your electronics from potential damage.

What to Do While Movers Are Moving Your Stuff?

There are certain things you should do on moving day while the movers are doing the heavy lifting. Engaging in these activities would ensure that everything goes smoothly. These activities include:

• Communicating with the movers.
• Offering refreshments.
• Keeping kids and pets away from the movers.
• Cleaning the house.
• Staying out of their way but not disappearing on them.
• Preparing the payment in advance.
• Monitoring the move.
• Doing a final walkthrough of the house.

Communicating with the Movers

When the movers arrive, start by greeting them and doing a quick walkthrough of your home. This is your chance to provide specific instructions, highlight any fragile items, and ensure they have access to every room. 

Engaging in clear communication will help minimize confusion and ensure your belongings are handled with care.

Offer Refreshments

Moving is a big job, and your moving crew will appreciate small gestures like offering drinks and snacks, especially bottled water. You can take it a step further and offer a kind gesture like going to buy a meal, such as pizza or light snacks that helps keep them energized throughout the day.

Keep Kids and Pets Away from the Movers

For safety reasons, it is best to keep kids and pets away from the movers as the kids and animals can get injured if they collide with the movers during the moving process. Thus, you should consider setting up a nearby park visit, organizing board games, or arranging a lunch break with a family member to keep them occupied and out of the movers’ way.

Clean

As the movers work, take the opportunity to clean. Make sure cleaning supplies like hand soap, toilet paper, and other essentials are available.

Stay Out of Their Way

Once you’ve provided instructions, it is important to step back and let the movers do their job. Avoid telling them how to carry boxes or where to place furniture; they are professionals and know how to handle the process. Staying out of their way allows them to work efficiently.

Don’t Disappear

While you shouldn’t hover, it is important not to disappear entirely. You should be available to answer questions, address any concerns, and be a good host throughout the entire day. This will help ensure everything goes according to plan.

Have Your Payment Ready

Once the job is done, you will need to pay the moving company. Having your payment ready is essential to avoid delays and ensure a smooth transaction. Typically, most movers expect payment on the day of service, so be prepared.

Monitoring the Move

Throughout the day, periodically check the progress, and make sure the movers are handling your belongings with care and address any concerns or issues promptly. This proactive approach helps ensure everything is handled to your satisfaction.

Final Walkthrough

Once the movers have loaded the truck, it is important to do a final walkthrough of your home. This includes inspecting each room carefully and making sure to double-check closets, cabinets, and any common hiding spots for overlooked items. 

This final sweep ensures that nothing is left behind and gives you peace of mind as you move on to your new home.

Tips for Saving Money

Moving can be expensive, but with a little planning and some smart strategies, you can significantly reduce costs. Here are some practical tips to help you save money on your moving day:

Declutter Before You Move

One of the best ways to save money is to declutter before you move. Go through each room in your house and decide what you really need to take with you. Sell unwanted items online or at a garage sale, and donate anything you can’t sell. The less stuff you have to move, the lower your moving costs will be.

Plan Your Move in Advance

Planning your move in advance can also help you save money. Try to schedule your move during the off-peak season, such as late fall or winter, and aim for a weekday. Full-service moving companies often charge less during these times, allowing you to save on the total cost.

Rent Reusable Moving Bins

Instead of buying cardboard boxes, consider renting reusable moving bins, as they are the best bins for moving. Renting plastic bins is not only more environmentally friendly, but they’re also sturdier and easier to stack. 

Additionally, when you rent moving boxes, you don’t need to worry about discarding or recycling the boxes as you would be returning them. Some might argue that by buying the boxes, you can use them afterward to store items around your home. However, often, what happens if you do this is that your home quickly becomes overcluttered with boxes. By renting your boxes, you can easily save yourself the hassle of dealing with these surplus boxes. Especially because renting reusable moving bins often comes with convenient delivery and pick-up services, which save you time, money, and effort.

Hire a Moving Truck

If you’re looking to save even more money, consider hiring a moving truck instead of a full-service moving company. While you will need to handle the heavy lifting yourself or with the help of family members, it can drastically cut down on costs. Importantly, make sure you know how much stuff you have so you can rent a truck that’s the right size for your needs.

Do Moving Companies Pack for You?

The  most common question we get from people when it concerns hiring moving companies is: ‘Do moving companies pack for you?’  Yes, many moving companies offer packing services as part of their services. This depends on if you are going for a full-service moving company or a self-service moving company.

Full-service moving companies can pack up your entire home, handle the heavy lifting, and even unpack at your new location. This option is ideal if you’re short on time, have fragile items, or simply want to reduce the stress of moving.  However, full-service moves are typically more expensive due to the encompassing nature of the service. 

On the other hand, self-service moving companies allow you to handle packing and unloading. This can save you money and is a good option if you are on a budget or prefer to be hands-on during your move. However, it requires more time and effort, and there is a higher risk of damaging your items if they are not packed properly. 

How to Find and Hire Movers?

In finding and hiring movers, start with recommendations by asking family members, friends, or colleagues if they’ve had a good experience with any moving companies. Personal recommendations are often reliable because they come from people you trust.

You can also use online resources to research moving companies in your area. While doing this, look for customer reviews, ratings, and any red flags that might indicate poor service. Websites like Yelp, Google Reviews, and the Better Business Bureau are great places to start.

Furthermore, it is always helpful to get multiple quotes. We recommend getting at least three different moving companies to send quotes. This will help you compare services and prices. Be sure to ask about what’s included in the quote, such as packing services, moving truck fees, and any potential extra costs.

Importantly, check out for credentials and ensure the movers you are considering are licensed and insured. This is particularly important if you’re moving long distances or have a lot of valuable or fragile items.

When planning your move, consider renting plastic bins instead of buying cardboard boxes. At Stack Moves, we offer convenient and cost-effective moving bins for rent that can save you money and make your move easier. Our bins are sturdy and eco-friendly and come with free delivery and pick-up services, adding extra convenience and cost savings for you. 

How Much Should I Tip the Movers?

Tipping movers is a way to show appreciation for their hard work and dedication during your move. A common guideline is to tip between 10-20% of the total moving cost.

You can adjust the amount based on the level of service provided, the difficulty of the move, and your overall satisfaction. If the movers went above and beyond, such as handling fragile items with extra care or navigating challenging stairs, consider tipping on the higher end of the range. Remember, tipping is optional but appreciated, and it’s a great way to acknowledge the movers’ effort in making your moving day smoother.

Need Help with Moving?

If you are preparing for a move, you should start by decluttering your home, creating an inventory list, and ensuring all your items are packed and labeled. On the moving day, you should stay proactive by communicating clearly with the movers. It also helps to offer refreshments as a kind gesture. 

During the moving process, keep an eye on everything and ensure to address any concerns promptly. You should also perform a final walkthrough to ensure that nothing is left behind. By following these tips, you can reduce stress and ensure everything goes according to plan.

At Stack Moves, we are committed to making your moving process as smooth and stress-free as possible. Contact us today for more tips.