Helpful Moving Checklist

As Soon As Possible:

  •  Start early. Investigate and research moving companies and/or truck rental companies.
  •  Hire a moving company or if you’re doing it yourself, reserve a moving truck. Be sure to get written confirmation of all your costs and details of your move for your records.


TIP: Weekends and holiday long weekends are busy times for movers and truck rental companies. Book as far possible in advance to ensure you get a moving truck for the day you need to move.

Months Before Moving Day:

  • There’s no sense moving what you don’t want to keep. Go through your home and determine what you want to keep and what you do not want to keep.
    TIP: One of the biggest secrets of moving success is eliminating as many items from the move as possible. Donate items to charity, give them to friends, prepare them for a yard sale or throw them out.
  • Make a list of items in your home that need extra attention while moving or special packing instructions (i.e. computers, televisions, fine china, etc.).
  • If you have children and you are moving to a new school district, start arranging the school transferring process.
  • Order boxes and moving supplies (packing tape, bubble wrap, tissue paper, stock up on newspaper, etc.) required for your move:
  • Packing tape
  • Bubble wrap, tissue paper, newspaper
  • Box cutters
  •  Basic tool kit
  •  Permanent markers
  •  Scissors
  •  Small sealable plastic bags *For keeping small items together, such as screws and brackets for shelving.

1 Month Before Moving Day:

  • Time to start packing! To make it easier, begin with the items in your home you do not use regularly. Be sure to clearly label or number your boxes to make the unpacking process easier.
  •  As you pack, make note of items of significant value (i.e. computers, stereo systems, flat screen televisions). Depending on your insurance agreement with your moving company, you will need to declare items of value in case items are lost or damaged.
  •  Pack one room at a time.
  •  Pack clothing and linens in suitcases.
  •  When disassembling furniture, put hardware in a plastic bag and affix it to the corresponding piece (however, do not apply tape or any adhesives directly to polished or painted wood surfaces). 
  • At your local postal office, fill out a change of address form with your new address.
  • Inform the following companies and institutions about your new address:
     Banks
     Driver’s License
     Employer(s)
     Revenue Canada
     Cable and phone providers
     Insurance companies
     Hydro and utility companies
     Credit card companies
     Doctor and dentist offices
     Any magazine subscriptions you may have

TIP: Many companies now offer the convenience of changing address information online.

TIP: It’s a good idea to schedule utility “turn on dates” at least one day prior to the move date and “turn off dates” at least one day after the move to allow for emergencies or issues that may arise.


Weeks Before Moving Day:

  • Confirm your reservations with your movers or truck rental.
  •  If required, cancel or transfer your newspaper delivery service.
  • Most of your packing should be done one week prior to moving day.
  • Set aside the items of importance you wish to transport to your new home yourself (i.e. jewelery and passports, etc.,).

A Few Days Before Moving Day:

  • Re-confirm arrival time of your moving truck. If moving yourself, re-confirm your reservations with the truck rental company.
  • Prepare a detailed map and directions for your movers including a cell phone number you can be reached at on moving day.
  •  Pack a travel bag with the items your family may need on moving day such as tooth brushes, change of clothing, medications, hair bushes, soap, toilet paper, paper plates and cups, aspirin, bed linens, flashlights, light bulbs, non-perishables snacks, towels, trash bags, etc.
  •  If you are moving yourself, start dismantling beds and other large furniture.

TIP: Create one “Open Me First” box for specific rooms. You’ll need to access certain packed items almost immediately after you arrive, and they need to be packed together in special boxes (one per room) and marked with either bright red markers or special stickers so you can spot them easily.

TIP: Having small children and pets watched on Moving Day can eliminate a lot of stress and confusion on the big day, especially while taking care of all the other important details.

Moving Day:

  • Charge all cell phones.
  • Start early.

TIP: Today is definitely a day you want to make sure that you’re able to communicate remotely with mover, family members, etc.

TIP: Moving is stressful enough without waking up late and running around with movers waiting outside. Take all garbage out of the house.

TIP: Movers get into huge trouble for leaving anything behind. So many people have been shocked to find their garbage packed into their garbage cans and sent along for the move!

  • Make a note of all utility metre readings (new and old home).
  • It’s important to be present when the truck is being loaded and unloaded just in case your movers have questions.
  • Perform final checks before leaving your current home clean and free of all personal belongings.


TIP: Make sure nothing is left in the refrigerator, freezer, stove, drawer under stove, in closets, in bathroom, garage, or attic/crawl space.

TIP: If there’s a longer time frame between when you vacate a home and the buyer is moving in, it’s probably a good idea to turn the heat off and shut the water off.

  • All keys and garage door openers for current home turned in or left on the kitchen counter.
  • Finally, before the movers leave, check your belongings and note on the inventory paperwork any damaged items or property damages occurred during the move.