Moving day is almost here! Before the moving truck pulls up, a little preparation can make the day easier, faster and less stressful.
Whether you’re planning a local move in Wilmington, relocating elsewhere in Coastal North Carolina or heading out of state, preparing your home before your movers arrive helps keep everything organized from the first box to the last piece of furniture.
At Pink Zebra Moving of Wilmington, NC, we know moving comes with a long to-do list. Here’s how to prepare for movers so you can feel ready when moving day arrives.
What Should I Do Before the Movers Arrive?
Before your movers arrive, take a little time to get everything organized so your crew knows what’s going, what’s staying and where to get started.
You don’t have to have every little detail perfect. A few simple things can make a mighty big difference:
- Finish anything you’re packing yourself.
- Label boxes by room.
- Separate anything that isn’t making the move.
- Clear hallways, stairs and entryways.
- Set aside valuables, medications and important documents.
- Make sure there’s room for the moving truck.
- Give closets, cabinets, attics and storage areas one last look.
Getting these details squared away beforehand means your Wilmington moving crew can get right to work when they arrive.
Finish Packing Before Moving Day
If you’re doing your own packing, try to have your smaller belongings boxed up and ready before moving morning. Clothes, books, dishes, décor and all those odds and ends around the house are much easier to organize and load when they’re tucked safely into sturdy boxes.
If you’ve scheduled professional packing services with Pink Zebra Moving, you can leave the packing included in your service to us. We’ll make sure you know ahead of time what you need to handle and what our team will take care of.
As for furniture and those bigger pieces, there’s usually no need to start taking everything apart yourself. If you’ve got something especially heavy, oversized or a little unusual, give Pink Zebra Moving a call before the big day. We’ll be glad to help you figure out the best way to handle it.
Label and Organize Your Moving Boxes
A good label may seem like a small thing, but come moving day, you’ll be mighty glad you took the extra minute.
Start by putting the destination room on each box. That gives your moving crew a clear idea of where everything belongs once you get to your new home.
You can make things even easier on yourself by adding a quick note about what’s inside:
KITCHEN | POTS & PANS
PRIMARY BEDROOM | CLOTHES
OFFICE | BOOKS
Got something fragile tucked away? Mark the box clearly on more than one side so your crew can spot it without having to hunt for the label.
And if you’re somebody who loves a good organizing system, try giving each room its own color. A little colored tape or a bright label can save you from standing in your new living room wondering where on earth everything went.
Clear a Safe Path for Your Movers
Your movers will be making quite a few trips between the house and the truck, so giving them a clear path is one of the kindest and easiest things you can do before they arrive.
Take a quick walk through the areas they’ll use most and move shoes, rugs, cords, small furniture and anything else that might get underfoot. Clear hallways, stairs and doorways give your crew room to safely carry boxes and furniture.
Here in Wilmington, it doesn’t hurt to keep one eye on the weather either. A Carolina rain shower can make porches and sidewalks slick in a hurry, and summer heat and humidity can certainly make themselves known. Check the forecast and make sure your main entryway is as safe and clear as possible.
You’ll also want to leave room for the moving truck. If you have a driveway, move personal vehicles before your crew arrives when possible. For street parking, apartments and condos, check for any parking or neighborhood restrictions ahead of time.
A clear path and a good parking spot can save everybody a fair bit of back-and-forth.
Prepare Furniture and Large Items
Before moving day, empty loose belongings from dressers, nightstands, desks and cabinets. It makes those pieces lighter to handle and keeps the things inside from getting tossed around on the way to your new home.
Take anything loose or fragile off shelves and furniture surfaces, too. If a piece has removable shelves, glass panels or another part you’re not quite sure what to do with, ask your Pink Zebra Moving team. We’d much rather help you figure it out than have you wrestling with a piece of furniture the night before your move.
Here’s another handy little trick: snap a few pictures before furniture gets taken apart. When it’s time to put everything back together, you’ll have a quick reminder of how it all fits.
Set Aside Moving Day Essentials
There are some things you’ll want riding with you instead of tucked away on the moving truck.
Before your crew arrives, set aside a bag or container with essentials like:
- Wallets and identification
- Keys
- Medications
- Important documents
- Jewelry and valuables
- Phones and chargers
- Toiletries
- A change of clothes
- Moving paperwork
- Snacks and water
Keep that bag somewhere safe and well away from anything being loaded.
It’s also worth putting together a little first-night bag. After a full day of moving, the last thing anybody wants to do is dig through a dozen boxes looking for a toothbrush or phone charger.
How Do I Prepare for Movers in an Apartment?
Apartment moves can come with a few extra hoops to jump through, but handling them ahead of time can save you a heap of trouble on moving day.
Give your apartment community or property manager a call and ask about moving hours, loading areas, designated entrances and any building rules you’ll need to follow.
If there’s an elevator, check whether it needs to be reserved. You’ll also want to know where the moving truck can park and which entrance gives your crew the easiest route in and out.
Got a big couch and a mighty narrow hallway? Taking a few measurements ahead of time never hurts. Letting your movers know about tight stairwells, doorways or oversized furniture gives them a chance to plan before they arrive.
And remember to check the same details at your new apartment. A little preparation on both ends can make the whole day run much more smoothly.
What to Have Ready on Moving Day
When moving morning rolls around, have your boxes packed and labeled, pathways cleared and a good spot available for the moving truck.
Keep anything traveling with you in its own separate area so there’s no chance it accidentally gets loaded. Have your phone nearby, too, and make sure you or another designated adult is available if your crew has a question.
It’s also a good idea to make it crystal clear what’s going and what’s staying. Anything you’re donating, selling, tossing or leaving behind should have its own designated spot.
Once that’s handled, you can let your Pink Zebra Moving crew get down to business while you focus on the exciting part: getting settled somewhere new.
Why Wilmington Trusts Pink Zebra Moving
Moving here in Wilmington has its own little quirks. We’ve got warm Carolina summers, surprise rain showers, coastal traffic, apartment requirements and neighborhood or HOA guidelines to think about.
That’s where having a local Wilmington moving company can come in handy. Pink Zebra Moving of Wilmington knows the area and understands the little details that can make a difference on moving day.
Whether you’re moving across town, elsewhere in Coastal North Carolina or farther down the road, our team is here to lend a hand with professional moving and packing services, along with a little friendly service along the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Preparing for Movers
Do I need to pack everything before the movers come?
If you’re doing your own packing, have your smaller belongings boxed up and ready when the movers arrive. If you’ve booked professional packing services with Pink Zebra Moving, we’ll take care of the packing included with your service.
Do I need to be home when the movers arrive?
You or another designated adult should be available when your movers arrive to let the crew in, answer questions and make sure everybody knows what’s going where. If you’re unsure about your particular move, give Pink Zebra Moving a call beforehand and we’ll help you get everything squared away.
How should I handle my pets or kids during a move?
If possible, let little ones and four-legged family members spend the busiest part of moving day with a family member, friend or sitter. If your pet is staying home, give them a quiet, secure spot away from open doors and all the hustle and bustle.
What last-minute household tasks should I complete before moving?
Give closets, cabinets, drawers, the garage, attic and outdoor storage areas one last look before you go. Take out the trash, separate anything that isn’t moving and, if you’re renting, double-check your lease or move-out instructions before handing over the keys.
What valuables should I keep with me?
Keep identification, medications, important paperwork, jewelry, cash and sentimental or irreplaceable belongings with you. Put them together in a clearly designated bag so there’s no chance they wind up on the moving truck.
Get Your Home Ready for a Stress-Free Moving Day
Getting ready for movers doesn’t mean you have to do it all yourself. A little preparation, like packing and labeling your boxes, clearing the way and keeping your essentials close, can go a long way toward making moving day feel easier.
Once those details are handled, leave the heavy lifting to your Pink Zebra Moving crew. And if packing is included in your service, well, you can leave even more of that to us.
Whether you’re moving across Wilmington, settling somewhere else along the Carolina coast or heading farther from home, Pink Zebra Moving of Wilmington is ready to lend a hand.
Ready to get moving? Contact Pink Zebra Moving of Wilmington today to learn more about our moving and packing services in Wilmington, NC, and the surrounding communities, or give us a call at 910.500.1550. We’ll be happy to help you get on your way.