2 Months Before:

6 Week Before:

Finalize real estate or rental needs.

If moving out of town, make travel arrangements and also arrangements for pets.

Notify your children’s schools of the move and contact new schools for enrollment information.

Consult insurance company to find out if changes to policies are necessary.

Gather boxes and other supplies such as tape, bubble wrap and permanent markers. Don’t forget about speciality containers such as dishes or wardrobe boxes.

Start using up the food you have frozen or stored so there will be less to move.

Begin packing the things you infrequently use. While packing note any items that might require additional insurance from your moving company.

 Clearly label and number each box with contents and room it is destined for. This will help you keep an inventory of your belongings.

Keep a box to the side for essentials for items you’ll need right away.

1 Month Before:

Alert utility companies, cable, internet and telephones to disconnect services for the day you move and set up arrange for new services at your new address.

Notify all other important parties about new address this includes banks, brokerage firms, employer, subscriptions and memberships, credit cards, and insurance companies.

Set up a change of address or complete online at Canada Post to forward mail to the new address.

If necessary, arrange for storage in your new community or a moving pod.

Continue with packing and labelling boxes.

Create an inventory list of items and serial numbers of major items and take photos to update your home inventory list.

1 Week Before:

Assemble a first night box or what we like to refer to as the “Moving Day Survival Kit” for essential items like parts, tools, first aid kit, toilet paper, paper towel, hand soap, flashlight, tape measure and a bucket and plunger is always a good idea, also anything else you need to have on hand and easily accessible. Make sure that you take this box; label as Do Not Move.

Continue packing and clean as you go to save time on moving day.

Make arrangements for someone to watch small children and pets on moving day.

Try to use up perishable food items.

Confirm travel arrangements if needed.

Arrange to be off work on moving day.

Pack a suitcase with enough clothes and personal essentials for all family members for a few days. This is especially useful if you are moving out of the city, province or country.

Arrange for any moving blankets or floor protection covers for moving day.

Contact your lawyer if a meeting has not yet been scheduled.  Be sure to bring your Real Property Report with you to the appointment if selling.

2 – 4 days Before:

Continue packing and clean as you go.

Clean fridge and stove, also any other appliances that are staying.

Check your first night box (Moving Day Survival Kit) and make sure you have all the items you will be needing upon arrival at your new home.

Purchase some bottled water and snacks to have on hand for moving day.

Make sure the boxes that you want to take are set aside from the other boxes.

Gather all appliance manuals, mailbox keys, extra house keys and garage door openers for the people moving into your home.

Moving Day:

Accompany the mover as he or she inventories your possessions and makes the condition report, and make sure to keep a copy for your records.

Check every room, closet, cupboards and drawers to make sure nothing is left behind.

Leave all appliance manuals, garage door openers, keys and map to the mailbox, and any other keys or items/info that the future residents will require.

Clean the premise that you are leaving so it is as clean as you would like to find it if you were moving in.

Leave a note with your new address so that the future residents can forward any stray mail.

Lock all windows and doors and turn off all lights.

After The Move:

Verify utilities are working.

Photograph any damage movers may have caused or any other damage to your new property not noticed while doing the walkthrough. Do this immediately.

Make sure all appliances and bathrooms are working.

Confirm mail is arriving at your new address.

Confirm previous utility and any other accounts have received the final bill and been paid.

Update home inventory and take new photos of rooms.

Replace any door locks if required and make at least 2 copies of new keys.

Update any home or renter’s insurance if needed.