The Moving Day Checklist Movers Wish You'd Use

Checklists · 2026-06-16 · 6 min read

Hour-by-hour move-day checklist that prevents the most common day-of disasters. Printable, copy-paste ready, written by people who actually move stuff.

This is the checklist professional movers want every customer to have. Most "moving day disasters" — missing keys, wrong elevator times, locked-out movers — happen because no one mapped out the morning. Print this, post it on the fridge, and check off each item.

Night Before (8–10 PM)

• Pack a "first night" bag: pajamas, toothbrush, phone charger, change of clothes, medication, important documents.
• Pack a "first day" cooler: bottled water, snacks, breakfast for tomorrow.
• Charge every device fully. Phones, watches, headphones, laptops.
• Confirm tomorrow's mover arrival time by text. Confirm the address on file is correct.
• Confirm building elevator reservation (if applicable) at both ends.
• Set out cash for tips ($60–$200 depending on crew size).
• Take photos of the empty rooms for security-deposit purposes (after final packing).

Morning Of (Before Movers Arrive)

• Wake up at least 90 minutes before movers arrive.
• Eat. Move days are 8–12 hour days; you'll regret skipping breakfast.
• Park the moving-truck spot if you have a permit. Block it physically until the truck arrives.
• Walk through every room one last time. Open every closet, every drawer, every cabinet.
• Disconnect electronics. Take photos of cable arrangements before unplugging.
• Set aside items movers won't touch: cash, jewelry, passports, prescription drugs, plants, perishable food.
• Print or pin the mover's contact info, the bid number, and the building manager's number.

When Movers Arrive

• Meet the foreman. Confirm the inventory matches the bid (this is why scan-based inventories matter — there's no disagreement).
• Walk the foreman through every room. Point out fragile items, items not going, items that need to be packed.
• Show them where bathrooms, water, and the trash are.
• Sign the order for service. Read it. Ask about the "non-binding" line if there is one — your bid on Scan To Move is binding, but check.
• Hand over the pet-zone door key with a "DO NOT OPEN" sign.

During Loading

• Stay out of the way. Movers move faster when no one is hovering in doorways.
• Offer water every 1–2 hours, especially in heat.
• Do one final sweep of every room when they're "done." Check under sinks, in the back of closets, on top of high shelves.
• Take a final empty-house photo.
• Lock up. Hand keys to the property manager or set out for next tenant.

At the New Home

• Walk the foreman through where each room is. Use the labels on boxes.
• Direct furniture placement before they put it down. Moving a sofa twice is annoying for them and expensive for you on hourly jobs.
• Inspect items as they come off the truck — flag any damage immediately, before signing the bill of lading.
• Do a final walkthrough of the truck with the foreman. Check the cab.
• Pay the balance. On Scan To Move that's the 70% final charge, released after photo of completed delivery.
• Tip the crew.

The 2 Things People Forget

• The garage and attic. Out of sight, out of mind. Walk through them before you say "we're done loading."
• The freezer. Frozen items still in there after the truck leaves means a trip back tomorrow, ruined food, or both.

Get binding bids from licensed movers and you'll have one less thing to think about on the day.