Would you believe that the average Canadian family moves every five to seven years? If you’re moving house, whether it’s to another city or across town, is a very big undertaking.
So, you could definitely benefit from some advice – right? Here are 10 tips to remember. Some of this is shared from my personal experience.
- Purge what you don’t need
Why waste time and energy packing items that you no longer need. See if you can scale back your possessions to just what you want to take with you to your new house. If you’re like most people, you likely have held on to some things that no longer serve you.
Are their clothes, books, toys, or sporting equipment that your family has outgrown? Maybe this is the time to reduce a collection of memorabilia or rehome older furniture pieces? If you don’t want to sell your belongings online or host a garage sale, there are local charities who’ll gladly take things off your hands.
Are their clothes, books, toys, or sporting equipment that your family has outgrown? Maybe this is the time to reduce a collection of memorabilia or rehome older furniture pieces? If you don’t want to sell your belongings online or host a garage sale, there are local charities who’ll gladly take things off your hands.
- Create a moving folder
You may have started to list what you need to do before you move. A list is great but having a folder is even better. It allows you to gather up important paperwork and other information and keep everything you need in one place, along with your “to-do” list.
Having rental agreements, property purchase papers, moving contracts, contact information for people, warranties, passwords, and the like quickly accessible in a single folder can save you a lot of anguish. Add to this as you get closer to your move date.
Having rental agreements, property purchase papers, moving contracts, contact information for people, warranties, passwords, and the like quickly accessible in a single folder can save you a lot of anguish. Add to this as you get closer to your move date.
- Hire a moving company
Unless you have little to move and enough help from family and friends, you’re probably going to hire professional movers. Do your research by exploring the top moving company websites, reading what they offer and what customers say about them.
This is where you can typically request a preliminary quote so you can compare prices. Select a business as soon as possible and make sure you’ve locked in the move date you want.
This is where you can typically request a preliminary quote so you can compare prices. Select a business as soon as possible and make sure you’ve locked in the move date you want.
- Start packing early
While you may not like the idea of living among packed boxes and totes for a few months, it really does pay to start packing early. Focus on what you aren’t going to need until after you arrive at your new house. This could be seasonal clothing, books, or materials for hobbies you’re going to use right away. Remember not to overpack boxes and use smaller boxes for heavier items.
As you start to see your packing progress, you’ll experience less stress. It goes without saying that you should label all boxes clearly with the contents. Writing down the rooms they’re to go to in your new place will help your movers out.
As you start to see your packing progress, you’ll experience less stress. It goes without saying that you should label all boxes clearly with the contents. Writing down the rooms they’re to go to in your new place will help your movers out.
- Pack with care
You can find a good selection of packing boxes, totes, and related materials at most hardware and department stores. The moving company you’ve chosen might have some good online advice about how best to pack kitchen dishes and other belongings to avoid breakage and make good use of space.
When it comes to packing delicate items such as TVs or paintings, movers often offer this service and a nominal additional cost. In fact, some may require that they pack these themselves for insurance purposes.
When it comes to packing delicate items such as TVs or paintings, movers often offer this service and a nominal additional cost. In fact, some may require that they pack these themselves for insurance purposes.
- Keep the lights on at your new place
After contacting utility companies at your current address to tell them of your move, reach out to the utility providers for your new home. Ensure that the services will be switched over into your name and that you understand billing procedures and payment options.
If you’re dealing with the same company at each location, this might be a simpler matter. Although your lawyer’s office might take care of some of this with a property purchase, follow up with each utility to confirm information.
If you’re dealing with the same company at each location, this might be a simpler matter. Although your lawyer’s office might take care of some of this with a property purchase, follow up with each utility to confirm information.
- Arrange address changes
There are probably a number of individuals and businesses that you should provide with your new address. It’s a good idea also to register your new location with Canada Post so that your mail can be rerouted. If you’re comfortable, you could offer contact information to your previous landlord or whoever is moving into your old house so they can let you know if mail comes for you.
- Transport yourself what you’ll need right away
Pack a bag with the belongings that you’ll need as soon as you arrive at your new home. Having a few changes of clothes, toiletries, medications, legal papers and such handy will be a big help. Don’t forget the possessions your children might be relying on like a favorite blanket or stuffed toy.
- Purchase some essential supplies
Think about what else you’re going to want to have available. Buy a minimum of cleaning, kitchen, and bathroom products so that you’re not rummaging through boxes looking for bathroom tissue, garbage bags, or dish soap. These are purchases that will be used up in time even if you have extras.
- Be ready to move on moving day
Be sure that you’re not leaving too much to the last minute. You’ll find that a professional moving company works quite quickly and efficiently. Take the trouble to empty out your fridge ahead of time and load the personal possessions you want right away at your new house into your car before the movers arrive.
Finally
Although it’s exciting, moving to a new home can be challenging. Along with finding you that perfect new house, I can recommend some excellent moving companies.
