Moving day in Austin

Beat the heat

• Start early and finish the heavy work before mid-afternoon.
• Keep cold water for everyone, including the crew.
• Move candles, vinyl records, electronics, medications and photos in your air-conditioned car, not the truck.
• Have power and AC on at the new home the day before.

Parking and building rules

• Apartments and condos: reserve the elevator and loading dock. Many buildings require the mover's certificate of insurance (COI) in advance.
• Street parking: save space for the truck with your own cars, and tell the neighbors. Older central neighborhoods often have narrow streets.
• HOAs: some limit truck size, move-in hours or where trucks can park.

Traffic

I-35 through central Austin is under major construction, and MoPac and US 183 back up at rush hour. Plan drive times outside 7–9 am and 4–7 pm, and check for event closures downtown and around Circuit of the Americas.

Pack a first-night box

• Phone chargers, medications, glasses and toiletries
• Sheets, pillows and towels
• Toilet paper, paper towels, soap and a few trash bags
• Basic tools, a box cutter and a flashlight
• Pet food and bowls, snacks, water and coffee

Before the truck leaves

• Walk every room, closet, attic and the garage for anything left behind.
• Check the inventory and note any damage on the paperwork before you sign.
• Photograph meters and the empty home for your deposit.