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Moving House

Your Moving Checklist

The Best Moving Checklist (according to actual owners of moving companies)

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So, you are moving.  Congrats!  Either you have been renting and you've decided to become an owner or you are moving to another home.  Some exciting times ahead.  These times can also be stressful and exhausting, but they dont have to.  There is a lot to do and prepare for and you'll be thankful you have this resource.  I've compiled a comprehensive moving checklist and timeline to help make your move a breeze.  This has been vetted by owners of actual moving companies to ensure you are prepared and are making things better and easier for everyone.  This kind of preparation will also help them do what they do better and quicker, saving you time and money. 

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8 WEEKS Prior

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  • Research Movers and/or truck rental companies.  Book in advance.  If you live in and/or are moving into a condo or a place with an elevator, ensure you learn what policies, time range, and what dates are available to ensure that works with them and that the moving company is available.  Ensure the movers have insurance and that you are covered.

  • Leverage the moving company to see how big a truck you will need to limit the number of trips you may need between locations.  Order boxes and related supplies from movers or other hardware stores if you plan on packing yourself.

  • Go through everything you have and purge.  Sell, donate, give away, or throw out all your unwanted items.  Plan a content sale, use Facebook Marketplace or similar.

  • If you are packing yourself, start packing items that you don’t use often first.  All boxes should be taped shut and stackable and clearly labelled on top and side using permanent marker (masking tape or post-it notes typically fall off) with the destination room of the new property and if fragile or not. If you plan on moving difficult or fragile pieces yourself, plan an alternate way to move them. 

  • Request time off from work for moving day.

  • If renting, give notice, as required by law.

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6 WEEKS Prior

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  • Make a record of everything you kept.  Insure them if required.

  • If you didn’t buy boxes and other supplies from your mover, seek free boxes from Restaurants, LCBO for your liquor and wine, Grocery stores – these are often free.  If you don’t find what you need, buy them.  Don’t buy poor quality.  They rip and break making your move a hassle. 

  • Start actively packing up each room as much as you can.  One at a time until you have packed everything you can until right before the move.  Mark boxes accordingly.  Use old linens or towels as free packing supplies.

  • Measure doorways, stairways, and elevators to make sure all your furniture will fit.  If not, disassemble or dispose of them before the move.  Measure twice, move once!

  • To make this easy, pack a little each day.  Don’t leave it till last minute.

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4 WEEKS Prior

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  • Start gathering all your important documents (financial, medical, dental, and legal, etc.) into once place

  • Notify your current home or tenant insurance company of your move and ensure you are covered.

  • Ensure your cable, phone, and internet providers can port over to your new address.  Schedule your service and installation for the first days in your new property.  Also, a good time to negotiate for any new promotions.

  • A good idea to prepare food for the 2 weeks prior and consume all the food in your fridge/freezer/cupboards to limit the food you need to move.  

  • Hire a cleaning company to clean your old property 1 week prior and for new property for the first week or two after.

  • Set-up forwarding and change-of-address with the Post Office and the following where applicable:

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  • Relatives 

  • Friends 

  • Employer

  • Schools, colleges, universities, daycares

  • Landlord (if necessary)

  • Clubs, associations and charities

  • Doctor(s)

  • Dentist

  • Veterinarian

  • Other healthcare specialist(s)

  • Phone, cable, internet, mobility company

  • Electricity / hydro

  • Natural gas

  • Heating fuel company (ask if you receive a deposit refund)

  • Financial institution

  • Credit card companies

  • Insurance companies / broker(s)

  • Lawyer / notary

  • Subscriptions (e.g., newspapers, books, music, loyalty programs)

  • Driver's license

  • Health Card

  • Vehicle registration

  • Canada Revenue Agency

  • Accountant

  • Canada Pension Plan / Quebec Pension Plan

  • Old Age Security

  • Employment Insurance

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2 WEEKS Prior

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  • Recycle or dispose of corrosives, flammables, and poisonous items responsibly.

  • Find babysitters/dog-sitters to keep them safe during the move.

  • Draw a floor plan of the new place and provide to the moving company to know where to put furniture and other items.  Boxes and items should be marked accordingly.

  • Notify any pertinent people of your move.

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1 WEEK Prior

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  • Take down all chandeliers you plan to take with you.

  • Pack an essentials moving-day bag with essentials (phone and charger, change of clothes, toiletries, soap, snacks, toilet paper, paper towels, basic cleaning supplies).

  • Pack the remainder of what was left in each room that you couldn’t pack until closer to your move date.

  • Clean out refrigerator and freezer.  If taking it with you, ensure its empty and clean.

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MOVING DAY!

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  • Set an alarm.  Time flies and you want to give yourself a buffer.

  • Disassemble the remaining bedroom sets.

  • Review directions and plan with mover.

  • Before leaving, check each room carefully.  Close windows.  Turn of Appliances, Lock doors.

  • Have the movers pack the items you need most, last.  That way you will have access to them the quickest.

  • If renting, notify landlord that the property is vacant once you have finished moving out.

  • If you are physically helping the movers, make sure you stay hydrated and nourished.  You may offer the movers something too…they work hard.

  • Once the movers leave, set-up your bed (if they haven’t), unpack your shower curtain and toiletries and get settled in.

  • If you have time, go grocery shopping and replenish.

 

 

1-2 WEEKS After

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  • Get new locks for your doors and make copies for people who you need to give them to.

  • Consider leaving a review for your moving company.

  • If you have unwanted furniture or items as you are settling in, sell, donate, or toss accordingly.

  • Clean the carpets and floors and other important spaces in your home if you didn't hire a service weeks back. 

  • Aim to unpack it all in the first 2 weeks, little by little.

  • Enjoy your new home!

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If you still haven't chosen a great moving company, I can help connect you.  The movers I know are amazing at what they do, are trustworthy, are careful with your stuff, are faster than lightning, and charge a reasonable price.  Give me a call and I'll connect you.  Don't wait long, these guys fill up fast!

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