Step-by-step
A practical plan for the job.
- 1
Name the person responsible for decisions
Identify the owner or authorized representative who can approve removal and pricing. If family members, an agent or a property manager are involved, resolve conflicting instructions before the visit. The crew should have one clear decision channel, along with a reachable local access contact if that is a different person.
- 2
Create a room-by-room removal list
Use room names and wide photos to describe included furniture, loose contents and outdoor areas. Mark belongings that stay in both the written list and at the property when possible. Check drawers and boxes for private documents, keys and keepsakes before release. Leave unresolved items outside the approved scope rather than asking the crew to decide their value.
- 3
Arrange secure access and a contact window
Confirm who will unlock the property, any gate or building restrictions and where the truck may park. Share entry details directly with the agreed contact rather than posting them in public project photos. If you are in another time zone, arrange a period when you can answer calls for the onsite review.
- 4
Distinguish a preliminary range from approval
Photos can support an initial range, but they may not reveal packed closets, dense debris or difficult carries. Arrange how the final scope and price will be presented and approved before loading. Tell the crew what to do if additional items appear or the authorized person cannot be reached; do not leave that decision implicit.
- 5
Define the completion evidence
Request completion photos before scheduling and list the areas they should show. Ask the onsite contact to compare cleared rooms with the removal list and verify that retained belongings remain. Photos can document the agreed contents removal; they do not replace a separate inspection for repairs, cleaning or property condition.
- 6
Coordinate the next handoff
Give the removal team the dates for cleaners, repairs, listing photos or key return. A large property may need multiple loads or phases, so confirm the overall completion plan separately from the arrival window. Agree on who secures the property afterward and who receives any follow-up questions about excluded materials.