Everyone wants a smooth move! As with anything the more planning you can do ahead of time, the better and smoother your move will be. Make sure you mark the date down on a calendar and call a moving company or book your rental truck well in advance. If you have friends or relatives that will be assisting you, be sure to fill them in on all the details well in advance as well, and time your move accordingly. If you are thinking of hiring movers obtain as many estimates from as many reputable companies you can. It will save you money by packing your own stuff, but be safe and make sure not to pack any chemicals!!
Checklist To Plan A Move:
Six to eight weeks before possession or your moving day
- Obtain written estimates from several different moving companies and be sure to book one in well in advance.
- Start going through your belongings, sorting out items you no longer want or need sell in a garage sale, craigslist, give to friends or donate to good will.
- Start by getting boxes and packing supplies if you plan to do your own packing. If you hire a moving company, they will often supply boxes for you.
- If you are moving into a totally new neighborhood drive around and investigate new schools, recreation centers, parks and shopping areas.
- If you are moving to another province or country make the necessary travel arrangements.
- If you are currently renting, be sure to give your landlord advanced written notice and make arrangements for the return of any deposits in compliance with your rental agreement (if applicable).
One month before possession or moving day
- Be sure to change your mailing address by visiting your local Post Office, or change it online.
- Contact your utility provider with the date of your move (eg. Terasen Gas, BC Hydro, Rogers, Shaw, or Telus)
- If you are moving into a townhouse or condo be sure to contact the Strata Management office and ensure the moving elevator or lane access will be available during your move-in date and time.
- It is always a common courtesy to hire a cleaning company including a carpet cleaner to clean your home prior to moving out in order satisfy anything in the contract or rental agreement, but it is not always required.
- Don't forget to tell any colleagues, companies or institutions of your pending move and change of address, some of which may be as follows:
- Your employer
- Any security alarm provider
- Your insurance providers (life, home, car)
- Credit cards companies
- Banks
- Driver’s license
- Subscriptions
- Medical providers
- Schools
- Libraries
- Medical Services Plan
- UPS, FedEx
Three weeks before possession and moving day
- Transfer funds in trust or bank accounts and securities.
- Cancel or transfer any memberships.
- Transfer medical, dental, and prescription records via your practitioners.
- Re-Confirm all of your travel/moving arrangements.
- Return any and all property rented or borrowed, such as library books or your neighbors weed whacker.
Two weeks before possession and moving day
- If possible, I recommend backing up all computer files to The Cloud or to an external drive.
- Make final packing decisions about what to take (or not).
- Make arrangements to move frozen foods, plants, your fish tank, or anything else that requires special consideration.
One week before possession and moving day
- Pack and store all personal valuables and any personal items or business work that you will want to move separately from the rest of your belongings that will be in transit with the moving company if applicable.
- Empty and clean your refrigerator.
- If you can, mow your lawn a day or 2 before the big move.
- Pack a day pack for the kids and yourself with simple essential such as a snacks, drinks, clothes and any toiletries.
- Organize all house keys, garage door openers, fobs, mailbox keys, alarm codes and anything else you will need to transfer to the new occupants of your home. I or your realtor will transfer all these items to the new owners or their realtor.
Possession and moving-out day
- Make sure you do a walk-through of the house with the moving company. Make an inventory list before they move anything and tell them anything they need to know before loading the van or truck, and confirm your new address with them and arrival time.
- If it is at all possible stay home until the moving company has packed everything up and left.
- Do a final check for overlooked items.
- Turn off all lights, heat, a/c; lock all doors and windows; and follow your pre arranged agreement as to what to do with your keys etc; or simply hand over your keys to your realtor.
Moving-in day
- I or your realtor or a representative will meet you at your new home to hand over the keys
- Again if at all possible try to be at your new home before the moving van arrives so you can supervise the move.
- Make sure the utilities are connected.
- Have a plan for placing your furniture
- When the movers do arrive check items and their condition as they are unloaded against the inventory list..
After the move
- Take the time to arrange your furniture and settle into your new place.
- Order pizza, Relax and enjoy your new home!
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