When you’re packing up and moving to a new home, there are a lot of, well, moving parts—no pun intended. If you’ve never moved before or have never used a professional moving company, you may be uncertain what to do or how things will play out. Use this quick and easy guide to know what to expect on the day of your move.

Plan for Parking
The day of your big move will be a flurry of activity, with people and vehicles whizzing to and fro. Make sure that there’s enough room for the moving truck to park a convenient distance from your home. If you live in an apartment or condominium community, this may mean speaking with management in advance to make sure the moving company will have reserved parking and the ability to easily access the building.

Have Everything Ready
One of the things professional movers hate most is when they walk into a home to find belongings strewn around and the owners still packing. Time is money and when they arrive, they’re ready to get right to work. Have everything packed, taped up and pre-labeled. To make things even easier, use a colour-coded system of labels or tape to indicate which rooms each box belongs to. Boxes that are destined for the kitchen in your new home can have blue tape or labels on them, for instance. This will make things easier for the movers as they unpack the truck.

Be There to Supervise
Moving professionals have a specific way of doing things, so don’t be alarmed if they seem to be mixing your boxes up as they place them on the truck. They know how to load things in a way that boxes don’t shift or fly around during transit. Relax and let them do their jobs. That being said, it’s important for you to be on hand on both ends of the move if they have questions about things. They’ll also need you direct which boxes go where as they unload into your new home. (Note: although it’s important not to micro-manage, don’t be afraid to speak up if you notice items being handled in a rough manner. If you’ve hired an experienced, reputable moving company, this shouldn’t be an issue.)

Make Sure You Have Cash
Sometimes, movers really go the extra mile to make sure that your day goes off without a hitch. Even if nothing extraordinary happens, keeping things running smoothly takes a lot of time and effort. The difference between excellent and mediocre customer service can turn a tense, stressful day into one that’s tiring but pleasant. If you’re happy with the job your moving crew does, it’s important to demonstrate it with a nice tip. Have some cash on hand so that you can show them your thanks for a job well done.

Finishing Up…
After all of your items have been unloaded at your new home, it’s important to take a look around and make sure that everything’s in order. Check the back of the moving truck to ensure that nothing has been overlooked. Do a visual inventory to see that everything is there. Scan the boxes to make sure that none of them are crushed or damaged. Check out large furniture items and appliances to ensure that they’ve arrived in the same condition in which they left your previous home. After everything has been accounted for, pay the remaining balance for the move.

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