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House Moving: Checklist for Packing and Moving

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	Moving Checklist

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Putting together a detailed moving checklist is an important step in organizing your move. While it can take some time to make it, having a checklist for packing and moving and actually completing tasks listed on it will make your moving as smooth as possible.

Check items on your moving checklist as tasks are completed.

The following is an example of how to organize/what to put into your checklist for packing and moving.

Moving checklist: a month before the move

Pick up and fill out a change of address form from the post office. You can also make copies of this form or make your own notice for:
	Friends and family
	Banks
	Insurance companies
	Credit card companies
	Doctor/ dentists and other providers (to transfer drug prescriptions)
	Past employer (for T4 forms)
	Magazines and newspaper (to cancel subscriptions)
Take a look around the house.
	Start to think about what you don’t want to take with you
	Start using up perishable foods
	Plan a sale for unwanted items
Prepare a list of what you want to move.
	Large appliances?
	Outside furniture?
For full service (packaging included) movers:
	Get written estimates from several moving companies.
	Find out what items (if any) they won’t move.
	Get appraisals for high-value items in case of future claims.
For do-it-yourself movers
	Make arrangements for truck rental and moving help.
	Acquire packing boxes and packing paper
	Get packing and masking tape
	Buy markers
	Get some twine
Start packing things you know you will not need until after the move. (Mark boxes clearly as to contents and room to be placed in. Also, mark them as needed with 'Open first', 'Fragile', 'Do not load', 'Load last', etc. )
	Kitchen items
	Bathroom items
	Wardrobe
	Bedding
	Toys
	Tools
Make arrangements for picking up your important records:
	Birth
	Doctor
	Dentist
	Legal
	Optician, optometrist
	School Documents
	Veterinarian

Click here for more information about what to do 4 weeks before the move

Moving checklist: two weeks before the move

Pack your vital documents in one place:
	Passports
	Mortgage records
	Marriage certificate
	Birth certificates
	Vehicle titles
	Insurance papers
	Bank records
	School records
	Medial records
	Tax records
Make arrangements to disconnect your utilities. Get refunds for any deposits made. Have meters read. Give the new address for the final bills to be sent. Make arrangements to connect utilities to your new home.
	Television
	Telephone
	Electricity
	Heat
	Water
	Inquire about your new auto insurance polices and leasing information
	Arrange for a baby sitter that will watch your children at his/her house on the moving day.

Click here for more information about what to do two weeks before the move

Moving checklist: one week before the move

	Dispose of any flammable items
	Empty your yard equipment flues from the unit itself
	Empty any containers with combustible or flammable flues
Plan what goes in the car with you:
	Make travel arrangements for your pets and plants
	Important documents and records
	First aid kit
	Purchase moving insurance if you have valuable antiques and collections
	Special breakable items or collections
	Bathroom items (shampoo, soap, towels, tooth brush, toilet paper etc.)
	Change of clothes for your first day in the new home
	Food and bottled water
	Toys and games for the kids
	Have your car tuned up (oil change) and ready for the trip.
	Vacuum cleaner ( if you want to clean the new place right away)

Click here for more information about what to do one week before the move

Moving checklist: the day before moving

	Defrost, clean and air out your refrigerator
	Clean your stove
	Make sure you have payment ready for the movers – they will not unpack without a certified check or major credit card
	Purchase traveler’s checks for other possible expenses.
	Pack your former town’s phone book for future correspondence.
	Get a simple breakfast ready for the next morning.
	Pick up ice and beverages for moving day.
	Take down curtains and curtain rods.
	Get a good night’s sleep!

Moving checklist: moving day!

	Moving company – will they disassemble the beds?
	Show movers around
	Get all keys together. Put them in a safe spot
	Make sure the moving truck driver has correct address, phone number and directions to your new place
	Confirm that you have taken all the things from cupboards, closets, basement and garage
	Make sure all windows and doors are locked.

Click here for more information about what to do on the moving day

Checklist for packing and moving saves you a lot of headache by helping you organize the move right from the beginning.

For more help on planning your move, please review our stress free moving planner as well as our packing tips.

Good luck! Remember – many of your moving expenses are tax deductible, so hang on to your receipts. Call Revenue Canada and request Tax information on moving expenses to find out which moving expenses deduction you can claim.