Moving Day Tips: What Actually Happens and How to Make It Go Fast
Moving day runs on logistics, not luck. Most delays come from the same few things: no parking for the truck, no clear path to the door, or decisions that should have been made the week before. Here's what to have ready before the crew arrives.
Sort parking and access before the truck shows up
A truck that can't park close to your door adds carrying time, and carrying time is billable time. Sort this out before moving day, not when the truck arrives.
- Reserve street parking or a permit if your building or municipality requires one
- For a condo or apartment, confirm the loading dock or service elevator booking the week before, not the morning of
- Clear a direct path from the door to the truck. Move planters, bikes, or anything in the way ahead of time
- Tell your movers about stairs, narrow hallways, or tight turns before they arrive, not when they're standing in front of them
Pack an essentials box and keep it off the truck
Pack a box or bag with everything you'll need before the rest of your things are unpacked, and keep it with you, not on the truck.
- Phone chargers, medications, and a change of clothes
- Basic toiletries and a few towels
- Snacks, water, and something to keep the kids or pets occupied
- Keys, documents, and anything else you can't afford to lose track of
Plan for pets and kids before the crew arrives, not during
Moving day is stressful for kids and genuinely risky for pets. An open front door and a house full of strangers is exactly when a dog bolts. Plan for both before the crew shows up.
- If you can, arrange for pets to stay somewhere else for the day: a friend's place, a sitter, or a boarding service
- If pets have to stay home, keep them in one closed room away from the front door, with a sign so the crew knows not to open it
- For kids, arrange for someone other than you to keep an eye on them. Moving day isn't the day to supervise both the move and a toddler
Do a real walkthrough before the truck pulls away
Before the truck leaves the old address, walk through every room yourself, including the places that are easy to forget.
- Check closets, cabinets, and behind doors, not just open floor space
- Check the garage, shed, balcony, and any storage locker
- Check on top of cabinets and behind large appliances
- Confirm nothing is left in the mailbox or with a neighbour
What actually speeds a move up
A few small decisions make a real difference to how long moving day takes.
- Have everything packed and boxes sealed before the crew arrives. Packing during the move eats into the hours
- Disassemble anything you're comfortable taking apart yourself, like beds and large furniture, ahead of time
- Keep a clear path for the entire move, not just at the start
- Have payment and any final paperwork ready so the day doesn't end with a delay
Good to know
What should I keep with me instead of putting on the truck?
Keep an essentials box, medications, important documents, jewelry, and cash with you personally. These should never go on the truck, even for a short trip.
Should pets be home on moving day?
If you can arrange for them to be elsewhere, do it. An open front door and a house full of strangers is a common way for a pet to get loose. If they have to stay home, keep them in one closed room away from the entrance.
What's the point of a final walkthrough?
It's the last chance to catch anything left behind: closets, the garage, a storage locker, or the mailbox. Do it before the truck leaves, not after you've already arrived at the new place.
How can I make moving day go faster?
Have everything packed and ready before the crew arrives, clear a path from the door to the truck, and sort out parking or elevator bookings ahead of time. Packing during the move itself is the single biggest time sink.
Ready to book your move?
Clear access and a bit of prep make the biggest difference to how long moving day takes.