Hiring professional movers can take much of the physical stress out of moving day, but your preparation still plays a major role in how smoothly everything goes. A home that is organized, packed, and ready allows movers to work more efficiently and can help reduce unnecessary delays.
Whether you’re moving from an apartment in downtown Ottawa, a condo in Kanata, or a family home in Barrhaven, knowing how to prepare for movers can make your relocation faster, safer, and easier.
From decluttering and packing to protecting your floors and arranging parking, a little preparation before the truck arrives can make a significant difference.
Why Should You Prepare Your Home Before Movers Arrive?
Professional movers handle the heavy lifting, loading, transportation, and unloading, but they can’t organize your belongings or prepare your home for them.
If boxes aren’t packed, hallways are blocked, or furniture isn’t ready to move, the crew may spend valuable time waiting or working around obstacles.
Proper preparation can help you:
- Reduce moving-day delays
- Make loading more efficient
- Protect floors and walls
- Keep fragile belongings organized
- Reduce the chance of damage
- Make unpacking easier
- Keep your moving costs under control
For hourly moving services, efficiency is especially important because additional time can increase the overall cost.
Declutter Your Home Before Moving Day
One of the best ways to prepare for movers is to reduce the number of things you actually need to move.
Go through each room several weeks before your moving date and separate your belongings into four categories:
- Keep
- Sell
- Donate
- Discard
Look through closets, kitchen cabinets, basements, garages, storage rooms, and attics.
Moving unwanted furniture, clothing, appliances, or boxes adds unnecessary work. By getting rid of things you no longer need, you can make packing easier and potentially reduce the amount of truck space and labour required.
If you’re selling furniture or donating items, try to complete those tasks before moving week rather than leaving them until the last minute.
Finish Packing Before the Movers Arrive
Unless you’ve booked professional packing services, your belongings should generally be packed before the moving crew arrives.
Use strong boxes and avoid making them too heavy. Put heavier items in smaller boxes and lighter belongings in larger boxes.
For fragile items, use appropriate cushioning and make sure there is no excessive empty space inside the box.
Every box should be:
- Properly sealed
- Clearly labelled
- Assigned to a destination room
- Marked as fragile when necessary
If you’re hiring movers only for loading and transportation, unfinished packing can slow down the entire process.
Label Boxes Clearly
Good labels save time at both your old and new home.
Write the destination room and a short description of the contents on each box. For example:
KITCHEN – GLASSWARE – FRAGILE
You can also use different coloured labels or tape for different rooms.
When everything is clearly marked, movers can place boxes in the appropriate areas at your new home instead of leaving everything in one location.
This also makes unpacking considerably easier.
Create an Essentials Bag
Don’t put everything on the moving truck.
Prepare a separate bag or box containing the things you’ll need immediately after arriving at your new home.
Your essentials can include:
- Phone chargers
- Important documents
- Toiletries
- Medication
- Basic clothing
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Toilet paper
- Basic cleaning supplies
- Keys
- Children’s necessities
- Pet supplies
Keep passports, jewellery, cash, credit cards, important paperwork, and other valuable personal belongings with you rather than loading them onto the moving truck.
Prepare Furniture and Appliances
Large furniture and appliances may require additional preparation.
Before moving day:
- Empty drawers and cabinets
- Remove loose shelves
- Take cushions off furniture
- Disconnect appropriate electronics
- Empty appliances
- Defrost and dry your freezer if necessary
- Remove fragile items from furniture
- Secure loose components
For complicated appliances such as washing machines or certain gas appliances, professional disconnection may be appropriate.
Don’t assume every appliance should be disconnected by the moving crew. If you’re unsure, ask the mover what preparation they require before moving day.
Protect Floors, Walls, and Doorways
Moving large furniture through a home can create accidental scratches or dents if pathways aren’t prepared.
Roll up loose rugs and remove unnecessary floor mats. Clear decorations, small furniture, plants, toys, and other obstacles from hallways and entrances.
You can also use protective coverings over floors in high-traffic areas.
Pay particular attention to:
- Hardwood floors
- Carpet
- Staircases
- Door frames
- Narrow hallways
- Wall corners
Professional movers may bring their own protective equipment, but keeping the home clear beforehand makes their job easier.
Clear a Safe Path for the Moving Crew
Movers need a clear route from each room to the truck.
Walk through your home and identify potential obstacles before moving day.
Remove:
- Shoes
- Toys
- Small tables
- Floor decorations
- Plant pots
- Boxes that aren’t ready
- Loose cables
If you have large furniture that needs to pass through a narrow doorway or staircase, let the moving company know in advance.
Measure tight spaces if necessary. This gives the crew an opportunity to plan the safest way to move oversized items.
Arrange Parking for the Moving Truck
Parking can become an unexpected problem, especially for apartment and downtown Ottawa moves.
Before moving day, determine where the truck can safely park at both addresses.
If you’re moving from a condo or apartment, check whether your building requires:
- Elevator reservations
- Loading-area reservations
- Parking arrangements
- Proof of mover insurance
For street-side moves, check the applicable local parking requirements.
A truck parked close to the entrance can reduce the distance movers need to carry heavy furniture and boxes.
Tell Your Movers About Special Items
Don’t surprise the crew with a piano, safe, oversized table, treadmill, large mirror, antique, or other specialty item on moving day.
Tell your moving company about unusual or particularly heavy items when requesting your quote.
This allows the company to determine whether additional movers, equipment, protective materials, or special handling procedures are required.
You should also mention:
- Multiple flights of stairs
- Narrow entrances
- Long carrying distances
- Elevators
- Difficult parking
- Heavy appliances
- Fragile artwork
The more information you provide beforehand, the easier it is for the moving team to plan.
Keep Children and Pets Away From the Work Area
Moving day can become chaotic.
Doors may remain open for extended periods, movers will constantly carry heavy objects through hallways, and boxes may be stacked around the home.
For safety, keep young children and pets away from active moving areas.
If possible, arrange for a family member, friend, or pet sitter to look after them during the busiest part of the move.
If that isn’t possible, keep them in a secure room away from the main entrances and work areas.
Take Photos of Valuable Belongings
Before movers begin loading, take photos of valuable or fragile items.
Photograph furniture, electronics, appliances, artwork, and other belongings that you want to document.
Close-up photos can also show existing scratches, dents, or other damage.
This creates a useful record of the condition of your belongings before transportation.
For electronics with multiple cables, taking a quick photo of the connections can also make reconnecting them at your new home much easier.
Make a Moving-Day Checklist
The final step to prepare for movers is creating a simple checklist and completing it before the crew arrives.
One Week Before
- Finish most packing
- Label boxes
- Confirm the moving date
- Arrange parking
- Confirm elevator access
- Separate valuables
- Prepare your essentials bag
One or Two Days Before
- Finish packing
- Empty appropriate furniture
- Prepare appliances
- Clear hallways
- Remove wall decorations
- Confirm access instructions
On Moving Day
- Keep pathways clear
- Keep children and pets away
- Keep important documents with you
- Show movers what is being moved
- Point out fragile or specialty items
- Confirm the destination address
- Complete a final walkthrough
What Should You Not Put on the Moving Truck?
Some belongings are better kept with you or handled separately.
These may include important personal documents, cash, jewellery, irreplaceable valuables, medications, and essential electronics.
Certain hazardous materials may also be restricted by moving companies, so always ask your mover about items such as fuel, propane, chemicals, and other potentially dangerous materials before packing them.
If you’re unsure whether something can be transported, ask before moving day.
Final Walkthrough Before the Truck Leaves
Before leaving your old home, take one final walk through every area.
Check:
- Bedrooms
- Closets
- Cabinets
- Garage
- Basement
- Attic
- Storage areas
- Outdoor sheds
- Behind doors
- Appliances
Don’t forget to check drawers and cupboards in furniture that is staying behind.
A final walkthrough takes only a few minutes but can prevent the frustration of discovering forgotten belongings after you’ve already moved.
How Relovix Movers Can Make Moving Day Easier
At Relovix Movers, we understand that preparation and professional moving services work together.
Our goal is to make your relocation as organized and stress-free as possible. When your belongings are packed, labelled, and ready, our moving team can focus on safely handling, loading, transporting, and unloading your items.
Before your moving date, provide accurate information about your home, belongings, access conditions, parking, stairs, elevators, and any specialty items.
This helps the team plan the appropriate equipment and moving approach for your relocation.
If you need help with packing as well as transportation, ask Relovix Movers about the services available for your specific move.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to prepare for movers can completely change your moving-day experience.
Start by decluttering, pack and label your belongings, separate your essentials and valuables, prepare large furniture and appliances, clear pathways, protect your home, and arrange parking and building access before the truck arrives.
Most importantly, communicate with your movers. Let them know about stairs, elevators, narrow doorways, parking restrictions, fragile belongings, and specialty items ahead of time.
A prepared home allows the moving crew to work efficiently and gives you greater control over your relocation.
If you’re planning a move in Ottawa, Relovix Movers can help take the heavy work off your shoulders. Contact the team to discuss your moving requirements and get started on a smoother relocation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should everything be packed before movers arrive?
If you’ve hired movers only for loading and transportation, it’s best to have your belongings packed and ready before the crew arrives. If you’ve booked professional packing, the movers can handle that part of the job.
What should I keep with me on moving day?
Keep important documents, medication, jewellery, cash, keys, chargers, essential clothing, and other irreplaceable personal belongings with you.
Do I need to empty furniture drawers?
Generally, heavy or fragile items should be removed from drawers. Ask your moving company whether lightweight clothing or soft items can remain inside specific furniture.
Should I reserve an elevator for my move?
If you’re moving from an apartment or condo, check with your building management. Many buildings require residents to reserve elevators for moving appointments.
How early should I start preparing my home?
Start decluttering and organizing several weeks before your moving date. Packing and final home preparation should be completed before the moving crew arrives.
What information should I give my movers?
Tell them about your home size, number of belongings, stairs, elevators, parking conditions, narrow entrances, heavy furniture, appliances, fragile items, and any specialty belongings.
