Moving Checklist

Eight Weeks Before Move
☐ Contact your mover and make arrangements for the move day
☐ Remove items from your attic, basement, storage shed, etc.
☐ Use things that you can't move with you, such as frozen foods, etc.
☐ Obtain information about your new neighbourhood by contacting 311 (i.e garbage & recycle days etc)
 
 

Six Weeks Before Move
☐ If you are a relocating employee, verify what expenses and responsibilities each party is responsible for.
☐ Inventory and evaluate your belongings. Can you discard items and save money during the move?
☐ Create a list of everyone you must notify of your move, including creditors, subscriptions, family, professional contacts, friends, etc.
☐ Do you need storage-in-transit or permanent storage? Make these arrangements now
☐ Notify your children’s schools, your church and other organizations of your impending move
 
 

Four Weeks Before Move
☐ Submit a Change of Address form to the post office and arrange mail forwarding if necessary
☐ Arrange for special transportation for your pets and plants
☐ Contact utility and related companies (gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV and trash collection) for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. However, remember to keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout moving day
☐ Arrange for insurance coverage in your new home to cover fire, theft and personal property 
☐ If you're packing yourself, purchase moving boxes from your local mover or visit local grocery stores etc. to retrieve pre-used boxes
☐ Begin packing items that you won't be needing in the next month
☐ Donate items to charity or plan a garage sale to unload items you do not want to bring with you to your new location

Three Weeks Before Move
☐ Gather all your important documents, including insurance coverage, will, deeds, stocks, etc.
☐ Sketch out a general floor plan of your new home to determine the placement of furnishings

Two Weeks Before Move
☐ Schedule use of the elevators in your building (if applicable)
☐ Drain gas and oil from equipment such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.
 
 

One Week Before Move
☐ Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company . Also provide your new contact information where you can be reached
☐ Defrost your freezer and refrigerator
☐ Have your major appliances disconnected and prepared for the move
☐ Pack a carton full of your personal items that you will want immediately in your new home - either have this box loaded last on the truck, or bring it with you during the move
☐ Set aside items that are not being moved, this way they are not loaded on to the trucks on accident

Moving day
☐ Have someone at home to answer the van foreman's questions should there by any
☐ Make a final tour of your home/property and verify that nothing has been overlooked
☐ Lock all doors and windows and turn off all switches from your old home
☐ Record all utility meter readings for gas, electric, water, etc. of past and new home
☐ Make sure you read and understand your bill of lading and inventory carefully before you sign them. Keep these -- and all related papers -- in a safe location until all charges have been paid and all claims, if any, have been settled

Download the Printable Checklist