A-Zip Moving Checklist
8 Weeks (2 months) Prior to Your Move
Go through each room with family members and pick a corner in each room for unwanted pieces, clothing, and furniture.
Listing, photographing items and responding to potential buyers on Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, or other online source takes a lot of time, however, it is a valuable exercise so start early. Doing it right can recoup the costs of your move and put money in your pocket.
Alternatively, have a garage sale to get rid of unwanted items. Preparation time for each form of selling is equal
Make a list of addressed mail that comes to you that needs to be alerted of your move.
Keep this list on the fridge where you can add to it as you think of more addresses. If you have had to deal with mail from an old tenant or homeowner, you know it is a helpful courtesy we should all adopt. Bank letters, subscriptions, newspapers, friends, utilities, insurance companies, vehicle dealerships are a few obvious contacts.
6 Weeks (1.5 Months) Prior to Your Move
Make a loose inventory of everything to be moved, by room-name.
Walk into your Living Room, Kitchen, Bedrooms, Garage, Dining Room, Family Room, etc. with a clipboard and write down general items from largest to smallest.
Start collecting moving boxes
from grocery stores and newspaper for wrapping. Alternatively, order or buy boxes and moving supplies such as tapes, bubble wraps, markers etc. for packing. Order specialty items like mattress or sofa covers.
Submit a change of address form
at your closest post office. Allow time for the process to take place.
4-5 Weeks (1 Month) Prior to Your Move
Choose your moving company and confirm the arrangements.
Get in touch with professional moving services 4-5 weeks ahead of the projected moving date. Start investigating your options and do not merely rely on the quote over the phone. Give more time to the professional movers for planning and estimating your requirements.
Arrange for storage in your new community
if necessary. If you choose to continue the sale of your older furniture after you have moved or feel the need to store your current furniture in anticipation of a renovation, find a short-term storage locker near your new location.
Usually moving companies offer storage space at discounted prices; check with the movers before booking.
3 Weeks (1 Month) Prior to Your Move
Start packing up your home
starting with items you use less often. Use white Duct-tape and a wide water-proof marker . In BIG letters write the room, add bullet points of what is in the box or bag.
This is the perfect time for the re-fresh of rugs, pillows, blankets, and draperies. Clean what you can yourself or send things to a natural dry cleaner. Use large clear garbage bags to protect them.
Obtain written appraisal of antique items to verify value.
Make a note of items of monetary value like antiques. These items may require additional insurance from your moving company.
Book the moving elevator and confirm parking arrangement for the moving truck and get prior permission if you are living in a shared space.
Contact insurance company to transfer your policies
(life, homeowners, tenants).
Prepare a list of friends, companies, and personal accounts who should be notified of your upcoming move.
Arrange to be off work on your moving day.
Notify the human resources department at your office that you plan to supervise the move and will need a day off. In Canada, your employer is obliged to let you take the day off if you need to move.
2 Weeks Prior to Your Move
Fill in holes in the walls from hanging paintings.
Touch up paint scratches.
Keep Packing!
Remember taking that step to use white duct tape (just tear it with your hands), writing the ROOM name, and adding quick points of what is inside, will keep you from going nuts not knowing where anything is .
Mark the boxes that cannot have anything put on top.
Usually reserved for dishes, and breakables. This could be a good time to get a red duct tape to make those boxes easily identifiable. Put a red piece of tape on 2 sides and the top.
All boxes should be stacked with tops taped, or folded. For safety sake, if you have small children, it is imperative that you use a separate room for these stacked boxes.
1 Week Prior to Your Move
Leave your clothes as close to end as possible
to prevent creases.
Clean your home
or arrange for a cleaning company to come in.
It is a common courtesy you follow for new occupants in your home You will appreciate when the same is done for you. It is a dream to move into a clean home.
Take photos of furniture dents and scratches,
and any expensive pieces to have a visual recording of its condition to give you piece-of-mind during the move.
Clean out the refrigerator
and plan to defrost it before moving.
Drain outdoor equipment:
water hoses, propane tank, gas/oil lawnmowers.
Confirm your travel arrangements
for pets and family. Are you flying? If you are driving, now is the time to check your tires. Underinflated tires can lead to tire failure and will lessen the tire’s longevity, especially on highway drives.
Arrange for the cut-off/activation dates for your cable, gas, electricity, water, and garbage.
Likewise, you may want to follow up with your utility agencies about the activation date at your new place.
Place all appliance manuals and warranties in one place for the new occupants.
Take photos of all electronics before unplugging them,
so you know how to hook them up again.
Pack a lockbox with your valuable jewelry, cash,
and other items of high value to take in your car with you.
On the Day of Your Move
Your First Day at Your New Home
Unpack, flatten and donate or re-sell the boxes.
Change the address on your driver’s license & car insurance.
You will be fined for having an out-of-date address on your driver’s licence.
Leave a review of your moving company.
Your review will help the moving company build more trust with the new clients. This will help the company improve its service and customer experience.
Plan a housewarming party!
Invite your friends, family, and coworkers to your new home