Do you move furniture or are you talking just knick knacks? I was mainly talking furniture and inexpensive things. I move these things to avoid the risk of breaking them and turning in an insurance claim.
Most times they move everything away and back. Unless it is someone older than I might move something larger if it’s in the way.
All this talk about should I/ should they - I always assume I’ll be moving it anyway & it’ll be in the price. If they specifically mention a fine item, I will probably say “could you put that somewhere safe”.
Exactly,
Its a great selling tool as well! I have done quotes and people will ask me if they need to remove curtains, blinds, couches and things. I tell them that we will do it for you within reason. They looked relieved when I tell them. I dont want to put them to work before I get there.
I usually ask them if they want me to dust the items before I replace them.
I did a unit the other day and the guy had a single bed under the second bed room window with all his nicely folded washing on it
Most people have wardrobes he had a bed-robe lol (his words not mine) and I said I would help him move the bed so I didn’t disturb his things
He insisted I work over it NOT! After explaining the process of gravity and the flow mechanics of water he agreed we move the bed
We just need to ask ourselves who is the professional?
If it was the customer they wouldn’t be paying us to do the job right
So as not to break a Tiffany lamp OUCH!
I think I would ask the customer for their help to move it all 
Even if you help them put it back
Then I would send them a thank you card for helping do my job
Couldn’t you have simply covered the bed-robe with professional towels or professional drop-cloths?
You didn’t see the pile of clothes
It was more “professional” to move the bed
