This document provides a detailed moving checklist and timeline to help prepare for an upcoming move. It outlines important tasks to complete 4 weeks, 3 weeks, 2 weeks, 1 week, and on moving day before and after the move. Key tasks include contacting lawyers and utilities, scheduling movers, packing belongings, notifying services of an address change, and completing final cleaning and unpacking at the new home. Completing all items on the checklist and calendar will help ensure a smooth transition.

1. MOVING CHECKLIST
What's the best way to prepare for a move? Below are a few important notations, followed by a time
schedule. Read thoroughly and follow accordingly for best results.
1) Contact your lawyer soon after you have a firm deal, make sure they have all the proper paperwork
pertaining to the deal, find out when you will meet them to sign paperwork. You will need to provide a
bank draft when you purchase a home, so find out in advance how much that will be. Determine ahead
of time how and when you will receive the keys on the day of closing and make certain you have an
after hours o ta t u er for our la er.
2) If you have purchased a freehold, you must have insurance in place and send proof of it to your
lawyer in order to secure a mortgage. No funds will be forwarded without proper home insurance. If you
have purchased a condominium you may only need content insurance.
3) You must contact the utility companies well in advance of closing and transfer them into your name.
You may be asked to leave a deposit. You may be asked for the name of the current owner, so have that
handy if you can. That name can be found on your Agreement of Purchase and Sale.
4) With a condo purchase you will have to provide post-dated cheques or a void cheque for
maintenance fees. You should familiarize yourself with the condo rules, which can be found in your
Status Certificate.
5) Determine how you will be paying your property taxes, for example, will they be collected monthly
by the mortgage lender or will you be submitting directly to the city? You can pay them online via your
bank once you have an account number. Ask your bank for details.
FOUR WEEKS BEFORE MOVING
Purge and Repurpose.
Set up a moving expense book as some of your expenses might be tax deductible, so be sure to
keep all of your receipts.
Arrange for important school, medical, insurance companies, financial institution, business, credit
card, magazine subscriptions and legal records to be transferred to your new home.
Decide how your furniture and belongings will be moved, such as using a packing and moving
ser i e, or re ti g a tru k a d pa ki g a d o i g ourself. Be realisti …do ’t u deresti ate ho u h
work it will be because it could cost you money.
Schedule a professional moving service company for your move, or reserve a truck or van rental for
relo atio . “o e eeks are er us so pla ahead. Get esti ates fro at least t o o pa ies… ake
sure they are aware of what you are moving or leaving. Be precise!

2. Che k hat the o i g o pa ’s i sura e does, or does ot, o er should a da ages o ur.
Ask about any possible extra charges. Be sure to get a written confirmation of your move date and the
total cost.
If ou are ot usi g a professio al o i g o pa , start olle ti g o es for pa ki g… e sure the
are sturdy and have tops.
If you will need to store any of your stuff for the move, arrange for storage space. Often your
moving company can provide temporary storage.
Remember to double-check your attic, basement, garage, garden shed, etc.
A garage sale is a great idea…lea i g ou less to o e a d so e e tra ash i our po ket!
THREE WEEKS BEFORE MOVING
Properly dispose of flammable items such as paint, aerosol cans, and cleaning fluids according to
Municipal guidelines.
Send change-of-address information to the post office. Notify your friends, relatives and businesses.
If you live in an apartment building, pre-book the freight elevator.
TWO WEEKS BEFORE MOVING
Schedule a date for a service firm to disconnect and prepare the appliances you are moving.
Start packing non-essential items.
Arrange for a babysitter for moving day.
Start planning to disconnect utilities, including the phone.
Arrange for any services for your new home that will be easier to do before your things arrive, such
as painting, carpet-cleaning, floor or wood cleaning.
Start packing! Draw up a floor plan for your new home and start planning your furniture
arra ge e t…this akes o i g i t i e as eas . Nu er pa ked o es to orrespo d ith the roo
numbers on your floor plan.
Return any borrowed items to neighbours. Collect any lent items from neighbours.

3. Pick up dry cleaning, shoes or other items from local establishments and repair shops.
Clean out gym or school lockers, safe deposit boxes, etc.
ONE WEEK BEFORE MOVING
Finish packing suitcases and basic essentials. Make sure valuable documents, currency and
jewellery are in a safe, easily accessed place. Stay in complete control of your precious items, do not
leave such items for the movers to deal with. Label boxes filled with valuables as FOR CAR.
Drain garden hoses, lawn mowers, and other machinery.
Defrost and dry the fridge and freezer. Don't forget to empty the defrost water pan.
Take down items such as curtain rods, shelves, light fixtures and mirrors that you are taking with
you.
Do your final loads of laundry.
Dismantle large power tools, such as lathes and grinders.
Make sure all your important papers, keys, medications and plane tickets are available for the trip.
If you are travelling a long distance by car, you may want to have the car serviced.
Confirm pertinent details with your moving company.
PACKING DAY
Leave a clear workspace for the movers.
Identify fragile and valuable items, items you are taking with you, and items being left for the new
owners.
MOVING-OUT DAY
Plan to stay home until the moving van has left.
Provide movers with your detailed floor plan so they can move appropriate boxes into their correct

4. rooms.
Lay down plastic sheets to protect floors and carpets from heavy traffic.
Tour the house with the van operator during inventory. Sign the bill of lading. Confirm your new
address and delivery date. Check destination contact phone numbers.
Do a final check for overlooked items. Make sure windows and doors are locked, lights are turned
off, utilities are discontinued or turned off, and the keys are transferred.
If fridge is off, open door.
MOVING-IN DAY
Try to get to your new home the day before the moving van arrives. Make sure the utilities are
connected. Take another look to see if your furniture plan is optimal.
Be at the house to greet the movers.
Lay down plastic sheets to protect floors and carpets from heavy traffic.
When the mover arrives, check items unloaded against the inventory. Make arrangements for
installation of appliances. Confirm unpacking requirements.
Check for damages while the movers are still on-site. If there are da ages… learl state the spe ifi
details on the correct paper and have it signed by the movers. This will be helpful when you need to
claim for damages from the moving company.
Look o er this o i g he klist a d ale dar. Make sure ou’ e o ered e er thi g for our o e.