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GuideMovers charge for their time, so how prepared you are directly affects both your cost and how smoothly the day goes. A little preparation turns moving day from chaos into a quick, efficient handoff. Here's exactly how to get ready so the crew can work fast and nothing goes wrong.
The single biggest money-saver: have everything packed and ready before the movers arrive (unless you've booked packing too). You pay for volume and time, so move less and pack it well. Finish packing the night before — movers standing around while you fill boxes is paid time wasted.
Heavy items in small boxes, light items in big ones, fragile things wrapped individually with gaps filled so nothing shifts. Label every box by room and contents, and mark fragile boxes clearly. Number your boxes and keep a quick list so you know if anything's missing at the other end.
Most movers won't transport hazardous materials (propane, chemicals, paint, aerosols), perishable food, plants (sometimes), and they'll advise you to carry valuables, documents and irreplaceables yourself. Ask your mover for their list in advance so these don't derail the morning — and plan to move them separately.
Clear pathways so the crew can move freely, protect floors if needed, disassemble what you can in advance (or arrange for the movers to), and make sure large furniture will fit through doors and stairwells. Reserve elevators and loading zones, and sort out parking for the truck at both ends — blocked access is a top cause of delays.
Keep a box (and your valuables) with you, not on the truck: chargers, medications, important documents, a change of clothes, basic toiletries, and anything you'll need the first night. This prevents the first-night-in-the-new-place scramble through dozens of boxes.
Be present and reachable, walk the crew through priorities and fragile items, have payment and any tip ready, and do a final empty-home walk-through before leaving. A quick plan for where furniture goes at the new place saves everyone time. On Genie you can book a vetted, insured crew — and add packing — at an upfront or quoted rate.
Every task in this guide is something you can book on Genie — vetted, insured pros at an upfront price:
Declutter so you're moving less, and have everything fully packed and ready before the crew arrives — you pay for time and volume, so movers waiting while you pack is wasted money.
Usually hazardous materials (propane, chemicals, paint, aerosols), perishable food, sometimes plants, and they'll advise you to carry valuables and documents yourself. Ask your mover's list in advance and move those separately.
An essentials box and your valuables: chargers, medications, documents, a change of clothes, toiletries and first-night items — keep it with you, not on the truck.
