Chapter 1: Plan, Plan, and Plan Some More.

The key to avoiding a stressful move is planning. If you don’t plan ahead, you may encounter problems on the day of your move that are sure to cause unnecessary headaches. In this section, we will explore some of the things you should consider before your moving date.

 

Do I need extra storage space? 

When is your occupancy date for your new property? If it is after the date you must vacate your current home, then you may need to consider storage options, such as a self-storage unit. 

 

It is also important to consider if your move is permanent or temporary, particularly if you are downsizing. For example, if you are moving to a smaller apartment from a large house while you wait for your new house to be built, it may make sense to store some of your furniture in a storage unit until your new home is ready to be moved into.

 

If you are downsizing permanently, there may not be a future need for some of your furniture and it may not make sense to store it in a storage unit. In this case, it may make more financial sense to sell the furniture, rather than pay for storage offsite from your new home.

 

No matter your situation, if you decide you do need extra storage, shop around. This will give you a better idea of the cost of storage, as well as what you can expect from the facilities, such as if the facility is temperature-controlled. It’s always best to get a few quotes from different places before making your final decision about where to store your belongings. 

 

Do I have things that I don’t need and that I could get rid of?

We all have a tendency to collect clutter and things we don’t actually require. Moving to a new home is a great time to sort through your belongings and get rid of the things you no longer need. 

 

There are numerous ways you can get rid of your unwanted belongings, such as by having a garage sale or giving them to friends and family.

 

If you have items that could be used by other people, consider making a trip to your local Salvation Army or other charity for donation. Some charities will even pick up the items from your home, so it’s a good idea to contact the charity beforehand to see if an at-home pickup can be arranged. 

 

If the items you no longer need cannot be donated, consider going to your local Recycling and Waste Management Centre to dispose of these items responsibly. 

 

The key here is to sort through your belongings well in advance of moving, making one or two trips a week to your local charities or Recycling and Waste Management Centre a few weeks before your moving date. This will help make moving easier and smoother, avoiding a stressful time-sensitive situation.

 

Are you moving into a condominium or apartment?

 

Make sure you contact property management well in advance of your move date to book the move-in elevator. You may be required to provide other necessary information or documents as required by property management, such as a security deposit.

 

Do you have school-aged children?

If your children are moving to a new school, you need to organize their transfer and enrolment in the new school. Contact your current school’s administration or principal and provide them with the details of your child’s new school so that they can facilitate the transfer of your child to the new institution.

 

Do I want to hire a professional moving company or do it myself?

 

The Professionals

If you decide you are going to use a professional moving company, don’t be afraid to shop around – it’s always a good idea to get multiple quotes. A good rule of thumb is to obtain at least three quotes from different moving companies. Before obtaining a quote, compile a list of all the items you will need to be removed from your home. This will help the moving company provide you with an accurate quote.

 

You will also need to decide which type of service you want from your moving company. Do you want the company to take care of the entire movie, including packing, moving, and unpacking? Or do you want the moving company to simply remove your belongings from your old home and unload them at your new home?

 

DIY (Do it Yourself)

 

Ask friends and family for their help

If you decide to take care of the move yourself, you will likely need some help from friends and family, particularly with regards to moving larger furniture. Ask a few friends and family members well in advance if they can assist your move. A nice way to show your gratitude for your friends’ help is to provide food, such as lunch and snacks, and refreshments. Also, be sure to offer to return the favour on their next move!

 

Arrange transportation

Unless you happen to own a van or large truck, you will likely need to arrange transport for the moving day. This could be a van or truck rental, UHAUL, or even a trailer attached to your own car. Make sure you pack items to secure your furniture and belongings with, such as ropes, ties, and moving blankets.

 

Safety first!

When it comes to actually move items, ensure you wear appropriate footwear (i.e. closed shoes with good grip), especially when moving larger items. Also ensure all potential hazards, such as things you can trip over like cables, rugs, pets etc. are safely removed before moving furniture. Remember to be mindful of uneven or slippery floors.

 

TIP! If moving larger and/or heavier furniture, ensure you lift with your legs rather than your back. This will help protect your back from injury. 

 

Did you previously rent your old home?

If you rented your previous home, you will need to arrange to meet your landlord to hand over your keys to the property. Ensure you clean the property thoroughly before you leave. Depending on the conditions of your lease and to avoid any additional charges, you may also need to conduct minor repairs or paint the property. Refer to your lease to understand exactly what is required. 

 

You will also need to arrange final billing for utilities. You can simply call your utility providers to let them know that you are moving out and they will take care of the final billing for you.

 

Connecting your new home 

It’s a good idea to get your utilities – such as electricity, natural gas, water, phone, cable, and the internet – connected and setup before you move into your new home. Contact your utility providers to inform them of the move so they can arrange for these services to be connected at your new home. 

 

Try to contact your utility providers at least two weeks before your move date to ensure there is availability for a technician to be sent to your new home to set up the connections.

 

Contacting your utility providers as early as possible will help make the transition to your new home as seamless as possible.

 

Change of Address

Ensure you update companies you conduct business with, friends, and family with your new address. You can also often arrange for a mail redirection service with your post office for a fee. This will ensure you do not miss any important mail during the transition to your new home. Contact Canada Post or your local postal service to find out more about mail redirection services.

 

Planning Checklist

• Go through each room and create a list of everything that needs to be packed. This will not only help you organize yourself for moving day but will also give you a better estimate of the storage you may need, and the logistics required on moving day.

• Measure large or bulky furniture and other items. Record the dimensions of these items, including height and width.

• Measure the doorways and rooms in your new home. This will help you determine where your furniture will fit.

• Create a floorplan for your new home. This will help you plan where you would like to put your furniture when you move in, saving time.

• Determine where it’s easiest to move your furniture into your new home, whether that be the front door, side door, or garage entrance.

• Determine where the moving truck or van can park while you load and unload your belongings, whether that be your driveway or on the road. Ensure you have the necessary approvals from the city or town to park the moving truck on public roads for the duration of your move.

• If you are moving into an apartment or condominium, contact property management to determine what the procedure is for moving in, including when you can book the elevator. Most condominiums require a security deposit in the event you damage the elevator. 

• Contact your utility providers to arrange for disconnection, meter reading, and final billing. Also arrange for the connection of utilities (electricity, natural gas), home phone, internet, and TV at your new home.

• Update your address with the business and organizations you deal with, your friends, and your family. Consider the use of postal redirection services so you do not miss any important mail during the transition to your new home.