What to Expect: Your Moving Day Timeline

Before the Crew Arrives: Setting the Stage

A successful moving day starts before the crew ever pulls up to your driveway. The work you do in the early morning hours sets the tone for the entire day. Think of it as staging a production — the better your preparation, the smoother the show.

This timeline is based on a typical three-bedroom home moving within Ottawa. Your specific timeline will vary depending on home size, volume of belongings, distance between locations, and any special circumstances (stairs, elevators, specialty items).

7:00 AM – 8:00 AM: Final Preparations

The hour before the crew arrives is your final preparation window. Use it wisely:

• 7:00 AM: Wake up, shower, dress in comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. Eat a solid breakfast — it's going to be a long day and you need the energy.
• 7:15 AM: Strip all beds and pack bedding into labelled bags. Pack your remaining toiletries into your personal essentials bag.
• 7:30 AM: Do a final sweep of every room. Open every cabinet, closet, and drawer. Check under beds, behind doors, and inside appliances. Take out the garbage and recycling.
• 7:45 AM: Verify the truck parking spot is clear. If street parking is needed, ensure your temporary no-parking signs are in place. In winter, confirm walkways are shoveled and salted.
• 7:55 AM: Set out water bottles and snacks for the crew in an accessible spot. Have your moving contract, payment method (credit card, cash, cheque), and tip money ready.

By 8:00 AM, your home should be completely packed, pathways clear, doors propped open, and floor protection laid down. You're ready.

8:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Crew Arrival and Walkthrough

This first hour is critical. It's where the crew leader assesses the job and develops the loading plan:

• 8:00 AM — Arrival: The moving truck arrives and the crew begins setting up — laying down floor runners, positioning dollies and equipment, and opening the truck for loading.
• 8:10 AM — Introduction: The crew leader will introduce themselves and the team. This is your point of contact for the entire move. Get their cell phone number in case you need to reach them during transit.
• 8:15 AM — Home walkthrough: Walk through every room with the crew leader. Point out fragile items (crystal, artwork, antiques), extra-heavy items (safe, piano, marble tabletop), items NOT being moved, and any access challenges (tight corners, narrow stairs, low ceilings).
• 8:30 AM — Loading plan: The crew leader determines the loading order. Experienced movers load strategically: heavy furniture and appliances first (at the front of the truck), boxes and lighter items next, and fragile/odd-shaped items last where they can be carefully secured.
• 8:45 AM — Work begins: The crew starts wrapping furniture in protective blankets and moving items to the truck. Your job now is to stay accessible for questions but out of the physical workflow.

9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: The Loading Phase

Loading is the most labour-intensive part of the move. Here's what happens during those three critical hours:

A professional crew works with remarkable efficiency. Two movers can typically load a standard three-bedroom home in 3-4 hours. They'll work in a relay pattern — one person wrapping and staging items inside the house while the other carries items to the truck and loads them securely.

What the Crew Is Doing

• Wrapping furniture: Every piece of furniture gets wrapped in moving blankets secured with stretch wrap. This protects surfaces from scratches, dings, and moisture.
• Loading strategically: Items are loaded based on weight, fragility, and size to maximize space and minimize shifting during transit. Experienced movers can often fit an entire home into a single truck load that a novice couldn't fill halfway.
• Using equipment properly: Dollies, straps, ramps, and specialty equipment (piano boards, mattress bags, wardrobe boxes) all have specific uses. Professional movers know exactly when and how to deploy each tool.

What You Should Be Doing

• Answering questions as they arise (e.g., "Does this go or stay?" "Where does this go at the new house?")
• Doing a parallel final cleaning of rooms as they're emptied
• Taking final meter readings for utilities
• NOT hovering over the crew — let them work their system

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch Break and Transit

Once loading is complete, there's typically a natural pause before the crew heads to the new location:

• Final walkthrough at origin: Walk through the now-empty home with the crew leader. Check every room, closet, and storage area one final time. Sign off on the inventory sheet confirming everything has been loaded.
• Lock up and hand over keys: Secure the property, set the alarm (if applicable), and handle key handover according to your lease or sale agreement.
• Transit time: For a local Ottawa move, transit to the new location typically takes 15-45 minutes depending on distance and traffic. Use this time to drive to the new home, unlock the doors, and prepare for the crew's arrival.
• Lunch: The crew may take a quick lunch break (typically 15-30 minutes). Some homeowners offer to buy the crew lunch — it's a nice gesture and not expected, but always appreciated. Note that time for the crew's lunch break is typically not charged.

1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Unloading and Placement

Unloading is generally faster than loading — typically 60-75% of the loading time. The crew already knows what's on the truck and how it's organized.

Your Role During Unloading

This is when you're most needed. Station yourself inside the new home and direct the crew on where each item goes. The more specific you are, the less rearranging you'll need to do later.

• Label rooms clearly: Tape a sheet of paper with the room name on each door frame. This makes direction fast and unambiguous — "Put that in the room marked 'Office'" is clearer than "the second room on the right."
• Make big decisions on the spot: Where does the couch go? Which wall for the bed? Where does the dining table sit? Having these decisions made in advance prevents the crew from having to come back and rearrange.
• Reassembly: The crew will reassemble bed frames and any furniture they disassembled at the origin. Make sure the hardware bags are accessible and that you know which bed frame goes in which room.

What the Crew Is Doing

• Carrying items to their designated rooms
• Unwrapping furniture and removing packing blankets
• Placing boxes in the correct rooms per your labels
• Reassembling furniture (beds, tables, shelving units)
• Connecting appliances if included in your service package

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Final Walkthrough and Completion

As the unloading wraps up, the final hour is dedicated to inspection and paperwork:

• Walk through the truck: Verify the truck is completely empty. Check the cab, the rear, and any storage compartments. Anything left on the truck leaves with the truck.
• Inspect your belongings: Do a quick visual inspection of furniture and boxes. Note any visible damage immediately — scratches on furniture, crushed boxes, or broken items. Document with photos.
• Review the inventory: Cross-reference the delivered items with your original inventory list. Ensure everything that was loaded has been unloaded.
• Sign the completion paperwork: The crew leader will present the final Bill of Lading for your signature. Review the charges, note any discrepancies, and sign.
• Process payment: Settle the remaining balance via the agreed-upon method. Get an official receipt.
• Tip the crew: If the team did a great job (and they usually do), show your appreciation. $20-50 per mover is standard in Ottawa. Cash is preferred.
• Ask about the claims process: If you noticed any damage during inspection, ask the crew leader about the next steps. Most reputable movers have a straightforward claims process with a defined resolution timeline.

Once the crew departs, take a moment to breathe. The hardest part is over. You're home.

Tips for a Smooth Moving Day

After handling thousands of Ottawa moves, here are the tips that make the biggest difference:

• Designate one decision-maker: Having multiple people directing the crew leads to confusion and conflicting instructions. One person should be the point of contact.
• Keep kids and pets safe: Moving day is chaotic with heavy items being carried through doors. Small children and pets should be with a sitter, not underfoot.
• Stay hydrated and fed: Keep water, snacks, and easy meals accessible. You're not packing a kitchen today — order delivery or have simple food ready.
• Don't pack valuables on the truck: Jewellery, important documents, medications, laptops, and irreplaceable items should travel with you in your personal vehicle.
• Take photos before and after: Document the condition of your old home (for deposit return) and new home (in case of pre-existing damage). Photograph your belongings before loading for insurance purposes.
• Be patient and flexible: Even the best-planned moves encounter minor hiccups — a piece of furniture that barely fits, traffic delays, a sudden rain shower. A calm attitude and a willingness to adapt makes everything easier.
• Trust the process: Professional movers do this every day. They've seen every challenge, solved every puzzle, and navigated every obstacle Ottawa's homes can throw at them. Let them use their expertise.

Your moving day doesn't have to be stressful. With the right preparation and the right team, it can actually be an exciting day — the beginning of your next chapter. Get your free estimate and let's make your Ottawa move a great one.