“Do I actually have to be standing there the whole time the movers are working?” is a question we hear on almost every estimate call at Two Chicks Moving. Between work schedules, kids, and closing-day paperwork, many Southwest Florida homeowners want to know whether they can hand over the keys and step away. As a mover in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero, and Bonita Springs, here’s the honest answer, plus what to do if you genuinely can’t be there.
Do You Need to Be Present on Moving Day?
Yes, in almost every case, someone 18 or older who knows the plan needs to be on-site at both pickup and delivery. It’s not just etiquette — most moving contracts require an adult present to walk the crew through the home, answer questions about what’s going where, and sign the inventory sheet and bill of lading before and after the job. Skipping this step is one of the fastest ways to end up with items left behind, furniture placed in the wrong room, or confusion about what was already loaded.
A good crew will have real-time questions throughout the day: Is this dresser going upstairs or into storage? Should the patio furniture be wrapped or left as-is? Which boxes are fragile? Without someone available to answer those calls, movers are left guessing — and guessing is how mistakes happen.
What If You Genuinely Can’t Be There?
Life doesn’t always cooperate with moving day. If you can’t be on-site yourself, a few options keep things running smoothly:
- Designate a trusted stand-in. A spouse, family member, or close friend who knows your floor plan and priorities can sign paperwork and make decisions in your place.
- Stay reachable by phone. Keep your phone charged and nearby. A quick call to confirm where a piece belongs is normal and expected — going dark on your crew is not.
- Ask about a project manager for long-distance moves. On multi-day interstate jobs, a reputable long-distance mover often assigns a coordinator who can manage delivery logistics even if you’re traveling separately from your belongings.
- Do a walkthrough before the crew leaves, if at all possible. Even a 10-minute final check of closets, cabinets, and the garage catches most last-minute misses.
For a broader look at what’s expected of homeowners on move day, MoveBuddha’s guide to being present during a move is a solid, independent reference worth reading before you plan to step away.
If you’re mapping out logistics for a move within Southwest Florida, our local moving services page walks through exactly how our crews handle move-day communication, from the initial walkthrough to the final signature.
Local Area Guide: Bonita Springs’ Historic Public Boat Launch Returns at Saltleaf Marina
Good news for anyone settling into Bonita Springs this year: public water access has officially returned to one of the area’s most storied waterfront sites. Saltleaf Marina, a new $8.5 million, 72-slip marina at the end of Coconut Road on Estero Bay, held its ribbon-cutting on June 22, 2026, according to Gulfshore Business’s coverage of the opening. The site was once home to the Weeks Fish Camp, a commercial fishing outpost the Weeks family opened to the public back in 1942 before it closed to make way for new development.
Developer London Bay Development Group, which is building the surrounding 500-acre Saltleaf community, struck an agreement with the city and the Weeks family to keep the marina open to the public in perpetuity — even though it sits within an otherwise exclusive, resort-style neighborhood. Bonita Springs Mayor Mike Gibson called the project “transformational” for the city, noting it gives boaters a closer-to-home alternative to driving out to Lovers Key State Park.
It’s a genuinely feel-good story for new residents: a piece of Old Florida history preserved as public waterfront access in the middle of a fast-growing luxury corridor. If you’re one of the families or businesses relocating to the area, our Bonita Springs movers page has everything you need to know about how we handle local and long-distance moves in and around the city.
Planning a Move in Southwest Florida?
Whether you’re weighing whether you can step out during moving day or you’re just starting to plan a relocation to Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Estero, or Bonita Springs, Two Chicks Moving is happy to walk you through what to expect. Get a free quote and we’ll help you plan a move day that runs smoothly — whether you’re there for every minute of it or not.
