What to Expect on Moving Day: An Hour-by-Hour Guide

You’ve done the research, picked a moving company, and booked your date. Now moving day is almost here and you’re wondering: what actually happens when the movers show up?

If you’ve never hired professional movers before, the process can feel mysterious. If you’ve had a bad experience in the past, you might be bracing for the worst. Either way, knowing what to expect takes the anxiety out of the equation.

Here’s a complete walkthrough of moving day from a crew that’s done this thousands of times over 17+ years in Colorado Springs.

The Night Before: Final Prep

Moving day actually starts the evening before. A little preparation tonight saves significant time and stress tomorrow.

Your Checklist for Tonight

• Finish packing everything. The crew’s job is to move your belongings, not wait while you tape up boxes. Every unpacked item when the crew arrives adds time to your bill.
• Disassemble what you can. Bed frames, detachable table legs, shelving units. If you can take it apart with basic tools, do it tonight. Bag the hardware and tape it to the piece it belongs to.
• Clear furniture from walls. Pull dressers, bookshelves, and sofas a few inches from the wall so the crew can wrap and move them without extra maneuvering.
• Defrost and clean the fridge if you’re taking it. A defrosted fridge is lighter and won’t leak water all over your other belongings in the truck.
• Charge your phone. You’ll be communicating with the crew, taking photos, and potentially navigating to your new home. Start the day with a full battery.
• Pack an essentials box (more on this below).

Your Moving Day Essentials Box

This is the most important box you’ll pack. It stays with you—not on the truck—and contains everything you’ll need for the first night in your new home before you unpack anything:

• Toiletries and medications
• Phone chargers
• Change of clothes for everyone
• Snacks and water bottles
• Important documents (IDs, closing paperwork, lease)
• Basic cleaning supplies
• Toilet paper (seriously, don’t forget this one)
• Pet supplies if applicable
• Kids’ comfort items (favorite toy, blanket)
• Basic tools (screwdriver, pliers, box cutter)

Keep this box in your car, not on the truck. You’ll thank yourself at 9 PM when you’re exhausted and just want to brush your teeth.

Hour by Hour: What Moving Day Looks Like

30 Minutes Before Arrival

The crew or dispatcher will typically confirm they’re on the way. Use this time to:

• Do a final walkthrough to make sure everything is packed
• Clear a path from each room to your front door
• Move your car to give the truck the closest parking spot
• If it’s an apartment, prop open common area doors and reserve the elevator

Hour 1: Arrival and Walkthrough (The Setup)

The crew arrives and introduces themselves. The lead mover (crew chief) will:

1. Walk through your home with you. They’ll assess what needs to move, identify heavy or fragile items, and plan the loading order. Point out anything you’re concerned about—Grandma’s china cabinet, the oversized sectional that barely fit through the door when it came in, the wobbly banister on the stairs.

2. Lay down protection. Professional movers protect your home before moving a single item. At iHaul iMove, our home protection includes floor runners on hardwood and tile, door frame protectors on high-traffic doorways, and furniture blankets on every piece. This isn’t optional for us—it’s standard on every move.

3. Wrap furniture. The crew will blanket-wrap dressers, tables, sofas, and other pieces. Large items get stretch-wrapped for extra protection. This takes time but prevents 90% of damage.

4. Start loading. Heavy items and large furniture typically go on first. The crew builds the load strategically—heaviest items on the bottom, filling gaps efficiently to prevent shifting during transit.

Hours 2-3: Loading (The Core Work)

This is where the crew hits their rhythm. You’ll see a steady stream of items flowing from your home to the truck. A few things to know:

• Stay accessible but out of the way. The crew needs clear paths and doorways. The best place for you is near the truck or in a room that’s already been emptied, where the crew can easily find you for questions.
• Answer questions quickly. “Does this go?” “Is this fragile?” “Which boxes are heavy?” Quick answers keep the crew moving efficiently.
• Don’t help carry. We know it feels weird watching people work, but the crew has a system. Jumping in to carry boxes disrupts their flow, and if you get hurt, it creates a liability issue. If you want to help, focus on directing traffic: “Bedroom boxes are labeled blue, kitchen is green.”

Loading Break

For moves lasting more than 3-4 hours, the crew may take a short break. This is a good time to:

• Offer water or sports drinks (always appreciated, especially in Colorado Springs summers)
• Do a walkthrough of rooms that are already emptied
• Double-check closets, cabinets, and storage areas they’ve cleared

Hour 3-4: Finishing Load and Transit

As the truck fills:

• The crew chief will do a final walkthrough of your home to check for anything missed
• You should do your own walkthrough. Check every closet, every cabinet, the garage, the attic, under the bathroom sink, the backyard shed. Items left behind happen when the homeowner doesn’t check.
• The crew secures the load with straps and closes the truck

Transit time depends on distance. For moves within Colorado Springs, this is typically 15-30 minutes. The clock keeps running during transit unless your contract specifies otherwise—always clarify this upfront.

Hours 4-6: Unloading (The Home Stretch)

At the new home:

• The crew lays down fresh floor protection
• Items come off the truck in reverse loading order
• Direct placement is key. Stand at the entrance and tell each crew member where items go: “Master bedroom upstairs on the left. Kitchen boxes go on the counter. That dresser is for the guest room.”
• Furniture gets placed where you want it. Don’t be shy about asking them to try a spot and then move it—it’s much easier now than after they leave.
• The crew reassembles bed frames and anything they disassembled at the origin

Final 30 Minutes: Wrap-Up

• Do a walkthrough of the truck to make sure nothing was left inside
• Inspect your belongings for any visible damage. If something was damaged, note it immediately and tell the crew chief. Most companies have a claims process, and documenting damage day-of makes claims much smoother.
• The crew chief will present the final bill (if hourly) or confirm completion (if flat rate)
• Sign the paperwork and handle payment

Communication Tips for a Smooth Move

Be Direct and Specific

Movers appreciate clear direction. Instead of “put that somewhere in the living room,” say “that bookshelf goes against the far wall, centered between the windows.” The more specific you are, the fewer times things need to be repositioned.

Speak Up Early

If something concerns you—a crew member handling an item roughly, a piece of furniture getting scratched—say something immediately. Don’t wait until the end. Professional crews want to know so they can adjust.

Designate One Point of Contact

If multiple people are giving the crew different instructions, chaos ensues. Decide who’s directing the move and let the crew know. “I’ll be handling all placement decisions. My partner is going to handle the kids.”

Kids and Pets on Moving Day

Moving day is stressful for adults. For kids and pets, it can be overwhelming and potentially dangerous with heavy items being carried through tight spaces.

Kids

• Best option: Have a friend or family member take them for the day, especially children under 6.
• If they’re home: Set up a safe room that’s already been emptied or is being packed last. Load it with snacks, activities, and entertainment.
• Older kids can be genuinely helpful—directing movers, labeling, checking rooms.
• Keep them clear of the loading/unloading path at all times.

Pets

• Dogs and cats: Crate them or put them in a designated room with a closed door that the crew knows not to open. Alternatively, arrange for pet sitting or boarding.
• Moving day is one of the most common times pets escape. Doors are propped open, people are distracted, and animals are stressed. A crate or closed room prevents this.
• At the new home, set up one “pet room” before releasing them. Familiar bedding, food, water, and litter box in a quiet space helps them adjust.

The Tipping Guide

Tipping movers isn’t required, but it’s a great way to show appreciation for hard work. Here’s what’s customary:

Standard Guidelines

• Half-day move (2-4 hours): $20-40 per mover
• Full-day move (5-8 hours): $40-60 per mover
• Exceptionally difficult move (lots of stairs, heavy items, extreme heat): $50-80 per mover

When to Tip Extra

• The crew handled specialty items (piano, safe, pool table) with exceptional care
• They worked in brutal weather (100°F heat, snow, rain)
• The move involved significant stairs or long carries
• They went above and beyond (helped with a quick furniture rearrangement, were especially careful with fragile items)

Tipping Etiquette

• Cash is king. Hand it directly to each crew member at the end of the move.
• If you can’t tip, that’s OK. Offering cold water, sports drinks, and snacks throughout the day goes a long way. A genuine “thank you” matters more than you think.
• Don’t tip before the move is done. Wait until you’ve inspected everything and you’re satisfied.

The Final Walkthrough

Before the crew leaves, do these checks:

At Your Old Home

• Every room, closet, and cabinet checked
• Garage, attic, and basement checked
• Outdoor spaces (shed, patio storage) checked
• All agreed-upon items have been loaded
• Walls, floors, and doorways inspected for any damage

At Your New Home

• All items accounted for
• Furniture placed where you want it
• Beds reassembled and functional
• No visible damage to belongings
• No damage to the new home’s walls, floors, or doorways
• Truck is empty

If everything checks out, sign off and let the crew go. If there’s an issue, address it before signing. Document any damage with photos and note it on the paperwork.

After the Movers Leave

The crew is gone, and you’re standing in your new home surrounded by boxes. Here’s your evening plan:

1. Set up beds first. You’re going to be exhausted. Having a place to sleep is priority one.
2. Locate your essentials box. Toiletries, phone chargers, medications, snacks.
3. Do a basic kitchen setup. Unpack enough to make coffee tomorrow morning and feed everyone tonight.
4. Take photos. Photograph the condition of your new home before you start hanging things on walls. This protects your security deposit at a rental or documents the home’s condition at move-in.
5. Rest. The boxes will be there tomorrow. Order takeout, sit on the couch, and decompress. You did it.

Ready to Plan Your Move?

At iHaul iMove, we make moving day as predictable and stress-free as possible. Our crews are trained professionals who’ve handled thousands of residential moves across Colorado Springs over 17+ years. Every move includes home protection, professional packing options, and the care your belongings deserve.

Get your free estimate or call (719) 357-5865. We’ll walk you through exactly what to expect for your specific move—no surprises, no hidden fees, no stress.

iHaul iMove has 700+ 5-star reviews and serves 71+ communities across the Pikes Peak region. Licensed, insured, and trusted since 2008.