Orders to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, or orders taking you away from it, usually come with a tight timeline and a long to-do list. Whether you’re settling into Fairborn, Beavercreek, or Huber Heights, or heading out of the Dayton area for your next assignment, a local move goes smoother when you plan it in stages. This checklist walks Wright-Patt families through the weeks before a move, the parts of your move a local crew can take off your plate, and what to have ready on moving day.
Herk’s Moving is a veteran-owned local mover at 4182 Kettering Blvd, Moraine, OH 45439. Owner Matt Gwin is a 100% disabled veteran and a University of Dayton alum, so we know what a move on short notice feels like. Our crews are background-checked, and we’re open 6am to 10pm. Ready to talk dates? Request a free quote or call (937) 903-0662.
As soon as you have orders: sort out how your move is handled
Before you book anything, find out which parts of your move the military will arrange and which parts are up to you. Your installation’s household goods or transportation office is the right place to ask, because the rules depend on your orders, your branch, and the type of move.
- Ask whether your move is government-arranged, a personally procured move you handle yourself, or a mix of both.
- Ask what paperwork, weight tickets, or receipts you need to keep, and write the answers down.
- Note any dates you can’t move: report dates, school start dates, and lease end dates.
- Find out the move-in rules at your new home, whether that’s base housing, an apartment, or a house off base.
Many families use a local crew for the pieces that fall outside the main shipment: moving across town into a rental while you wait on housing, loading a rental truck or portable container, or getting help with heavy furniture at either end.
Four to six weeks out: plan the house and the help
- Walk through every room, the garage, and any storage unit, and decide what goes, what gets sold or donated, and what stays in storage.
- Measure large furniture and the doorways and stairways at the new place.
- Book your movers early. The Dayton area gets busy at the end of the month and through the summer, when many military families and students move at the same time.
- Line up childcare or a pet sitter for moving day if you can.
- Start a moving folder for orders, leases, receipts, and school records.
Two to three weeks out: start packing smart
Pack the rooms you use least first: the guest room, basement, holiday decorations, and off-season clothes. Label every box with the room it goes to and a short list of what’s inside. If you’d rather not spend your last weeks taping boxes, our crews can do it for you. See our Wright-Patterson packing and unpacking service.
- Keep uniforms, ID cards, orders, and important documents with you, not in a moving box.
- Photograph electronics before you unplug them so reconnecting is easy.
- Pack a “first night” box for each person: medications, chargers, toiletries, a change of clothes, and bedding.
- Set up mail forwarding and schedule utility shut-off and start dates.
Moving week: confirm everything
- Confirm your crew’s arrival time and both addresses.
- Reserve parking or a loading spot for the truck, and check gate or access rules if your move involves base housing.
- Empty, defrost, and dry the refrigerator if it’s going with you.
- Take apart bed frames and tables you plan to handle yourself, and bag the hardware with the piece.
Moving day: keep it simple
Walk the crew through the house when they arrive and point out anything fragile, anything that isn’t going, and any boxes you’re moving yourself. At the new place, have one person direct boxes to rooms so unpacking starts in the right spot. If you only need muscle for a rental truck or container, our Wright-Patterson loading and unloading crews can handle the heavy lifting while you drive.
Moving around the Wright-Patt area
We move families between the base area and towns across greater Dayton. Learn more about our Wright-Patterson residential moves, or see our local pages for Fairborn, Beavercreek, Huber Heights, and Kettering. You can also browse every town we serve on our service area page.
FAQ
Can Herk’s Moving help if the military is handling my main shipment?
Yes. Families often hire a local crew for the extras, like a short move into temporary housing, loading a truck or container, or moving furniture within the Dayton area. Check with your transportation office about what’s covered before you book.
How far ahead should I book?
As soon as you know your dates. End-of-month and summer weekends fill up first, so earlier is better.
Do you offer packing?
Yes. We can pack the whole house or just the kitchen and fragile items, and unpack at the new place.
When can I call?
We’re open 6am to 10pm. Call (937) 903-0662.
Get a quote from a veteran-owned Dayton mover
From one military family to another, we’d be glad to help with your Wright-Patt move. Request your free quote or call (937) 903-0662 to check dates.