A smooth move is mostly about timing. When the big tasks are spread out over a few weeks, move day becomes much less stressful. This checklist walks you through what to do from eight weeks out to the day itself, with a few notes specific to Rochester.
8 weeks before
- Set your moving date and decide on your budget
- Call movers for quotes, especially if you are moving in summer or at the end of the month
- Start a moving folder for quotes, receipts and documents
- Walk through each room and decide what to keep, sell, donate or recycle
6 weeks before
- Book your movers and confirm the date in writing
- Decide whether you want packing help for the whole home or just the kitchen and fragile items
- Start selling or donating furniture you will not take
- Measure large furniture and the doors and stairs at the new home
4 weeks before
- Get boxes, tape and paper, or ask your mover about supplies
- Start packing rooms you use least: guest rooms, basements, storage
- Label each box with the room and a short list of contents
- Submit a change of address with the postal service
- Schedule utility shut-off and set-up for both homes
2 weeks before
- Reserve elevators or loading zones if you live in an apartment building
- Ask your building if movers need a certificate of insurance
- Use up frozen food and pantry items
- Arrange care for kids and pets on move day
- Plan how you will move valuables, documents and medications yourself
1 week before
- Finish packing everything except daily essentials
- Confirm the arrival time and details with your movers
- Take apart furniture you are comfortable handling
- Defrost the freezer and clean out the refrigerator
- Pack an essentials bag: chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, snacks
The day before
- Finish the last boxes and tape them closed
- Empty drawers of loose and fragile items
- In winter, clear and salt the walkway and driveway
- Make sure there is parking for the truck as close to the door as possible
Move day
- Walk the crew through the home and point out fragile or special items
- Keep your essentials bag, valuables and documents with you
- Do a final walk-through of every room, closet and cabinet
- At the new home, tell the crew where large furniture goes
- Check the beds are set up so everyone can sleep well that night
Rochester notes
End-of-month dates and the weeks around college move-in and graduation are the busiest times in Rochester, so book early for those. Winter moves are common and safe with the right preparation, but clear snow before the crew arrives. If you are moving into an older home with narrow stairs, measure big items before you move them.
Planning an apartment move? See our apartment moving service. Need help with the heavy lifting only? Our moving labor service loads rental trucks and containers.
Ready to set a date? Call Moving Company Rochester, your movers in Rochester, NY, at (585) 555-0183.