Moving Preparation
The Bellhops Guide to Getting Ready
Being prepared to move by the time your bellhops arrive enables them to work as safely and efficiently as possible—and also saves you time and money. To help with this, we’ve gathered the most helpful practices we’ve learned over the course of 100,000 moves.
Getting Started
Let your time frame guide your plan.
Find the right movers.
Begin by packing off-season clothes, books, and other items you won’t be using in the days prior to your move.
Prep big items, such as appliances and furniture, the day before your move.
Pack and label one box with the items you will need for the first night in your new home, such as toiletries, medications, a change of clothes, and your phone charger.
Arranging your belongings
Pack like a pro.
Empty all drawers and cabinets prior to your move so that your bellhops have a safe area to work and nothing gets forgotten.
Make sure all boxes are sealed with packing tape and clearly marked with their destination (and the term “fragile” when appropriate).
Place paper plates between your glass or porcelain plates to keep them protected. For other delicate items, use towels or pillows to safeguard them in their boxes.
Organizing furniture
Make light work of your large items.
Remove clothing drawers and cover them with plastic wrap. This will make chests lighter and save you time from having to reorganize your items when unpacking.
Disassemble furniture that will be too large to fit through doorways, down staircases, or inside elevators.
Note: Bellhops cannot connect or disconnect any appliances and will not have the tools to disassemble furniture.
Final steps
Prepare appliances and electronics.
Disconnect and drain all appliances.
Here's a video to help with that.
Take pictures of how the cords were arranged so that you have a visual guide to set things up in your new home.
Empty your refrigerator and freezer, and then wipe everything dry. Keep the doors open overnight, with a towel underneath to contain any dripping.
Unboxed electronics, such as televisions and computer monitors, are vulnerable to damage. If you do not have the original TV boxes, contact us and we can get some shipped to your door in two days or you can order moving boxes directly.
Note: If electronics are not in boxes on the day of your move, we will refuse to move them or ask that you sign a waiver of liability.
Move Day
Make sure you’re well equipped.
Keep all of your important documents in one place so they are accessible during the transition.
Note: Each truck on the platform contains standard equipment such as dollies and moving blankets, but additional packing supplies—such as plastic wrap, furniture pads, Bubble Wrap, boxes, mattress bags, and floor coverings—must be provided by the customer.
For labor-only moves, all equipment and packing supplies must be provided by the customer.
Things we cannot move
Guns, drugs, armadillos, and other items we refrain from moving.
Perishable items
- Foods that require freezing or refrigeration
- Produce
- Food in open packages
- Alcoholic beverages
- Cooking and cleaning liquids
- Plants, pets, and other living things
Prohibited items
- Drugs or drug paraphernalia
- Stolen items
Dangerous items
- Weapons/firearms
- Locked gun safes
- Ammunition
- Explosives
- Flammable liquids such as propane, gasoline, or paint
Note: Any gas-powered equipment must be emptied prior to your move.
Oversize items
- Large instruments such as pianos
- Large exercise equipment
- Pool tables
- Hot tubs
- Grandfather clocks
- Fireproof cabinets or safes
Note: The maximum weight for any item we can move is 300 pounds.
Situations we avoid
Flooding, forced moves, foul weather, and other reasons we might refuse service.
Our top priority is the safety of the customer, the bellhops, the truck, and the customer’s belongings. Should we believe a situation will put any of these things at risk, we will stop our service. If you have any questions about your move, please review our complete Terms of Service or contact our customer-service team at 1-888-836-3939.
Dangerous conditions
- Inclement weather such as rain, snow, sleet, or high winds
- Unfinished basements or rooms with exposed nails or unstable flooring
- Clutter related to hoarding
- Animal or human waste
- Spaces that have been flooded
Property conflicts
- If we determine the move to be an eviction
- If we determine the property is deemed prohibited
Unforeseen challenges
- If a move will be impeded or excessively prolonged because of a lack of parking
- If the details given during the booking do not accurately reflect the job required and the customer does not accept a revised estimate
