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Everything comes together on moving day, when a flood of last-minute details can seem overwhelming and the trip to your new home looms in front of you. Being prepared ahead of time for the little things and having a plan for surviving your trip can get you through this crucial event.

Confine your pets

If your dog is frenzied because of the moving day activity, confine it somewhere away from the action. Movers shouldn't have to confront a snarling dog (or worse, trip over it) each time they return for another box.

Provide refreshments

If it's a hot day, you should set out water and snacks for the movers. On cold days, offer them hot chocolate and coffee. If your friends are helping you move, be sure to provide food for lunch and dinner as well as refreshments during the day.

Be considerate to your neighbors, old and new

Make sure the moving truck doesn't block a neighbor's driveway. Don't block the sidewalk with furniture waiting to be loaded. Make sure the movers don't walk over your neighbor's lawn or through their flowerbeds. Try to move during the daytime, but not too early or too late. Don't leave trash, unwanted furniture or other debris on the sidewalk. Place it in proper containers, and if it begins to overflow, go to the local dump.

The Golden Rule of moving

You should leave your old house as clean as you would like to find your new house. Clean as much as you can before moving day, and then make a final check after everything is out.

Finishing up

Be available to answer any questions your movers may have, which means staying around until they're finished. Professional movers will ask you to sign a bill of lading and check an inventory sheet when they are done loading the truck. The bill of lading is a government document required for transport services to move your personal property. Read both documents carefully before signing. If you're satisfied with the way the movers handled your possessions, it's customary to tip the movers about $20 each, giving them more or less depending on the difficulty of the move and the quality of service you received. If your friends helped, provide food and drinks for a post-move celebratory meal.

Routes to success

Whether you're driving a rented moving van or meeting the professional vanline driver at your new residence, you'll be better prepared on moving day if you plan ahead for the trip from your old home to your new one.

The route taken by a huge truck may be different than the one you would normally take in your car because of size and weight restrictions or obstructions such as a low bridge or overhanging trees.

Plan ahead as much as you can. If possible, drive the route before moving day arrives, watching for obstacles and noting the time it takes to travel the route at a reasonable pace. If you can't drive the route, buy a good map or visit a web site like Mapblast or MapQuest and chart the route that the truck will take. Before you depart, contact each state's department of transportation to inquire about road construction along your planned route. %