Moving Resources

Moving always brings mixed emotions – it can be both very exciting and stressful at the same time. To help, here are some useful tips that will help make your move efficient and trouble-free.

4 to 6 Weeks before moving

Schedule your mail to be forwarded to your new address with Canada Post

• Get boxes and moving supplies
• Arrange phone service at your new home visit Rogers or Telus or Shaw
• Take unwanted items to charity and/or dump
• Dispose of household chemicals properly (old paint, caustic cleaners, etc.). Take these to the local Toxic Waste Centre
• Arrange the return of any cable TV equipment 
• Complete necessary change of address forms:
  • Drivers’ license, Health cards, Insurance
  • Employer, Doctor, Dentist
  • Magazine subscriptions and other mailings
  • Memberships, insurance
  • Bank accounts, credit cards, and tax office (Canada Revenue Agency)
• If necessary, do the following:
  • Make travel arrangements and reservations.
  • Arrange transfer of car insurance & license plates.
  • Notify kids’ schools, transfer records.
  • Register at new school.
  • Get copies of medical and dental records; if you have pets, get copies of veterinary records.

8 to 14 days before moving

• Return borrowed items.
• Arrange connection and disconnection of utilities at new and previous home. Visit Fortis and BC Hydro
• Retrieve loaned items
• Arrange for major appliances to be moved, if necessary
• Dispose of all flammable materials.

2 to 7 days before moving

• Determine what you can bring with you if travelling by car, plane, train, or bus, where applicable
• Pack a suitcase with the clothes and toiletries that you’ll need the first day in your new home
• Pack a special box with other essentials you’ll need for the first few days and marks this box “Do Not Move”.

The day before moving

• Pack your personal belongings, except your alarm clock, necessary clothes, jewellery and bedding
• Empty, defrost and clean refrigerator; clean the stove.
• Keep paperwork accessible.
• Collect all keys; keep them in a safe place.
• Strip and dismantle beds.
• Clean premises that you are leaving, inspect with the landlord.
• Final walk-through: check all closets and cabinets
• If using a moving company, confirm the new address and delivery time with the driver
• If using a moving company, walk about with supervisor and sign inventory forms

After moving

Contact city/municipal offices to find out about garbage pick up, recycling facilities and local regulations and information.

Click the link for your 

Check out this app that might prove useful in helping you move:

Move Advisor (iOS, Android, Google)

Move Advisor is an app that helps you organize the entire moving experience. It has a nice design and is easy to use, even for those who might be more digitally challenged. It has four tools, each of which is perfect for a certain phase of the moving process.

• Moving Timeline – This is a week-by-week checklist that is very detailed. You punch in your moving date and whether you’re hiring a moving company or doing it yourself. At that point, it gives you a detailed to-do list for each week to ensure everything gets done when it should be done.
• Home Inventory – This tool allows you to take an inventory of your home. You add a room and fill it up with items in your life. The household items available cover a broad range of items. Once you’ve done you save it and move on to the next room. What’s really cool is that it can tell you how many boxes you need and how much of a truck your items will fill.
• Movers Around You – This tool lets you find a professional moving company near your home so you don’t have to do all the research yourself. You can also look at ratings and reviews from other customers to get a good idea of the company before contacting them.
• Get A Moving Quote – This allows you to get a quote from an insured moving company so you can compare moving cost estimates and choose one that fits your needs.