Moving GuidesOctober 14, 20262 min read

When pickup and delivery dates do not line up

A gap between pickup and delivery dates is easy to plan when you raise it early. Include the dates, the size of the gap, and your storage questions in the first request.

A move can involve two deadlines: the day you must leave the old property and the day the next one can receive your belongings. If there is a gap, include it in your first request to First Choice Moving & Storage. The storage and delivery questions belong beside the inventory, not at the end of the conversation.

Write down the dates you know

Separate fixed dates from preferences. A key handover, a building reservation, and your own travel plans may have different levels of flexibility. Tell the team which dates are confirmed and which may change.

When must the pickup property be empty?
When will you have access to the destination?
Who can receive the delivery if you are not there?
What happens if the destination date changes?

Count the gap in days

Work out how many days sit between the earliest possible pickup and the earliest delivery date. The answer changes how the move is planned. A load can be picked up, held on the truck, and delivered within a few days, or it can be placed in secure storage and delivered in a second trip. A two-day gap and a three-week gap are different jobs with different costs, so give the team the range you are working with instead of a single fixed date.

Identify what you may need during the gap

Keep medicines, personal documents, valuables, keys, chargers, and everyday clothing with you. If you expect to need an item while the rest is stored, say so before arrangements are agreed. Ask how access works and whether a particular item can be retrieved.

Ask about the storage arrangements

Confirm what can be accepted, how belongings should be prepared, which charges apply, and how the final delivery will be arranged. Describe fragile pieces, unusual items, or anything needing special conditions rather than assuming every item can be included. If the delivery date is still open, ask how much notice the team needs to schedule it and whether a holding charge applies for each extra day.

Keep the plan together

Save the agreed inventory, dates, contact details, and scope of work in one place. If a date or address changes, contact the team at (818) 781-5512 and ask for the revised arrangements to be confirmed. That record gives everyone the same starting point.

Updated November 10, 2026

First Choice Moving & Storage

Have a move in mind?

Share your addresses and the help you need.

Request an estimate

Find us on

Public directory profiles

Independent public directory listings; ratings as published by each source.

Customer reviews

Moving experiences with First Choice Moving & Storage

The 2 guys that showed up did a good job keeping our stuff from damage. However, I did see both of them taking a break after only working for 45 minutes. One was smoking, the other was in the truck on his cell phone. I wouldn't call them speedy by any means, but our stuff arrived safely for only going 4 miles away. Their paperwork had the wrong destination address so I'm fortunate that I saw the paperwork or they would have ended up in the wrong place.

The moving crew took fantastic care of our stuff during our move. These guys were the ultimate professionals, timing was impeccable and they helped us get everything set up in our new place. We used The packing crew to pack and unpack, and they took great care of all our fragile and bulky items over two days. Saves us hours and hours of time at a very affordable rate. We love First Choice Moving & Storage

I had a really positive experience with First Choice Moving & Storage. From my first phone call with the coordinator to moving day with the crew, I highly recommend their services. The coordinator was very helpful and knowledgeable, and the crew was timely, professional and efficient. My family is very happy with the service we received.

Quick and professional. Would recommend. First downside however is that we requested a wardrobe and mattress cover for our move, and the move team was underprepared by not having those items (after reviewing the mover’s instructions they were not listed by the relocation consultant). My recommendation for anyone using this service is to have the relocation consultant reiterate what items will be provided by the movers, and to specifically have them listed on the “move notes” and not just the “consultant notes” (you will only see these notes when the movers arrive). Second downside was that the movers were late. We were given an arrival time of 8:15-9:15 and they arrived at 9:35.

The crew was the best. We are thankful for them and all their hard work. Couldn’t have done it without them.

The movers themselves were excellent. Very professional and courteous. They even helped us pack up some odds and ends we missed on the inventory sheet. They were contracted from First Choice Moving & Storage. The office staff was overall okay, but they do not do issue resolution well. You are on your own to figure out a solution. Future moves I would coordinate directly with the contracted movers.