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moving guide / moving checklist

• Establish a Budget: Create a moving budget spreadsheet to monitor expenses.
• Secure a Moving Company: The sooner you receive a quote, the better chance you have of securing your preferred date.
• Confirm Insurance: Ensure your movers have proper insurance coverage.
• Arrange Time Off: Notify your workplace of your moving day to secure time off.
• Coordinate with School: Confirm your children are enrolled and have start dates at their new school.
• Plan for Special Items: Develop a moving plan for delicate or large items (e.g., fragile items, pianos, hot tub).
• Document Valuables: Begin an inventory sheet for valuable items prior to the move.
• Organize Your Closet: Reverse the hangers in your closet. After a month, consider donating unworn items (hangers still backward).

• Arrange School Records: Visit your children's school to transfer their records to the new district.
• Use or Discard Perishables: Begin using up perishable items like frozen foods and cleaning supplies you won't be moving. Consider donating unwanted items to Goodwill or Salvation Army, and large furniture to Habitat for Humanity or a consignment shop. Remember, the more you discard, the more cost-effective the move!
• Measure Spaces: Check room dimensions at your new home to ensure furniture will fit through doorways.
• Catalog Electronics: Take inventory of all electronics and photograph their setup for easier unpacking.
• Order Supplies: If we're not handling the packing, it's time to order boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers & cardboard boxes or crates.
• Arrange for Repairs and Painting: If planning to repaint, allow a few days before moving out to let coats dry. Minor repairs are easier without furniture in the way.
• Elevator Booking: For apartment moves, inquire about any elevator booking requirements and reserve if needed.
• Vehicle Maintenance: Service vehicles if moving across state or long distances.
• Establish Packing Schedule: Create a schedule to organize packing, label boxes, and designate areas for items.
• Secure Storage: If using a storage unit, now is the time to make arrangements. Research options and compare prices to find the best fit. moving guide moving checklist

• Update Your Address: Visit your local post office or use the online change-of-address form. Additionally, consider asking a nearby neighbour or the new resident to keep an eye out for any stray mail. Checking in with them every few weeks after the move is a good practice.
• Notify Friends and Family: Send change-of-address postcards or emails to inform friends and family of your new address.
• Notify Important Parties: Inform banks, brokerage firms, your employer's HR department, subscribed magazines and newspapers, as well as credit card, insurance, utility, and cable companies of your move.
• Transfer Medical Records: Arrange for medical records to be forwarded to new healthcare providers or obtain copies for yourself. Consider seeking referrals or checking online reviews.
• Plan for Pets or Children: Consider boarding pets or arranging for a babysitter on moving day for a smoother process.
• Arrange Parking: Ensure legal parking spots are available at both locations for moving day.
• Gather Important Documents: Collect financial statements, legal papers, passports, birth certificates, and other crucial documents in one accessible place.
• Notify HOA: Inform your Homeowners Association (HOA) of your move if you haven't already.
• Schedule Cleaners: If using a professional cleaning service for move-out or move-in cleaning, book them in advance. Alternatively, enlist friends or family to assist with cleaning on moving day if not using a service. moving guide moving checklist

• Start Packing: Begin packing items you use infrequently, such as the waffle iron and croquet set. While packing, identify items of special value that may need extra care. Refer to our packing blog for professional tips to minimize breakage during unpacking. Print and study the tips to streamline the packing process.
• Prepare an Essentials Bag/Box: Set aside items for an essentials box containing everything needed for the first 24 hours in the new home.
• Back Up Computer: Ensure all important files are saved on a hard drive or in the cloud.
• Secure Valuables in a Safe Box: Use your inventory list to identify valuables like jewellery, expensive purses, family heirlooms, moon rocks, important files, etc., and pack them in a safe box for personal transport to the new home.
• Appraise Antiques: If moving antiques or valuables, consider getting them appraised and inform your moving company in case additional insurance is needed.
• Labelling: Clearly label and number each box with contents, whether it's fragile, and the intended room. Place labels on the top and at least one side for easy identification even when stacked. Colour-code box labels for quick room identification (e.g., orange for kitchen, blue for bathroom).
• Address Minor Repairs: Tackle any minor repairs before the move to ensure a smooth transition. moving guide moving checklist

• Replenish Prescriptions: Ensure you have an ample supply of prescriptions for the next few weeks.
• Prepare Suitcase/Emergency Bag: Finish general packing a few days before moving day, then pack suitcases with enough clothes for a few days, along with essential items like toiletries, a roll of toilet paper, and entertainment devices like Roku or Chromecast to avoid withdrawal from favourite shows. Inform movers about these bags for immediate access after the move.
• Organize Safe or Safety Deposit Box: If changing banks, empty your safe-deposit box and transfer the contents to a safe box for moving day.
• Avoid Grocery Shopping: Try not to shop for groceries several days before moving, as most items in the fridge or freezer will need to be discarded unless moving a short distance.
• Prepare Washer and Dryer: For front-loading washers, locate the shipping bolts to stabilize the drum during transit. Ensure the electric plug for the dryer matches the one at your new place; replacement plugs can be found at home improvement stores. Consider replacing old dryer hoses during the move.
• Arrange Trash Removal: Set up trash and recycling services for your new home and cancel current services.
• Clear the Attic: Empty the attic to avoid forgetting items and to comply with movers' restrictions on attic items due to liability concerns. moving guide moving checklist

• Thaw The Freezer: If taking your freezer, ensure it's emptied, cleaned, and defrosted at least 24 hours before moving.
• Clear Out the Refrigerator: Empty the fridge, but you can transfer items to coolers at the last minute. We can load it onto the truck last for easy unloading and quick re-stocking.
• Payment Planning: If not paying by credit card, have cash ready for payment and tipping (checks not accepted). Typical tip ranges from 10% to 20%. For credit card payments, notify your provider of the upcoming charge in a different zip code to avoid security holds.
• Prepare for Cable/Internet Setup: Keep your TV, power cord, and internet modem accessible on moving day's first load if setting up cable/internet.
• Mattress Handling: Keep the bed skirt ready to put back on after movers bring in the box springs, before placing the mattress.
• Lightbulb Safety: Remove light bulbs from lamps and pack separately to prevent breakage.
• Furniture Placement: Use post-it notes to mark where larger furniture items should go in your new home.
• Pre-Move Cleaning: Dust furniture and vacuum rugs to minimize dirt transfer.
• Hazardous Items Disposal: Safely recycle or dispose of corrosive, flammable, and poisonous items.
• Drain Tanks: Empty oil and gas from outdoor items like grills, heaters, lawnmowers, and snow blowers.
• Clean Outdoor Furniture: Clean outdoor furniture before moving it.
• Final Walkthrough: Schedule your final walkthrough with your landlord (if applicable) to ensure a smooth move-out process. moving guide moving checklist

• Rise Early: Avoid sleeping in to have extra time on moving day.
• Quick Breakfast: Prepare a meal or grab take-out breakfast to avoid a full fridge, especially if everything is packed.
• Ready to Move: Don't keep movers waiting; the quicker we're all ready, the smoother the move.
• Property Protection: Lay out protective equipment for floors and doors if your mover doesn't provide it (we will have this).
• Early Cleaning: If you have help, start cleaning the new home while leaving space for the movers.
• Final Check: Conduct a final walk-through to ensure nothing is forgotten. Check high-up closet shelves and areas like the top of the fridge and kitchen cabinets. moving guide moving checklist

• Unpack and Organize: Begin to unpack items like pictures and China cabinets. Consider decluttering further if you feel overwhelmed.
• Safety Check: Ensure all carbon monoxide and smoke detectors have fresh batteries. Check fire extinguishers and other safety devices.
• Secure Your Home: Change the locks on your doors and update garage door opener codes for added security.
• Explore the Area: Locate the nearest hospital, bank branch, malls, and grocery stores. Also, find water shutoff switches and the main circuit breaker.
• Review HOA Rules: Understand the rules of your Homeowners Association regarding property changes and recycling programs.
• Meet Your Neighbours: Get to know the people around you; they can be helpful and it's nice to have familiar faces nearby.
• Housewarming Party: Share your new home with friends and celebrate your hard work.
• Finally, Relax: Take a moment to unwind and enjoy your new space. moving guide moving checklist