Moving Day

How to organize a move in Spanish

Get a quote, coordinate the movers, and set up utilities — by phone, out loud.

CONVERSATION PACK · 5 LESSONS · B1

Moving means a string of phone calls, and each one rewards being specific. With movers, give the details upfront — un piso de dos habitaciones sin ascensor — and pin down the price: ¿cuánto cobran por hora o es precio cerrado? and ¿el precio incluye el embalaje?. To turn on the power at your new place, the key phrase is quiero dar de alta la luz; for internet, necesito contratar internet, ¿qué tarifas tienen?. Ask about the hidden costs before they surprise you — surprise charges and delays are the real headaches of any move.

Below: the phrases that get you through the calls, the regional words for the everyday things that break on day one, and a way to rehearse the mover call out loud before you make it.

Say this

The phrases that carry the conversation

Getting quotes and hiring movers

Necesito una mudanza para el sábado 15.I need a move for Saturday the 15th.
Es un piso de dos habitaciones sin ascensor.It's a two-bedroom apartment without an elevator.
¿Cuánto cobran por hora o es precio cerrado?How much do you charge per hour or is it a flat rate?
¿El precio incluye el embalaje de los muebles?Does the price include wrapping the furniture?

Coordinating on moving day

Cuidado con esa caja, es frágil.Careful with that box, it's fragile.
Los muebles grandes van en el camión primero.The big furniture goes in the truck first.
¿Pueden subir el sofá por la escalera?Can you carry the sofa up the stairs?
Esta caja va a la cocina y esas al dormitorio.This box goes to the kitchen and those to the bedroom.

Setting up utilities

Quiero dar de alta la luz en mi nueva dirección.I want to set up electricity at my new address.
¿Cuánto tarda en activarse el servicio?How long does it take to activate the service?
Necesito contratar internet, ¿qué tarifas tienen?I need to get internet, what plans do you have?
¿Puedo transferir mi contrato de agua al nuevo piso?Can I transfer my water contract to the new apartment?

Regional Spanish

What locals actually say

Textbooks teach one word. Locals use several — pick your region's and stay consistent.

English	Mexico	Argentina
watch out! (careful)	aguas	ojo
the tap / faucet	el grifo	la canilla
it's dripping / leaking	gotea	pierde
the couch	el sofá	el sillón

Watch out

Mistakes that mark you as a textbook speaker

Not asking about hidden costsAsk explicitly (¿el precio incluye embalaje? ¿hay algún cargo extra por escaleras?)
Forgetting to set up utilities before moving inCall at least a week early (quiero dar de alta la luz para el día 15)
Being vague with movers about fragile itemsLabel and mention them specifically (esta caja tiene cristal, por favor, con cuidado)

The part no phrase list can do

Rehearse it before it's real

Isabella

Your conversation teacher for this pack

In the Moving Day pack, the final lesson is the call you've been putting off — and Isabella runs the moving company: direct, efficient, she's heard every excuse and knows every hidden cost. Your move is this Saturday, there are half-packed boxes around you, and you need a real quote today. You have to give her the apartment details, ask what's included and what costs extra, and lock in the date. Out loud. And she pushes back:

Isabella quotes a base price but mentions a surcharge for stairs (no elevator) — student must ask if that includes embalaje using '¿el precio incluye embalaje?'
She says they can't come Saturday — student must negotiate timing or offer Sunday using 'si no es posible el sábado, ¿qué tal el domingo?'
After the call, student switches to a utility company to dar de alta la luz — must give exact activation date and ask about tarifas

Blank mid-sentence and nothing bad happens — she waits. That's the practice, without unnecessary judgement.

Finish the 5 lessons and Moving Day is yours — earned, not given.

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Quick answers

Questions people ask

How do I get a moving quote in Spanish?

Give the specifics, then ask how they price it: Necesito una mudanza para el sábado, es un piso de dos habitaciones sin ascensor, ¿cuánto cobran por hora o es precio cerrado?

How do I ask about hidden costs?

Be direct — it's expected, not rude: ¿el precio incluye el embalaje? and ¿hay algún cargo extra por escaleras?. Getting it all upfront is exactly what avoids the surprise on the day.

How do I set up electricity and internet at a new address?

For power: quiero dar de alta la luz en mi nueva dirección. For internet: necesito contratar internet, ¿qué tarifas tienen?. And check the timing: ¿cuánto tarda en activarse el servicio?

How do I change my address after moving?

Necesito actualizar mi dirección en el banco, and to save a trip ask ¿puedo hacer el cambio de domicilio por internet?

Something's already broken in the new place — how do I report it?

El grifo de la cocina gotea, ¿a quién llamo? In Argentina you'd say la canilla instead of el grifo. Ask who handles building maintenance.