epic Moving Checklist

8 weeks before you move checklist:


  1. Create a “moving” file or folder on your computer to store quotes, receipts, and records related to your move. You’re not going to be able to remember all of the details. So throw them in a document for easy reference.
  2. Schedule in-home estimates with a reputable moving companies.
  3. Create a realistic budget for moving expenses. 
  4. Read over documents from your movers before signing anything. Don’t let contracts intimidate you by learning about the documents you’ll be receiving ahead of time. Some moving companies may also be negotiable, best to get all quotes and documentation in writing before agreeing. 
  5. Request your time off work for moving day. We plan all of our possessions for Thursdays so that you can easily take Friday off work for your move and giving you the rest of the weekend to get yourself organized.
  6. Choose a school for your kids. Here is the EPSB Find a School Tool. 
  7. Along the same vein, request transcripts for your kids from their old school for their new school. Regardless of how far you are moving, the new school your child attends will need these. Arrive prepared so your kid(s) don’t get left behind. Here are the key deadline dates for registration.
  8. Plan a garage sale. Then, donate anything left that you couldn’t sell.
  9. Plan how to move fragile or unusual items, such as guns, pianos, fine art, pool tables or safes. The list goes on and on. The movers you hire may not be qualified to move some larger (or more expensive) items, so you may need to hire a specialty mover to do the job. Make sure you’re aware of exactly what the movers you hired will and will not move.
  10. Confirm that your moving company is licensed and insured by verifying their Business number and check their online reviews!

6 weeks before you move checklist:

When you’re six weeks out from a move, it’s important to make sure you’re getting all your ducks in a row. If you’re moving out of town, you’ll need to do things like spend time with family and friends. Then of course, you need to begin to organize your belonging (and life in general). 
  1. Make time for friends and relatives before moving day. Squeeze in a few last memories is your current home by throwing a simple dinner party. It doesn’t have to be elaborate to do the trick.
  2. Collect free boxes from restaurants liquor, grocery, and office supply stores.
  3. Research packing hacks to make moving day easier.
  4. Label your moving boxes using different coloured stickers/tape for each room. This will make your life a ton easier when you’re all moved in and ready to start unpacking.
  5. Create an inventory sheet of all your valuables before they go on the moving truck. Also, keep a private list of which boxes you packed your valuables in.
  6. Mark moving boxes that are fragile.
  7. Take photos of all electronics before unplugging them. This will help jog your memory when you’re reconnecting things such as your TV and stereo. 
  8. Put all your hardware in labeled baggies for easy furniture reassembly.
  9. Gather socks, t-shirts, towels, and linens to use as free packing supplies. Wrapping water glasses in dish towels? Why didn’t we think of that!
  10. If you’re moving into an apartment, confirm (in writing if possible) any moving day requirements with the property management.
  11. Address minor home repairs before moving out. If you live in an apartment, this might be the difference between getting your security deposit back, or not.
  12. If you’re moving cross country, have your vehicles serviced. The last thing you want is to deal with a breakdown mid-move!
  13. If your move requires shipping your car, don’t leave anything in it!
  14. Measure doorways, stairways, and elevators to make sure all your furniture will fit. Measure twice – move once!
  15. Research your new community for points of interest. Find your new favourite hangout spot or restaurant! Zomato, Trip Advisor or Yelp are great places to start. Ready to book? Use Opentable!  Check out Avenue Best Restaurant or EatLocal for motivation
  16. Last but not least for this section, pack a little every day. You don’t want to find yourself packing all of your belongings the night before.

4 weeks before you move checklist:

Four weeks out – you’ve officially hit the one-month mark! Now’s the time to start gathering important documents that you’ll need to bring with you to your new place. You should also start doing things like selling and donating items. It will be a lot easier to complete items on your moving checklist when you’re not bogged down in possession that you neither want nor need.
  1. Purchase moving insurance to cover all your belongings during the move.
  2. Confirm parking options for your moving truck – you may need a permit for moving day. Especially being in a condo building, make sure the loading zones and moving processes are identified. Many buildings now will issue administrative penalties if you are found breaking the rules during your move, If you’re planning a DIY move, you’ll want to look into the cost of renting a moving truck. 
  3. Use or donate items that you can’t pack or sell, such as frozen foods, bleach, and aerosol cans.
  4. Gather all financial and legal records in one place.
  5. Gather birth certificates and passports for everyone in your home. Then, carry important documents on your person during your move.
  6. Find a landscaper and snow removal service in your new neighbourhood.
  7. Return your library books, movies or games.
  8. Pick up clothes from the dry cleaner.
  9. Compile medical, dental, and optical records for everyone in your home.
  10. If you’re moving out of town, find a new doctor, dentist, and vet in your new neighbourhood.
  11. Update your voter registration!
  12. If you’re moving long distance, plan your route and book hotels.
  13. Transfer your Shaw, Telus or Bell cable/internet plan to your new home and schedule your installation appointment. Slots fill up fast! 
  14. Make sure your pets have ID tags for their collars and your Edmonton Pet Licence are up to date.
  15. Request copies of vet records and get any necessary pet medication.
  16. If you’re moving out of the country, make sure your pets have all necessary vaccinations.
  17. Make a moving day playlist to enjoy while moving and unpacking.

2 weeks before you move checklist:

The big day is almost here! You’re two weeks away from moving and it’s time to update your accounts and records for your new place and address. You also want to take these two weeks before your move to plan ahead packing, meals, medication, pets, and children. Moving day is a BUSY one. Make sure to have everything on your moving list checked off for this two-week point. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did!
  1. Create a moving file to organize your moving-related receipts and bills. You’ll want to keep a list of moving-related expenses to claim as a deduction at tax time.
  2. Recycle or dispose of corrosives, flammables, and poisonous items. Make sure you’re disposing of toxic items properly.  
  3. Prep two-weeks worth of meals and use everything in the freezer.
  4. Return borrowed items from friends and family.
  5. Back up your computer. If something goes awry during your move, you’ll be thankful you have everything saved in an alternate place.
  6. Set up trash removal and recycling for your new home, and cancel your current service.
  7. Remove light bulbs from all lamps you plan to move.
  8. Moving far? Clean out your safe deposit box and any lockers you might have at a gym or community centre.
  9. Fill your prescriptions.
  10. Prepare a list of emergency service technicians and preferred providers. You don’t want to be googling plumbers while your toilet is overflowing in your new home.
  11. To keep little ones safe during a move, line up a babysitter or make arrangements for a play date.
  12. Find somewhere safe for pets to go during your move. Look into doggy daycare or ask a friend to watch them for a day – who wouldn’t love to dog sit Fido, Fluffy or Muffin?
  13. Use Google Maps to find your way to work by car or public transportation.
  14. Send out moving announcement. There are plenty of creative ways to share your new address.
  15. Change your address with loan providers, credit cards, banks, and the payroll department at work. Also, remember to order new checks.
  16. Forward your mail.
  17. Change address for any government related mail including the CRA.
  18. Transfer your homeowners or renters insurance to your new home.
  19. Cancel or transfer your membership at the gym, yoga studio, Crossfit facility, etc.
  20. Update your address for newspaper and magazine subscriptions.
  21. Transfer your utilities including water, electric, and natural gas.
  22. Update your driver’s license.
  23. Update your address with Amazon and any monthly subscriptions boxes you receive.
  24. Change your address for your auto insurance and car registration.
  25. Clean outdoor furniture before it's moved.
  26. Transfer your prescriptions to a new pharmacy, if necessary.


The week you move checklist:

The week has come! It’s time to make sure you organize your belongings, finish packing, and clean your old home. Make sure everything’s squared away early. It’ll allow for a stress-free moving day!
  1. Donate unopened to Edmonton Food Bank. 
  2. Make sure you canceled and/or redirected scheduled deliveries.
  3. Clean your current home for the next resident.
  4. Unplug your fridge and freezer to defrost the night before. Make sure you lay a towel in front of it to absorb any water that leaks.
  5. Clean your Washing Machine, Dryer (furnace cleaning can do this) and Dishwasher
  6. Drain water hoses to your washing machine and ice maker.
  7. Empty oil and gas from grills, heaters, lawn mowers, and snow blowers.
  8. Leave a note or small gift for new residents.
  9. Make sure nothing is hiding on shelves or in closet corners.
  10. Before conducting a final walk through with your landlord, fill nail holes with a bar of soap.
  11. Check the weather and prepare for rain or snow.
  12. Pack an essentials box with everything you’ll need for your first 24 hours in your new home.
  13. Make a worst-case scenario plan in case your movers run late.
  14. Take photographs of your empty place to prove it’s in move-out condition.
  15. Withdraw cash to tip your movers.
  16. Clean your new place. A lot of times, the previous homeowners only sweep their house or apartment.

Moving day checklist:

Moving day is here! All your moving prep has led you to this very moment. You’ve checked off almost 100 items on this moving checklist to get you to this point. On the day of your move, make sure you get an early start. Start the day off right and get moving. The earlier you move in, the more time you will have to start unpacking and settling into your new home.
  1. Rise and shine! Set an alarm and get up early on moving day.
  2. Protect your floors and carpets during the move.
  3. They’ve worked hard for you all day, so tip your movers.
  4. As soon as your movers leave, make your bed and unpack your shower curtain and toiletries. This makes a nap and a shower so much easier. And let’s face it, it’s the first thing you’ll want to do post move.
  5. Get to know your neighbours!
  6. Go grocery shopping. At this point, you’ve eaten enough take out. Having food in the house will also prevent you from unnecessary spending.
  7. Don’t have curtains or shades yet? Cover your windows with sheets for privacy for your first night.

One week, post move checklist:

You’re moved in! You’ve checked off almost everything on your moving checklist, but you’re not done yet. Now is the time to start making your new place yours. Unpack, decorate, and have fun personalizing your new home.
  1. Leave a detailed review of your experience with your moving company.
  2. Leave a detailed review of your experience with your Real Estate Agent if you haven't done so already!
  3. Post leftover moving boxes or unwanted furniture on KIJIJI. Or, give them to someone you know is moving.
  4. Clean the carpets in your new home.
  5. Sweep your chimney before you use it.
  6. Make sure your home’s address is visible from the street.
  7. Install a new home security system.
  8. Explore your new neighbourhood– local shops, supermarkets, libraries, cafés, grocery stores, and restaurants.
  9. Send thank you notes to friends and family who helped you move.

Two weeks, post move checklist:

Finally, you’ve made it to the last two checkpoints on this epic moving checklist! Make sure you’ve completely settled in. Now that you’re comfortable, take a night off and call a babysitter!
  1. Aim to unpack all your stuff within two weeks of moving in.
  2. Last, but not least, make copies of your new keys for the babysitter, nanny, and dog walker.

Happy moving! 

Get In Touch

ARIVL | Real Estate for the Modern Millennial.

Mobile: (780) 224-5566

Phone: (780) 224-5566

EMAIL

Office Info

ARIVL

319-10523 123 STREET  Edmonton,  AB  T5N 1N9 

Stay Connected