What to Tell Your Man and Van Before Moving Day

Confirm collection and delivery details

Explain the basics: addresses, date, time and access contacts.

Start by double-checking the basics on your booking.

Make sure the exact collection address and delivery address are correct. If either location has multiple entrances, confusing layouts or a flat inside a larger building, add that detail too.

Confirm the moving date and start time or arrival window. Let the provider know if someone else can open doors or provide entry, such as a concierge, neighbour or estate agent.

Small errors here can delay the move, so update your details early if anything changes.

Provide a complete item list and box count

Stress the importance of listing all items and boxes.

Next, tell the provider exactly what is being moved.

This includes the number of boxes, bulky bags, large furniture, appliances and any unusually awkward item. For example, if you have a sofa, bed, desk, wardrobe and 20 boxes, list all of those.

Underestimating the amount of stuff is one of the easiest ways to create problems on the day. A full item list helps the provider understand the van size, time and helper level needed.

If the number of boxes grows after booking, update the move details rather than waiting until the van arrives.

Flag large, heavy or fragile items

Highlight items that need special care or extra planning.

Some items need extra attention.

Tell your man and van provider about any large, awkward, heavy or fragile pieces. This may include sofas, wardrobes, beds, white goods, bicycles, mirrors, glass tables, televisions, musical instruments or large plants.

For each one, add a short note. For example: large wardrobe, very heavy; glass coffee table, fragile top; washing machine, needs careful access.

Do not assume everything can be worked out on arrival. If the provider knows in advance, they can plan the handling, route and helper level more realistically.

Describe stairs, lifts and floor levels

Explain building access details that affect the move.

Building access is crucial information.

Before moving day, explain which floor each property is on, whether there is a lift, whether the lift is large enough for furniture, and whether stairs are involved.

Useful notes include:

• third floor, no lift
• second floor with small lift
• lift available but wardrobe will need stairs
• two flights of stairs at collection
• ground floor at delivery

These details help avoid a ground-floor move being planned when the real job involves several flights of stairs.

Plan parking, permits and loading zones

Emphasise parking spaces, loading zones and access restrictions.

Parking can slow a move down before loading even starts.

Tell the provider where the van can stop at both addresses. Mention driveways, loading bays, permit zones, yellow lines, red routes, narrow roads, estate gates or time-limited access.

If a permit, concierge approval or temporary bay reservation is needed, sort it before the move where possible.

The aim is simple: the driver should know where they are trying to park before they arrive, not after circling the road for ten minutes.

Note long carries and narrow corridors

Cover long carry distances and awkward routes.

Look at the route from the door to where the van can stop.

If the provider has to walk a long distance from the property to the vehicle, say so. If there are tight corners, narrow corridors, low ceilings, communal hallways or difficult turns, mention those as well.

A simple note such as long carry from building entrance to roadside or tight stair turn before first-floor landing can be very useful.

These details affect time, effort and handling, so they should be shared before moving day rather than discovered during loading.

Mention items that need dismantling

Remind customers to tell movers if furniture needs taking apart.

If furniture needs to be dismantled to fit through the property, mention it before moving day.

This might include bed frames, large desks, shelving units, wardrobes, tables or flat-pack furniture. Add whether you will dismantle it yourself or whether you need help.

Keep screws, bolts and fittings in labelled bags and store them with the relevant item.

If you have only booked moving rather than dismantling or assembly help, make sure those items are ready before the provider arrives.

Say if you need extra helpers or extra stops

Explain notifying if extra help, larger moves or multiple stops are needed.

If your move needs more than one person, make sure the booking reflects that.

Heavy items, stairs, long carries and a large number of boxes may mean extra helpers are needed. If you did not add helpers originally but now think you need them, update the booking before moving day.

Also mention any extra stops, such as collecting from a storage unit or dropping something at a second address.

Standard bookings are usually planned around the details provided. Extra people, extra stops or extra trips need to be known early so the move can be planned properly.

Use photos for tricky items or access if needed

Recommend targeted photo use without turning the article into a photo checklist.

This is not a photo checklist article, but photos can still help with complicated details.

Use photos when words are not enough. Good examples include a narrow staircase, difficult parking spot, awkward sofa, large wardrobe, fragile mirror or tight hallway.

Box & Van supports useful photo uploads as part of a clearer booking process, so customers can give extra context where relevant.

Photos should be used for clarification, not as a replacement for a clear written item list and access notes.

Keep your booking updated if things change

Stress early updates for late changes.

Plans can change, but try to update your provider as early as possible.

Tell them if you suddenly have more boxes, a new large item, a changed address, a blocked parking space, a lift issue or a different person handling access.

It is better to over-communicate before the move than to create surprises on the day.

For Box & Van customers, use your booking details and support route to keep important changes visible before the provider arrives.

Be ready on moving day

Prepare the reader for immediate pre-move tasks such as keys, phone and safe routes.

On the day itself, keep your keys, phone and access information ready.

Make sure children and pets are away from the main moving route where possible. Keep documents, valuables, medication and chargers with you rather than packed into the van.

If the provider needs clarification, be available to answer questions.

With the details shared in advance and the property ready, the move can start more smoothly instead of spending the first few minutes solving avoidable problems.

Why clearer booking details matter

Close with Box & Van’s system-led USP safely.

Everything in this guide comes back to clear information.

A man and van move is easier to plan when the provider knows what is being moved, where it is going, how access works and what might need special handling.

Box & Van is designed around that idea: online quotes, clearer booking details, useful photo uploads, moving-day updates and support.

That does not mean every move becomes perfect or less confusing. It means the important details are less likely to be scattered across texts, calls and memory. Better information gives everyone a clearer start.