Moving Checklist

Six Weeks Before Moving

•Take an inventory of everything to be moved.
•Collect everything not to be moved for a garage sale or charity. Contact charity for date/time of pickup or arrange date of garage sale.
•Contact several moving companies for estimates. Select mover; arrange for exact form of payment at destination (cash, cheque). Get cartons and packing materials to start packing NOW!!
•Contact insurance agent to transfer or cancel coverage.
•Check with employer to find out what moving expenses they will pay.

Four Weeks Before Moving

•Notify all magazines of change of address.
•Contact utility companies regarding turn-off dates.
•Dry clean clothes to be moved. Pack in protective wrappers.
•Collect everything you have loaned OUT. Return everything you have borrowed.
•Service power mowers, boats, snowmobiles, etc. that are to be moved. Drain all gas/oil to prevent fire in moving van.
•Check with doctors and dentist for all family records and prescriptions.
•Check with veterinarian for pet records and immunizations.
•Get children's school records.•Check freezer and plan use of food over next 2-3 weeks.
•Give away or arrange for transportation of house plants (most moving companies will NOT move plants, especially in winter). Plants also can be sold at garage sales, or are perfect thank-you gifts for neighbours.

One Week Before Moving

•Transfer or close chequing and savings accounts. Make available the cash or money order necessary to pay moving company upon arrival in new community.
•Have automobile serviced for trip.
•Remove all personal belongings from safety deposit box.
•Fill out Post Office change of address forms. Give to Post Office (or visit www.canadapost.com and do it online).
•Check and make inventory of all furniture for dents and scratches; notify moving company of your inventory and compare on final day.
•Dispose of all combustibles and spray cans (spray cans can explode or burn don't pack them).
•Pack a separate carton of cleaning utensils & tools (screw driver, hammer, etc.).
•Separate cartons and luggage you need for personal/family travel.
•Mark all boxes that you pack with the room they will be going into in your new home.
•Organize at least one room in the house for packers and movers to work freely.
•Cancel all newspapers, garden service, etc.
•Cancel or transfer alarm system monitoring.
•Review entire list to make certain that you haven't overlooked anything. Check and double check everything.