Renovating an occupied affordable housing property often requires residents’ belongings to be moved between units, placed in storage, or transported off-site temporarily. Coordinating these moves across multiple apartments requires careful planning, clear schedules, and an experienced moving company.

EkoMovers provides professional moving and storage services for affordable housing and multifamily projects. Our role is focused on the physical move: packing when requested, loading, transportation, storage when needed, unloading, and scheduled move-back service.

We do not provide temporary housing, property management, construction, compliance, or tenant-assistance administration. We work alongside the property’s authorized representatives to complete the moving portion of the project.

Here are ten ways property managers, developers, contractors, and project coordinators can prepare for an organized moving process.

1. Determine Which Units Require Moving Services

Begin with an accurate list of the apartments affected during each construction phase. Identify whether each resident’s belongings will be:

• Moved into another unit
• Transported to an approved location
• Placed in temporary storage
• Moved out and returned after construction

This information allows the moving company to estimate the required crew size, trucks, equipment, and storage capacity.

2. Establish a Realistic Moving Schedule

The moving schedule should align with the construction schedule. Build in enough time for packing, loading, transportation, unloading, and unexpected delays.

When several apartments are involved, dividing the work into phases can help keep the property organized and reduce disruption.

3. Assign One Authorized Project Contact

Designate one person to communicate approved schedules, unit lists, access instructions, and changes to the moving company.

A single point of contact helps prevent conflicting instructions and allows the moving crew to concentrate on completing each move safely and efficiently.

4. Document Access Requirements

Before moving begins, confirm important access details, including:

• Elevator availability
• Loading zones
• Parking restrictions
• Stairways and narrow entrances
• Building access hours
• Gate or security procedures
• Certificates of insurance required by the property

Identifying these conditions early helps prevent delays on moving day.

5. Decide Whether Packing Services Are Needed

Some projects require residents or property representatives to pack belongings in advance. Others may require professional packing services.

Clearly define who is responsible for packing, labeling, and preparing belongings before the moving date. If EkoMovers is providing packing services, those requirements should be included in the project estimate and schedule.

6. Create a Clear Labeling System

Each box and item should be labeled with the correct unit number, resident identifier, destination, and project phase.

For multi-unit projects, consistent labeling is essential. It helps prevent items from different apartments being mixed and makes storage and move-back services more organized.

7. Plan Temporary Storage in Advance

When belongings cannot immediately be delivered to their final destination, storage may be required.

Estimate the volume of belongings, anticipated storage period, access requirements, and move-back schedule before the project begins. Storage arrangements should be confirmed before the first unit is moved.

8. Identify Items Requiring Special Handling

Inform the moving company about oversized, fragile, or unusually heavy belongings in advance. Examples may include safes, large furniture, artwork, medical equipment, or items that require disassembly.

Advance notice helps the moving team arrive with the appropriate equipment and personnel.

9. Communicate the Approved Schedule to Residents

Property management should provide residents with the dates, preparation instructions, access expectations, and other project information they need.

EkoMovers follows the moving instructions and schedules authorized by the client. Decisions concerning housing placement, tenant benefits, project eligibility, legal notices, or compliance remain the responsibility of the appropriate property or project representatives.

10. Plan the Move-Back Process

If residents’ belongings will return after renovations, treat the move-back as a separate stage of the project.

Confirm which units are ready, update destination information, inspect access routes, and establish a move-back sequence. The return schedule should only begin after the authorized project representative confirms that the units are available.

What EkoMovers Can Provide

Depending on the project, EkoMovers can assist with:

• Packing and moving household belongings
• Loading and unloading
• Transportation between approved locations
• Temporary storage when required
• Moving belongings between units
• Scheduled move-out and move-back services
• Moving coordination for multiple apartments

EkoMovers does not arrange hotels or temporary apartments and does not provide housing placement, construction management, property management, compliance administration, or tenant-benefit services.

Request a Moving and Storage Estimate

Planning an affordable housing or multifamily renovation project? EkoMovers can evaluate the physical moving and storage requirements and prepare an estimate based on the number of units, schedule, access conditions, packing needs, destinations, and storage requirements.

Contact EkoMovers at (888) 611-2292 or request a quote through our website.