Congratulations! You have found your dream home and are about to embark on an exciting chapter in your life. But how should you prepare?
Here’s a helpful moving checklist to ensure you leave nothing to chance for the big day.
Moving Checklist:
Two Months Before
1. Declutter
As much as we would like to believe everything in our house is absolutely necessary, this actually is not the case. Go through every room in your home and decide item by item what you would like to keep and what does not need to go with you on your new journey. If there are any belongings in your home that need special packaging or extra insurance coverage, now is also a great time to start preparing for that.
2. Do Your Homework
If you are going to use a moving company, this is the best time to start your research. While some moving checklists will tell you to call in and get a quote over the phone, I strongly suggest you have an on-site estimate. Seeing the property will give the movers the best picture of how much work it will be to move everything and they will be able to provide a more accurate estimate.
Six Weeks Before
3. Order Supplies
If only boxes came out of thin air! Start stocking up on tape, bubble wrap, permanent markers as well as any boxes you can find. You will be surprised how many you will actually need for your move.
4. Stop Replacing Things
Are you low on cleaning supplies or perishable foods? That is okay! Right now, your biggest goal in this moving checklist is to use up what supplies you have in this home. That way you can start fresh in your next one without having to worry that things will go bad during a move and you will save yourself the cost of moving them.
5. Measure
If you want to be extra keen when moving, take measurements of the rooms in your new home. This way you can determine if your furniture will fit in the new space, if you need to get creative or if you will be better off without certain pieces.
One Month Before
6. Start Packing!
Packing always takes much longer than you think it will but doing a little bit each day will work wonders. Start by packing the things you use the least and work your way to the most used items for as close to your move in day as possible.
7. Label
You might think you remember exactly how you packed every single item. You might even think you remember every single box you packed your items in. Take a word of advice: if you do not label those boxes, I guarantee you mistakes will be made. Labelling will help you and the movers know which boxes go into which rooms in your new home and can make unpacking that much faster.
8. Notify Important Parties Your Change Of Address
Go to Service Ontario (or go online!) to change the address on your driver’s license, your health card, and any other government issued documents you may have. This is also a good time to advise your work, your utility companies and any subscriptions you may have of your new address as well.
A Few Days Before
9. Defrost The Freezer
Whether you plan on moving your refrigerator with you, or are leaving it for the new owners this is the perfect time to empty, clean and defrost it before moving.
Moving Day
10. Verify And Take Inventory
Make sure that the moving truck that arrives at your old home is the one you actually hired, and that before the movers leave they sign an inventory list of everything they plan to move. Keep a copy of this inventory list – just in case!
This moving checklist is not exhaustive, but I hope it will provide you a good picture of what and how you need to prepare for your big day. If you have any questions about moving, please do not hesitate to contact me.
