What to Do While Movers Work 2026 | Your Role ✓ Tips

You've hired the movers, signed the contract, and moving day has arrived—but now you're standing in your own home feeling completely useless. Should you help carry boxes? Hover over every item? Hide in a corner? Based on feedback from 800+ moves we've managed across Dubai, this uncertainty is the number one source of moving day stress. Here's the definitive guide to your role on moving day, so you can stay helpful without getting in the way.

What Has Changed in Moving Day Best Practices for 2026?

Movers now use digital inventory systems, real-time GPS tracking, contactless payments, photo documentation as standard practice, and 48-72 hour NOC requirements for Dubai buildings.

The moving industry has evolved, and so have expectations for homeowners. Here's what's different:

Digital inventory systems: Many movers now use tablet-based tracking—you may be asked to verify items digitally rather than on paper
Real-time GPS updates: Most professional movers now share live tracking links, so you can time your arrival at the new home perfectly
Contactless payment: Card and bank transfer payments are now standard—cash tips are still appreciated but not required
Photo documentation standard: Both you and the movers should photograph items before and after—it's now industry best practice for claim prevention
Building NOC requirements: Many Dubai buildings now require 48-72 hour advance notice for moves, so coordinate early with your building management office

What Is Your Role During the Move?

Your role is to answer questions, make quick decisions, stay accessible without interfering, and direct furniture placement at your new home while letting professionals work.

You've hired professional movers—now what? Many people aren't sure whether to help, supervise constantly, or stay out of the way. This guide clarifies your role and helps you avoid common mistakes that can slow down or complicate the process.

For overall moving day tips, see our comprehensive moving day guide which covers preparation from start to finish.

What Should You Do Before the Movers Arrive?

Preparation before your crew arrives sets the tone for the entire day. Ensure all personal packing is complete, pathways are clear, and your essentials box is separated and clearly marked.

Finish all packing: Everything should be boxed and sealed. If you need help, consider booking professional packing services in advance rather than scrambling on the day
Label every box clearly: Room destination and contents on two sides minimum—see our box labeling guide for a proven system
Photograph valuables: Document the condition of electronics, artwork, antiques, and high-value furniture before the crew starts
Confirm building access: In Dubai, most towers require a moving permit from building management. Verify that your NOC is approved and the service elevator is reserved for your time slot
Set up DEWA at the new location: Ensure electricity, water, and AC are active at your destination. In Dubai summer months, an apartment without functioning AC can reach 50+ degrees indoors and is unsuitable for crew or furniture

How Should You Handle the Initial Walkthrough and Briefing?

The first 15 minutes with your moving crew are the most important. A thorough walkthrough prevents miscommunication and sets clear expectations for the entire day.

What Should You Cover in the Initial Walkthrough?

At the start:

Walk the team leader through every room in your home
Point out items NOT being moved (mark them with coloured tape or sticky notes)
Highlight fragile or valuable items requiring extra care—our fragile items packing guide details how these should be wrapped
Note any pre-existing damage to furniture, walls, or door frames and photograph it together
Show the route to elevators, stairs, and the loading area
Provide the building management contact number in case of access issues

What Questions Should You Be Ready to Answer?

Movers will ask about:

"Does this go?" (items that might stay)
"Which box for this?" (if they're providing packing)
"How do you want this wrapped?"
"Any special instructions for this piece?"
"Which items go last / first off the truck?"

Quick, decisive answers keep the move efficient. Hesitation on every item can add hours to the process.

How Should You Supervise Without Micromanaging?

There is a meaningful difference between staying informed and hovering. Based on our experience, the clients who have the smoothest moves are the ones who trust the crew while remaining available.

Where Should You Position Yourself?

Pick a central location out of the main traffic path—a kitchen counter or dining area works well
Keep your phone charged and a portable charger handy
Let the team leader know where to find you at all times
Move away from doorways, hallways, and the elevator lobby

How Should You Monitor Progress?

Casual check-ins every 30-45 minutes are appropriate
Note anything concerning and raise it with the team leader—not individual crew members
Avoid standing in the doorway watching every movement
If you live in a high-rise in Dubai Marina or Downtown Dubai, keep an eye on elevator timing—shared lifts can cause significant delays

For tower-specific advice, our high-rise moving tips guide covers elevator logistics, building permits, and time-slot management in detail.

How Should You Handle Fragile Items and Valuables?

While professional movers are trained to handle delicate belongings, your input matters. Identify high-priority items during the walkthrough and confirm the wrapping method the crew will use.

Electronics: Confirm screens are bubble-wrapped and TVs are transported upright
Artwork and mirrors: These should be placed in custom cardboard sleeves or crated
Heirlooms and antiques: Point these out specifically and request double wrapping
Documents and cash: Keep these with you at all times—do not place them on the truck

Why Should You Document the Moving Process with Photos?

Photo documentation protects both you and the moving company. Take timestamped photos at each stage of the process.

Before loading: Condition of furniture, electronics, and walls at the old home
During loading: How items are stacked and secured in the truck
At delivery: Condition of items as they arrive at the new location
After placement: Final position of furniture and any visible damage

In our experience, clients who photograph the process almost never have disputes. It creates a transparent record that benefits everyone.

What Should You Prepare for the Crew in Terms of Refreshments?

Offering refreshments is not required but is deeply appreciated and can positively affect the quality and care your belongings receive.

Water: Essential and non-negotiable, especially during Dubai's summer when temperatures exceed 45 degrees Celsius. Keep a case of chilled water bottles accessible at all times
Cold drinks: Juice, sports drinks, and cold caffeinated beverages are appreciated during long moves
Snacks: For moves lasting more than four hours, light snacks like sandwiches, fruit, or energy bars help maintain crew energy
Lunch: For full-day moves, offering to order food is a generous gesture that crews remember

See our tipping guide for movers in Dubai for more on showing appreciation, including customary amounts and when tipping is appropriate.

How Should You Manage Children and Pets on Moving Day?

Open doors, heavy furniture, and busy hallways create genuine safety risks for children and animals.

Arrange for children to stay with family, friends, or a babysitter for the duration of the move
If children must be present, designate one adult solely responsible for their supervision in a separate, closed room
Pets should ideally be boarded or kept at a friend's home—stressed animals may bolt through open doors
If pets stay, confine them to a single room with a sign on the door alerting the crew not to open it

What Should You Do at the Old Home During Loading?

Complete initial walkthrough, separate essentials box, clear pathways, have elevator booked, provide drinks for crew, manage kids and pets, and keep phone charged.

What Is Your Loading Phase Checklist?

Task	Your Role	Timing
Initial walkthrough	Lead the team leader through every room	First 15 minutes
Essentials box	Separate and keep with you	Before loading starts
Building coordination	Confirm elevator booking and parking access	Before crew arrives
Refreshments	Provide water and snacks	Ongoing
Availability	Stay on-site for questions	Entire loading phase
Final walkthrough	Check every room, closet, balcony, and storage	After loading complete
Utilities	Turn off AC, lights, and water	Before locking up
Photo documentation	Photograph empty rooms for deposit return	After everything loaded

What Should You Do During Transit?

Head to your new home first, confirm building access is ready, meet security or building management if needed, have keys ready, and ensure elevator availability.

While movers drive to the new location:

Head to your new home—you will likely arrive first
Confirm that building access, parking permits, and elevator reservations are active
Meet security or building management if required
Verify that DEWA services (electricity, water, AC) are functioning
Open windows briefly to ventilate the space if it has been vacant
Place room labels on doors so the crew can deliver boxes without asking for every item

What Is Your Role at the New Home During Unloading?

This is where you are most actively needed. Direct traffic by specifying room destinations for boxes, make quick furniture placement decisions, and accept "good enough" positioning since you can adjust later.

What Active Responsibilities Do You Have?

Direct traffic: "Kitchen boxes go there, bedroom boxes in that room"
Furniture placement: "Sofa against the left wall, bed facing the window"
Quick decisions: Don't deliberate for 10 minutes per item—the crew is waiting
Assembly supervision: Confirm beds, desks, and shelving units are reassembled correctly

How Can You Make Unloading More Efficient?

Put printed signs on each door ("Master Bedroom", "Kids Room", "Office")
Have a floor plan sketched out beforehand—even a rough one saves time
Accept "good enough" placement for furniture—you can shift things by centimetres later
Prioritize the kitchen and bedrooms for livability on night one

What Should You NOT Do While Movers Are Working?

Don't carry boxes, hover constantly, change plans mid-move, leave completely, pack last-minute items, or leave valuables visible—these create problems for everyone.

Why Should You Not Help Carry Items?

Insurance: If you're injured while helping, liability becomes complicated and your own insurance may not cover moving-related injuries
Liability: If you damage an item while carrying it, responsibility is ambiguous
Efficiency: Professional movers have specific techniques, routes, and truck-loading patterns—an untrained person disrupts the system
Safety: Proper lifting technique for heavy furniture requires training and teamwork

Exception: Very light items like a bag or small plant if the crew specifically asks for help.

Why Is Constant Hovering a Problem?

Makes movers self-conscious and nervous, increasing the chance of mistakes
Physically slows them down when you're in the pathway
Creates an uncomfortable atmosphere for a crew that may work 8-10 hours in your home
Trust the professionals—you vetted and hired them for a reason

Why Should You Avoid Changing Plans Mid-Move?

"Actually, repack that box differently..."
"Wait, I want that wrapped in paper instead of bubble wrap..."
Major mid-move changes disrupt workflow and can add hours to the timeline
Discuss all preferences during the initial walkthrough at the START

Why Should Valuables Be Secured Before the Move?

Cash, jewelry, important documents, and passports should travel with you personally
This is not about questioning anyone's integrity—it is standard best practice recommended by every professional moving company
Removes any potential for misunderstandings or false claims on either side

How Should You Handle Issues That Arise?

Point out damage calmly to the team leader, take photos immediately, note issues on delivery paperwork, and document for later rather than escalating in the moment.

What Should You Do If You Notice Damage?

Point it out calmly and directly to the team leader
Take timestamped photos immediately
Note the damage on the delivery paperwork before signing
Don't escalate in the moment—document thoroughly and follow up through proper channels

What If You Have Concerns About How Items Are Being Handled?

Speak politely and privately with the team leader
Don't confront individual workers—the leader manages the crew
Most handling concerns can be resolved immediately through clear communication

What Should You Verify at the End of the Move?

The end-of-day walkthrough is your final opportunity to identify problems before signing off. Take this seriously.

What Should Your End-of-Day Walkthrough Cover?

Walk through every room and verify all boxes and furniture pieces have arrived
Check that assembled furniture is stable and functional (open drawers, test bed frames)
Inspect major pieces for any new scratches, dents, or damage
Verify the inventory list matches what was delivered
Document any issues on the paperwork before signing the completion form

How Do You Handle Payment, Tipping, and Reviews?

Pay the remaining balance as agreed in your contract
Request a detailed receipt or invoice for your records
Tip the crew if they provided excellent service—our Dubai tipping guide covers customary amounts
Get the company's follow-up contact number in case you discover issues after unpacking
Leave an honest review within a few days while the experience is fresh—this helps other families making the same decision

What Are the Most Common Moving Day Mistakes?

Not being ready when movers arrive, leaving the property, micromanaging the crew, having no furniture placement plan, and letting your phone die are the top mistakes we see repeatedly.

Mistake	Why It's a Problem	What to Do Instead
Not being ready	Costs time and money, creates chaos	Pack completely before crew arrival
Leaving the property	Questions go unanswered, decisions stall	Stay or leave a trusted representative
Micromanaging the crew	Slows progress, creates tension	Trust the process, check in periodically
No furniture placement plan	Delays unloading at the new home	Sketch a layout and label rooms in advance
Phone battery dead	Can't coordinate, take photos, or call building management	Keep phone charged with a portable battery
Skipping building coordination	No elevator access, parking fines, delays	Book NOC and elevator 48-72 hours ahead
Not checking DEWA at new home	No AC in Dubai heat is dangerous for crew and furniture	Activate DEWA at least 24 hours before move-in

Frequently Asked Questions

Should You Offer to Help Carry Boxes?

Generally no. Helping creates insurance and liability complications if you're injured or damage something. Professional crews have established carrying techniques, truck-loading sequences, and team coordination that an extra untrained person disrupts. Let them do their job efficiently.

Can You Leave for an Hour to Grab Lunch?

Not ideal since questions will arise that need immediate answers. If you absolutely must leave, ensure a trusted representative stays present with authority to make decisions on your behalf. Brief them on item priorities and your furniture placement preferences.

How Often Should You Check on Progress?

Checking every 30-45 minutes is reasonable and appropriate. Keep it casual rather than intrusive—a quick glance and a "need anything?" to the team leader is sufficient. Trust the professionals while staying informed about overall progress.

What If You Need to Take a Work Call?

Taking work calls is perfectly fine during the move. Just let the team leader know you're still available if needed, and stay nearby enough to respond to questions within a minute or two.

Should You Follow the Truck to Your New Home?

No. Following the truck is unnecessary since professional movers use GPS navigation. It's far more productive to arrive at your new home first so you can prepare building access, meet security or building management, confirm the elevator reservation, and be ready to direct the unloading process from the moment the crew arrives.

What Should You Do If the Move Is Taking Longer Than Expected?

Ask the team leader for an updated timeline and the reason for the delay. Common causes include unexpected elevator wait times in busy Dubai towers, items requiring more careful wrapping than anticipated, or traffic between locations. If you're on an hourly rate, understanding the cause helps you decide whether to raise the issue formally.

What Is the Bottom Line for Moving Day?

Your job is to facilitate, not participate. Be available for questions, make quick decisions, document the process with photos, coordinate building access, and trust the professionals you hired. When everyone knows their role, the move goes faster, safer, and with far less stress.

The most successful moves we've handled share one common trait: the client was prepared, present, and decisive—without trying to do the crew's job for them.

Ready to experience a stress-free moving day with professionals who respect your time and belongings? Our experienced crews handle everything while you focus on what matters. Get your free quote online or call us now at +971 55 301 3309 to book your move.