Rochester Moving Guide

ROCHESTER MOVE TIMELINE

A practical Rochester moving checklist, from four weeks out to your first week home

A move gets easier when the time-sensitive tasks are separated from the ones that can wait. Use this as a planning list, then confirm the details with your building, utility, mover, and local government.

Four weeks out: make the move measurable

  • Choose a target date and a backup window.
  • Inventory large, fragile, and unusually heavy items.
  • List origin/destination access: stairs, elevators, parking/loading, long carries, and doorways.
  • Request estimates using the same information for each mover.
  • Ask your current and future building about move-hour rules, elevator reservation, and insurance requirements.

Two to three weeks out: reserve lead-time services and start packing

  • Confirm the mover, scope, arrival window, and day-of contact in writing. If you are renting a truck or arranging labor-only help, reserve it early—busy weekends and move-in dates can fill up well in advance.
  • Start packing nonessential belongings now: off-season clothes, décor, books, rarely used kitchen items, and guest-room contents. Use small boxes for dense, heavy things such as books and large boxes for light bedding, pillows, and linens. Read the detailed packing plan.
  • Arrange your energy-service move. RG&E provides an online path to start or stop service; confirm the date, account details, and any instructions for your address. Start or stop RG&E service.
  • Schedule the services that make the new home usable on arrival: electricity, water where applicable, and internet. Confirm both the shutoff or transfer date at the old address and the activation or installation window at the new one.
  • Submit a USPS change-of-address request before the move date. USPS recommends planning ahead and allowing up to two weeks; forwarding mail does not update your address with government agencies, banks, insurers, or other senders. Start USPS mail forwarding.
  • Decide whether you need packing help, materials, temporary storage, or only loading/unloading labor.
  • Notify friends, family, employers, and recurring service providers of the new address as appropriate.

One week out: prevent last-minute access and unpacking problems

  • Reconfirm truck access, parking/loading instructions, entry codes, and elevator reservation. Ask who will meet the crew and how to reach them if the schedule changes.
  • Label every box with its destination room and a short contents note. Put the label on the top and at least two sides so it can be read when boxes are stacked. Number boxes and keep a master list on your phone for anything you may need to locate quickly.
  • Pack a clearly marked “Open First” box or tote with medication, toiletries, chargers, snacks, basic kitchenware, toilet paper, a flashlight, and first-night supplies. Keep documents, jewelry, cash, and expensive electronics with you rather than in the truck.
  • Measure large furniture against the new home’s doorways, turns, stairwells, elevator, and room dimensions. Tell the mover before move day if an item needs disassembly or may be a tight fit.
  • If you are moving within the City of Rochester, check your collection day before placing refuse out. The City says bulk household items may be placed out on the normal collection day; its on-demand service may be useful when a tenant move-out creates a larger volume or a different pickup date is needed. City refuse and on-demand pickup details.
  • Do not obstruct the sidewalk, street, or loading area with boxes or debris.

Move day: document, direct, and protect the essentials

  • Walk through both addresses before loading and after unloading. Keep your inventory, estimate, crew contact, and move-day notes accessible.
  • Point out specialty items, fragile boxes, destination rooms, and the “Open First” box before loading begins. Make sure the person with the keys and documents is not separated from them.
  • Photograph any pre-existing damage or an issue that needs follow-up, then use the mover’s stated process.
  • If friends are helping, assign specific tasks and avoid solo lifting of heavy or awkward furniture. A clear plan and enough help are safer than rushing.

First ten days after a permanent New York move

  • New York requires people with a New York driver license, permit, non-driver ID, or vehicle/boat/snowmobile registration to report a permanent residence change to DMV within 10 days. Read NY DMV address-change guidance.
  • If you are registered to vote and your address has changed, check the nonpartisan registration-update guidance from the Monroe County Board of Elections. It explains online, mail, and in-person update options and publishes current election-specific deadlines. Monroe County voter-registration guidance.
  • Unpack safety and essential items first, then review your utility account, refuse/recycling schedule, and any building move-out requirements.