Make moving day easier to plan

Choose the right kind of help

Labor-only help covers the physical work agreed for the move. If you arrange the vehicle, confirm who drives it, who positions it and when it will be available. Loading at one address and unloading at another are separate tasks to include in the request.

For a move with transportation, confirm the route, vehicle arrangements and work at both ends. Include extra stops and storage units. If the trip crosses a state line, ask the team to confirm that route and its requirements before making other commitments.

Write an inventory that includes the awkward pieces

List the large furniture room by room. Add garage shelving, outdoor furniture, stored boxes and anything that is easy to overlook in a bedroom count. Photos and dimensions help explain a large cabinet or table.

Flag fragile, unusually heavy or high-value items. Ask about disassembly and reassembly rather than assuming they are included. Tell the crew about tight corners and stair layouts before deciding how an item will be moved. Keep medicines, keys, essential documents and valuables you intend to carry yourself together.

Check access at both properties

A clear pickup route does not guarantee a clear delivery route. Ask the receiving property about access early, especially when several people share an entrance or loading area. Give the crew the actual work window rather than only the date.

• Floor levels, stairs and elevator availability
• Any elevator or loading-space reservation
• Parking position and distance to the door
• Gate, key or property-manager instructions
• Building move-in and move-out windows
• The person who can open each property

Understand the estimate before reserving

Confirm whether the estimate is hourly or a defined project price, what work it covers and which charges can vary. For hourly work, ask about crew size, minimum hours, when time starts and stops, and travel. Discuss stairs, extra stops and equipment separately if they affect the job.

If a booking deposit applies, ask how it relates to the total and what happens if you reschedule. A deposit should never be read as the full cost of the move. BRS uses estimate-based pricing here because the correct arrangement depends on the job.

Prepare for arrival and the walkthrough

If the inventory, address or access changes, contact the crew before arrival. A quick update can prevent a surprise when loading starts. After unloading, walk through with the team and raise any questions about the completed work.

• Label boxes with the destination room
• Keep walkways and doors clear
• Set aside items that are not being moved
• Have the contact at each address available
• Point out fragile or specially handled pieces
• Review placement and the agreed work before wrapping up