Preparing the Drop-Off Before an Intercity Truck Arrives: Keys, Access and Who Receives

The truck left Lagos at dawn and will reach Ibadan or Abuja in the afternoon. You are still in the old city finishing the last boxes, the landlord's agent at the new place is not picking calls, and nobody has swept the house. This is how many intercity moves go wrong: not on the road, but at the door.

When the driver arrives after hours on the highway, the drop-off must be ready. A truck that waits at a locked gate loses daylight, and the load sits on the road.

Get a person on site

Someone must be at the new address when the truck arrives. This is the most important point in the whole post. It can be you, a relative, a trusted friend, your new landlord's caretaker or a staff member at your new shop.

That person should:

• have the keys, or know exactly who does
• hold the list of what is arriving
• have your phone number and the driver's number
• know where each room, shelf or storeroom will be

If you cannot be there yourself, say so when you describe the job, and agree with the driver how the handover will work before you accept an offer.

Keys, gates and passes

Sort these out days ahead, not on the day.

1. Collect the keys from the landlord or agent in advance, including the gate key and any padlocks.
2. If it is an estate, ask the estate office what a mover needs: a pass, a deposit, an escort or a time window. Do not assume they match the old estate.
3. Tell the gateman the date, the vehicle type and roughly when the truck will arrive.
4. Write the plate number and the driver's name on a note for the gate.

Our guide on getting past the estate gate goes into this for Lagos, and similar questions apply in Abuja and Ibadan.

Check the access with the vehicle in mind

A truck that carried your load on the expressway may not fit your new street. Before the move day, look at:

• the width of the gate and the height of any overhead cable or tree
• how soft the ground is, especially after rain
• where the truck can stand without blocking neighbours
• how far the carry is from the vehicle to the door

In Ibadan, old compounds and hilly roads can mean a longer carry. In Abuja, estates may have controlled hours. If the truck cannot reach the door, tell the driver early so you can plan for a carry or a smaller vehicle. See moving furniture in Ibadan for local examples.

Clean and clear the space first

A dirty room becomes a dirty load. If you can, have the new house swept and mopped, and any old furniture or rubbish cleared before the truck comes.

• Sweep and mop the floors, so boxes can go straight down.
• Clear the corridor and the stairs of anything that blocks the carry.
• Switch on a light, or bring a rechargeable lamp, because power at a new address cannot be taken for granted.
• Check the water supply, even if only to wash your hands.

Ready to 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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Mark the rooms

Stick a sheet of paper on each door or area with the room name: "Master bedroom", "Kitchen", "Store". Your box labels should match. When the crew carries a box labelled "Kitchen" they should see a sign on the right door. If you have followed our guide on labelling and numbering boxes, this step takes ten minutes.

For shops and offices, mark the floor with tape where heavy shelves, counters or racks will stand.

Plan for late arrival

Long hauls run late. Rain, a breakdown or a slow road can push arrival into the evening. Keep the receiver available until the load is down, and agree a plan with the driver for what happens if the truck arrives after dark. Our guide to overnight stops on a long haul explains what drivers do on the road.

Check the load as it comes off

Have the receiver tick each box against the list. Photograph any damage before the item is carried inside. Agree with the driver at the pickup how offloading help will work, so the same arrangement applies at the other end.

How to do this on Sphere

On the request, put the drop-off address, the name and number of the person who will receive the load, and any gate or estate rules. Describe the access in the load description. Propose a price. Nearby verified drivers accept or send counter-offers, and you choose the offer that suits your timing. Agree loading and offloading help with the driver before you accept.

See also Abuja and Ibadan for the cities Sphere serves, and Lagos to Ibadan: planning a same-day truck trip.