How to Help Someone Who is Moving

Helping Before the Move

Understand the moving plan. Talk to the person moving about the logistics of the move. Find out if this is a long distance move or just around the corner. Ask if there will be professional movers involved, or volunteers only. Take a look at what kind of items will be moved.

Ask about expectations. You might agree to help thinking that you'll just drive the truck when your friend is expecting you'll be there at 6:00 a.m. to help load. Discuss what is reasonable. Do not make promises that you cannot keep.

Offer to help with what you are good at. If you are petite and your friend has a grand piano to relocate, you will not be much help with that piano. However, you could offer to make sandwiches for the moving crew. Explain your skills and talents to your friend so he or she knows how you can be counted on.

Help with the packing. If you are unable to help on the move day, try to help your friend get organized. Collect boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap and other necessary moving items. Go through clothing, furniture, appliances, books and other personal belongings to determine what will be moved and what can be sold or donated. Start packing the things that will not be immediately needed. You can pack up off season clothing and shoes, picture frames and wall hangings and other items that will not be used before the move date.

Organize a yard sale. If your friend wants to sell a lot of stuff before the move, take charge of that process so he or she can concentrate on the move itself. You might want to advertise the moving sale if you're not sure if many people will show and there are a lot of items to sell.

Clean the new place. Help someone who is moving by going over to the new home to clean before the moving commences.

Helping During the Move

Show up early if you have agreed to help load and physically move the items.

Bring coffee and donuts. If you are not going to help with the physical move, feed the person who is moving and the moving crew.

Help get the moving truck. If your friend is renting a truck to haul all of his or her belongings, offer to drive him to the truck rental facility.

Assist in organizing the movers. Whether there are professional movers or just a bunch of friends helping out, give direction when asked. Check with the person moving about furniture placement so you can help direct the movers at the new house.

Be ready to fetch whatever your friend or the movers need. Offer to run errands, field phone calls or organize the set up of utilities and cable services while the furniture and boxes are being moved.

Use your strength if you have it. If you are strong and healthy, offer to help with the heavy lifting. The more people who help move, the quicker it will go. Take all necessary safety precautions. Wear a back brace or supports to protect your back and muscles. Do not lift anything too heavy on your own and be careful of steps, ladders and uneven surfaces.

Helping After the Move

Offer to begin unpacking. You might not know where everything will go, but you can at least put books on the bookshelves and silverware in the drawers.

Make some meals. When people move, it is often a few days before they can use their kitchens. Cook and freeze some casseroles that can easily be reheated, make a large pot of pasta or put together some sandwiches that will keep your friend and any family members fed while everyone is settling in.

Clean the old place. The person moving might need to get a security deposit back or prepare a home for sale, so offer to help clean out the place he or she just moved out of.