Preparing for Moving Day

Set aside a clearly marked box or bag with everything you will need on arrival evening and the following morning: documents, medication, chargers, a change of clothes, basic toiletries. This should never go on the truck - keep it in your own car so it is within reach from the moment you walk in.

It is worth including some cash, your keys, and a thermos or a few coffee capsules - in an empty kitchen, that first cup is usually the thing people miss most. A short handwritten note of what went into the box means you are not searching for essentials while exhausted.

In dense residential buildings or narrow city streets, reserving a parking permit, booking the lift for a set window, and clearing truck access are matters to settle days in advance, not tasks for the morning of. It is worth confirming with the building management that the lift will be held for your move and that they are aware a crew will be on site.

Protecting stairwells, corridors and floors matters just as much - blankets, floor runners and corner guards should go up before the first item moves. An experienced crew will usually offer this on its own, but it is worth raising if it has not come up already.

Moving day is disruptive for children and pets alike - familiar surroundings disappear, strangers are in the house, and doors stay open longer than usual. Where possible, arrange for a family member or friend to look after them somewhere quieter until the busiest part of the day has passed.

Jewellery, important documents, family keepsakes and anything whose value is emotional or irreplaceable are best kept on your own person throughout the day. This is not a matter of trust in the crew - it is simply that you will feel more at ease knowing exactly where these items are at all times.

Before work begins in earnest, take a few minutes for a joint walk-through with the crew leader: what takes priority in each room, which pieces are fragile or need special handling, and what is staying behind at the old address. This short conversation is one of the most valuable moments of the whole day.

It is also the right time to flag anything that needs non-standard treatment - an older painting, a delicate rug, or a recently purchased piece of electronics. Clear instructions here prevent misunderstandings later, when they are far harder to correct.

At the new property, it helps to have thought through furniture placement in advance, even as a simple sketch - so the crew knows immediately where the bed, wardrobe or dining table belongs, rather than moving pieces twice. Beds are typically assembled early, so there is somewhere to rest by evening.

Before the crew leaves, do a thorough joint check: every box accounted for, no visible damage to furniture, and everything placed where you asked. This final review is what allows you to spend the evening settling in rather than double-checking the day's work.