Feeding and Watering the Crew on Moving Day: A Practical Plan

It is two in the afternoon, the wardrobes are down, the sofa is still upstairs and nobody has eaten since breakfast. The helpers are slowing down, someone has sat on a box, and the driver is quietly checking the time. Moving days rarely go wrong because of the heavy furniture. They go wrong because tired, thirsty people start dropping things.

A little planning for water, food and breaks keeps the pace steady and keeps the furniture in one piece.

Water first, always

Carrying wardrobes in Lagos heat is hard work. Buy water before the truck arrives, not when someone is already dizzy.

• Get sachet water or bottled water in a cooler or a bucket of ice if you can.
• Put it somewhere shaded and visible, near the door, so people drink without asking.
• Include the driver. He or she may have driven a long way to reach you.
• Keep a little extra for the offloading end. The new place may not have running water yet.

If the day is long, add a drink with some sugar or salt in it, such as a soft drink or a simple rehydration mix. Do not push strong energy drinks on people who are lifting heavy loads.

Decide the meal before moving day

Do not leave food to the last minute. On the day, the fridge is already empty, the cooker is disconnected and the kitchen is packed in boxes.

1. Decide who is paying for lunch and say so the day before. Helpers who know food is coming do not slip away to look for it.
2. Order something quick and easy to eat standing: rice and stew in packs, bread and eggs, suya, moi moi or small chops.
3. Choose a time. Late morning for a morning start, or after the first load is on the truck, is usually better than waiting until everyone is exhausted.
4. Put the food on a clean surface away from the dust. A table you have not yet packed works, or a clean plastic mat on the floor.

If the move runs into the evening, plan a second round of drinks and a snack.

Schedule short breaks, not long ones

A fifteen minute break is plenty. A two hour lunch can wreck the plan.

• Take the first break after the heaviest pieces are on the truck. That is when arms are tired but the day is not over.
• Take the second break at the drop-off, before the heavy offload begins.
• Ask the driver when he or she would like to eat or rest. Drivers may want to eat on the road or after the truck is empty.

Our guide on working with a loading crew on big moves explains how a crew works best when everyone knows the plan.

Things to keep in a moving day bag

Put these in a bag that stays with you, not on the truck:

• Water and a cup or two.
• Plasters, a small first aid kit and pain relief tablets.
• Wet wipes or a towel so people can clean their hands before eating.
• Cash for small expenses on the day. Agree any payment for helpers with them beforehand.
• A phone power bank, so you can call the driver and the landlord.

Do not forget the basics

Hunger and heat make people careless. Watch for signs that someone needs to stop: sweating heavily, a headache, going quiet or moving slowly. Let them sit in the shade and drink. Do not let anybody lift a heavy piece when they are not well. For lifting itself, read lifting heavy items safely.

Thank the people who carry your things

Say thank you at the end, and settle whatever you agreed. People who feel respected will treat your furniture better. If you are moving again soon, they will remember you.

Keep the plan small

You do not need a feast. You need water within reach, a simple meal at a sensible time and short breaks. If you want to pack in advance, our final 24 hours checklist has the other jobs that should be done the night before.

How to do this on Sphere

Open the Sphere app and choose a truck or a pickup van. Add the pickup and drop-off and describe the load. Propose a price, and nearby verified drivers will accept or send counter-offers, and you choose. Agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept, and tell the driver the plan for the day, including when you expect breaks. Our pages on house moving in Lagos and truck hire in Lagos have more information.