Moving is one of the most stressful and elaborate changes a person can make in their life! To avoid some stress, make sure you have a plan that involves continuous action. Planning ahead will do wonders for your mind and your move! We’ve broken down some of the most important things you should be doing and when, to help you plan your move.
Set a budget. Sit down and organize how much you would like to spend on your move and come up with a firm budget. This budget should consider packing supplies, disposal of unneeded items you won’t be bringing with you, movers, cleaning services, child/pet care, and anything else you may need.
Purge before packing! Make three piles; donate, sell, and throw away. Take full advantage of platforms like Facebook Marketplace to sell any unused or unwanted items that are in good condition!
Rent a dumpster for items you want to get rid of to save you time and effort! Have a bin rental delivered right to your driveway and toss in all types of junk all at once! Household items, furniture, electronics, appliances, yard waste, it can all go at once and doesn’t need to be bagged or sorted! Fill out this short form to get a quote.
Purchase packing supplies. Make sure you have enough materials to pack, whether it be cardboard boxes, reusable bins, tape, bubble wrap, labels, etc. There are often listings for free moving boxes on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji if you keep an eye on those listings. Stock up before you start to pack!
Organize documents you’ll need. Create a binder that includes your moving budget, moving company/truck quotes, to-do list, and other moving-related paperwork
Start packing! Start packing items that you will not be using before your move. This could include:
Holiday/seasonal items,
Art and decorations
Off-season clothing (don’t forget to clear out your coat/boot closet!)
Photo albums and scrapbooks
Books and cookbooks
Start researching for new essential services. If you are moving far enough away, begin researching for a new doctor, dentist, hairdresser, veterinarian, etc. It’s always a good idea to ask your current professionals if they have any recommendations. If needed, make sure you also arrange for any medical files transferred.
Start researching moving companies. Call around to get some quotes and start thinking about which company will work best for you and your budget. If you will not be hiring movers, you may still need to rent a truck or trailer! Make sure you have an idea of how much these services will cost you if you decide to schedule them.
Finalize your ‘sell’ pile. Start posting items that you are selling, your house will start to feel more and more cluttered if you continue to simply place things in piles. Any money made from selling these items can help cover some of the costs coming up in your move!
Clean out unused spaces. This can include the basement, attic, garage, and spare bedrooms, any space that you do not use often. Pack up the contents of the space and give it a deep clean. This will make your final clean before leaving much easier.
Keep packing! Pack up more items that you do not use frequently including:
Bulk non-perishable pantry items
Off-season garden/outdoor tools
Office & craft supplies you won’t need
Extra batteries, extra cords & old electronics
Toiletries & bath products that are rarely used (toss what you never use!)
Change your address. Notify any services that your address will be changing. This could include:
Bank/credit union
Credit card company
Car loans & car insurance
Home insurance
Drivers license
Health card
Pet microchip
Mail subscriptions
Employer
Pharmacy & Doctors
Transfer utility services. Contact your utility company and notify them of your move. They will have resources listed for how to transfer your services to a new address.
Decide on movers. Determine whether or not you will need movers and schedule what you need to. Be sure to have this scheduled far in advance to avoid any stress on moving day!
Keep packing! Label boxes with the contents and the room they’ll be going in. Items you can be packing this far in advance include:
Extra dining sets/cutlery
Decorative items (vases, throw pillows, cushion covers)
Board games and puzzles
DVDs, CDs and video games
Non essential kitchen tools and small appliances
Schedule what you need to. Consider what services you will need the week of your move and start scheduling. This can include; time off work, child care/pet care, family/friends to help move, locksmith, Wi-Fi/TV services install, etc.
Pack the “first night” box. Make sure you will have anything you’ll need your first night so that you won’t have to unpack and search for your essential items. This box should include:
Toiletries/ hygiene items
Clean sheets and towels
Change of clothes
Basic cleaning items
Shower curtain if you intend on showering
Your binder with important documents for the move
Phone & laptop charger
Keep packing!
Non-essential lamps
Extra towels and linens
Cleaning supplies
Jewelry and accessories
Most clothing that is still left
Do laundry. Make sure you are not bringing any dirty laundry with you to your new home! This includes any drapery that you are bringing with you and bed linens.
Final packing & clean up. Pack everything that is left! Don’t forget the fridge and pantry. When packing any small motor items like a lawnmower, make sure that you drain the gas for safety reasons.
Confirm services. Confirm with your moving/rental company that you are good to go for your moving day. Also confirm with your cleaners if you’ve hired them that your new space will be deep cleaned before you arrive. It’s always a good idea to have your new space cleaned to remove anything left behind by previous owners, and give your new home a fresh, clean feel!
Safety check. Ensure that your new home is equipped with safety essentials such as fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and a carbon monoxide detector.
Finish packing! Pack up everything that’s left and make sure everything is labeled with what room it is going in! This will help you organize your items as soon as you arrive, with everything in the right area of the home. Also ensure that your first night box is somewhere easily accessible so that you can find it right away if needed.
Inform your loved ones. Send out a text or email to your friends and family that may need your new address to get in touch with you!
Celebrate! You made it! After weeks of stress and what might have felt like chaos, you have finally reached your move day! Celebrate your new home and don’t forget to reward yourself for all of your hard work.
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