Moving Preparations
Moving is actually right up there with death and divorce as one of the most traumatic events of life. It can be really hard to uproot your life, especially depending on your reasons for moving and how far you’re going. If you’re relocating to South-Western from another city or even another country, we can help you repair your broken social networks with help on everything from good schools to good restaurants and getting around.
Whether you’re moving to your dream home up the street or relocating here due to a job transfer, moving isn’t easy, but there are simple things you can do to make it less stressful and less expensive. A good way to start is with a simple calendar beginning one-two months before the big day. That way you can check things off as you go and make sure you’re not getting too far behind. Here’s a simple timeline that will keep you 100% on track if you follow it:
Two months to one month before moving
- Walk through your current home and decide what you want to take, what you want to throw out, and what you want to donate to charity or sell.
- Arrange for important school, medical, financial, and legal records to be transferred.
- Book the movers: it’s a good idea to obtain estimates from more than one company, not only to get the best price, but because likely not all of them will be available on the day you want to move (especially if you’re moving in the summer). The estimates you get will depend on whether the movers pack everything for you, or whether you want to do the packing yourself.
- If you rent, give your landlord written notice and make arrangements for the return of any deposits.
- Inform gardening, newspapers, magazines, diaper, and any other home services of your move. Now would be a good time to arrange for service at your new address.
- If you’re moving far from your current home, you might want to consider transferring gym memberships and prescription records to a more local service
- Change the address on your driver’s license effective the day of the move.
Three weeks before moving
- Arrange to have your pets transported or boarded.
- Start preparing your plants for the move or, if it will be a long trip, consider giving them to friends, hospitals, libraries, or selling them. If you decide to move them, it’s a good idea to prune plants and re-pot them into unbreakable plastic containers before putting them in cardboard moving boxes with holes punched in the sides for air.
- Get back any items you have lent (and give back any items you’ve borrowed). Pick up any items that are being repaired.
- Collect all items out for cleaning or repair, or in storage.
- Dispose of flammable items such as paint, aerosol cans, and cleaning fluids.
- Send change of address information to the post office, bank, credit card companies and any other services where you get a monthly statement or newsletter (Canada Post allows you to change your address online and will forward your mail for six months for about $30).
- Start using up frozen food and staples. Don’t buy any more than you absolutely have to, before moving.
Two weeks before moving
- Schedule a date for a service firm to disconnect and prepare the appliances you are moving.
- Start packing nonessential items.
- Arrange for a babysitter for moving day if needed
- Start planning to disconnect utilities including phone and cable.
- Based on your return visits to your new home (your access visits), draw up a floor plan for your new home and start planning your furniture arrangement.
- Have your oil tank read and filled and, if required, give the receipt to your legal professional.
One week before moving
- Finish packing suitcases and basic essentials. Make sure valuable documents, currency, and jewellery are in a safe and easily accessible place.
- Drain garden hoses, lawn mowers, and other machinery.
- Clean and dry the fridge and freezer.
- Take down items such as curtain rods, shelves, light fixtures, and mirrors that you’re taking with you.
- Dismantle large power tools, such as lathes and grinders.
Packing day
- Leave a clear workspace for the packers.
- Identify fragile and valuable items, items you are taking with you, and items being left for the new owners.
Move-out day
- Do a final check for overlooked items. Make sure windows and doors are locked, lights are turned off, utilities are discontinued or turned off, and the keys have been left behind for whoever will be moving into your home.
Move-in day
- Make sure the utilities are connected.
- Take another look to see if where you want your furniture to go is correct.
- When the mover arrives, check items unloaded against the inventory.
- Make arrangements for installation of appliances. Confirm unpacking requirements.
491 Talbot Street
St Thomas ON N5P-1C3
(519) 633-0600
