--- title: Moving Day Tips: Before, During and After the Crew url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-day-tips/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [Moving resources: guides, checklists, tools and data](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/resources/) - [Moving guides](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/) - Moving-day tips from a family mover # Moving day tips Moving day goes well when you finish packing the night before, clear a path for the crew and walk through the home three times: before loading, during, and after the truck is empty. Keep documents, medicine and valuables with you, and read each form before you sign it. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) By the time the crew arrives, most of the work is behind you. What is left is a short list of habits that keep the day calm: being ready, being available and paying attention at the points where decisions are made. ## The night before Finish packing everything except the items for the first night and the morning. Disconnect and drain the washer, defrost the freezer, and unplug the refrigerator so it can dry. Move the cars out of the driveway or the loading zone, and put a note on the street if you need to reserve space for a truck. Charge your phone and set out the cash or card for any payment you plan to make at delivery. If you have stairs, narrow halls, an elevator that needs a reservation or an apartment gate code, write those details on a card and give it to the crew lead. They help the crew plan the carry. ## When the crew arrives Walk the home with the crew lead before anything leaves. Point out what is moving, what stays, and what needs special care: the glass tabletop, the mirror, the piano, the heavy dresser. Show them the rooms by name so the boxes can be stacked by room. Your estimator has already seen the home. That visit is the reason the crew knows what is coming, and the [estimate](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) is the list they work from. ## Protect the home - Ask the crew to lay floor protection at the doors and in the hallways. Reviews of O'Brien's mention carpet runners to keep dust off floors. - Prop doors open only while someone is watching them, especially with children and pets. - Keep pets in a closed room, or at a friend's home, for the day. - Keep a path clear between the door and the truck so no one carries furniture around a pile of boxes. ## Keep these with you Documents, passports, jewelry, medicine, laptops, keys and the first-night box all ride in your car. Anything you would be unable to replace this week stays with you. Refer to the [first-night box guide](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-night-box/) for the list. ## The three walk-throughs Walk through before loading starts, once more when the truck is nearly full, and a last time in every empty room, including closets, the attic and the garage. Open every cabinet. The final walk-through is the one that finds the lamp behind the door. Read the inventory and the bill of lading before you sign, and ask about anything that does not match what you saw. Note any damage on the paperwork on the day it is found; [the bill of lading explained](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/bill-of-lading-explained/) covers what each form is for. ## At the new home Have a floor plan, even a sketch, taped at the door, with each room named to match your box labels. Direct the furniture first and the boxes after. Check that large pieces were placed where you want them before the crew leaves; it is far easier to move a couch while the crew is still there. ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [FMCSA, Protect Your Move](https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/protect-your-move) - [eCFR, 49 CFR 375.505 (bill of lading)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-49/subtitle-B/chapter-III/subchapter-B/part-375) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [What goes in a first-night box](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/first-night-box/) - [The bill of lading, explained](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/bill-of-lading-explained/) - [Moving-day checklist](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-day-checklist/) - [How much to tip movers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-much-to-tip-movers/) Moving guides ## Read next - [Planning a move on short notice](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/last-minute-moves/) - [How big a truck does your move need?](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-truck-size/) - [How many boxes do I need?](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-many-boxes-do-i-need/) - [Portable containers vs full-service movers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/pods-vs-full-service-movers/) - [Vault storage vs self storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/vault-storage-vs-self-storage/) - [How to prepare furniture for storage](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/preparing-furniture-for-storage/) - [Long-term storage tips](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/long-term-storage-tips/) - [How to pack for a move](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/how-to-pack-for-a-move/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Should I tip the crew? Tipping is a personal choice. See the guide on how much to tip movers for a way to think about it. ### Do I have to be home the whole time? Be there for the start, the final walk-through and the signing. If someone else represents you, make sure they can make decisions. ### What if something is damaged? Write it on the paperwork the same day and keep photos. The claims guide explains the next steps. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) M Mark S. January 22, 2026 Great company and local. They take great care of your moving needs. They are very accommodating and quick to respond. Highly recommend them for your moving needs and storage needs. Thanks to the O'Brien team for doing a fantastic job. D Debbie G. October 17, 2025 Both movers were courteous, efficient and very carful with my furniture. Also, talking with Janet over the phone was a pleasure. L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070