Your Move Prep Guide.
Everything you need to know before your Alpine crew arrives. Read this the day before your move — it saves time, money, and stress.
The Night-Before Checklist.
Run through these the night before your move so the crew can hit the ground running in the morning.
- All boxes packed, labeled, and taped shut
- Loose items boxed up — nothing left sitting out
- TVs, computers, and electronics disconnected
- Washer, dryer, fridge, stove unplugged + water/gas off
- Driveway and sidewalks clear (vehicles, snow)
- Floor protection in place (if purchased)
- Parking arranged at both pickup and drop-off
- Childcare or pet care lined up for move day
- Essentials bag packed (meds, docs, chargers)
- High-value items set aside to transport yourself
- Hazardous materials disposed of (propane, gas, paint, ammo)
- Plants and pots set aside to transport yourself
- Fridge and freezer defrosted + dried
- Inventory confirmed accurate (changes require 48hr notice)
- Final payment method ready
Packing & Preparation.
How you pack directly determines how fast and safely your move goes. These are the rules our crews swear by.
Packing Boxes
As a rule of thumb, the heavier the contents, the smaller the box should be. Instead of packing the largest box with the heaviest items, pack them in small boxes instead. Also, ensure each box is closed properly and taped shut. This way the boxes can support the weight and your movers can keep moving at full speed.
Label Everything Clearly
Clearly label each box with the destination room and a short description of contents. This saves your time and your sanity because your crew will be able to quickly move boxes to the correct spot without asking you for direction.
When In Doubt, Throw It Out
Before the move, discard, donate, or sell any items that you do not plan to keep. This reserves space on the truck for your other items and shortens move time.
Box All Loose Items
Box ALL loose items that you want moved. Our movers cannot load loose miscellaneous items directly onto the truck because our liability insurance will not allow it — and it adds extra time because of the additional trips and time spent packing these items on the truck.
Liquids
Pack any liquids (toiletries, cleaning supplies, opened cooking oils) upright, in sealed containers, in a separate box clearly marked “LIQUIDS — THIS SIDE UP.” We may refuse to load any box that’s leaking or improperly packed.
Refrigerators & Freezers
Defrost and dry your refrigerator and freezer at least 24 hours before move day. A wet appliance in the truck can stain carpets and damage other items. Discard or transport perishables yourself — we can move sealed pantry food, but spoilage is the customer’s responsibility.
Your Essentials Bag.
Pack a separate bag with everything you’ll need that night and the next morning. This bag rides with you — not on the truck.
- Medications and prescriptions
- Important documents (IDs, lease/closing papers, insurance)
- Phone chargers
- A change of clothes and toiletries
- Pet food, leash, and any pet meds
- Keys for both the old and new locations
- Snacks and water
- Cash for tips (if you choose to tip — see below)
High-Value Items — Transport Yourself.
For your safety and peace of mind, please transport the following yourself rather than loading them on the truck.
Take These Items With You
- Cash, jewelry, and watches
- Passports, social security cards, birth certificates
- Firearms and ammunition
- Family heirlooms and irreplaceable items
- Urns and cremains
- Wills, deeds, and financial records
- Hard drives with irreplaceable photos or data
- Prescription medications
If you absolutely need us to move any of the above, please notify the crew lead in advance and ask about additional valuation coverage.
What We Cannot Transport.
By Department of Transportation regulation, our trucks cannot carry hazardous materials. Please dispose of or transport these yourself.
Hazardous Materials
- Propane tanks (full or partial) — empty ones can be drained at a local exchange
- Gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, motor oil
- Paint, paint thinner, varnish (full or partial containers)
- Ammunition and gunpowder
- Pool chemicals, fertilizer, pesticides
- Compressed gas cylinders
- Aerosol cans (large quantities)
- Charcoal lighter fluid, fireworks, wet-cell batteries
- Plants and pots (live plants of any kind)
Also drain all fuel from lawnmowers, snowblowers, weed eaters, motorcycles, and any other gas-powered equipment before move day. Disconnect batteries where possible.
Your Inventory Must Be Accurate.
Our crews load exactly what’s on your inventory — nothing more, nothing less. Last-minute additions can blow up your timeline and our route, so we need advance notice.
The Inventory Rule
If an item is not on your inventory, we will not move it. This protects everyone — it lets us bring the right truck size, the right crew size, and the right materials, and it ensures your quote is accurate.
If you need to add, remove, or change anything on your inventory, it is your responsibility to reach out to us at least 48 hours before your scheduled move. Anything less than 48 hours’ notice may not be accommodated on move day — we cannot guarantee crew capacity, truck space, or pricing for items added at the last minute.
How to update your inventory: call (970) 488-9442 or reply to your booking email at least 48 hours before your move.
Setting Up For The Crew.
A few small things you can do at both locations to keep the day moving quickly.
Floor Protection
You can save time by having floor protection products already in place before our crew arrives. Both carpet shield and red rosin paper (for hardwood floors) are available for purchase, or at many local home improvement stores.
Electronics
Please have all electronics (TVs, cable boxes, disc players, computers, video game consoles, etc.) disconnected prior to the move. TVs boxed up and ready to be moved will allow us to pack them on the truck more safely and quickly.
Disconnecting and installing electronic systems is not included in our services due to the variety of configurations of entertainment centers, TVs, computers, and speaker setups. For liability reasons, our movers are not allowed to reconnect any electronics.
Driveways, Sidewalks & Obstacles
At each stop we make, it is your responsibility to ensure your driveway and sidewalk have been cleared of obstacles, including vehicles.
In winter, remove any snow from the driveway and sidewalks. This is for the safety of your belongings and our movers, and it minimizes snow being dragged into your home with each trip.
Gas & Water Lines
By law, we cannot disconnect gas or water lines on stoves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, or any other appliances. Please have these disconnected in advance to prevent any delay during your move.
Elevators
For apartment and office buildings with multiple elevators, check with a building manager or maintenance personnel to find out if it’s possible to reserve an elevator. If reserving an elevator isn’t possible, find out when there’s the most elevator traffic and we’ll work with you to schedule your move around those busy times.
Parking
If you are moving to or from a location with busy streets, reserve enough parking spaces as close to the entrance as possible. Our trucks are 26 feet long with a ramp that extends out another 15 feet. The closer we are to the entrance, the less time is spent going back and forth to the truck.
Children & Pets
When possible, please arrange to have a babysitter or pet sitter for the duration of your move. While we love kids and pets, the extra care required when moving with children or pets present may slow down the process and add time to your move.
Disassembly & Reassembly.
Included in our service — but pre-disassembling complex items saves you significant move time.
Disassembly and reassembly are included in our services. However, many larger items can be fairly complex to disassemble and reassemble, which may add a substantial amount of time to your move. These items include:
- Complex bed frames (especially IKEA)
- Exercise equipment that won’t fit through a doorway in one piece (treadmills, ellipticals — usually if it was assembled in the room, it’ll need some level of disassembly to get it out)
- Large modular sectionals
- Wall-anchored furniture (TV mounts, large bookcases)
By disassembling these items prior to the move and putting them back together at the new location, our movers can focus on the move and finish faster.
Payment, Tipping & Walkthrough.
How we wrap up your move.
Payment
The final balance is due at the end of your move, before our crew leaves. We accept credit card, debit card, cash, and check. For long-distance moves, your 10% deposit has already secured your date — the remaining balance is due on the day of pickup.
Damage claims do not delay payment. If anything is damaged during the move, payment in full is still due at the end of the job. Claims are then processed separately through our valuation coverage. We do not deduct from the final invoice or withhold payment while a claim is being reviewed.
Tipping
Tipping is never expected, but always appreciated. Industry standard is $20–40 per mover for a half-day move and $40–60 per mover for a full-day move. Cash is preferred, but we can also add tips to the final invoice.
The Final Walkthrough
Before our crew leaves, we’ll walk through every room together to confirm nothing has been missed. This is also when we’ll review the inventory, hand you the invoice, and answer any final questions. Sign-off happens at the walkthrough — please make time for it.
Communication During The Move
Your crew lead is your point of contact for the day. If anything comes up, talk to them first — they can solve 99% of issues on the spot. For anything that needs management involvement, the office is reachable at (970) 488-9442 throughout the day.
Frequently Asked Questions.
Do I need to be at the move?
Yes — we need an authorized adult at both the pickup and delivery locations to direct placement, answer questions, and sign off on the inventory.
What time will the crew arrive?
We’ll text you the morning of your move with an estimated arrival window. For local moves, we typically arrive between 8 and 9 AM. For commercial or long-distance moves, your project manager will confirm timing in advance.
How long will my move take?
Most local 1–2 bedroom moves take 4–6 hours. 3-bedroom houses typically run 6–10 hours. Long-distance moves are quoted as flat-rate, with pickup taking one day and delivery scheduled in advance.
What if it rains or snows on move day?
We move in nearly all weather. We’ll bring extra floor protection in bad weather, but please have driveways and sidewalks cleared. In dangerous conditions, we may reschedule for the safety of your belongings and our crew.
Can I help my movers carry items to speed up the move?
For your safety and our liability, please let our crew handle the lifting. The fastest help you can provide is having everything boxed, labeled, and ready when we arrive.
What happens if something gets damaged?
Notify your crew lead immediately, before they leave the job — they will document the damage and take photos on the spot. Final payment is still due at the end of the move, before our crew leaves. Damage claims are processed separately through our valuation coverage after the move is paid in full; we do not deduct claims from your final invoice or withhold payment until repairs are made. Photos you take of high-value items before the move help significantly.
Do I need to provide anything for the crew?
Cold water on a hot day or a hot drink in winter is always appreciated, but not expected. Lunch is appreciated on longer moves but never required.
Can I add or remove items from my inventory on move day?
No — items not on your inventory cannot be moved. We size the truck, crew, and materials around the inventory you provide, so on-the-spot additions are not something we can accommodate. Any inventory changes must be communicated to Alpine at least 48 hours before your scheduled move. Call (970) 488-9442 or reply to your booking email as soon as you know something needs to change.
Still Have Questions?
Your move team is here to help, before and during your move.
📞 Call (970) 488-9442