The Day of the Move: What to Expect from Your Hintz Removals Service

Moving home is often described as one of life’s most stressful experiences, frequently ranking alongside divorce or starting a new job. Whether you’re moving a single room from a flat in Bournemouth to a new start in London, or relocating a full 4-bedroom family home across Dorset, the anticipation of the “big day” can be nerve-wracking.

The anxiety usually stems from the unknown. Will the van turn up? Will the sofa fit through the door? What happens if the keys are delayed?

However, the day itself doesn’t have to be a chaotic struggle. Choosing a trusted, local moving team can completely transform the experience. If you have booked Hintz Removals, you have already taken the most important step towards a smoother, stress-free moving day. We aren’t just a “man with a van”—we are a family-run team that takes pride in handling your worldly possessions with the care they deserve.

If this is your first time using a professional service, or you’re comparing local movers with national companies, you may find it useful to explore our Man and Van Bournemouth service.

Below is a detailed, hour-by-hour breakdown of exactly what you can expect when our team arrives.

The Morning Prep: Before We Arrive

While our team handles the heavy lifting, a little preparation between 7:00 AM and our arrival time makes a world of difference. The most efficient moves happen when the customer is ready for the doorbell to ring.

The “Essentials Box”

Before the van arrives, put aside a clearly marked box or bag that stays with you (in your car), not in the van. This should contain:

• Kettle, mugs, tea bags, and milk (vital for British moving days!).

• Toilet roll and hand soap.

• Phone chargers.

• Medication and a first-aid kit.

• Snacks and water.

• Key documents (passports, rental agreements, sale deeds).

Clear the Decks

Strip the beds (unless you’ve paid for a packing service) and unplug all appliances. Ensure the washing machine is drained—water leaking in a moving van is a disaster you want to avoid. Ensure the hallways and front paths are clear of tripping hazards like shoes or plant pots.

Kids and Pets

If possible, arrange for young children or pets to stay with family or friends. Doors will be propped open for hours, and a confused cat or a curious toddler can add unnecessary stress to the loading process.

A Smooth and Friendly Arrival

Your moving slot has arrived. This is where you see the difference between a generic courier and a dedicated removals specialist.

Your moving day begins with punctuality and a warm, professional greeting. Unlike larger national firms that might offer vague “AM or PM” slots leaving you waiting around, we arrive with a clear plan and a team ready to get started. If we are delayed by the A338 traffic or unexpected roadworks, we will always call you to keep you updated.

As a local removals team, we know the areas of Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch, and Verwood extremely well. We know which roads in Boscombe are too narrow for a Luton van, and we know the best approach for the tricky driveways in Sandbanks. This local knowledge helps us avoid traffic hotspots and keep the day running smoothly.

For a helpful comparison of how local movers differ from nationwide chains, you may enjoy reading our article: Man and Van in Bournemouth: Your Complete Guide.

The Walkthrough

Before we lift a single box, the lead driver will ask for a quick tour of the house. This “walkthrough” is crucial.

• Show us what goes: Point out the heavy items, the fragile antiques, and the stacks of boxes.

• Show us what stays: If you are leaving curtains, carpets, or specific furniture for the new owners, let us know clearly so they don’t accidentally end up on the van.

• Highlight access issues: Let us know if a wardrobe needs to be dismantled or if a specific window opens wider than the door.

Parking and Access: The Logistics

The only thing we strictly need your help with is parking. A heavy Luton van cannot simply mount the pavement illegally.

If your home is within a Controlled Parking Zone (CPZ)—common in Bournemouth town centre and parts of Poole—please make sure visitor permits or council parking suspensions are arranged before we arrive. If we cannot park legally, we may have to park further away, which increases the loading time and physical effort required.

• Top Tip: If you don’t have a driveway, try to reserve a space outside your house using your own car (and maybe a neighbour’s car) the night before. When we arrive, you can move the cars, and we can slot the van right in.

The Right Van for Your Move

Size matters when moving house. There is nothing worse than realizing halfway through the day that the van is too small.

Every move is unique, which is why we supply the correct van for your household based on the inventory you provided during the quote.

• Long-Wheelbase Transit: Ideal for studio flats, student relocations to university, or single-item collections.

• Luton Van: The industry standard for house moves. These box-shaped vehicles offer extra volume above the driver’s cab and, crucially, come with a tail lift. This mechanical lift allows us to safely load heavy washing machines, American-style fridges, and solid oak sideboards without risking injury or damage.

If you’re not sure which type of vehicle you require, our detailed guide on how to choose the right Man and Van service is a great place to start.

Expert Loading With Care and Attention

This is the part of the day where you can step back and let us do what we do best. Loading a removals van is not just about throwing things in; it is a game of “3D Tetris” requiring physics and experience.

The “Wall” Technique

Our team has perfected the art of safe, efficient, and protected loading.

• Base Layer: We usually load heavy square items (washing machines, crates, sturdy chests) first to create a solid base.

• Furniture Protection: Every piece of wooden or fabric furniture is wrapped in thick, quilted removal blankets. This prevents scratches from rubbing against the van walls or other items.

• Securing the Load: We use heavy-duty webbing straps to tie items to the rails inside the van. This ensures that even if we have to brake suddenly on the motorway, your furniture won’t shift or topple.

• Soft Fillers: We use bags of clothes, pillows, and duvets to fill the gaps between furniture, providing extra shock absorption.

If you’re hoping to keep your costs down by doing the packing yourself, we’ve put together a useful guide full of practical money-saving tips.

A Note on Packing

If you’ve booked our Full Packing Service, you can relax while we bubble-wrap your china and box up your books. However, for standard “Man and Van” moves, we simply ask that your boxes are taped, labelled, and ready when we arrive. Open-topped banana boxes or bin bags full of heavy books are difficult to stack safely and can prolong the loading process.

The Journey and “The Void”

Once the van is loaded, we lock everything securely. This is the moment you say goodbye to your old home.

Transit Rules

Due to strict insurance regulations, customers generally cannot travel in the removals van with us. You will need to plan your own route to the new property, whether that is driving your own car, taking a train, or booking a taxi. We recommend you aim to arrive at the new property slightly before us to open up and check the meters.

Communication on the Road

If we encounter unexpected traffic, accidents, or roadworks (common on the A31 or M3!), we will let you know with a quick call or text. Clear communication is something we prioritise throughout every move.

The “Key Wait”

In the UK, there is often a gap between leaving your old house (usually by 12:00 or 1:00 PM) and getting the keys to the new one. This depends on solicitors transferring funds. If we arrive at your new house and you don’t have the keys yet, don’t panic. This happens frequently. We are happy to wait, though please be aware that extended waiting times may incur hourly charges depending on your booking agreement. We use this time to take a break, hydrate, and prepare for the unload.

Unloading and Settling Into Your New Home

The excitement builds as the doors to your new home open. When we reach your new address, we begin unloading straight away (assuming you have the keys!).

Directed Placement

We don’t believe in dumping everything in the hallway and leaving you to sort the mess. That isn’t helpful. Simply tell us which rooms you’d like your items placed in, and we’ll take them there for you.

• “Sofa in the lounge, against the back wall.”

• “Mattress in the main bedroom, first floor.”

• “Heavy boxes of books in the study.”

Labelling your boxes with “Kitchen,” “Bed 1,” or “Lounge” makes this process incredibly fast.

Immediate Checks

We also recommend checking fragile items such as mirrors, glass cabinets, and televisions as they come off the van. While we are extremely careful, “Goods in Transit” insurance generally requires damage to be noted at the time of delivery.

If your move is charged hourly, the clock stops once the final item is safely inside your property and you are happy with where everything is.

Handling the Unexpected: Weather and Delays

Living in the UK means we have to be prepared for rain—even in summer!

• Rainy Days: If it is pouring down, we will take extra care to cover furniture with blankets inside the house before walking it to the van. We also recommend you lay down some old flattened cardboard boxes or towels in your hallway to protect your carpets from muddy footprints.

• Lift Breakdowns: If you are moving into a flat and the lift breaks, we won’t abandon you. We will carry items up the stairs, though this is physically demanding and takes much longer, so please let us know in advance if the lift is temperamental!

Additional Services: Beyond the Basics

Many customers realise halfway through a move that they have too much stuff, or that their new bed hasn’t arrived.

• Furniture Dismantling: We can dismantle large beds and wardrobes, but this usually needs to be arranged in advance so we bring the correct tools.

• Storage: If your new home isn’t ready, or you are downsizing and have nowhere to put the excess, we offer secure local storage. We can hold your items for a few days or weeks and redeliver them when you are ready.

• House Clearances: If you decide you don’t want that old sofa in the new house, we provide ethical house clearances and disposal services.

If you’re comparing payment structures for these different services, this guide offers a clear breakdown of hourly rates vs. fixed prices.

Post-Move: The Tea Break

Once the van is empty, the paperwork is signed, and the payment is sorted (we accept cash or bank transfer), our team will head off.

You are now left with a house full of boxes, but hopefully, the heavy lifting is done.

• Open that Essentials Box: Make a cup of tea. You’ve earned it.

• Set up the beds first: You will be exhausted tonight. Do not worry about the kitchen or the books—just make sure your bed is assembled and made so you can crash when the adrenaline wears off.

Your Move, Made Simple

Whether you’re moving a small flat in Poole, a terraced house in Bournemouth, or relocating anywhere across the UK, Hintz Removals provides a calm, organised, and reliable service from start to finish. We treat your move as if it were our own.

You can also explore more advice and guidance in our Bournemouth moving guide.

Let our family handle the heavy lifting so you can settle into your new home with confidence and peace of mind.

Ready to book your stress-free move? Contact Hintz Removals today for a free, no-obligation quote. We look forward to helping you start your next chapter.