A great checklist to get you from A to B!
Old Location
Arrange for a professional mover: get recommendations from friends and review sites, check with Better Business Bureau, get three quotes
Show potential movers everything and tell them what to expect for unloading (stairs, halls, elevators, etc.) so they can give a reasonable quote
Arrange packing materials, if necessary
Take complete inventory of household goods and print out lists
Photograph items of value to keep in case of a dispute over loss or damage
Check with your insurance agent about coverage for the move, transfer of policies
Clean out closets/garage
Send draperies and rugs to cleaners in time for packing with other goods
Defrost freezer
Call the following to have services shut off and/or changed to new address:
Water company
Cable TV/Internet company
Electric company
Newspaper delivery
Gas/oil company
Dairy/grocery delivery
Telephone plan
Notify companies and people of your change of address, either online or via postal change-of-address cards:
Post Office http://www.canadapost.ca/tools/pg/manual/PGcoa-e.asp
Credit cards
Charge accounts
Loan companies
Subscriptions
Friends, relatives
Take care of household and personal business:
Pick up any clothing, storage items from cleaners
Empty safe-deposit box
Arrange for banking in new location
Arrange for local school to transfer children's records
Search online dentist reviews or ask dentist for recommendations of new dentist -- arrange for records to be forwarded
General dentist _____________________________________
Orthodontist _______________________________________
Other ____________________________________________
Search online doctor reviews or ask physician(s) for recommendations -- arrange for records to be forwarded.
Family doctor _______________________________________
Pediatrician ________________________________________
Specialists _________________________________________
Obtain veterinarian records
Have appliances serviced for moving, if necessary
Transfer social, civic organization memberships; obtain letters of introduction
Record moving company's toll-free phone number and the mobile of the driver and web tracking URL to check progress of shipment:
Tracking code ________________________________________
Phone number ________________________________________
Mobile number ________________________________________
Website _________________________________________
Make travel arrangements:
Flight
Hotel reservations
Arrange for transportation of pets
Car rental
Plan route
Alter phone plan if necessary to avoid excessive roaming charges
Arrange for a close friend or relative to be your point person in case you are unreachable
Say goodbye to your old home
Pack household goods into numbered boxes labeled with appropriate room
Carefully pack any items you absolutely don't want lost or damaged and take them with you
Scan important papers -- birth certificates, wills, the contract with the movers -- and take the originals with you
Pack supplies you'll need on the day of the move: bathroom items, eating utensils, snacks, drinks, breakfast food, pet food, medical needs, etc.
Check closets, shelves, all rooms and outbuildings to make sure they are empty
Supervise cleaners and movers
Leave current home in clean condition
Before Arriving At New Location
Arrange for utility services in new area:
Water company
Electric company
Gas company
Cable/Internet
If moving to a condo, contact property management company and book parking space and elevator for moving day
Getrecommendations for repair services fromReal Estate Agent, new landlord, previous owner/tenant or online review sites:
Plumber ____________________________________________
Electrician __________________________________________
Handyman __________________________________________
New Location
Supervise unloading and unpacking
Set up and make beds first so you can collapse into them when you need to
Put up any shelving units before you unpack other items
Meet your neighbors (write down their names)
Get recommendations for babysitters, nanny agencies, etc.
Contact Welcome Wagon or other merchant-sponsored organizations for information, gifts and coupons
Put valuables into a safe-deposit box in new bank
Ensure that new school has received records
Contact new dentists and doctors to ensure that records have been transfered
Have pets licensed
Arrange for new registration and insurance of cars: www.icbc.com
Apply for new driver's licence if you moved from outside BC (your licence is only valid for 90 days after arrival): www.icbc.com
Moving Checklist Infographic
General dentist _____________________________________
Orthodontist _______________________________________
Other ____________________________________________
Family doctor _______________________________________
Pediatrician ________________________________________
Specialists _________________________________________
Tracking code ________________________________________
Phone number ________________________________________
Mobile number ________________________________________
Website _________________________________________
Plumber ____________________________________________
Electrician __________________________________________
Handyman __________________________________________
General dentist _____________________________________
Orthodontist _______________________________________
Other ____________________________________________
Family doctor _______________________________________
Pediatrician ________________________________________
Specialists _________________________________________
Tracking code ________________________________________
Phone number ________________________________________
Mobile number ________________________________________
Website _________________________________________
Plumber ____________________________________________
Electrician __________________________________________
Handyman __________________________________________
