Why It’s Important to Get Your House Ready Before the Removals Company Arrives

Moving house can be overwhelming. There’s a lot to remember. One key step that often gets overlooked? Preparing your house before the removals company arrives.

It might seem like something you can do on the day, but failing to prepare can lead to delays, damage, or even extra costs.

Want your move to be smooth and stress-free? Here’s why getting your home ready in advance makes all the difference.

Save Time on Moving Day

Time is money—especially on moving day. Most removals companies charge by the hour or have time-based packages.

If your home isn’t ready, you’ll pay for workers standing around. That’s money wasted.

Consider this:

• If a team of three movers costs £150 per hour and they spend just one extra hour waiting or sorting your boxes, that’s £150 down the drain.
• Multiply that by a delay of two or three hours, and the cost quickly adds up.

Ask yourself:

• Can you afford to pay more just because things weren’t packed or labelled?
• Wouldn’t you rather spend that money on your new home?

Reduce the Risk of Damage

Trading standard approved removals companies will do their best to transport your belongings safely. But they can’t protect what they can’t see—or what hasn’t been prepared properly.

Unprepared homes lead to risks such as:

• Boxes not sealed, causing items to fall out.
• Furniture too large to fit through doors without dismantling.
• Fragile items not labelled, resulting in breakages.

Example:
A homeowner in Manchester lost a box of valuable ceramics because it wasn’t clearly marked as fragile. It was stacked beneath heavier items. A simple label could have saved £300 in damage.

Simple steps help prevent this:

• Pack everything securely.
• Label fragile items clearly.
• Dismantle bulky furniture the day before.

Make Access Easier for the Movers

Think about your home as a working zone for a few hours. The removals team will be lifting, carrying, loading, and navigating through rooms and doorways.

A cluttered, unorganised house makes their job harder.

Prepare the space by:

• Clearing hallways and stairs of shoes, laundry baskets, or small furniture.
• Propping doors open with wedges or doorstops.
• Taking pictures off walls to avoid damage while moving large items.

Have you ever tried carrying a sofa through a hallway with shoes scattered everywhere?
Now imagine doing it for five hours.

Keep Stress Levels Low

Moving day is stressful enough. Don’t add chaos to the mix.

When your house is ready, you’ll feel more in control. You’ll spend less time answering questions like:

• “Where does this go?”
• “Is this going in the van?”
• “Has this been packed yet?”

Instead, you can focus on:

• Checking off your moving list.
• Making sure pets and children are safe.
• Communicating clearly with the removals team.

Data point:
According to a 2023 UK moving survey by Compare My Move, 62% of people who prepared their home in advance reported lower stress levels than those who didn’t.

Avoid Last-Minute Surprises

Unprepared homes often reveal hidden problems just when the movers arrive. These last-minute surprises can throw the whole schedule off.

Common issues include:

• A bed that won’t fit through the doorway.
• A loft or garage that hasn’t been emptied.
• Garden tools left covered in mud.

These problems aren’t always easy to solve quickly. They may require extra labour, a second van trip, or even postponing the move.

Example:
In Leeds, a customer forgot to defrost their freezer before the move. When movers arrived, water was leaking onto the kitchen floor, creating a slip hazard. The freezer couldn’t be loaded until it was cleaned and dried—adding 45 minutes of delay.

Ensure Nothing Is Left Behind

A clear, well-prepared home helps you keep track of everything. It’s easier to spot forgotten items when drawers are emptied, and rooms are cleared.

Think about:

• The cupboard under the stairs.
• The back of the garden shed.
• The attic.

These spots often hold things we forget. But once the movers leave, it’s too late.

Have you checked those places recently?
Even one missed box could mean losing family memories or important paperwork.

Help the Movers Do Their Best Work

Removals professionals such as Removals Guildford (removals-guildford.com) are skilled at what they do. But they rely on you to set the stage.

A well-organised house allows them to work efficiently, plan the load properly, and avoid mistakes.

Ways to help them help you:

• Group boxes by room and label each clearly.
• Stack boxes near the front door, not scattered around.
• Provide a simple inventory list.

Want to go the extra mile?
Offer movers water or tea. A small gesture goes a long way in building rapport—and they’ll often work even harder for you.

What Should You Do Before the Movers Arrive?

Here’s a checklist you can follow the day before (or even earlier):

1. Declutter and Donate

• Clear out items you don’t need.
• Donate, recycle or dispose of things you won’t use in your new home.
• Fewer items = faster move = lower cost.

2. Pack Properly

• Use sturdy boxes, not flimsy ones.
• Don’t overfill boxes—they should be liftable by one person.
• Wrap breakables in bubble wrap or paper.
• Label every box with its room and contents.

3. Dismantle Furniture

• Take apart beds, dining tables, and wardrobes in advance.
• Put screws and fittings in labelled bags and tape them to the item.

4. Prepare Appliances

• Unplug and clean fridge, freezer, and washing machine.
• Defrost freezers at least 24 hours in advance.
• Drain water from washing machines and dishwashers.

5. Organise Parking and Access

• Ensure there’s space outside your home for the removals van.
• Reserve a parking permit if needed.
• Let neighbours know in advance if you’re using shared driveways.

6. Create a ‘Do Not Pack’ Zone

• Keep essentials separate: passports, chargers, medications, and keys.
• Clearly mark the area so movers don’t load it by mistake.

What Happens If You Don’t Prepare?

Not preparing doesn’t just affect your movers. It affects you.

You could face:

• Extra charges for delays.
• Higher risk of damage.
• Missed deadlines for handing over keys.
• Increased stress and frustration.

It could even cause problems for the next person moving into your old home.

Would you want to walk into a house full of junk and confusion?
Treat your move with the same respect you’d expect from others.

A Real-World Scenario

Imagine this:

You’ve booked a removals company for 9:00am.
They arrive on time—but nothing is packed.
Boxes are half-filled. The fridge is still running. You haven’t arranged parking.

Now the movers have to:

• Wait while you pack.
• Call for extra help to dismantle furniture.
• Take longer than expected loading.

Your move that was supposed to finish by 1:00pm now stretches to 5:00pm.
You pay £300 more than planned.
The estate agent is chasing you because the new owner is waiting to move in.
You’re exhausted, stressed, and behind schedule.

All of it could have been avoided with one day of preparation.

Final Thoughts

Getting your house ready before the removals company arrives isn’t just polite—it’s practical. It saves time, reduces stress, and helps protect your belongings.

It also shows respect for the professionals you’ve hired and helps your move go as smoothly as possible.

So ask yourself:

• Is your home really ready for the move?
• What can you do today to make it easier tomorrow?

You don’t need to be perfect. But a little preparation goes a long way.

Start early, stay organised, and treat moving day like a project. Your future self will thank you.

Also Read:

• Hiring a Professional Home Removals Company