6 Weeks Before Moving Day
- Start a file for moving related expenses, and get ‘Tax Information on Moving Expenses’
- Separate all items that you won’t be moving and plan a garage sale or phone your favorite charity to make a donation
- Prepare an inventory list of items you will be moving
- Determine ‘replacement value’ for insurance purposes
- Start Packing. Packing always takes longer than expected
- While packing, put valuables in a safety deposit box or in a place for safe keeping
- Clarify payment details with your movers and verify which expenses your company will pay
3 to 4 Weeks Before Moving Day
- Notify the post office that you are moving
- Notify subscriptions, memberships and credit card companies of your change in address
- Contact utility companies, phone, heat, water, cable and make arrangements for deposit refunds and shut-off dates
- Make arrangements for any medical, dental and veterinary records to be transferred
- Notify your children’s school and make arrangement for records
- Collect any necessary legal records
- Return things that you borrowed and collect items you loaned out
- Movers typically don’t move plants; therefore, make special arrangements for your plants
- Plan your meals and use up food in the freezer and pantry
2 Weeks Before Moving Day
- Contact your accountant regarding transferring your funds and don’t forget RRSPs and brokerage accounts
- Open bank accounts in your new town and arrange the transfer of your funds
- Verify your moving estimate
- Dispose of any combustibles and drain all power tools of fuel and oil
- Pack a personal bag of what you will need in transit
- In a special box, pack items you will need immediately after you move and mark the box ‘DO NOT MOVE’
- Pack a small tool box for last minute tasks
- If your home has sold, cancel all newspapers and services such as lawn or pool care
- Clean area rugs and clothing
- Pack a briefcase with all important documents you may need
1 Week Before Moving Day
- Prepare appliances for moving. Deforst freezer and clean refrigerator
- Service your automobiles
- Set aside instruction manuals on the home for new owners
- Pick up any dry cleaning or anything that is out for repair or service
1 Day Before Moving Day
- Remove all valuables from your safety deposit box
- Check on utility service at new address and arrange to have them on when you arrive
- Ship or give away all perishable and frozen foods
- Mark the boxes you need as soon as possible with ‘OPEN FIRST’
- Leave mirrors and pictures on walls for movers to pack
MOVING DAY
- Ensure you have access/keys to your new home
- Stay at your home until the movers have left
- Take a final tour of the home/yard to make sure you have not forgotten anything
- Carefully review the inventory sheet and Bill of Lading before you sign it
- Confirm your drivers’ delivery address and date
- Inform your neighbors that the house is empty
- Lock all doors and windows
- Leave your keys and garage door openers with the new owners or your realtor
Upon Arrival of Your New Home
- Examine your furniture and possessions as they are unloaded. Open all boxes and make a note of any damage
- For gas service, check pilot light on stove, hot water heater and furnace
- Have your locks re-keyed
- Locate your local post office and pick up any mail being held for you
- Notify people of your new address
- Contact your Motor Vehicle Branch for a change of address on your driver’s license
- Register your vehicles
- Register your children into school
- Collect emergency phone numbers and address of your nearest hospital
- Transfer your insurance to a local agent
