Why Preparation Directly Affects Your Bill
When booking [Local Moving Services], the pricing structure is almost always based on an hourly rate. The math is simple: the faster the crew can load and unload your belongings, the more money stays in your pocket.
While the professional movers from our partner network work fast, they can only move as quickly as your preparation allows. If they have to dodge clutter, pack loose items, or disassemble complex furniture on the spot, the clock keeps ticking.
Here is exactly how to prepare for your moving day to maximize efficiency and minimize costs.
Phase 1: Gather the Right Supplies
Before you start packing, make sure you have the right tools. Using improper supplies often leads to broken items or boxes falling apart, which slows down the movers.
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Uniform Boxes: Stick to Small (1.5 cu ft), Medium (3.0 cu ft), and Large (4.5 cu ft) boxes. Avoid using free grocery store boxes as they are often weak and don't stack well in the truck.
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Professional Packing Tape: Do not use masking tape or duct tape. You need heavy-duty packing tape to ensure box bottoms don't open during lifting.
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Markers: Buy thick, black permanent markers for labeling.
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Stretch Wrap: Useful for keeping drawers closed or securing moving blankets around furniture.
Phase 2: Actionable Steps for Moving Day
Follow these 7 steps to ensure the movers can work at top speed.
1. Disassemble Furniture Before the Crew Arrives
Unless you have specifically requested full-service furniture assembly (which adds time), taking apart your furniture is the easiest way to shave hours off the bill.
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Beds: Remove headboards and disassemble frames. Tape the screws in a bag directly to the frame so they don't get lost.
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Tables: Remove legs from dining tables if possible.
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Shelving: Remove all shelves and pegs from bookcases.
Pro Tip: If a piece of furniture is complicated, take a photo before taking it apart so you know exactly how to put it back together at your new home.
2. The "No Loose Items" Rule
One of the biggest time-wasters for movers is dealing with loose items that aren't in boxes. Movers cannot efficiently carry lamps, loose shoes, or piles of clothes.
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Pack Everything: If it fits in a box, it goes in a box.
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Stackability: Uniform boxes stack neatly on the dolly, allowing movers to wheel out 4-5 boxes at once instead of carrying one or two odd-shaped bags manually.
3. Create Clear Pathways
Professional movers need space to maneuver large furniture and heavy appliances safely.
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Clear the Halls: Remove rugs, wall decor, and potted plants from hallways and entryways.
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Door Propping: Ensure all doors can be propped open securely.
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Driveway/Elevator Access: Reserve a parking spot for the moving truck as close to your entrance as possible. If you live in an apartment, reserve the service elevator in advance. Every extra minute of waiting for an elevator adds to the cost.
4. Organize Boxes by Weight and Fragility
Don't make the movers guess. While you don't need to bring all boxes to the living room (movers are fast at navigating stairs), you should ensure boxes are sealed and ready.
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Label Clearly: Mark every box with its destination room (e.g., "Kitchen," "Master Bedroom"). This speeds up the unloading process significantly.
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Stacking: If you can, stack sealed boxes in a designated corner of each room. This allows the crew to simply "scoop and go."
5. Disconnect All Appliances
Movers are generally not licensed plumbers or electricians. For liability reasons, they often cannot disconnect gas lines or water hoses.
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Washing Machines: Disconnect and drain hoses completely.
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Fridges: Unplug and defrost your refrigerator at least 24 hours in advance. Wipe it dry to prevent mold.
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Electronics: Unplug TVs and computers and organize the cables separately.
6. Move the "Small Stuff" Yourself
If you have a personal vehicle, consider moving highly fragile items, electronics, lamps, or small boxes yourself before the truck arrives. Leave the heavy lifting—sofas, dressers, mattresses, and heavy appliances—to the professionals. If the movers only have to focus on the big items, they can finish the job much faster.
7. Be Available (But Stay Out of the Way)
On moving day, be present to answer questions about where items go or what shouldn't be moved. However, try to keep children and pets off-site or in a separate room. A clear workspace is a safe and fast workspace.
3 Common Mistakes That Cost You Money
Even with good preparation, these common oversights can inflate your bill.
1. Overpacking Large Boxes
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The Mistake: Filling a large box with heavy books.
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The Result: The box becomes too heavy to lift safely, or the bottom breaks. Movers will have to repack it into smaller boxes on the spot, wasting time.
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The Fix: Put heavy items (books, canned goods) in small boxes. Put light items (pillows, linens) in large boxes.
2. Last-Minute Packing
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The Mistake: Still packing boxes when the movers arrive.
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The Result: The crew cannot load the truck efficiently if they are waiting for you to finish packing.
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The Fix: Aim to have everything packed 24 hours before the movers arrive.
3. Forgetting "Non-Allowable" Items
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The Mistake: Packing hazardous materials like paint, propane, or cleaning chemicals.
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The Result: Movers are legally prohibited from transporting dangerous goods. They will have to stop and ask you to remove these items from the boxes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to empty my dresser drawers?
It depends on the furniture. For solid wood dressers, it is highly recommended to empty them to reduce weight and prevent structural damage during transport. For lightweight dressers, you can often leave soft items (like socks and t-shirts) inside, but remove heavy items like jeans or books.
How much do local movers cost per hour?
Rates vary by location and season, but typically range from $100 to $150 per hour for a 2-man crew. The final price depends on the crew size and the time it takes to complete the move.
Should I tip my movers?
While not mandatory, tipping is customary in the moving industry for a job well done. A standard tip is $5-$10 per mover per hour, or 10-15% of the total move cost, depending on the difficulty of the move.
Pair Your Preparation with Professional Help
Preparation is the best way to control your budget, but it all starts with finding the right team. We connect you with trusted, vetted local moving partners who value efficiency as much as you do.