5 Necessary Things To Do Before Movers Arrive

Most people think that all you have to do when you move is pack the boxes, which can be stressful enough in itself. However, even when you hire a professional moving company to do the heavy lifting, there are a few things that only you can do to make the whole process go smoothly. Here are five things you'll need to do before the movers arrive to avoid disaster.

1. Make a Path

It doesn't matter if you live in a one-bedroom apartment or a sprawling estate; either way, there are bound to be obstacles for your movers. Anticipate any problems ahead of time and think ahead to factors such as where the movers will park their truck, if you need to reserve an elevator (if you live in a high-rise building), or if you have to reserve space for street parking. You can ask the moving company you hire if they can handle these logistics or if you need to, but make sure it is delegated either way before moving day arrives.

2. Protect Your Floors and Walls

Prevent any damage to your home that can happen during a move by packing fragile furniture with padding and marking boxes with fragile items. Let your movers know ahead of time if you have any heavy furniture that may scratch floorboards so that they are extra careful with these items. They will be able to pack materials to protect both your floors and furniture from getting damaged during the move. Remove any hanging light fixtures, light bulbs, and wall frames before the movers arrive.

3. Measure

You'll also want to measure any larger furniture pieces to make sure they will fit through your door, into your elevator, etc. Any furniture items that are too big will have to be taken apart. Not all moving companies will help with disassembling furniture, so you'll want to check with the company you hired to see if you will be responsible for this or if they can do it.

4. Make Plans for Pets and Kids

Make sure you plan out where your kids and pets will while the movers are at work. Moving day can be hectic and stressful, and even more so for pets and young children, so you'll want to remove them from the situation for their own well being. This is also important for the safety of your movers. Many pets get aggressive around unfamiliar people embarking on their territory, especially when their usual surroundings have turned into unfamiliar ceiling-high stacks of boxes. So, whether it's renting a hotel room for a day or asking a friend to watch them, make sure you plan ahead!

5. Be Available to Help

Before movers arrive, find a central part in your home where you can station yourself during this time in case your help is needed. Although you do not need to supervise their every move, you should be available to answer any questions your movers will have or alert them about things in the house that only you would know — Valuable things that will make your movers' lives easier. If you cannot be present during the move, make sure the movers have your phone number so that you are available to answer any arising questions over the phone.