Moving guide · Hiring a mover
What to Include in a Moving Inventory
A bedroom count tells a mover very little about a packed basement or a garage full of shelving. Build your inventory around the items and the route they will take out of the property.
The short answer
A useful moving inventory lists what will leave each room, the items that need special preparation, and the access at every stop. Include storage spaces, photos of large furniture and a separate list of items staying behind. Send changes before moving day so the estimate can be reviewed.
Walk through the spaces people forget
Start at the entrance and work through one room at a time. Record the main furniture, then the packed boxes or the cupboards still waiting to be packed. Finish with the attic, basement, garage, shed and outdoor furniture. A quick video can explain the layout, but a written list makes changes easier to track.
Use descriptions the estimator can act on. “Dining table, six chairs, legs removable” is more useful than “dining room.” Identify a sleeper sofa, a large glass cabinet or any item that needs a separate assessment. Do not guess weights; send model information or clear photos when you have them.
Describe the way out and the way in
For each address, record the floor, number of stair flights, elevator arrangements and the likely loading space. In a Hamden house, the basement exit may be on a different level from the driveway. In a New Haven apartment, the service entrance may be on another street.
Measure the tightest doorway or landing and photograph it beside the largest piece that must pass through. Include a long outdoor carry, a gate, low branches or a shared driveway. Let the moving team assess the route rather than deciding that a difficult piece will somehow fit.
Separate destinations and services
Mark every item as going to the new home, a storage unit, another address or staying behind. If there is an extra stop, add its address and access details. Put the labels on the list and on the items so a helper cannot accidentally load furniture that belongs to the landlord.
List packing, unpacking and disassembly as separate requests. “Move the kitchen” can mean carrying sealed boxes or packing every cupboard. Those are different scopes. Ask for the written estimate to reflect the work you intend to book.
Keep one current version
Date the list, send it with the photos and save the estimate alongside it. If you sell a sofa, add a storage stop or decide you need packing help, send one consolidated update. Ask the team whether the price or schedule needs to change.
On moving day, walk through with the crew before loading begins. Point out the stay-behind labels and the items that changed. An inventory used for estimating is a planning document; ask what other shipment records your particular move requires.
Before you confirm the move
- List every room and storage space.
- Attach photos of large pieces and tight access.
- Name each destination and extra stop.
- Confirm the final inventory and packing scope in writing.
Common questions
General guidance. Your own route, date and access still need confirming directly.
Should I count boxes before everything is packed?
Give the best current count and clearly identify rooms still being packed. Update the count when packing is finished rather than presenting an early estimate as a final number.
Does a video replace the written list?
A video helps explain the space. Keep a short written inventory too, especially for unusual pieces, extra stops and items that must stay.
Should I include furniture I plan to sell?
Label it as uncertain until the sale is complete. Tell the mover when it is removed from the job so both sides are working from the same list.
Where do I send Major Movers the details?
Use the quote page or call (203) 694-0397 to agree on the best way to share the inventory and photos. The team confirms scope and availability directly.
Sources and useful references
- CTDOT: household goods movers and estimates
CTDOT explains written quotes, mover verification and questions about damage coverage.
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