How to prepare for movers on moving day: A Move Manager’s guide to a more successful move

Moving day has a reputation for chaos. Boxes everywhere, last-minute decisions, and a

steady stream of activity that can quickly become overwhelming. But the difference

between a stressful move, and a smooth one comes down to something most people

overlook: Having a good relationship with the moving company and preparing the

moving crew for success on moving day.

“Most people don’t understand all of the critical things that put a moving crew in the

best position to hit a home run on moving day,” said Wendy Buglio, a Boston-based

professional Move Manager and owner of Renew Relocation. “I’m here to take care of

the details that turn a good move into a great one.”

For clients working with a professional Move Manager, much of that complexity is

handled behind the scenes. But whether you’re managing your own move or partnering

with an expert firm, like Renew, understanding how to prepare for movers, and how to

work with them, can dramatically improve the outcome.

Success starts long before moving day

One of the biggest misconceptions about moving is that preparation begins only a few

days before the truck arrives. In reality, Buglio says successful moves are built weeks in

advance through collaboration with trusted moving partners.

“It starts by thoroughly understanding the survey process and the initial estimate.”

Buglio said. “If the survey and estimate are off, it’s likely that the move won’t go well.”

During the estimate phase, a Move Manager works closely with the moving company to

communicate the full scope of the project. That’s not just counting boxes that need to be

moved, but understanding the nuances that affect how the day will unfold. That could

include multiple destinations, fragile items requiring special packing, or a client who

needs a slower pace.

“We’re not just saying, ‘Here’s the house, move it.’ We’re talking through the qualitative

parts of the project,” Buglio said. This early collaboration is especially valuable for clients navigating downsizing, home organization, or senior moves, where logistics and emotions are closely intertwined.

The power of partnership

A key differentiator in Buglio’s approach, and one that defines Renew Relocation’s work,

is how the company interacts with movers.

“It’s not a transactional situation. We’re not just directing them. We’re collaborating. If

we stand there and bark orders, it’s not going to go well,” Buglio said. “Trying to be a

true partner, that’s what leads to the best outcome.”

That distinction matters. Treating movers as partners rather than labor changes the tone

of the entire day. Because Renew Relocation has built long-standing relationships with

preferred moving companies, its clients benefit from a level of trust and communication

that doesn’t happen overnight.

“The relationships we have with the moving companies we recommend to our clients

are built on years of working together and earned trust, on both sides,” Buglio said.

Preparing the details movers need

While relationship-building is critical, so is detailed logistical preparation. A Move

Manager ensures movers can do their job efficiently from the moment they arrive.

That includes:

• Confirming clear access points and entryways

• Ensuring parking is available for trucks

• Coordinating elevator reservations or building requirements

• Planning for additional services like donations or shredding

• Mapping out multiple destinations if needed

“We’re thinking about all the logistics that you wouldn’t know from a quantitative look at

the job,” Buglio said. This level of preparation is particularly important for people searching for help with downsizing, organizing and detailed relocation services, where multiple moving parts

need to align.

Start the day with a collaborative walkthrough

When moving day arrives, preparation shifts into execution. One of the most important

moments is the initial walkthrough with the moving crew.

“That 15-to-30 minutes of discussion and highlighting of specific details is critically

important to the rest of the day,” Buglio said. “But it’s important to note that we’re not

telling the movers what to do or necessarily how to do it. We’re getting them up-to-speed so there’s no surprises, they know what’s important to the client and if there are any pitfalls they need to avoid throughout the day.” During this walkthrough, the Move Manager and the moving crew foreman align on:

• The order of operations

• Key priorities for the client

• Items requiring special handling

• The best use of each crew member’s skills

“It’s really the foreman that knows what it will take to get things done,” Buglio said.

This shared planning ensures everyone is working toward the same definition of

success.

Labeling and planning for the destination

Another critical, but often overlooked element of move day success is how items are

labeled and organized. Renew Relocation labels everything by destination (and where

it’s going in the new home) rather than by origin.

Focusing on destination is especially important for:

• Multi-room moves

• Downsizing scenarios

• Moves with multiple destinations (family, storage, donation)

“We want to get ahead of as many potentially confusing moments where the movers

either don’t know where to put a box or a piece of furniture, or, they put it in the wrong

place because it wasn’t labeled correctly or discussed in advance,” Buglio said.

For professional organizers and Move Managers, this forward-thinking approach is what

allows clients to settle-in faster with less disruption.

How clients can support moving crews

Even with a Move Manager in place, clients play an important role in setting the tone for

the day.

“Bottom line: Be nice to the moving crew,” Buglio said. That may sound simple, but it goes beyond basic courtesy. Creating a supportive environment helps movers perform at their best during what is physically and mentally demanding work. “What these guys do is extremely challenging,” she said. “Take a few minutes to think about how you can create an environment where they feel valued and supported. It will enhance the outcome by the end of the day.”

Practical ways to help include:

• Clearing pathways and minimizing clutter

• Securing pets and managing distractions

• Setting aside essentials like medications and documents. Clients should move

  these items themselves rather than risk them getting misplaced or accidentally

  thrown away with used moving materials. The same goes for valuable items like

  jewelry or valuable collections of stamps, baseball cards, etc.

• Communicating what items are most important

“Recognizing that human error is part of the mix, and pointing out what matters most,

helps them take extra care,” Buglio said.

A better move starts with better preparation

At its core, a successful move isn’t just about transportation, it’s about coordination,

communication, and trust. That’s where working with a professional Move Manager can make all the difference. By coordinating logistics, building strong relationships with movers, and guiding clients

through every step, companies like Renew Relocation help turn a traditionally stressful

experience into a well-managed transition.