When you hire professional movers, you’re paying for their trained skill, physical labor, and quickness. But here’s the secret: the single biggest factor in reducing your overall moving cost and stress is the condition of your home when the crew arrives.
Every minute movers spend working out how to move a heavy piece of furniture or clearing a path is time spent on the clock. At Southeast Moving & Storage, with over 20 years of experience, we know exactly how to make a move run quickly. This advice shows you how to prep your home and save money, whether you’re using our hourly local rate or our fixed-rate long-distance service.
1. financial prep: cutting inventory before the truck rolls
The quickest way to save money on your move is simply to move less stuff.
The time to declutter is before your home consultation. Why? Because your final fixed rate is based on the contents we review. If you get rid of items before we arrive, your quote will be lower and your whole move will be quicker.
This is especially helpful for seniors reducing household size or families clearing out an attic. Be honest about what you haven’t used in a year; give it away, sell it, or toss it. The few hours you spend cleaning out will directly result in savings and a smoother unpacking process at your new home.
Why prep matters even with a fixed rate
Even when you use our binding quote agreement, speed matters. Your preparation prevents delays and makes certain our crew finishes on the agreed schedule, preventing unexpected situations, like a major appliance not being ready, that might require extra time or new service requests. Budget confidence depends on smooth carrying out of the plan!
2. physical prep: readying appliances and furniture
These are the heavy, bulky items that slow down a crew if they aren’t ready. A few simple actions save notable time.
kitchen appliances (prepping for transport)
Appliances require specialized preparation to prevent damage, leaks, and odors:
- Defrost and Clean: Defrost refrigerators and freezers completely 24 hours in advance. Clean out all crumbs and grease from stoves/ovens to prevent odor transfer and possible hazards.
- Drain and Disconnect: Disconnect and drain washers. If you have gas appliances (stoves or dryers), consider having a plumber or technician disconnect the gas lines safely.
furniture disassembly
If you can safely take apart basic items yourself, do it.
- Take Apart Basics: Break down beds, remove table legs, and take out removable shelves from cabinets.
- Secure Hardware: This is vital. Place all screws, bolts, and hardware in a clearly labeled plastic bag and immediately tape the bag directly to the piece of furniture it belongs to. This stops delays and confusion during reassembly.
loose items
Never instruct movers to handle furniture full of contents. Empty all dressers, cabinets, and chests (except for lightweight, non-fragile items like clothes, which can sometimes remain if the dresser is sturdy). Movers cannot safely lift or stack heavy, full drawers.
3. logistical prep: setting the stage for speed
The simplest way to make your crew quick is to give them a clear, organized setting.
clear the path (in and out)
Safety and speed rely on clear walkways:
- Remove Hazards: Clear pathways inside the home. Roll up rugs and remove clutter that could cause trips.
- Secure Pets and Children: Arrange care for all children and pets. This provides for their safety and removes major tripping hazards and distractions for the crew.
- Truck Access: Clear the driveway and curb space in front of your home for the truck. A quick, close park results in valuable time saved.
communication & labeling
- Label by Destination: Color-code or label every packed box with its exact destination room in the new house (e.g., “M. Bed,” “Office”). This speeds up the unloading procedure greatly.
- Essentials: Be ready to quickly answer any simple questions about delicate items or routing, and keep your “day one” needed items box clearly separate from the moving inventory.
the full-service option: removing prep entirely
If your time is more precious than money, the most effective quickness is allowing our professionals handle the preparation. Our full-service care is created to save you the inconvenience of all these steps:
- Specialized Handling: Our trained crews handle the complex disassembly and transport of pianos, art, and antiques correctly on the first attempt, stopping expensive damage.
- Packing & Unpacking: Our team manages all specialized packing, uses quality materials, and handles the debris cleanup, meaning you only need to worry about the appliances.
Ready for a quick move? Stopping moving worries is about choosing exactness and a straightforward partner. Schedule a call to get your guaranteed, fixed-rate quote today.
Call us at (423) 667-7569.
