What to Expect from Moving Companies on Moving Day

A team will arrive to pack your items. Packers work quickly and methodically to group items together for packing, and will use several types of boxes to do so. There are specialty cartons for hanging clothes, dishes and other breakables, and for artwork and large mirrors. Square boxes can usually accommodate most other packable items. The packing team will discuss item damage with you, and flag any items that are damaged prior to the move. The team then marks all boxes with room and closet names so that they can be put in the right places at the destination.

Individual, non-boxed items are marked by the packing team with a number. The team will then compile a list of boxes and numbered items, and present you with a list. When you arrive at the destination, it will be up to you to make sure all boxes and items have arrived.

The truck with the loading and hauling team will arrive at a designated time. This team carries all boxes and items out of the house, and loads it on the truck. Sometimes this team also transports the items to the destination home, especially if it is a local move. If some distance will be covered, there may be a separate driving team, or different drivers along the way. If your goods are packed into a shipping container, they may even travel by boat or train.

If you require storage, your items and boxes will be transported to the storage facility and remain there until moving day, when they will be loaded back onto a truck. When they arrive at your new home, you will need to check items and boxes against the list provided by the packing crew, and ensure that everything has arrived. You will also need to make sure that all items and boxes are in the correct areas and rooms, and that anything that was taken apart during packing is reassembled and placed correctly. Finally, you will need to inspect your items and make sure they are in the same condition that they were in when they were packed, and file claims as needed.