What Should I Do the Week Before Movers Arrive? Your Ultimate Week Before Moving Checklist

Moving day is fast approaching, and if you’re like most people, the final week before movers arrive can feel like a whirlwind of to-dos. Whether you’re hiring Southside Moving from Southside Portsmouth VA Movers or another trusted company, staying organized and proactive can save you headaches, time, and money.

In this guide, you’ll find a comprehensive week before moving checklist to help you prepare your house for the movers, manage safety considerations, and ensure smooth logistics for moving day. We’ll reference trusted resources from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) including the Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet and https://oliviamaids.com/what-is-full-value-protection-vs-released-value-for-moving-insurance/ the Ready to Move brochure to keep your move safe, transparent, and efficient.

1. Declutter to Cut Moving Costs and Speed Up Unpacking

The week before you move is the perfect time to tackle decluttering. Removing unwanted items reduces the volume and weight of your move, which can lower your costs and get you unpacked faster in your new place.

Decluttering Tips

• Room-by-room approach: Sort through each room, placing items into “keep,” “donate,” “sell,” and “discard” piles.
• Hold a garage sale or sell online: Moving is an opportunity to lighten your load while earning a little cash.
• Donate generously: Local charities often accept furniture, clothing, and household items.
• Dispose of hazardous materials: Movers will not transport flammable or hazardous goods. Check our non-allowables section below for details.

Why Declutter?

Moving companies, including Southside Moving, typically charge based on weight and volume. Less stuff means lower freight costs and less labor. Plus, unpacking becomes a breeze when you only bring along what you really want.

2. Understand Non-Allowables and Safety-Based Exclusions

One common frustration on moving day comes from last-minute surprises around what movers can and cannot haul. To avoid this, familiarize yourself non allowable items movers with the list of prohibited items ahead of time.

What Movers Will Not Take

• Flammable items: gasoline, propane tanks, lighter fluid
• Perishable foods and plants
• Animals or live plants
• Perishable liquids and cleaning supplies
• Explosives and firearms (check local regulations)
• Hazardous chemicals and materials

The FMCSA offers useful tools to stay informed. Their Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet and Ready to Move brochure provide clear explanations, printable checklists, and safety tips you can reference. These are must-reads for any household prepping to move.

Keep a Running List Inside a Kitchen Cabinet

From my 12 years coordinating moves, I advise taping a list inside a kitchen cabinet listing items movers won’t take. It avoids last-minute panic calls and keeps your whole family on the same page.

3. Coordinate Truck Parking and Building Access Logistics

Where the moving truck parks and how movers access your property can make or break move day efficiency.

Ask Early: "Where Will the Truck Park?"

This is my signature question when scheduling a move. Knowing the exact parking spot helps you confirm with building management, arrange permits, or reserve elevator slots if needed.

Key Steps

1. Contact your condo or HOA management: Request permission and reserve a designated moving zone if applicable.
2. Inform Southside Moving: Share parking details and building access codes, elevator schedules, and loading dock locations.
3. Confirm elevator bookings: Most condos require advance booking of freight elevators.
4. Clear access paths: Remove obstacles from hallways, doorways, and entryways.

Failing to sort parking and access in advance can cause costly delays and additional labor charges on move day.

4. Measure Large Furniture and Doorways/Exits to Avoid Last-Minute Hassles

One detail that often gets overlooked until movers arrive is whether your largest pieces of furniture will fit through stairwells, elevators, and doorways.

Take Measurements

• Measure bulky furniture pieces — sofas, armoires, beds — noting height, width, and depth.
• Measure all exits the furniture must pass through — front door, back door, elevators, stairwells, and hallways.
• Compare dimensions to identify any potential tight spots.

Label Rooms Clearly

Use painter's tape to label each room in big block letters well before move day. This helps movers place items correctly, eliminating confusion and extra trips back and forth.

Your Week Before Moving Prep Timeline

Day Task 7 Days Before Begin decluttering; start selling/donating unwanted items. Order packing supplies if packing yourself. Measure large furniture and doorways. 6 Days Before Review FMCSA’s Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet. Create list of non-allowable items to remove from area. 5 Days Before Confirm parking and elevator reservations with building management. Inform Southside Moving of all access details. 4 Days Before Finish packing most rooms except essentials. Label rooms with painter’s tape. Tape non-allowables list inside kitchen cabinet. 3 Days Before Pack essentials and electronics; prepare moving day kit (tools, snacks, medicine). 2 Days Before Confirm moving appointment with Southside Moving. Review FMCSA’s Ready to Move brochure for last-minute tips. 1 Day Before Clear access paths, disconnect appliances, defrost fridge if moving it. Ensure all flammables and non-allowables are out of the way.

Final Thoughts

By following this week before moving checklist and leaning on reliable FMCSA resources, you’ll set yourself up for a smoother, safer move. Remember to ask your Southside Moving coordinators where the truck will park before discussing boxes, tape your non-allowables list inside a kitchen cabinet, and label your rooms boldly with painter’s tape. These small habits from my years of experience coordinating moves can make a huge difference on the big day.

Happy moving!