Four Etiquette Questions You Might Have Before Moving Day
If this will be the first time you hire a moving company to help transport items to your new home, you may not be overly familiar with the process. You probably have a few etiquette questions regarding what you should and should not do before, during, and after the movers are working. Here are some of those common questions and their answers.
1. Do you need to help the movers?
In short, the answer is "no." Professional movers work quickly, and they have a streamlined process to get everything out of the house and into the truck as fast as possible. To put it bluntly, if you try to help, you will probably just slow down the process and be in their way. Find something else to do while they're working, like catch up on phone calls or clean the rooms they have already emptied.
2. Do the movers pack things for you?
That depends on the service you choose. If you hire a full-service moving company, they will often pack for you if this is specified in the contract or the package you chose. You can also choose to pack everything yourself and just have the movers load, drive, and unload it for you. Call your moving company at least a week before your moving date to verify you've signed up for the right service.
3. Do you tip movers?
Yes, you should tip your movers as long as they do a satisfactory job. Plan on tipping each person who assists in the moving at least $10. A tip closer to $20 a piece is deserved if they have to drive a long distance or if they pack for you. You could just give all of the money to the leader of the moving team and ask them to distribute it for you.
4. Who should pack and move sensitive and valuable items?
You probably don't want your movers packing things like your underwear and your grandma's rings. Pack these sensitive and valuable items yourself before the movers arrive. In the case of sensitive items, you can just leave them in a box; the movers can load the whole box in the truck. Valuable items should be transported with you in your personal car.
If you have any remaining questions, don't hesitate to reach out to your moving company. They are used to dealing with inexperienced clients and can give you a better idea of what to expect.