Even if everything seems to be going according to plan, moving can be stressful. It doesn’t matter if you’re moving from an apartment to a condo or a house, there’s still moving to deal with, boxes to haul, packing materials to collect, and chaos.

Moving to a new home is a major event in your life and requires preparation. To make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible on moving day, you need to remember to maintain your manners at all times when it comes to dealing with frustrated family members and the moving company.

Moving etiquette is more important than you think. One thing you should do to keep the peace with your neighbors if you can (both old and new) is to let them know when the move is expected to arrive at each location. When the mover shows up, make sure the place where they park and where they load and unload doesn’t block anyone else’s entrance. It is also essential that movers do not cross other people’s lawns or trespass on other people’s property. Be sure to emphasize this to them when they introduce themselves to start working for you. Moving etiquette involves respecting other people’s property as well as their privacy.

If you are doing a local move and have the option to choose when you can move, then it is recommended to choose the time of 9 or 10 am for the movers to arrive. This is because a lot of people work a 9 am to 5 pm or 8 am to 4 pm workday and will already have left for work by the time the moving truck arrives. This causes less disruption and inconvenience for neighbors and is something that those who live nearby will appreciate.

Those who have pets should make arrangements before moving day arrives to have them cared for in a different location. Find out if a trusted family member or friend can care for your pets while you’re moving. Not only is moving from one house to another stressful for a cat or dog, but doors are constantly opening and closing and people are everywhere, which can be unsafe. You don’t want your beloved pet to get hurt or wander off in the confusion of moving. You also don’t want to make the removal company’s job even more difficult.

Provide cold drinks and snacks to people who are moving your property. While it’s not an absolute necessity to do this, people on the go are doing physical labor and are bound to be hungry and thirsty throughout the day. During the summer keep bottles of water, juices and soft drinks on hand. During the colder months, have coffee and hot chocolate ready.