Customers see moving day. They rarely see the planning that makes moving day work.
At 6 Days Logistics Group, we start planning the moment an enquiry becomes a booking — sometimes earlier, if access is unusual or the job is complex. This is not bureaucracy. It is how we avoid turning a straightforward house removals into an improvised rescue mission.
I have written about why that invisible work matters in leadership lessons from moving house and what happens between booking and moving day. This piece is the step-by-step version — what we actually think through before anyone touches a box.
Step One: Confirm What We Are Moving
A written quote is only useful if the inventory behind it is honest. We revisit what you told us at enquiry: rooms, bulky items, shed or garage contents, garden furniture, home office equipment, anything fragile or awkward.
If the scope has grown — and it often does — we adjust before the day, not on the driveway. “Just a few more boxes” is manageable when we know in advance. It is painful when the van is already half full.
Step Two: Map Access at Both Ends
Parking. Stairs. Lift availability. Narrow hallways. Long carries from the street. Restricted loading bays. These details decide crew size and time on site more than postcode distance.
Birmingham terraces, city-centre permit zones, and new-build flats with booking-only lifts all behave differently. We ask direct questions — and welcome photos — because guessing access is how sofas get stuck on landings.
The questions to ask before moving day guide lists what customers can prepare on their side. Our job is to turn those answers into a practical loading and unloading plan.
Step Three: Right-Size the Crew and Vehicle
Not every job needs the largest lorry or the biggest team. Under-sizing causes delays and damage risk. Over-sizing wastes your money. We match capacity to volume, access, and distance.
For long-distance moves, vehicle choice and route timing matter more. For office relocations, we factor desk counts, meeting room furniture, and whether IT needs to move in a particular order.
Step Four: Materials and Special Handling
Blankets, wraps, floor protection, mattress bags, wardrobe boxes — we decide what is needed based on the inventory, not a generic kit for every job. If you have booked packing, we agree which rooms we are handling and when.
Pianos, antiques, American fridge freezers, and server racks are not afterthoughts. They are flagged early so the right equipment and experience are on the job.
Step Five: Timing and Contingencies
Completion dates move. Keys arrive late. Chains wobble. We build reasonable flexibility into the plan and agree how waiting time works if the property is not ready.
If there is a gap between addresses, storage is planned as part of the move — collection, storage duration, and redelivery — rather than a panic call at the end of loading.
Step Six: Confirm the Day Before
We confirm arrival time, crew contact, and any last-minute access changes. You should be mostly packed, pathways clear, and reachable for quick decisions.
That final check is short. It prevents the long, expensive kind of conversation that happens when nobody spoke for three weeks after booking.
Why We Plan This Way
Moving day should feel controlled. Control comes from decisions made calmly in advance — not shouted across a hallway when the removal van is blocking the street.
If you want a company that treats planning as part of the service, not an optional extra, that is the standard we work to at 6 Days Logistics Group — for homes, offices, and jobs across the UK from our Midlands base.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a removals company plan before moving day?
Inventory confirmation, access at both addresses, crew and vehicle size, materials, route timing, parking, and contingency if completion or key handover slips. Good planning happens before anyone loads a box.
Do I need to provide photos for move planning?
Not always, but photos of tight access, large items, and parking restrictions help us quote accurately and plan the right approach before the day.
How is an office move planned differently from a home move?
Office moves add labelling discipline, IT sequencing, facilities contacts, and often weekend timing to protect uptime. The planning steps are similar; the priorities shift toward downtime and equipment.
When should I tell my removals company about changes?
As soon as you know — extra items, date shifts, access problems, or storage needs. Early updates keep the plan accurate and prevent surprises on moving day.