Apartment moves live or die on access. Your crew can be fast and careful and the day still runs long. All it takes is a booked elevator, nowhere to park, or a closet you never emptied.
Good news: almost all of that is in your control. Prepare well and you shorten the job, which lowers what you pay. Below is what to handle before our apartment movers knock on your door, in the order you should handle it.
Need help with the heavy end? See our full range of professional moving services or call to schedule an in-home estimate.
Plan Ahead for Moving Day
What all needs to be done on a moving day? It’s so much easier to think about your responsibilities now than to remember in the chaos of apartment moving. We recommend sitting down and imagining how the move will play out in your head.
Think about circumstances that could complicate the move, such as small children or pets. For example, we recommend keeping pets in a closed room with food and water during the move. If you have small children, it’s a good idea to pack a backpack with some of their favorite toys so they stay calm and entertained.
Start this two to three weeks out. Building paperwork is the one thing you cannot rush.
Clear Building Access Before Movers Arrive
This is the step that separates an apartment move from a house move. Skip it and your crew waits in the lobby while the clock runs.
Reserve the Elevator and Loading Area
Call your property manager or leasing office and ask what your building requires. Most complexes need a reservation for the service elevator or the loading zone.
Confirm these five things:
- The date and time window your elevator is reserved
- How long the reservation lasts
- Whether the building charges a move-in fee or deposit
- Which door or dock the crew should use
- Whether the building limits moving to certain hours or days
Match your elevator window to our arrival window. If we start at 9:00 a.m. and your elevator opens at 11:00 a.m., you pay for two hours of standing around.
Walk-up? Tell us the floor and stair count when you book. Stairs change the crew size we send. Our guide to moving into a second-story building covers what to expect.
Ask for a Certificate of Insurance
Many apartment complexes will not let a moving crew past the lobby without a certificate of insurance, or COI. The building wants proof that your mover carries liability coverage.
Ask your property manager whether they need one. If they do, get us the building’s name, address, and management company contact. We handle the rest. Just give us a few business days, because a same-day COI request can delay your start time.
Confirm Truck Parking and Carry Distance
The farther our crew walks from your door to the truck, the longer the job takes. Federal moving rules even treat a long carry as a separate service, because it takes real time and labor.
Before moving day, find out:
- Where a 26-foot truck can legally park
- Whether your complex has a designated loading spot
- Whether street parking needs a permit or cones
- Whether a low garage entrance blocks truck access
Since our pricing is based on time, parking close to the door is one of the easiest ways to save money.
Create Your Apartment Moving Checklist
Everyone needs a moving checklist, including you. Otherwise, you run the risk of forgetting something important on the day of the move.
One item on your checklist should be to call us to confirm that we have the correct date, time, and address. Also, be sure to give us your contact information so we can make the move as smooth as possible.
Add these apartment-specific items too:
- Transfer or shut off utilities at the old address
- Set up utilities at the new address
- File a change of address with USPS
- Confirm your move-out inspection time with your landlord
- Return parking passes, fobs, mail keys, and amenity keys
Finish Packing and Empty Every Drawer
Aim to have every box sealed the night before, not the morning of. Movers can carry a closed box in seconds. Waiting while you tape one costs you real money.
Empty your dressers, nightstands, and desks. Loaded furniture is heavier, harder to control on stairs, and puts strain on drawer runners. Move the contents into labeled boxes instead. If you are unsure about a specific piece, ask us and we will tell you.
Do not forget the spots you never look at:
- Under the bed
- Top shelves in closets
- The balcony or patio
- Your storage locker or basement cage
- Behind and under the couch
Fewer things means fewer hours. Clear out what you no longer want first. Our tips on getting rid of junk before moving and downsizing for an apartment move will help you cut the load.
Short on time? Our team offers packing services in Michigan for full or partial jobs.
Place Boxes in the Front Room
Before moving day, you should have all your boxes packed and in the front room ready to go. That way, our crew won’t have to stand by while you pack idly. Keep in mind that how much your move costs depends on the amount of time it takes.
Packing and labeling boxes before moving day will save you time and money. By placing boxes in the front room, our apartment movers won’t have as much distance to carry boxes from your home into the truck.
Label by destination room, not by contents. “Kitchen” beats “Box 7.” Our post on labeling moving boxes shows a system that works. For more on getting your home crew-ready, read our guide to preparing for professional movers.
Leave one clear walking lane from the front room to the door. Boxes should be ready, not blocking the path.
Measure Large Furniture Before Moving Day
Apartment doorways, hallway corners, and elevator cabs are tight. A sectional that walked out of your last house may not turn the corner into your new unit.
Measure your biggest pieces and compare them to the door widths, hallway turns, and elevator dimensions at both ends:
- Sofas and sectionals
- Mattresses and bed frames
- Wardrobes and armoires
- Dining tables
- Desks and treadmills
Tell us in advance about anything heavy or awkward. Safes, treadmills, aquariums, and pianos need specific equipment and sometimes extra crew. We handle these every week, including with our dedicated piano movers. See our list of the toughest things in your house to move for more.
Surprises on moving day cost time. A phone call the week before costs nothing.
Know What Apartment Movers Cannot Load
Federal Department of Transportation rules bar moving trucks from carrying hazardous materials. This is law, not company policy, and no licensed mover will make an exception.
Plan to handle these yourself or dispose of them before moving day:
- Propane tanks, even empty ones
- Gasoline, kerosene, and lighter fluid
- Paint, paint thinner, and solvents
- Aerosol cans and pressurized containers
- Pool chemicals, bleach, and other corrosives
- Fireworks, ammunition, and flares
- Loose lithium batteries
Perishable food and live plants also stay off the truck. So do pets.
Keep one more group with you rather than on the truck: cash, jewelry, passports, medication, laptops, and your moving paperwork. Set them aside in a “do not move” corner and label it clearly.
Pack a First-Night Bag
Pack one bag or box that never goes in the truck. You will want it the moment the crew drives away.
Include:
- Phone and charger
- Wallet, ID, and keys
- Medication
- Toiletries, towel, and toilet paper
- A change of clothes
- Basic tools and a box cutter
- Snacks and water
- Bedding for night one
- Anything your kids or pets need
Supervise Movers and Answer Questions Fast
Our professional movers always appreciate snacks. However, don’t feel like you have to provide snacks to our team. You can count on us to move furniture and boxes with care.
We recommend having at least one person from your family stand by to supervise the move. That way, you can let us know what boxes should be packed last on the truck. The person you choose will also be responsible for making sure our apartment movers know your new address.
Give that person the building details too: the elevator reservation time, the parking spot, and the property manager’s phone number. Stay reachable, but let the crew work. Reorganizing boxes mid-load slows everyone down.
Only need muscle and a truck for part of the day? Ask about our moving labor option.
Lock Doors and Windows on Your Final Sweep
Once everything is on the truck, sweep the apartment and lock all doors and windows. During your sweep, you should also make sure that all appliances and light switches are turned off.
Take photos of every empty room while you are there. Landlords in Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo deduct for cleaning and damage. Dated photos are your fastest defense on the security deposit. Keep a small cleaning kit out of the truck for the final wipe-down.
Saying goodbye to your old home can be hard, especially if you have fond memories of living there. However, this day can be so much easier when you hire professional movers to do all the heavy lifting.
Check That Your Michigan Movers Are Licensed
Preparation only pays off if you hired a legitimate carrier. In Michigan, the Michigan State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division (CVED) authorizes companies to move household goods within the state. CVED warns consumers that a USDOT number by itself is not proof of authority to move household goods in Michigan.
Before you hand anyone your keys, do this:
- Verify the company holds active CVED authority
- Insist on an onsite estimate rather than a phone quote
- Ask for the “Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move” booklet, which your mover should give you at the estimate or before loading
- Ask what liability coverage is included and what upgraded valuation costs
- Get the bill of lading in writing before the truck is loaded
One detail most renters miss: basic carrier liability in Michigan is set by weight, not by what your things are worth. CVED uses the example of a 20-pound television, which would pay out only $12 under the minimum 60-cents-per-pound coverage. If your electronics or furniture matter to you, ask about higher valuation. Claims must be filed in writing within 30 days.
Read the state guidance on the Michigan State Police CVED household goods page. Federal rules are at FMCSA Protect Your Move.
Our own guides on avoiding moving scams and why you need an in-home moving estimate go deeper.
Apartment Moving Prep Questions
When should I start packing for an apartment move?
Start three to four weeks out for a one or two bedroom apartment. Begin with off-season clothes, books, and decor. Leave the kitchen and bathroom for the final week.
Should I empty my dresser drawers before movers arrive?
Yes, unless we tell you otherwise. Empty furniture is lighter, safer on stairs, and easier to protect. Ask us about specific pieces when we do your estimate.
Do movers take apart furniture?
We do. Tell us in advance which pieces need it so we plan the time. If you disassemble beds or tables yourself, bag the hardware and tape it to the frame.
Is it better to pack clothes in bags or boxes?
Boxes stack and load faster, which saves time on an hourly move. Wardrobe boxes work well for hanging clothes. Bags are fine for soft items like bedding and pillows.
How much should I tip apartment movers?
Tipping is never required. If you want to, many customers give $5 to $10 per mover per hour, or a flat amount per crew member for a good job. Cash at the end of the move is standard.
What is the hardest room to pack?
The kitchen. It holds the most fragile items and the widest mix of shapes. Give it a full day, or let our packing team handle it.
Get Your Apartment Move Scheduled
Moving help can make all the difference. Book your elevator, finish your boxes, empty your drawers, and set your valuables aside. Do that, and your crew spends the day moving instead of waiting.
To schedule your moving estimate with Big Lake Movers, call our offices in Grand Rapids and Holland, request a free quote, or check our service areas across West Michigan. Renting in the city? Start with our Grand Rapids moving company page.
