What Happens on Moving Day — A Step-by-Step Guide

If you've never moved house before — or it's been a while — moving day can feel like the biggest unknown in the whole process. In reality it follows a predictable pattern. Here's what happens, step by step, on a typical RayMovals moving day.

Before the team arrives

• You'll get a call or text confirming the crew is on the way, usually 20–30 minutes out
• Make sure parking is clear at both properties — if you've arranged a suspension or permit, have any paperwork ready
• Take meter readings at the old property before the team arrives
• Keep your essentials box, valuables and important documents separate — these travel with you, not the van

Arrival and walkthrough

The team does a quick walkthrough with you to confirm what's going and what's staying, check access — stairs, doorways, parking distance — and agree the loading order. This is the moment to flag anything unusual: a piano, an item that needs extra care, or a doorway that needs a door taken off its hinges.

Loading the van

Furniture is wrapped and protected before it leaves the room it's in. Heavier items go in first and at the bottom, boxes are loaded to match how you'll want to unpack — last on, first off, at the room level. Beds, wardrobes and flat-pack furniture that won't fit through doorways as-is are dismantled on the spot.

The journey

For local moves, this is usually short. For longer relocations, everything is strapped and secured for the drive, and your crew will let you know a realistic arrival window if you're travelling separately.

Unloading at your new home

Boxes go straight into the labelled room rather than one central pile — this is why clear box labelling matters. Furniture is unwrapped and placed where you want it, and beds and wardrobes are reassembled. This is also when you'll want your essentials box close to hand.

The final walk-through

• A last check of the van to confirm everything's off and accounted for
• A quick walk through the new property to check placement
• Confirmation that nothing needs following up — any last box, any item to reposition

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