The night before
Most moving-day disasters are actually night-before disasters. Get these right and the morning becomes routine.
- Pack an essentials box for each family member: two days of clothes, medication, toiletries, chargers, important documents
- Strip beds, bag the linens, and label by bedroom
- Defrost and dry the freezer; empty the fridge
- Charge phones, headphones, and a power bank
- Print the bill of lading, inventory, and your USDOT verification record
- Confirm pickup window with the driver by phone, not just text
Pre-load: the 30 minutes before the truck shows up
When the crew arrives, you want them touching boxes within 10 minutes — not waiting on you to clear paths or move the dog.
- Reserve parking with cones or your car on the street
- Prop open exterior doors and lay floor protection inside high-traffic paths
- Take photos of every room before anything moves (timestamp = insurance gold)
- Stage the essentials boxes and 'do-not-pack' items in one closed room or your trunk
- Set out cold water bottles and snacks; many crews skip breakfast
- Walk the home with the driver — point out fragile items and what stays
During the load: stay close, stay out of the way
The driver writes a written inventory as items leave the home. Each piece gets a numbered tag and a condition code (CP = chipped, SC = scratched, MAR = marred, BR = broken).
Verify any pre-existing damage codes are accurate. If the driver marks 'SC' on a couch that has no scratches, dispute it on the spot — those codes are how carriers limit liability later.
- Walk through after each room is loaded to confirm nothing is left behind
- Photograph high-value items as they go onto the truck
- Keep your phone on; the driver may need access codes or directions
- Keep kids and pets in another room or off-site
- Do not feel obligated to help carry — your insurance does not cover injuries on a paid move
The bill of lading is your contract. Read the cubic-feet and weight figures, the delivery spread, the valuation election, and the payment terms. Once you sign, the carrier's terms apply.
Tipping, payment, and the final sign-off
Tipping is customary in the US moving industry. Pay it directly to the crew, in cash, after loading. The driver will usually settle balances with you separately.
- Pay deposits and balances by credit card if at all possible — chargeback rights matter
- Refuse cash, Zelle, Venmo, or crypto-only requests; that is a scam pattern
- Get a copy of every signed document before the truck leaves
| Move type | Half-day | Full-day | Multi-day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local move (under 50 mi) | $20–$30 | $40–$60 | $60–$80/day |
| Long-distance loading | — | $50–$80 | $80–$120/day |
| Full-service pack + load | — | $60–$100 | $100–$150/day |
| Heavy items (piano, gun safe) | +$20–$50 | +$20–$50 | +$20–$50 |
Delivery day at the new home
Long-distance deliveries usually have a delivery window (e.g., '5 business days'). The driver must give you 24 hours of notice before arrival.
Have a floor plan ready and label rooms with painter's tape so the crew can place boxes correctly the first time. Re-handling adds time and time is money.
- Check off every numbered tag against the inventory as items come off the truck
- Note any damage or missing items on the delivery paperwork before signing
- Inspect electronics and large furniture for new damage on arrival
- Federal rules give you 9 months to file a damage claim — file the same week