You have driven across the city, the load has held, and the customer is waiting at the gate. This is where a good job can still go wrong. Rushed offloading is where wardrobes get scratched, fridges tip and backs get hurt.
Loading gets most of the attention. Offloading deserves the same care, because everyone is tired and the finish line looks close.
Stop and look before you open the tailgate
Park where you can, then walk to the door before you touch the load. Look at what the customer will have to deal with:
- the path from the vehicle to the door, and whether it is clear
- steps, slopes, drains and loose paving that can trip a carrier
- gates, doorways and stairwells, and whether the big items will fit
- where the customer wants things placed
If the path is blocked by a parked car or building material, ask for it to be cleared first. Do not carry a freezer through a gap you would not squeeze a wardrobe through.
Confirm who is helping
Before anything leaves the vehicle, check what was agreed in the app. Loading and offloading help is something the customer and driver agree before the offer is accepted, so do not assume extra hands or demand them at the gate.
If the load is heavier than you and the customer can handle safely, say so early and calmly. It is better to wait for two more people than to attempt a heavy lift on your own. Our guide on lifting heavy items safely covers technique in more detail.
Offload in a sensible order
A load that went on in a good order should come off in a good order. In practice:
- Take off the last things loaded first: bags, bedding, light cartons on top.
- Remove straps, ropes and tarpaulins, and fold them away so nobody trips on them.
- Offload tall and awkward pieces next, such as wardrobes, mattresses and tables, while the vehicle is still stable.
- Take the heavy items such as fridges, freezers and generators with enough people and a clear route.
- Finish with whatever was at the front of the bed.
Keep fridges, freezers and gas cylinders upright all the way. Never let a fragile box be the thing someone carries one-handed.
Protect the floor, the doorways and the item
Customers notice marks on walls and floors almost as much as damage to furniture. Walk the route and check how wide it is. Lift furniture instead of dragging it. Tilt a wardrobe carefully through a door instead of forcing it. A folded blanket under the corner of a heavy item saves a lot of arguments.
If something will not go through a doorway, do not force it. Stop and talk with the customer about options, such as removing a door, taking a panel apart or using another entrance.
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Count and confirm before you leave
Before you go, do a quick count with the customer. Go through the list in the request and check each large item and the number of cartons or bags. If something is missing or marked, discuss it there, while both of you are looking at the vehicle.
Check the vehicle bed for anything left behind: loose straps, a lamp shade, a bag pushed to the front. Then ask the customer to confirm that everything has been delivered.
Our post on what to do when a move goes wrong explains how both sides can handle a problem calmly.
Handle the awkward moments
Customers sometimes change their minds about where things go once you are at the door. A calm response goes a long way. Confirm the new place, check the route, then carry on.
If the customer adds extra items at the last minute, or the access turns out different from the request, speak up before offloading, not after. The best moment to sort out a changed job is before anything has left the vehicle.
Look after yourself
Drink water, stretch your back and wear sturdy shoes. If you are the only driver, take a short break between loading and the long drive, and again before offloading. Tired people drop things.
How this fits Sphere jobs
On Sphere, the customer's request lists the load, and you can accept the proposed price or send a counter-offer based on what you see. If the access or load is different from the request on the day, tell the customer clearly and agree the next step. Drivers who offload carefully and confirm the count tend to build a reputation for reliability. See drive and earn with Sphere for how joining works.
Frequently asked questions
Do drivers have to carry items inside the house?
Not automatically. Loading and offloading help should be agreed with the customer before the offer is accepted.
Which items should come off the vehicle first?
The last things loaded, usually light cartons and bags. Then tall pieces, then the heaviest items with enough people.
What if a big item will not fit through the door?
Stop and discuss options with the customer instead of forcing it. Removing a door or taking the item apart may help.
Should I count items at the drop-off?
Yes. A quick count against the request with the customer present settles most questions before you leave.
What if the access is different from the request?
Say so before offloading and agree the next step with the customer. Do not wait until the work is done.
Request your move
Request a truck or van on Sphere
Choose your vehicle, propose your price, and verified drivers in Lagos, Abuja and Ibadan accept or send a counter-offer.
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