Pickup day is the most important day of your move. Knowing what to expect — and how to prepare — makes the difference between a smooth loading day and a stressful one. Here's exactly how it works from start to finish.
Before Pickup Day: Keep Your Schedule Open
This is the single most important thing to understand about long distance moving pickup: do not schedule anything on or around your pickup dates that cannot be easily changed. No flights, no appointments, no commitments you can't move.
Long distance truck routing operates across multiple stops and thousands of miles. Pickup windows are set in advance but can shift by a day due to factors outside anyone's control — traffic, weather, prior stop timing. Your pickup window is a range of dates, not a single locked day.
How You'll Be Notified
Our customer support team will contact you 24 to 72 hours before your scheduled pickup date with a specific time window for when the crew will arrive. You won't be left guessing — you'll have advance notice to be ready.
- Keep your phone on and fully charged during this period
- Make sure you're reachable at the number on file
- If you have a secondary contact number — a family member, spouse, or anyone who should also be reached — call or email us to add them to your account before pickup week
What to Have Ready When the Crew Arrives
To keep loading day moving efficiently, everything on this list should be done before the crew walks through the door:
- All boxes closed and sealed — boxes need to be properly closed and tapeable. No open-top boxes
- No trash bags — belongings in trash bags cannot be loaded. Use proper boxes or totes with secure lids
- Totes with lids on — storage totes must have their lids on and secured
- Fragile items clearly labeled — mark fragile boxes on the top and sides
- A clear path to the door — make sure the crew can move freely through hallways and doorways
- Parking accessible for the truck — notify your building or HOA in advance if permits or reservations are needed
What the Crew Can and Cannot Do
Our crews are certified, bonded, insured, and experienced in moving household goods. They will load, wrap, and secure your belongings with care. However, there are a few things the crew cannot do on-site:
If you have items that need to be disconnected or dismounted before the move, arrange for that to be done before the crew arrives — either by yourself, a contractor, or a handyman. The crew works on a schedule and cannot wait while items are being removed from walls.
The Bill of Lading
Before loading begins, the foreman will provide you with a Bill of Lading — the legal contract for your move. This document lists your inventory, the agreed price, pickup and delivery information, and your rights as a customer.
- Read it carefully before signing
- Make sure the inventory list reflects what's actually being loaded
- Keep a copy — you'll need it at delivery
- The foreman will also provide receipts for any payments made
Understanding Your FADD
Pickup Day Step by Step
Questions Before Pickup Day?
Call us any time — we're available to walk through anything that's unclear, advise on items that need special preparation, or add contacts to your account. The more prepared you are on pickup day, the smoother and faster the load goes for everyone.