How to Prepare Your Home for Moving Labor Crews

Whether you’re hiring moving labor for a DIY move as you love to take on enormous projects or just need help getting your stuff from house to truck, one thing’s clear: preparation really matters. Think of your moving labor crew like a crew at a horse competition - they’re pros, but your job is to make sure the track is clear and the horses are ready.

The better prepared your home is before movers show up, the faster, smoother, and cheaper your move will be. This is clear across the board. This guide will walk you through realistic steps to prepare your home for the move. No Pinterest-worthy packing rooms with color coded labels or Instagrammable boxes needed. We break it down one by one so you too can feel like a moving pro.

Let’s clarify to be sure you booked the right thing: moving labor crews are there to load and unload your items, carry heavy furniture, and navigate stairs without crashing your couch through a wall. They don’t:

• Drive the moving truck
• Bring packing supplies
• Pack up your belongings (unless you’ve arranged and paid extra for packing services)
• Disassemble furniture (unless that’s part of your contract)

So before they show up, make sure the tasks you don’t want to handle are done ahead of time- either by you, someone else, or in your moving contract.

There’s no polite way to say this: don’t pay to move junk you really should have thrown out years ago. This is a big waste of your money. You know what we’re talking about: broken glass items, half-used shampoo bottles, that box of tangled chargers from 2012.

Before the movers come:

• Donate what you don’t use- your trash could be someone else’s treasure.
• Trash anything unusable- trust us you will feel so much lighter.
• Sell what’s worth something (but do it early - not moving day morning dealing with people from Facebook Marketplace)

Fewer items = less time = smaller moving bill. Easy math. Happier families.

If you hire moving labor, they’re expecting everything to be ready to go. That means boxes sealed and labelled clearly, furniture disassembly if needed, and all those random loose items packed up tightly. Don’t have them show up to a half-ready-to-go house, or you will lose valuable time on these things, and time isn’t cheap.

Here’s how to stay ahead:

• Pack one room at a time, starting at least a week in advance.
• Start packing up the lesser-used rooms such as the guest room, guest bath, garage, basement and more.
• Label boxes on multiple sides with room and what is inside.
• Don’t overstuff boxes - if it takes two people to lift, you’ve packed a small enemy.

Bonus tip: Create a “Do Not Pack” zone or box for essentials like all your meds, chargers, and your favorite hoodie you’ll need that night. If you pack up the coffee machine too early- expect terrible consequences.

Want you and your movers to hate their lives less (and reduce the chance of damage or injuries)? Make sure they can get around a clear path in your home.

• Move furniture and boxes away from doorways and hallways
• Remove rugs that might slide or trip someone
• Trim any tree branches or bushes near the entrance

Also, prop open doors with door stops or something that keeps the door open without blocking the path. This way you won’t have the sounds of slamming doors all the moving day.

Some items just don’t move well unless they’re disassembled. All those big beds, tables, bookshelves, drawers... If disassembly isn’t included in your service, you’ll need to do it beforehand. Be sure to read the fine print as to charges if you didn’t pay for this service ahead of time

• Keep all hardware in zip-top bags taped to the furniture. That screw going missing could mean you need to toss the entire chest of drawers.
• Take photos of furniture before taking it apart (your future self will thank you when you don’t remember what goes where)
• Wrap delicate parts in bubble wrap or blankets to avoid damage.

Pro tip: Put screws in labeled baggies. “Random screws, probably from bed” is a great way to stay single forever and keep sleeping on the ground alone.

If your movers have to park 5 blocks away, that’s 5 blocks of extra time you’re paying for during their walks back and forth. Call ahead to:

• Reserve building parking spots for the truck
• Use cones or cars to block off the curb space near your home
• Get temporary parking permits, if needed

It’s not that your dog isn’t lovely or your toddler isn’t adorable. It’s just that both can slow things down and increase the risk of accidents. Both of these cuties should have pre arranged places to be outside the house on moving day. 

• Set up a pet room or crate during the move if you can’t send them to doggie daycare
• Ask a friend or family member to watch the kids for a few hours or pay a babysitter to take the kids to the park or their place
• Keep everyone hydrated and snack-happy away from the chaos as you don’t need that added stress or chance of injury of the little ones.

No one wants to accidentally trip over Sparky while carrying a couch. Also dogs tend to hate movers- this combo or bark and bite isn’t a fun Friday morning moving day plan.

Slap a “FRAGILE” label on everything delicate - and don’t just rely on sharpie handwriting from across the room. Use tape, stickers, or pre-printed labels. Even take it a step further and put a bright colored sticker to label the fragile ones.

• “Open First” boxes (kitchen stuff, toiletries, bedding)
• Items that stay with you in your personal car (documents, keys, passports)

The clearer your labeling system, the less explaining you’ll do. The less searching for that fork you will do too.

No, you don’t need to tip in snacks to the movers, but offering cold bottled water and access to a bathroom is always appreciated. A comfortable crew is a happy, efficient crew for your move.

Want to be the hero of the move? Pick up a few Gatorades and maybe some granola bars and chocolate snacks. You’ll be remembered as the real Clark Kent.

Don’t schedule movers to arrive while you’re still stuffing kitchen drawers into a suitcase. Be fully packed, dressed, caffeinated, and ready to direct the madness. Being ready and present is half the battle

• Be present or assign a trusted adult to supervise the moving laborers
• Keep your phone charged you never know who you might need to contact

Movers don’t need micromanaging, but they do need someone around to answer questions like “Where’s this going?” or “Is this coming with us?”

Professional moving labor is the best way to get those strong men who are ready to haul- but they’re not mind readers. A little preparation goes a long way in making your move smoother, faster, and less timely meaning cheaper.

Remember:

• Pack like your grandma’s special mugs depend on it
• Make pathways clear enough for a fun day
• Label things like an OCD girl on Instagram
• Be ready, and after your first coffee, when they arrive

If you haven’t booked your moving team yet, iMoving makes it easy to compare rates, read reviews, and schedule those crews who know what they’re doing.