Find someone to look after your children, and a boarding service for your pets: Moving Day will be more relax for you and safer for them.
Have an installation plan for each room: plan ahead where the large pieces of furniture will be placed.
For blinds and drapes: measure the windows of your future apartment
Find a new bank branch in your new neighbourhood (but don't forget your safety box at the old branch!)
Reserve the elevator for D Day
2 to 3 weeks prior
Register with the mail redirection service of Canada Post (click here to access Canada Post website) ), and get Change of Address Announcement Cards, or even better: send an electronic Change of Address card!
Confirm with everyone who volunteered to help you on D Day
Send your carpets and drapes to the cleaner's: you can pick them up after D Day
Hold your garage sale (Visit our Garage Sale section).
Ask the previous owner of your new home whether some items are still under warranty (roof, furnace, alarm system, water heater)
One week prior
Complete your wrapping and packing; count your boxes
Take apart your furniture (if the movers don't do it)
Bring back books to the library and cancel your membership if your are changing neighbourhoods.
Confirm the transport arrangements and make yourself reachable (cell phone and/or pager)
Have a Survival Kit: utensiles, dispensable dishes and glasses, paper towels, toilet paper, tissue paper, light bulbs, flashlight, basic tools, cleaning products and accessories.
For special items like plants, jewelry, camera, paintings, etc. place them in a box and move them in your car.
The day before
Drive your children to the sitter and your pets to the boarding service
Get some cash for petty expenses
Reserve a space for the truck, at the front entrance of your apartment
Place snacks and drinks in a cooler
Ensure the major appliances are easily accessible (as they are usually the first ones to be placed in the truck)
Remove blinds, curtains and curtain rods
Ask for the elevator key, if available
Free the hallways of any obstacles to facilitate the moving
Prepare a suitcase with a change of clothes and toiletries for the first night.
D day
At your departure
Look after (or move yourself) items of important sentimental or monetary value
Take a meter reading (electricity or gas) just before leaving
Remove the front door to facilitate the moving
Give your phone number to the truck driver and note the delivery time
Check every room (closets, cupboards, storage areas, behind doors); mop the floors and close all doors and windows.
Take out the garbage
Hand in the keys to the real estate agent, owner or new tenant.
At your arrival
Get the keys
Welcome the movers and supervise the unpacking
Display the installation plan of each room
Check the locks and repair them if need be; it might be safer to have all locks changed
Before the movers leave, verify your items and furniture
Report any damage, lost items, scratched walls, etc before signing the invoice or the customer order. If you are unable to verify your belongings, sign the documents but mention "subject to future verification".
Wait 2 or 3 hours before connecting the refrigerator and freezer.
Take a meter reading (electricity or gas) at your new address