You booked the movers three weeks ago. You’ve been packing for days. Moving day is tomorrow morning at 8 AM. So why does it feel like you’re forgetting something major? Because you probably are. The difference between a smooth moving day and a chaotic disaster often comes down to what you do in the 24 hours before the truck pulls up.
Table of Contents
- The Night Before: Critical Preparations
- Complete All Packing
- Clear Pathways and Remove Hazards
- Disconnect Appliances and Electronics
- Set Up Your Do Not Move Zone
- Essential Items to Keep With You
- Where to Put Pets and Kids
- Parking and Access Logistics
- Single-Family Homes
- Apartments and Condos
- What Movers Cannot Take
- Payment and Documentation
- How Much and When to Pay
- Tipping Guidelines
- Moving Day Morning: Final Hour
- Room-by-Room Final Check
- Frequently Asked Questions
The Night Before: Critical Preparations
The evening before your movers arrive is not the time to start major packing projects. Everything should be boxed, labeled, and ready to go. Your focus should shift to logistics and last-minute preparations that make the morning run smoothly.
Complete All Packing
This seems obvious, but it’s the number one issue that delays moving day. Movers arrive to find half-packed rooms, loose items scattered around, and the homeowner scrambling to finish.
Walk through every room and confirm that boxes are sealed and labeled with both contents and destination room. Open boxes slow down the moving process significantly. Everything that’s going with you needs to be in a box, a bag, or clearly identified as a piece that moves as-is.
Your closets should be completely empty except for items you’re leaving behind. Kitchen items are often left until the last minute because you need dishes right up until moving day. Pack everything except what you need for one final meal the night before and breakfast the morning of the move.
Clear Pathways and Remove Hazards
Professional movers in Chester County and the surrounding regions can navigate obstacles, but they shouldn’t have to. Creating clear, wide pathways from every room to the exit door prevents injuries, protects your belongings, and speeds up the entire process.
Remove anything on the floor that could be a tripping hazard. Toys, shoes, bags, and random items need to be picked up. Movers carrying heavy furniture can’t see their feet, and they’re relying on clear paths.
Essential pathway preparation includes:
- Measuring doorways and stairways to identify potential tight spots
- Removing doors from hinges if necessary for large furniture pieces
- Ensuring outdoor walkways are clear of ice, snow, leaves, or debris
- Checking that all lights are working in hallways and stairwells
- Taping down or removing loose area rugs
If you have area rugs or runners, either remove them or tape them down securely. Loose rugs are one of the most common causes of moving day accidents.
Disconnect Appliances and Electronics
Check your refrigerator and freezer. They should be empty, defrosted if you’re taking them with you, and with doors secured open if they’re being moved. A refrigerator that wasn’t properly prepared can leak water all over the moving truck.
Take photos of how your TV, computer, and stereo system are wired before unplugging everything. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re trying to set everything up at the new place. Coil cords and tape them to the corresponding device.
Disconnect and drain washing machines at least 24 hours before the move. Water left in hoses can leak during transport. Gas appliances like stoves and dryers need to be disconnected by a professional. Schedule this service for the afternoon before your move.
Set Up Your Do Not Move Zone
You need a designated area for things that are NOT going on the moving truck. This prevents your medication from ending up in a box that won’t be unpacked for three days and keeps important documents from getting lost in transit.
Essential Items to Keep With You
Create a “do not move” zone in a room that movers won’t enter, or clearly mark items with bright tape or signs. Your essentials box or bag should be treated like carry-on luggage for a trip.
Personal items you’re transporting yourself:
- Medications and medical supplies
- Important documents (passports, birth certificates, financial records)
- Jewelry and valuable small items
- House keys for your new home
- Checkbook or payment method for the movers
- Phone chargers and electronics you’ll need immediately
- A change of clothes for moving day and the next day
- Toiletries for the first night
- Pet supplies and food
Where to Put Pets and Kids
Pets and small children also need to be “set aside” on moving day. Having a plan for where they’ll be during the move prevents safety issues and reduces stress for everyone. Movers need to work quickly with doors open, and the last thing anyone wants is a pet escaping or a toddler in the path of furniture.
Parking and Access Logistics
Where the moving truck parks can make or break your moving day timeline. A truck parked 100 feet from your front door adds significant time and physical strain to every trip the movers make. Check your parking options at least a week before the move.
Single-Family Homes
Remove any vehicles from your driveway the night before. The moving truck needs direct access to your home. If you have two cars and only one is leaving with you, park the one that’s staying at a friend’s house or down the street for the day.
Clear snow, ice, or debris from walkways and the driveway. This is a safety issue and a liability issue. Salt walkways the night before if there’s any chance of ice.
Apartments and Condos
Reserve the elevator and loading zone at least a week in advance. Most buildings require advance notice and sometimes a deposit. Confirm the reservation two days before the move. Some buildings also have restricted moving hours, so verify that your movers are scheduled during permitted times.
For street parking, check if you need a permit. Many municipalities require parking permits for moving trucks. Apply for permits at least a week in advance because some jurisdictions take several days to process them.
| Location Type | Advance Preparation | Day-Of Requirements |
| Single-Family Home | Clear driveway, measure truck access | Remove vehicles, unlock gates |
| Apartment Building | Reserve elevator 1-2 weeks ahead | Prop doors, get building keys |
| Condo/Townhouse | Check HOA rules, reserve parking | Coordinate with property manager |
What Movers Cannot Take
Professional moving companies have strict rules about what they’re allowed to transport. Knowing these restrictions beforehand prevents moving day surprises and delays.
Items movers cannot legally transport:
- Hazardous materials (paint, propane tanks, gasoline, pesticides, cleaning chemicals)
- Ammunition and firearms (varies by company)
- Perishable food
- Plants (for long-distance moves)
- Pets
Items movers will refuse for liability reasons:
- Items not properly packed
- Extremely valuable items without declared value coverage
- Wet or damp items that could cause mold
- Items in garbage bags (they can’t verify contents)
If you have items in these categories, you need a plan for them before moving day. Dispose of hazardous materials at a proper facility. Transport valuables, documents, and medications yourself.
Payment and Documentation
When the movers arrive, you’ll need to provide or sign several documents. Having these ready prevents delays and confusion.
How Much and When to Pay
Know exactly how much you’ll owe and what payment methods are accepted. Most moving companies require payment before unloading at your destination, though local moves might allow payment at pickup.
Typical payment options include cash, credit card, or certified check. Personal checks are rarely accepted. If paying cash, get it from the ATM the day before.
For local moves, payment often happens after loading but before transport begins. For long-distance moves, payment is typically required before unloading at your destination. Clarify this with your moving company beforehand.
Tipping Guidelines
While not mandatory, tipping movers is standard practice. A typical tip is $20-$30 per mover for a half-day move, or $40-$50 per mover for a full day. For exceptionally difficult moves or outstanding service, tip more. Have cash in appropriate denominations ready.
Moving Day Morning: Final Hour
You’ve done all the preparation. The movers arrive in an hour. Here’s what the final 60 minutes should look like.
- 60 minutes before: Make your final walkthrough and take photos or video of your home’s condition. This documents that you left the property in good shape.
- 45 minutes before: Pack your essentials bag with items you’ll need for the next 24 hours. Double-check that medications, chargers, important documents, and change of clothes are accounted for.
- 30 minutes before: Do a final bathroom break and eat something. You might not get another chance for several hours. Make coffee or fill water bottles for yourself and consider having bottled water available for the moving crew.
- 15 minutes before: Put pets in a separate room, carrier, or car. Make sure they can’t escape when doors are propped open.
- When movers arrive: Greet them and provide a quick tour. Point out any items with special handling requirements. Show them the parking situation and any potential obstacles.
Room-by-Room Final Check
The morning movers arrive, do a systematic final check of every space. This takes 15-20 minutes but catches forgotten items before they become problems.
Start at the top floor and work your way down. In each room, open every closet and drawer to verify it’s empty. Look under beds and furniture. Check window sills and verify nothing is still mounted on walls.
In the kitchen, check inside the oven, microwave, and dishwasher. Look on top of the refrigerator. Open the cabinet under the sink.
In bathrooms, check the medicine cabinet, under the sink, and in shower caddies. Verify nothing is hanging on towel bars or hooks.
In the garage or shed, look on shelves and in corners. Garden hoses, tools, and sports equipment often get overlooked.
In the basement or attic, use a flashlight to check corners and behind stored items. These spaces are easy to forget because they’re not part of daily living areas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Should I feed the movers or provide drinks?
A: You’re not required to provide food, but offering water, coffee, or sports drinks is appreciated, especially during hot weather or long moves. Some people order pizza for lunch during full-day moves. It’s a nice gesture but not an obligation.
Q: What if I’m not done packing when movers arrive?
A: Be honest immediately. Most moving companies can pack for you, but it costs extra and may not have been included in your quote. The alternative is asking them to wait while you finish, which delays the schedule and could result in additional hourly charges.
Q: Can I leave items in dresser drawers?
A: This depends on the moving company and the dresser type. Generally, lightweight items like clothing can stay in drawers for local moves if the dresser is sturdy. For long-distance moves, most companies require drawers to be empty. Always ask your specific moving company about their policy.
Q: How early should I start preparing on moving day?
A: You can’t really start too early. If movers in Warminster or elsewhere are scheduled for 8 AM, being up at 6 AM to do final checks is smart. The worst scenario is still packing when the truck pulls up.
Making Your Move Smooth and Stress-Free
When movers arrive at a properly prepared home, they can start working immediately. Boxes are stacked neatly by room, pathways are clear, and the homeowner has a plan. The move proceeds efficiently, finishes on schedule, and everyone stays safe.
When preparation is lacking, movers stand around waiting while you finish packing. They navigate obstacle courses of loose items. Questions arise constantly about what’s moving and what’s staying. The job takes longer, costs more, and creates stress for everyone involved.
The difference between these scenarios is almost entirely in your control. Moving day preparation isn’t glamorous, but it’s what separates smooth relocations from chaotic ones. Every hour you invest in preparation saves multiple hours on moving day.
If you’re planning a move and want experienced professionals who know how to handle properly prepared homes efficiently, O’Malley Moving Services has been serving families for over 40 years. Their team understands that preparation makes all the difference, and they’ll work with you to make certain that your moving day goes as smoothly as possible.
Contact O’Malley Moving to discuss your upcoming move and get a detailed quote that includes exactly what you need to have ready before they arrive.