A Homeowner’s Guide to Moving in the Rochester Suburbs (Pittsford, Fairport, Webster, Brighton & Beyond)

Jul 25

Moving from one house to another in the Rochester suburbs is very different from moving out of an apartment downtown. Most suburban homes have larger layouts, heavier furniture, multiple floors, garages full of belongings, and long driveways — all of which create more complex move days.

Whether you’re moving within Pittsford, settling into a new home in Fairport, or relocating across Webster, this guide will help you prepare for an efficient, stress-free suburban move.

Why Suburban Moves Are Different in Rochester

Homeowners in Monroe County tend to have:

Larger square footage
Finished basements full of storage
Attics, crawl spaces, and garages with years of accumulation
Heavy furniture such as sectionals, china cabinets, armoires, and king beds
Multi-level homes with long staircases
Outdoor furniture, grills, lawn equipment, and seasonal items

These factors make suburban moves more time-intensive than city moves.

1. Plan for Larger Furniture and Multi-Level Homes

In neighborhoods like Pittsford, Penfield, and Victor, it’s common for homes to have:

Oversized sectionals
Heavy solid-wood furniture
King-size beds
Large dressers and chests
Pelotons, treadmills, or home gyms
Dining sets with hutches or buffets

These items require:

Extra movers
Disassembly
Special handling
More time for safe loading

If your home has multiple floors, plan ahead for navigating staircases, especially curved ones common in older Brighton homes.

2. Prepare Your Basement, Attic, and Garage

Basements in Rochester suburban homes often hold years of belongings, including:

Holiday décor
Tools
Shelving units
Old furniture
Seasonal clothing
Kids’ toys
Craft supplies
Gym equipment

Garages typically include:

Lawn mowers
Snow blowers
Bicycles
Power tools
Storage bins
Sports equipment

Sort and declutter these areas early. These spaces take longer to pack than any other part of the home.

Tips for these areas:

Use sturdy bins instead of worn cardboard boxes.
Label everything clearly (holiday, tools, keepsakes, etc.).
Remove fuel from lawn equipment.
Group like items together before movers arrive.

3. Account for Long Driveways and Private Roads

Many suburban neighborhoods in Webster, Greece, and Penfield have:

Long driveways
Narrow private roads
Limited areas to turn trucks around
Sloped or icy driveways in winter

These factors can slow loading and unloading.

If your driveway is long, icy, or steep, schedule extra time. Clearing snow and using salt before the movers arrive prevents delays and hazards.

4. Protect Your Home’s Floors and Entryways

Suburban homes often have hardwood, tile, or new carpet that homeowners want to protect.

Professional movers should use:

Floor runners
Door jamb protectors
Masonite sheets
Carpet protection film
Rubber-backed mats

This is especially important in:

Newly renovated kitchens
Finished basements
Homes with wood staircases
New-construction neighborhoods

5. Understand Timing and Scheduling in Suburban Moves

Suburban moves usually require more time because of:

Larger home sizes
Increased number of boxes
More furniture
Greater distances between rooms and truck
Outdoor furniture and garage items

Typical suburban move durations:

1,500–1,800 sq ft home: 4–6 hours
1,800–2,200 sq ft home: 6–8 hours
2,200–3,000+ sq ft home: 7–10 hours
3,000–4,000+ sq ft home: 8–12 hours

Booking an early morning start ensures your movers maximize daylight and efficiency.

6. Keep Weather in Mind When Moving in the Suburbs

Rochester’s weather can affect suburban moves more than city moves due to:

Longer outdoor walkways
Exposed driveways
Detached garages
Uneven or icy pathways

Seasonal considerations:

Summer: heat slows heavy lifting; hydration is important.
Fall: leaves cause slippery conditions.
Winter: ice on driveways; snow accumulation.
Spring: muddy lawns and wet walkways.

Prepare your property by clearing walkways and keeping pets inside during the move.

7. Identify Specialty Items Ahead of Time

Many Rochester homeowners own items that require planning, such as:

Pianos
Safes
Vaulted cabinets
Peloton bikes
Large TVs
Sleeper sofas
Hot tubs (requires separate service)

Providing a list of specialty items ahead of time allows the movers to bring proper tools, manpower, and equipment.

8. Label and Organize Your Boxes by Room

With suburban homes being larger, clear labeling saves a significant amount of time.

Tips:

Label each box with the room name.
Use color-coded tape if possible.
Keep fragile items grouped together.
Place the heaviest boxes near the front door ahead of time.

The more organized your home is, the faster and cheaper your move will be.

9. Communicate Your Closing Timeline

Many Rochester homeowners are juggling:

Same-day closings
Back-to-back moves
Temporary storage
Staging furniture
Tight deadlines

Movers can help coordinate logistics to ensure everything fits your schedule. Let your moving company know if you’re:

Moving in stages
Closing on two homes the same day
Using storage
Need items delivered to multiple locations

10. Hire Experienced Suburban Movers

Suburban homes require:

More manpower
Proper equipment
Knowledge of local neighborhoods
The ability to navigate tight driveways and heavy furniture

Roc City Movers handles suburban moves weekly throughout Pittsford, Fairport, Webster, Brighton, Penfield, Victor, and Greece.

Planning a Move in the Rochester Suburbs?

Roc City Movers provides a smooth, safe, and stress-free moving experience for homeowners across Monroe County and surrounding suburbs.

We offer:

Full-service and labor-only moving
Professional packing
Experienced crews
Clean trucks and equipment
Transparent pricing with no surprises

Patrick Cicchetti