Things to Do Before the Movers Arrive
By Lauren Prescott, removals specialist with 15 years of industry experience · Updated January 2025
Clear the routes through your home, sort parking at both ends, pack an essentials box and set aside anything a crew cannot legally carry. An hour of preparation the night before typically saves two hours of crew time on the day, which keeps costs down and the move on schedule.
The short answer
- Clear hallways, landings and doorways so nothing slows the crew down.
- Reserve parking directly outside both properties wherever possible.
- Pack an essentials box and carry it yourself, not on the lorry.
- Dispose of petrol, gas bottles, paint and aerosols before moving day.
- Do the final jobs, like defrosting the freezer, the night before.
Clear the routes through the house
Walk the route the crew will use from each room to the front door and remove anything that could slow them down or cause a trip. Loose rugs, umbrella stands, shoe racks and anything hanging at head height on the stairs all need to come away for the day.
If you have pets, arrange for them to stay with a friend or in a closed room with a sign on the door. Doors left open all day are one of the most common reasons pets go missing on moving day.
- Roll up or remove loose rugs and door mats
- Take pictures and mirrors off walls along the main route
- Move bins, bikes and plant pots away from the front path
- Put pets somewhere secure with food, water and a familiar blanket
- Check overhanging branches or trellis do not block a van door
Sort parking and access in advance
A long carry between the van and your front door is the single most common reason a move overruns. If you live on a street with permit parking, resident bays or a narrow road, arrange suspension of parking restrictions or reserve space with cones the evening before.
In a flat or apartment block, confirm with the building manager that the lift is booked and that any loading bay or access code has been arranged. Removal companies will usually ask for this information at the survey stage, but it is worth double checking a few days out.
- Reserve or suspend parking bays outside both properties
- Confirm lift bookings and porter access for flats
- Check for low bridges, width restrictions or resident-only roads
- Tell neighbours roughly what time to expect a lorry outside
Pack a proper essentials box
This is the one box you want within arm's reach at the new house, not buried at the back of the van. Think of it as covering your first evening and the following morning before the main unpack begins.
- Kettle, mugs, teabags or coffee and a pint of milk in a cool bag
- Phone chargers and a portable battery pack
- Toilet roll, hand soap, towels and a basic first aid kit
- A change of clothes and toiletries for each person
- Any regular medication, kept with you rather than packed away
- Bin bags, a torch and a multi socket extension lead
Set aside what cannot travel on the lorry
Removal firms cannot legally transport certain hazardous items, and most will flag this at your survey. It is worth going through cupboards, the garage and the shed a few days before to find anything that needs separate disposal.
Take these to a local household waste recycling centre rather than leaving them for the new owners or putting them in general rubbish.
- Petrol, diesel and other flammable liquids
- Gas bottles, including small camping canisters
- Fireworks and large quantities of aerosols
- Paint, varnish and solvents in bulk
- Corrosive chemicals such as pool treatments
Final jobs the night before
A short list of jobs the evening before makes the morning calmer. None of these take long, but they are easy to forget once the day itself is under way.
- Defrost and empty the freezer, propping the door open
- Take final meter readings and photograph them
- Charge phones, cameras and any portable devices fully
- Lay out clothes and breakfast for the morning
- Confirm the crew's arrival time by phone or message
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if the crew cannot access the parking I planned?
Call the removal company as soon as you know there is a problem. Most crews carry a sack trolley and can manage a slightly longer carry, but it helps to warn them in advance so they can plan the vehicle and crew size accordingly.
Do I need to empty my wardrobes myself?
Not if you book a wardrobe box service. Clothes can usually stay on hangers and be transferred directly into tall wardrobe cartons, which saves a significant amount of packing time.
Should I be at the property the whole time?
It helps if someone who knows the house is available to answer questions about where things go, but you do not need to be present for every minute. Many people use the time to do a final clean of empty rooms.
What if I forget to deal with a hazardous item?
Tell the crew lead straight away rather than hiding it in a box. They can advise on the safest way to deal with it, which is usually taking it to a recycling centre yourself before the lorry leaves.
Planning a move?
BlueSky Removals gives fixed written prices after a free video or home survey. Call 0800 090 3125 or request a quote online.