You have done all the necessary pre-moving preparations that needed to be done. Now the moving day is here. With the entire moving preparations completed, you can now focus on the exact logistics of the moving day. Whether you choose to use a professional moving company or carrying out a DIY move, you will need to know some moving day etiquettes.
Moving day is filled with stress and it surely can reveal the worst in some people. Even though some of these moving day etiquettes might seem simple, it will surprise you to see how lots of people don’t remember to mind their moving day manners immediately the moving truck arrives.
Whether you hired the best long distance movers or worked with friends, it is good to consider how relocation etiquettes simplify the process for all the parties involved on a moving day.
To simplify it for you, we’ve created a list of convenient but important etiquette rules to know for your next moving day.
1. Pack and get everything ready for the move
On your moving day, your items should be completely packed up, labeled, and ready for loading into the moving truck. There may be need for you to pack some toiletries and linens that same morning of your move, but most of the packing should be done in advance. This allows your movers arrive and start working immediately.
2. Travel with the essential items
Items like jewelry, medications, and other important belongings should travel with you instead of packing them away in the moving truck. This is a nice idea for you and your movers as you will have the opportunity to keep your essentials close and make sure they are well taken care of and the movers will be sure that they don’t have to look after them for you.
3. Pack boxes neatly and label properly
Before the arrival of your movers, perform a last check to ensure that all your items are securely packed up in boxes that you can easily carry. Don’t present a pile of goods in trash bags to your movers. Also, make sure your boxes are clearly labelled. Get a bold marker and use it to indicate where each box belongs to, with a room and alternative designation (for instance, toys, canned goods, books), if necessary.
To further make things easier in your new space, remember to tape signage with similar information, so that containers are set in the appropriate room (such as bedroom 2, bathroom 2, main bedroom, main bathroom, etc.). In order to prevent any potential confusion when moving, ensure that you or someone else is with an inventory list – boxes and furniture inclusive – to mark each item as they are moving out of your former home and into your new space.
You want to avoid a situation where you are not certain that everything made the move. Finally, make sure you indicate each box that contains sharp or delicate goods.
Read our Best Packing Checklist When Moving
4. Have moving supplies with you (for emergency)
Reliable movers will arrive with their own moving supplies, such as hand trucks, door stops, dollies, moving blankets, and tools for taking apart furniture. Yet, if you also have these supplies, it is great to have additional one at hand. Even if they won’t be use by the movers, you can make use of them to move goods to and from your vehicle.
If you are relocating during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, make plans to have safety essentials closer by for movers or friends, at the origin and destination homes: disinfectant, additional masks, sanitizer, lots of hand soap and paper towels. Movers will have a standard protocol that they follow, but you can help by disinfecting high-traffic areas (like doorknobs) during the move.
5. Separate prohibited and sensitive belongings
There are many goods that your movers will either not or shouldn’t move – alcohol, plants, hazardous materials, pets, and combustible items, to mention a few. Request for a list of prohibited belongings from your relocation company in advance, and move these items aside when your movers arrive.
You may even go a step further by labelling the pile using a sign that clearly reads “do not move.” You also need to separate every sensitive item, such as jewelry, medication, personal documents, and other essential goods so that you can safely move them yourself.
6. Interact with your neighbors
Moving day can disrupt your existing and future neighbors. So, before moving, ensure that you interact with your neighbors. Inform your current neighbors when you will be moving out and if you will by any chance get in their way. And as regards your new neighbors, notifying them when you will be moving in can be a better chance to introduce yourself and reveal that you are a courteous neighbor.
7. Offer refreshments
Moving is lots of hard work – which is possibly why you hired a moving company in the first place – so it is a nice idea to offer refreshments to your helpers. Make bottles of water available, especially during the summer, or offer them hot cocoa or coffee in cold weather. If your move will take longer, know that your movers will get hungry. Try buying them any quick meal (like pizza). You also can supply snacks like fruit or granola bars. Movers may not be able to accept refreshments due to COVID-19 protocols, but offering such will be much appreciated.
8. Make important arrangements in advance
Will your move require that you reserve an elevator for your movers? Or obtain a parking pass or permit for the truck? Get these tasks done before the moving day to avoid delay to the process. If you are relocating in a cold or snowy weather, be sure to shovel and salt the pathways and sidewalks before the arrival of your movers.
9. Help, but avoid hovering
When the movers are at work, you might want to offer them a hand. But it is indeed best to leave them to it, because they have a way of moving boxes and loading moving trucks. You definitely will be involved in the move – there are lots of things you can do on moving day. You will want to make sure kids and pets are safe and out of your movers’ way and you can also use that period to pack your own vehicle with any belongings you will move with you.
This is also a brilliant time for a last check: pack food from the refrigerator, unplug appliances and electronics, and remove every feature off the walls. Don’t be too far away in case you need to answer questions from your mover, but be sure not to hover. If, for instance, you’ve hired a reliable moving company and packed perfectly, you don’t need to remind your movers that boxes are delicate.
10. Tip your movers
Tipping movers is customary – don’t forget to gather cash with you in advance. Generally, tip each mover five percent of the overall moving cost. If you are spending $1,000 on the move, then each mover will get $40 each as tip. However, you can increase your tip to 10 percent or more if your movers do more than you expected of them by transporting oversized goods or carrying lots of boxes up many flights of stairs.
If your family or friends will give you a hand, make food and drinks available for them after the task as appreciation for their help. They will also appreciate a gift card to any restaurant they like, a bottle of wine, or a gift basket.
For guide about tipping movers, read How Much To Tip Movers
FAQ about Moving Etiquette
What is manner for tipping movers?
A nice rule is to tip movers between $4 and $5 per mover for each hour of work. Consider this guide on the customary amount to tip your movers: a half-day relocation (four hours or less) – $20 per mover. A complete 8-hour move – $40 per mover.
Are you expected to tip movers?
The most essential thing is to not forget that you are not under any obligation to tip movers. Rather, consider whether you are satisfied with their rendered services or not. Don’t tip your movers if they did a poor job than expected.
Does a checklist exist for essential items?
On the day of your move, make sure you pack all essential suitcases that you are moving with you. These should be filled with your first-week necessities, such as clothing, pet, toiletries, shoes, pajamas, medications, and baby essentials, also any vital documents or valuables.
Do professional movers help you unpack?
Full-service movers offer packing and unpacking of your home. While you concentrate on other tasks involved in settling in, your movers will ensure that all your items go to the appropriate space. You guide them, and they will actively take care of the task.
Final Words
For a move to be successful, everyone has to work as a team. While there are parts of moving etiquette that are specific to your move, basic manners go beyond – being communicative and considerate all through your move creates path for a stress-free journey to your new home.
