Moving Checklist

4 to 6 weeks before moving out

• Start preparing for your move by creating a new folder for all the paperwork related to your move
• Make a decision on how are you going to move. Are you going to move by yourself or hire professional movers? Consider all options and choose the one that best suits your needs and financial and physical abilities
• Get quotes from moving companies
• Calculate and compare your moving cost
• Decide your moving method (full moving, self-moving, truck rental, etc...)
• Find out about your employer’s moving policy and see if they will cover your moving expenses.
• Research on your new area/city
• Schedule disconnection of utilities from your old place and connections to your new place

• Phone
• Internet
• Electric
• Cable TV
• Water
• Garbage
• Gas

• Arrange moving for your vehicles, pets, plants and valuable objects
• Search online for necessary service facilities near your new place (childcare, grocery stores, pharmacies, etc…)and make a note of them
• If needed, search for temporary lodging (consider furnished vacation rentals)
• Choose a moving company
• Plan the décor of your new house using a sketch or floor planner
• Get rid of unwanted items by holding a garage sale, selling online or donating. Use worn out towels and sheets for packing up valuables or while painting your new place.
• Notify all important contacts about your move:

• Family
• Friends
• Employer
• Accountant
• Others

• Schedule packing, pickup and delivery dates with your moving company
• Acquire a copy of your personal records from doctors, dentists, lawyers, schools, accountants, etc…
• If you haven’t found a new doctor yet, request a referral from your current doctor. After making the selection, arrange to have the medical records transferred. Note that most physicians require you to submit a signed letter before receiving records.
• Buy packing materials if you will be packing yourself
• Decide your travel method to your new home and arrange a transportation
• Boxes
• Tape
• Padding
• Markers
• Labels
• Plan how you will be travelling to your new home, get directions and verify them.

2 to 4 weeks before moving out

• Confirm packing, pickup and delivery schedule with your mover
• Send digital or hard copy moving notification post cards your relatives
• Begin packing up items that will not be essential to you in the weeks approaching your move. Label boxes by room and contents
• Make sure to separate valuable items to move yourself or arrange special moving-pack items in the order you will unpack and place them.
• Transfer your bank or change your branch
• If you have small children or pets, find someone to take care of them on the moving date
• Make a list of all items in your house, take pictures of your major furniture, make notes of existing damages.
• Inform your credit card and insurance companies about your move.
• Arrange pet and plant transportation. Accrue veterinary records and licenses.
• Make sure not to carry any explosive and flammable materials and drain out all gas and oil from power equipment.
• If you will be traveling with your vehicle, take it to service.
• Arrange some cash for unexpected expenses before and after your move.
• Terminate all your local membership and accounts:

• Newsletter
• Housecleaning
• Sport center
• Water delivery
• Others

• Change your address from the post office or online. If Canadian, go to: http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/personal/tools/ecoa/pcoa.jsf
• Make sure all the legal procedures and paper work for your old place as well as your new place is completed

1 to 5 days before

• Reserve parking spot for moving van and get city permission if needed
• If there is an elevator in your building, reserve it for the moving day
• Dissesemble all your furniture, mark the parts and be sure to keep all small parts in one place
• Make sure to have all your paper work for moving and travel (declaration forms, visas etc…)
• Schedule your moving day
• Clean out the house as you are moving
• Clean the freezer and fridge
• Keep your tools handy for moving date
• Put all the items you are moving into one clear area, as close to the door as possible.
• Dispose of any other unwanted items you have come across. Products such as shampoo with a tiny drop left are not worth moving.
• Pack and label all items you have needed up to this point, labeling by room and contents.

Moving out day

• Show mover around and explain them all the boxes and furniture that they should and should not move
• Make sure to leave the house proper for the other tenants
• Check mover’s inventory before signing their bill of landing
• Confirm your new address with your movers and give them directions if necessary
• Check the house again to make sure to take everything needed
• Leave your new contact information to new tenant or landlord so that he or she can forward your mail
• Turn off all the power of and lock all the doors and windows

Moving in day

• Make sure that all your utilities are working
• Inspect the new house, taking notes and pictures of any damages
• Clean the house before movers arrive (if possible)
• Show movers where to place items
• Inspect each delivered item and take pictures, noting all damages and ensuring nothing is missing.
• Unpack your boxes and place their contents in the proper place
• Assemble your furniture, starting from your bedroom

1 to 20 days after moving in

• If necessary, paint and repair your new place
• Check for damages after unpacking
• If there has been any damages to your belongings, claim to the moving company
• Verify the security of your new place
• Change locks and make at least 2 copies of the key
• Verify the smoke alarms
• gather local emergency numbers
• Confirm your mailing address is updated at all institutions and you are receiving your mails to your new address
• Find new doctor, dentist, insurance, etc.