What to Tell Your Mover Before Moving Day

The more your mover knows in advance, the smoother your move will be. Surprises on moving day — like a flight of stairs you forgot to mention, or a parking restriction you did not know about — can add time, cost and stress. Here is what to tell your mover before the van arrives.

1. Your exact postcodes

The full postcodes for both the collection and delivery addresses. This lets the mover plan the route, estimate the driving time and factor in tolls, congestion charges or low-emission zones. In London, this is essential — the Congestion Charge zone and ULEZ boundaries can add significant costs if the route crosses them.

2. A complete item list

List everything you want moved. Do not forget:

• Furniture — Include dimensions if possible, especially for large items like sofas, wardrobes and beds.
• White goods — Washing machines, fridges and freezers are heavy and may need a two-person lift.
• Boxes and bags — An estimate of the number helps the mover choose the right van size.
• Specialist items — Pianos, fish tanks, gym equipment, large mirrors or artwork.

If you are not sure about exact quantities, give your best estimate. An approximate list is far better than no list.

3. Parking at both addresses

This is one of the most common issues on moving day. Tell your mover:

• Is there a driveway, dedicated parking space or loading bay?
• Is there on-street parking? Is it permit-only or restricted by time?
• Will you need to arrange a parking suspension with the council?
• How far is the parking from the property entrance?

In cities like Birmingham, London and Manchester, parking can be the biggest factor in how long a move takes. If the van has to park 100 metres from the front door because of permit zones, the loading and unloading will take significantly longer.

4. Stairs, lifts and access

• Which floor? — Ground floor is fastest. Every additional floor adds time.
• Is there a lift? — If yes, how big is it? Some lifts are too small for furniture.
• Narrow staircases or corridors — Older properties, especially terraces and conversion flats, often have tight corners and low ceilings.
• Garden access — If items need to come through the garden or a side gate, mention it.
• Security requirements — Key fobs, entry codes, concierge sign-in — these can slow down the move if the mover is not prepared.

5. Your preferred date and time

Give your preferred date and any flexibility you have. If you can move on a Tuesday instead of a Saturday, it may be easier to book and potentially cheaper. Also let the mover know if there are any time constraints — for example, if you need to collect keys by a certain time.

6. Do you need help lifting?

If you are unable to help with loading and unloading, or if you have particularly heavy items, let the mover know. They may need to bring a second person, which affects the quote but means the move gets done safely.

7. Anything unusual

If there is anything out of the ordinary — a very narrow doorway, a tight turn on the stairs, an item that needs to be taken apart before it will fit, or a time window when the building is only accessible — mention it upfront. The mover would rather know in advance than discover it on the day.