Moving Day with Local Movers: What to Expect

Moving day is exciting.

But let’s face it…

It’s also stressful if you don’t know what to expect. The coordination with movers, the last-minute packing, and the risk of something not arriving safely… There’s a lot that can go wrong.

But here’s the good news.

When you hire professional local hauling companies, they’ll handle the heavy lifting (literally) for you. You just need to know what’s happening on the day so you can be prepared.

The Ultimate Guide will show you exactly what to expect when local movers arrive at your door.

Let’s get into it!

Here’s what you’ll learn:

1. Get Your Home Ready Before the Movers Arrive
2. What Happens When Local Movers Arrive
3. Loading Explained
4. Unloading and Placement
5. Setting Up For Success
6. Moving Day Bottom Line

Get Your Home Ready Before the Movers Arrive

Want to make sure moving day goes smoothly?

The best place to start is with making sure your home is prepared for the movers to arrive. Packed up and ready to go.

Here’s what you’ll need:

Pack an essentials box with the things you will need on the day. This is all the stuff you want to avoid opening boxes for: toiletries, snacks, important documents, and a change of clothes. Pack all your boxes labeled clearly with the room they’re going to in the new home.

One more thing most people forget to do is to clear a path from the front door to the moving truck. Move any obstacles, protect your floors if necessary, and make sure there’s easy access to every room. According to recent data, 53% of moves are within the same county, so local moving companies are often very busy and fast.

One final tip: secure your valuables and important documents. Keep them with you in your own car. Not on the moving truck.

What Happens When Local Movers Arrive

Moving day is here.

So what happens when the truck pulls up? First the moving crew will introduce themselves and do a walkthrough of your home. They are checking out everything that needs to be moved and coming up with a plan for the safest and most efficient way to get it out the door.

This is your opportunity to point out any special items that need to be handled differently. Is there a fragile family heirloom? A grand piano? Inform them.

The movers will usually:

• Review the inventory list with you
• Discuss any special handling instructions
• Answer any last-minute questions
• Plan how to load the truck as efficiently as possible

Don’t be surprised if they pull up with their own equipment like dollies, moving blankets, and straps. Professional local moving companies are prepared.

And here’s the best part:

Local movers charge by the hour (usually between $65 and $251/hour), so the more organized you are, the faster they can work — which saves you money.

Loading Explained

Let’s talk about the loading process.

This is where the professional movers really show their worth. They will start loading the heaviest items first, and furniture, appliances, and large boxes are first on that list. These items will be loaded first and secured in place.

Here’s the typical loading order:

• Large furniture/appliances
• Heavy boxes (books, kitchenware)
• Medium boxes
• Lighter items/fragile boxes

The movers will wrap furniture in moving blankets before loading to prevent scratches and damage. They will also strap everything down to prevent shifting.

Fun fact…

Friday is the most popular day to move, making up 20% of all moves. If you’re moving on a Friday, you can bet your movers have a very tight schedule.

During the loading process, make yourself available to answer questions but try not to hover. These professionals are trained and know what they’re doing.

During Transit: A Moving Day Factoid

The truck is loaded and ready to go.

If you’re doing a local move, the transit time is usually pretty short. You will typically drive separately from the moving truck anyway, which allows you to stop for food and eat before the movers or even get to your new place first.

During transit, you should:

• Keep your phone charged
• Have the movers’ contact info handy
• Bring your essentials box

With 7.8% of Americans moving in 2024, which is 25.87 million people, your local movers are very busy and have a lot of moves going on at once. If there is traffic or a delay, they will keep you informed.

Some folks like to arrive at the new place before the movers to do a quick clean before the furniture arrives. That’s fine if that’s how you like to do it, just be sure to communicate that to the movers.

Unloading and Setting Up Your New Place

You’ve made it to your new home.

The movers will begin unloading and placing items in the rooms you have specified. This is where those labeled boxes come in real handy — movers will be able to take everything directly to the room it needs to go.

Here’s what you should be doing during the unloading:

Direct placement of furniture. You don’t want movers putting your couch in the wrong room and having to move it again later.

Inspect each item as it’s unloaded from the truck. Look for damage that might have occurred in transit and report it to the movers immediately.

Make sure all boxes are accounted for. Movers should have an inventory list, go through it together to confirm everything has arrived.

The movers will do a final walkthrough with you to make sure you are satisfied with the service. They will remove any packing materials they brought with them and then they’re gone!

And one last thing…

Have cash on hand to tip your movers. It’s not required, but it’s highly appreciated. Most folks tip between $20-$50 per mover depending on the complexity of the move.

Setting Up For Success

The movers are gone and you’re in your new home.

Your first priorities should be:

• Set up your bed
• Unpack your essentials box
• Stock the bathroom with toiletries
• Order takeout or have a meal ready

Don’t try to unpack everything on moving day. Focus on the essentials — bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen. Leave the rest for later.

Moving Day Bottom Line

Moving day with local movers doesn’t have to be a stressful experience.

When you know what to expect, you can stay organized and in control. Professional movers can handle the heavy lifting while you focus on the details.

Quick recap:

• Get your home prepared with everything packed and labeled
• Be available during the walkthrough
• Stay accessible during loading
• Direct placement during unloading

Average cost for local moves is $1,250, and it’s well worth the money when you consider the time and stress you’re saving. With the right preparation, moving day can be smooth and even fun!

Stick with these tips and you’ll be settled into your new home before you know it!