Home Relocation
Roadmap

Moving your organization with as little downtime as possible.

Helping Your Family Move

1st Class Moving and Storage has over 25 years in the moving industry, so we have answers to questions you might have before, during, and after your move. We have dealt with many different situations related to packing, moving, house settlements, walkthroughs, and overnight storage, just to name a few.

Moving Tips

As you start your process, here are some tips for you to get things going, but remember that we are always here to answer your questions and to give you a step up.

Start Early

Most people underestimate how much they have and find themselves rushing to pack everything. Starting your planning and packing process early is the best thing you can do. To help figure out how much time you might need, it takes approximately four to five hours to pack a dorm room.

Label Clearly

Mark every box with its room, contents, and unpacking priority. Clear labels reduce confusion on move day and help your crew place items where they belong from the start.

Pack Essentials

Set aside one box or bag for the first 24 to 48 hours with chargers, toiletries, documents, basic cookware, and clothes so you can settle in without opening every box.

Protect Valuables

Keep passports, medications, jewelry, laptops, chargers, and signed paperwork with you instead of packing them onto the truck. The more essential the item is, the less you should separate from it.

Plan the First Night

Think through the first evening at the new home before you start loading boxes. Fresh sheets, towels, paper goods, snacks, and cleaning supplies will make the first night much easier.

Check the Checklist

Here's a helpful breakdown of how you want to divide up your pre-moving plans. Following this plan will help before the movers arrive at your home. Feel free to print this information so you can check off items as you go.

Phase 01

6 Weeks Before Moving

Create a master moving binder with contracts, timelines, and room lists.
Book your move date and confirm closing or lease timelines.
Walk through each room and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard.
Research school, utility, and change-of-address requirements.
Measure large furniture and note any tight doorways, stairs, or elevators.
Request estimates and reserve the moving company that fits your timeline.

Phase 02

5 Weeks Before Moving

Begin packing non-essential rooms, seasonal items, and decor.
Collect specialty supplies for fragile items, wardrobes, and electronics.
Label boxes by room and write a short contents summary on each side.
Create a move-day plan for children, pets, and valuables.

Phase 03

4 Weeks Before Moving

Confirm service start and stop dates for utilities, internet, and subscriptions.
Update your address with banks, insurance, schools, doctors, and deliveries.
Set aside documents and high-value items you will move personally.
Plan food use-up and freezer clean-out to reduce what must be transported.

Phase 04

3 Weeks Before Moving

Pack guest rooms, storage spaces, books, and off-season clothing.
Use extra padding for artwork, mirrors, heirlooms, and breakables.
Disassemble furniture you will not need before move day and keep hardware labeled.
Confirm parking, elevator reservations, and building access for both addresses.
Arrange care plans for children and pets during loading and unloading.
Prepare an essentials kit with toiletries, medications, chargers, linens, and snacks.
Keep cleaning supplies accessible for your final walkthrough.

Phase 05

2 Weeks Before Moving

Reconfirm the move schedule and arrival windows with your crew.
Finish packing most everyday rooms, leaving only daily-use items out.
Defrost and clean refrigerators or freezers if they are being moved.
Separate donation, trash, and items staying behind so nothing is loaded by mistake.
Review your inventory and note any fragile or priority items.

Phase 06

1 Week Before Moving

Pack a first-night box for bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen basics, and pet supplies.
Refill prescriptions and gather important medical, school, and moving documents.
Charge phones, back up devices, and photograph electronic setups before disconnecting them.
Complete the final address-change checklist and confirm keys or access codes.
Walk the new home if possible and plan where major furniture should go.

Moving Day

Keep essentials, documents, jewelry, and medications with you.
Do a final walkthrough of every room, closet, cabinet, and storage area.
Guide the crew through fragile items, high-priority rooms, and destination notes.
Check inventory as boxes and furniture are loaded and unloaded.
Review paperwork and confirm nothing is left behind before departure.

On Arrival at New Home

Check Everything Again

Place boxes by room and start with bedrooms, bathrooms, and the kitchen.
Check utilities, internet, smoke detectors, and major appliances right away.
Assemble beds and unpack first-night essentials before decorative items.
Inspect furniture and cartons for any issues and note them promptly.
Break down empty boxes gradually and keep your move binder until everything is complete.

The Highest Level of Care

Whether your company is moving across town or across the country, you can count on 1st Class Moving and Storage to provide you with the highest level of care and service.

Get Your Free Moving Quote Today

Home RelocationRoadmap