Moving Tips and Checklist

Moving can be an overwhelming and stressful time for even the most organized of people. After years in the same place where do you start? This checklist may give you a starting point and help keep you focused on the tasks at hand.

One Month Before You Move:

1. Reserve your moving truck or trailer for your moving day to ensure you have the equipment you need. Purchase any moving boxes and packing supplies at the same time.
2. Start to clean out closets, garage, attic, and basement. Sort items into “keep and pack” and “sell/donate” piles. Have a yard sale, put an ad in the paper to sell larger unwanted items, and donate to charity.
3. Get change of address cards from your post office and arrange for your mail to be forwarded. Notify telephone, utilities, insurance companies, charge accounts, magazine/newspaper subscriptions, doctors, etc. of your change of address. Arrange transfer of children’s school records.
4. Start packing items you can do without for the time being. Label boxes clearly with contents and room designation so they end up where they belong.
5. Make a “survival closet” of things you will need for the final clean-up, broom, mop, floor cleaner, vacuum, garbage bags, etc.
6. Continue packing keeping only essential items out. To save on boxes pack clothes, accessories, shoes, etc in suitcases. Use towels to wrap mirrors and picture frames.
7. Schedule disconnects for gas, electric and water. Arrange for refunds that may be due and schedule connections for your new house.

   The Day Before The Move:

8. Make sure everything is packed keeping essentials together in the last boxes to seal up at the last minute. Have “easy to grab” snacks and drinks ready to keep you going throughout moving day.
9. Clean refrigerator, defrost and dry inside.
10. Get enough cash to tide you over.
11. Say goodbye to neighbours. Don’t leave it until moving day when your time will be valuable.

General Packing Tips:

• Remember the heavier the item, the smaller the box. Example: use small boxes for books as they get heavy very fast.


• Use a different box(es) for each room.


• Use wardrobe boxes to pack clothes hanging in the closets. Clothes in dresser drawers can go in suitcases.


• Wrap dishes in packing paper upright in boxes. Ink from newspapers can rub off onto dishes. Packing paper eliminates the need to wash everything as you unpack.


• Pack important and sentimental documents separately to be easily accessible, including: passports, health records, family records, birth certificates, insurance information, photo albums.


• Clearly label boxes on tops and sides with contents and room designation. Seal securely with packing tape.


• As you take furniture apart (ie: legs off tables) make sure to tape all screws and parts to the main base to keep them together for reassembly.


• Try to pack electronics in original boxes or use bubble wrap or towels to secure them. Take a picture of the connections to have a guide to reconnect them in your new home.