The Complete Moving Day Checklist (Everything You Need to Stay Organized)
Moving day can feel chaotic, but with a clear, step-by-step plan, it becomes far more manageable. Whether you’re moving within Rochester, heading to a nearby suburb like Webster or Pittsford, or relocating long-distance, a checklist ensures you don’t forget important tasks and helps the day run smoothly.
This complete moving day checklist is designed to keep you organized, protect your belongings, and streamline the entire process from start to finish.
Before Movers Arrive (Morning Of)
These steps set the tone for a smooth, efficient day.
1. Wake up early
Give yourself at least an hour before the movers arrive.
Rushing creates stress and delays.
2. Dress appropriately
Wear:
Closed-toe shoes
Comfortable clothing
Weather-appropriate layers (Rochester weather changes quickly)
3. Pack all last-minute items
Your movers should arrive to a fully packed home, except for:
Toiletries
Bedding
Personal bags
Kids’ essentials
Pet items
Place these in your car or a “do not pack” zone.
4. Clear and salt walkways (if winter)
Rochester winters require extra preparation:
Shovel snow
Salt icy areas
Ensure safe, walkable paths
5. Move cars out of the driveway
Give the truck direct access to the home.
6. Secure pets
Pets should stay in:
A closed room
A crate
With a friend for the day
This keeps them safe and reduces stress.
7. Do a final walkthrough
Check:
Closets
Cabinets
Drawers
Basement storage
Garage shelves
Outdoor areas
When Movers Arrive
8. Walk them through the home
Point out:
Fragile items
Specialty pieces
Items that need disassembly
Items going to storage
Areas to be cautious around
Clear communication saves time.
9. Identify “Do Not Load” items
Examples include:
Wallets
Keys
Medications
Important documents
Phones and chargers
Valuables
Laptops
Baby supplies
Place these in your vehicle immediately.
10. Keep pathways clear
Ensure nothing blocks:
Hallways
Staircases
Entryways
Movers need safe, unobstructed routes.
11. Protect floors if needed
Most movers bring floor runners, but you can add:
Towels
Cardboard
Mats at entry points
During the Move (Packing the Truck)
12. Stay available
Movers may need:
Clarification
Decisions about certain items
Access to locked rooms
13. Keep kids occupied
Set up:
A tablet
Games
A quiet play area
Or have a relative watch them.
14. Monitor temperature-sensitive items
Items to watch in Rochester weather:
Electronics (cold or humidity)
Plants (temperature changes)
Candles or toiletries (heat)
Transport these in your own car when possible.
15. Do not pack cleaning supplies inside boxes
Most movers cannot load:
Bleach
Ammonia
Chemicals
Flammables
Aerosols
Keep these separate.
16. Check the home as rooms empty
Do a quick sweep of each room as movers finish it:
Behind doors
Inside closets
Under beds
Basement corners
Garage shelves
Before Leaving Your Old Home
17. Final home walkthrough
Check every space:
Attic
Basement
Garage
Shed
Closets
Cabinets
18. Turn off all lights
Check for:
Lights
Ceiling fans
Porch lights
19. Close and lock all windows and doors
20. Leave keys or garage openers as required
When Arriving at Your New Home
21. Direct movers where items should go
Label rooms or point them out:
Primary bedroom
Kids’ rooms
Basement
Garage
Clear direction speeds up unloading.
22. Have a floor plan ready (optional but helpful)
Knowing where major pieces go prevents constant rearranging.
23. Unpack essentials first
This includes:
Bedding
Bathroom items
Children’s necessities
Medications
24. Inspect furniture and boxes
If anything is damaged, note it immediately and photograph it.
25. Keep pathways clear during unloading
26. Set up beds early
Moving day is exhausting. Having beds ready ensures everyone can rest.
After Movers Leave
27. Unpack strategically
Priority rooms:
Bedrooms
Bathroom
Kitchen
28. Break down boxes as you go
Reduces clutter and keeps space manageable.
29. Check utilities
Confirm:
Water
Power
Internet
Heat / AC
30. Update your address
Update:
USPS
Banks
Insurance
Amazon
Subscriptions
31. Explore your new neighborhood
Especially important if you moved to a new Rochester suburb.
Make Moving Day Easy with Roc City Movers
Roc City Movers provides:
Full-service and labor-only moving
Packing services
Disassembly and reassembly
Clean trucks and equipment
Experienced crews
Transparent pricing with no surprises
We help homeowners, families, and renters throughout Rochester and Monroe County move with confidence.
Contact us today or use our pricing estimator to schedule your move.
