Most people can agree that moving is a lot of work. You have to move your whole life from one place to another, and whether that place is right down the street or three states away, you’re going to find yourself putting in a lot of hours preparing and moving. The average American moves around 12 times in their life, but that doesn’t mean it gets any easier.

It’s for that exact reason that many homeowners hire movers for the big day. Movers are trained to properly carry boxes, handles certain objects, and know how to get from one place to another most efficiently. While they are so much help, it’s important to do whatever you can do to help them out. So before your movers get there on your big day, make sure you’ve done the following things.

Pack Things the Right Way

When you own a lot of stuff, it can be hard to figure out how to pack it all away. You might be very tempted to throw half of your bedroom in one big box, but do your best to avoid that. Packing boxes efficiently not only means labeling them for the proper room, it also means packing boxes safely so nobody get s injured while lifting something. If you pack too much in one box, the movers are going to have a very hard time transporting it. For your sake, make sure any valuables that could break are wrapped using bubble wrap or foam pouches. If you don’t want to lose your favorite pint glass, make sure you either take it with you personally or that it’s protected properly.

Give the Movers a Place to Park

Moving trucks are no joke. They can fit a ton of different items, but given their size it might be hard to find a parking space for them on your current street. Typically, this isn’t something that many people think of when planning their big move. But it is extremely important to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the big day. If you have a driveway, make sure there’s a spot for the truck to pull into. If you have street parking, see if you can allow the moving services to drive their truck directly on your lawn. Making sure this is done ahead of time will prevent a lot of potential issues.

Keep Your Kids and Pets Out of the Way

If you have children or pets, there’s a chance they’re going to get in the way on moving day. No matter how much you love having them around, it’s a good idea to make sure you have a plan for them while the move is happening. If you have kids, Hire a babysitter or ask a family friend to watch them for the day. If you have pets, reach out to doggy daycare or someone who will be willing to play with them for a few hours.

A moving company can be a big help. However, it’s extremely important to make sure you are doing everything you can to help him out. Take a look at the suggestions listed above before moving day to make sure the process go smoothly and efficiently.