How to Prepare Your Home for Professional Movers
Most of what makes a move fast happens in the week before the crew arrives: every box packed, sealed and labelled, furniture taken apart, appliances emptied and disconnected, a clear path from each room to the truck, and parking and elevator access booked at both homes. A prepared home means the crew spends its time carrying, not waiting, and a fixed price that matches the job.
The Week Before: Room by Room
| Room | Get it ready |
|---|---|
| Kitchen | Pack everything except a few essentials; empty, defrost and dry the fridge the day before |
| Bedrooms | Strip beds, bag mattresses, take apart bed frames and bag the hardware |
| Living room | Pack books and decor; remove sofa legs; wrap or box TVs and screens |
| Bathrooms | Pack toiletries in sealed bags; keep a first-night kit aside |
| Storage, balcony, garage | Empty them first; they’re the most forgotten spaces |
Appliances and Large Furniture
- Fridge and freezer: empty, defrost and wipe dry 24 hours ahead.
- Washer: drain it and fit transit bolts if you have them.
- Gas appliances: have a qualified person disconnect them; movers don’t disconnect gas lines.
- Furniture: take apart what comes apart, tape drawers shut or empty them, and keep all hardware in labelled bags.
Boxes That Move Quickly
- Seal every box with tape across the top and the seams.
- Label two sides with the destination room and a short contents note.
- Keep boxes liftable: heavy items in small boxes, light items in large ones.
- Stack them by the door, grouped by room, not scattered through the house.
Access at Both Homes
- Reserve the elevator and loading bay in apartment and condo buildings, and get the move rules in writing.
- Arrange parking as close to the door as possible; ask neighbours to keep the driveway or curb clear.
- Clear the route: hallways, stairs and paths free of rugs, shoes and bins. In the wet months, lay floor runners.
- Measure the tight spots against your largest pieces: doorways, stair turns, elevator.
The Night Before
- Pack your essentials kit: medication, chargers, documents, toiletries, a change of clothes, and snacks.
- Set aside anything that isn’t going on the truck: valuables, important papers, plants and pets.
- Confirm the booking, the arrival window and both addresses.
- Charge your phone so the crew can reach you.
Why Preparation Keeps the Price Fixed
A fixed price is based on the details you give: items, access and timing. It changes only if the job does, for example extra items, an extra stop, or waiting time because things aren’t ready. Preparing the home is the simplest way to make sure the price you booked is the price you pay. Tingsapp small moves start at $79 and full home moves at $249.
Sources
- Tingsapp Help Centre — what’s included, items that can’t be moved, and booking (tingsapp.com/help), 2026
- Tingsapp Terms of Service — what changes a fixed price (tingsapp.com/terms), 2026
- Technical Safety BC — gas appliance work by qualified persons (technicalsafetybc.ca), 2026
Related guides
- What Local Movers Want You to Know on Moving Day
- Essential Packing Supplies for a Local Move in BC
- Your Moving Day Essentials Checklist
- Moving Checklist for BC: 8 Weeks to Moving Day
Frequently Asked Questions
Should everything be packed before the movers arrive?
Yes. Packing isn’t included in Tingsapp moves, and loose items slow loading. Have every box sealed and labelled before the crew arrives.
Do I need to take furniture apart?
Take apart beds and anything that won’t fit through doorways whole. Keep the hardware in labelled bags taped to the furniture.
When should I defrost my fridge before a move?
Empty and defrost it the day before, and wipe it dry so it doesn’t leak in the truck.
Will movers disconnect my gas stove or dryer?
No. Gas appliances should be disconnected by a qualified person before moving day.
What should I keep out of the truck?
Valuables, important documents, medication, chargers, pets, and anything hazardous such as paint or propane.
Does being prepared change the price?
It keeps it fixed. The price changes only if the job changes, such as extra items or waiting time.