Moving Checklist

 One month before

• Start a moving expense book.
• Ask for references from at least two moving companies and get written estimates. Feel free to call me for references to companies my clients have used in the past. Make sure the movers know all the items which are to be included. Do not include jewellery or other small valuables. Ask for a copy of the mover’s insurance and compare it with your existing coverage.
• Get a written commitment from the moving company that specifies the date of the move and arrival.
• Contact the provincial health authorities for the province you are moving out of and the one you are moving into. If moving within the same province notify them of your change of address.
• Resign from any clubs or organizations that are not active in your new community.
• Cancel newspaper and magazine subscriptions or change address.
• Contact your bank to arrange the transfer of accounts and loans if required.
• Order cheques with new address.
• Register your change of address with the post office, and obtain a supply of change of address cards.
• Begin mailing your change of address cards. Keep a list of cards sent. Don’t forget to notify all credit card companies.
• Gather all important documents including your pets’.

Two weeks before

• Clean out club and school lockers.
• Arrange for the change over of utilities.
• Take measurements of the new house. Make a floor plan and decide where everything will go. Don’t guess.
• Book freight elevator if you are moving out of an apartment.
• Start packing. Number and mark contents of boxes. Keep an inventory list and make two copies for each box. Keep one with your inventory list and put the other inside each box. Seal boxes.
• Return all borrowed items and collect what you’ve loaned.

One week before

• List all of the items you want to take with you personally. Include all valuable items which should not be entrusted to movers.
• Dismantle and/or fasten anything that requires it.
• Prepare a list of everything else that is left.
• Confirm the booking for the freight elevator.
• Confirm the booking for the moving company.
• Defrost and air-dry the deep freezer.

Two days before

• The last day to pack! Double check location of valuables and important papers.
• If you are taking the appliances, remember to disconnect, defrost, and air-dry the fridge and freezer.
• Do your last laundry. Disconnect and drain the washing machine if you are taking it with you.
• Protect delicate furniture with a thick coat of wax.

One day before

• Show packers around the house and ensure they understand all of your instructions.
• Gather together all keys (don’t forget garage, shed, and mail keys).
• If you have a security system consider changing the code to something simple like 12345 so you can use the old code at your new house.
• Pack all of the items you will take personally. Mark them “do not load – for car” or better, get them out of the house before the movers come in.

Moving day

• Plastic sheets will minimize dirt in the house.
• Show the packers around the house again.
• Do a final check for forgotten items.
• Check inventory for the number of boxes. Break it down room-by-room.
• Check mover’s bill of lading against your inventory.
• Give one key to the lawyer and leave all spare keys and security code inside the house unless otherwise arranged.

Moving in

• Get to the house before the movers. Arrange to take milk, bread, coffee, tea, etc. with you. It will be a long day.
• Lay down plastic sheets to minimize dirt in the house.
• Find your floor plan and give copies to the movers. When your goods arrive look at each item carefully as it is put in place and check off your inventory.
• Note any damage. You won’t be able to check goods which have not been unpacked so above your signature on the Bill of lading write: “subject to loss or hidden damage”.
• Verify that the utilities have been turned on.
• Hang up curtains if possible.
• First priorities will be the children’s rooms, TV or radio, and basic kitchen.