Moving Tips
- Keep a check list handy of each person's responsibilities
- Cancel your utilities and services, advising them of your moving date and new address
- Contact your lawyer and advise him, or her, of your new home purchase
- Contact your insurance company and secure coverage for your new home - your bank and lawyer will need the name and phone number of your insurance provider
- File a change of address form with the post office
- Book your moving company as soon as possible, but do some research before making your final decision
- call a variety and compare rates
- find out what the rates include
- ask about additional costs and get a quote
- decide if you will need the movers to pack your possessions - a nice service, but it is pricey, however, it may be worthwhile having them pack a portion of your possessions (e.g. artwork, paintings, mirrors, fine china, etc.)
- get references
- inquire about the types of trucks used
- Decide on how many men you'd like to hire
- while the hourly rate is cheaper for 2 men, the job will generally go quicker with more hands making light work
- Edit your possessions before you start to pack
- this is wonderful time to donate, sell, or discard those unused items and clothing
- have a friend help you with this process
- Get plenty of strong boxes in a variety of sizes
- Use bubble wrap and un-printed newsprint to wrap your breakables
- Work methodically packing up one room at a time
- Pack your boxes snugly, using packing material to fill in any gaps, but avoid making any too heavy
- Label and seal your boxes well
- Indicate which rooms the boxes are destined for, either marking them, or using a colour code system, or even both
- Keep some tools on hand during moving day
- Keep cleaning supplies out so that you can do final touch ups to your home before you leave (broom, dust pan, mop, pail, vacuum, paper towels, Windex, and an all purpose cleaner)
- Pack a few boxes of essentials (bottled water, toiletries, medications, tea/coffee, cups, sugar, towels, pet food, etc.) and keep them separate from your other boxes transporting them in your own vehicle
- Upon arrival at your new home, direct the movers and let them know where you'd like to have things placed
- If the movers disassembled something, it is their responsibility to put it back together again
- To avoid congestion, it is advisable to put some of your boxes in the garage, or spare room, upon arrival, pulling out and unpacking a few at a time
- Recycle your packing material - to save space, break down boxes as you unpack them and fold your packing material before you recycle it
