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Hiring a Local Moving Company in Downtown and Mountainous Areas is a Smart Move
How much is your time and energy worth? If you are moving yourself to save money, consider the extra time, effort, and energy you’ll spend solving unexpected logistical problems. A moving company’s experience and expertise help you mitigate or eliminate the time and stress of fixing them.
Here are the top hard-to-solve downtown and mountainous area complications:
Downtown Areas:
- City ordinances can prohibit rental trucks from being parked in front of your apartment building.
- Increased damage to fragile, delicate, and valuable belongings lacking proper packaging and protection.
- Additional hours and effort are required to navigate bulky and heavy items down multiple stairs.
For more tips, check out our article on Moving Apartments Quickly and Easily.
Mountainous Areas:
- Steep, narrow, and winding roads can be treacherous in a larger truck, especially if you are unfamiliar with driving this type of vehicle.
- Driveways that cannot accommodate large trucks – creating a longer distance to move heavy and bulky items.
- High altitude: Professional crews more efficiently meet the physical labor needs for a high-altitude move.
Check for seasonal road closures to help plan alternate routes. Check the Department of Transportation websites for road closures. In Colorado, click CDOT. In Utah, click UDOT.
Here’s to No Moving Day Surprises: Follow These Dos & Don’ts to Avoid Delays & Frustrations
Moving is tough enough. If this is your first move or you haven’t moved in a while, here are common but lesser-known dos & don’ts for your best moving-day prep.
Do:
- Keep items you want to move personally in a separate area marked "Do Not Load."
- Valuables: Cash, debit cards, checkbooks, important documents, jewelry, coins, and irreplaceable collections.
- Must-haves: Computers, medications, documents, contacts, eyeglasses, and toiletries.
- Drain gasoline and oil from motorized products or machinery.
- Defrost and dry refrigerators and freezers 12 to 24 hours before moving day.
- Disconnect washers, dryers, and icemakers (install bolts for front-load washers).
- Inform the moving company of any items that require special packaging, crates, or servicing, such as beds, grandfather clocks, pool tables, hot tubs, and art pieces.
- Discuss full-replacement value insurance beyond the carrier’s liability limits.
- Properly dispose of paint.
- Double-check closets, bedrooms, the basement, and cupboards for any remaining items.
Don’t:
- Load in the moving truck:
- Aerosol cans
- Ammunition
- Combustibles
- Corrosive liquids
- Open alcohol
- Propane tanks
- Ask the moving company to remove permanently affixed/secured property, including:
- Wall-to-wall carpeting
- Electrical or plumbing fixtures
- Shelving
- Leave items to move in crawl spaces, attics, or temporary storage areas.
- Place items you want to move separately with items for the movers to take.
- Let pets run loose while movers are packing and loading.
- Forget an end-of-job walkthrough to account for all the items you want packed in boxes.
Follow This Local Moving Checklist to Help You Have the Best Moving Experience
A less stressful move is in the details and starts with a comprehensive checklist. Give yourself the tools you need to complete all the necessary tasks and mitigate last-minute anxiety. Here's a streamlined version tailored for a local move:
6 Weeks from Moving Day: Hire a moving company, start the paperwork, and make reservations.
- Book your moving company: Get 3 written estimates (virtual or on-site), choose and confirm the scope (pack vs. move-only), dates, valuation coverage, and payment terms.
- Confirm your reserved move date and time with the movers.
- Confirm building/HOA rules at both addresses: Note designated move days/hours, elevator or dock reservations, certificate of insurance (COI) requirements, truck size limits, and parking restrictions—especially if you're moving in Salt Lake City or Denver.
- Decide who packs what & create a packing calendar: Agree on what the moving crew will pack versus what you will pack. Order materials (wardrobes, dish packs, TV/monitor crates, mattress bags). Schedule rooms by week if you're packing yourself.
- Flag special items early: Confirm with the movers that they’re ready to handle pianos, safes, glass/stone tops, art, or gym equipment. Arrange crating/disassembly with your mover if needed.
- Declutter and donate unwanted items.
4 Weeks Out: Packing, Organizing, Logistical Prep
- Start active packing: Finish low-use rooms first. Label boxes with the destination room, brief contents, and "unpack first" for daily-use items. Keep a simple box count/inventory.
- Lock in access logistics: Confirm any access logistics, requests, documentation, and approvals to your new home or apartment, including:
- Elevator/dock times.
- Parking permits requested/approved for street access.
- Certificate of insurance (COI) sent by your mover and accepted by the properties.
- Save approval emails/confirmation numbers.
- Measure and plan fit: Measure sofas, appliances, stair turns, door widths, and elevator cabs—pre-plan legs/door removal or disassembly. Help identify path protection needs for the movers (floor runners, door-jamb guards).
- Call out larger/bulky items: Identify and communicate with movers before move day about items that may not fit through doorways or stairs.
- Set decision points: Confirm appliance handling (including disconnects/reconnects), wall-mount removals, and the items that will remain.
- Pack seasonal or storage items.
- Notify utility providers and update your address.
2 Weeks Out: Mostly Packed, Confirmations, and Moving-Day Arrangements
- Final planning call with your mover: Reconfirm arrival window, crew size/truck count, packing day(s), special handling/crating, parking/elevator details, payment method, and day-of contact numbers.
- Be 80–90% packed.
- Create a “do not pack” zone for the items you are moving personally.
- Prepare a first night kit: Medication, chargers, linens, toiletries, basic tools, and a parts/hardware/remotes box that stays with you.
- Set day-of logistics: Arrange childcare/pet care, line up keys/fobs/elevator pads, and notify neighbors if a moving truck will impact their street or driveway access. Stage the boxes going into the moving truck in one load area.
- Schedule utility/Internet timing: Transfer or start service so power/water/Internet are live by move-in day or the morning after.
Moving Week: Weather forecasts, Appliances Ready, & Final Walkthroughs
- 48–24 hours before: Reconfirm with the mover and property managers (elevator/parking times, dock codes). Check weather forecasts and prepare for snow removal and ice mitigation if necessary. Exchange contact information with the driver, review the staged boxes area, clear pathways, and reserve curb space with your car if needed.
- One day before: Empty/defrost the fridge & freezer (if moving), disconnect appliances/water lines (or have the mover do it), and remove wall-mounted items you're taking with you. List, box separately, and corral valuables/computers & small electronics/meds/, and documents traveling with you.
- Day of origin: Meet the crew for a walkthrough and point out high-priority/unpack-first items and fragile pieces. Protect floors and keep kids and pets out of moving pathways/traffic. Stay available for quick decisions.
- Day of destination: Arrive early to secure parking/elevator, guide placement by placing room labels, and verify inventory counts.
- Clear walkways of snow, ice, or debris.
- Do a final walkthrough before signing the paperwork and making a payment.
Read our "2025 Local Moving Guide: Most Popular Cities and Neighborhoods in Colorado and Utah" for more tips and in-the-know details on popular Colorado and Utah cities.
Final Thoughts: Plan Ahead for a Smooth Move
With the right help, moving will feel more like a fresh start. Eliminate stressful challenges and guesswork. Lean on this guide and use a reputable local moving company.
Ready to start your move? Get a fast, free quote from our trusted local moving company partners in Utah and Colorado.
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