Ultimate Moving Checklist

Planning a move can feel overwhelming—but with the right timeline and a detailed checklist, you can make your relocation smooth, organized, and even enjoyable. Whether you're moving across Winnipeg or across Canada, this comprehensive guide will help you stay on track. Here's everything you need to know, from two months out to your first week in your new home:

Two Months Before The Move

Starting your moving process early is key to ensuring a smooth transition to your new home. Two months out is the perfect time to begin tackling big-picture tasks like research, budgeting, and sorting:

Start Researching Moving Companies

Begin by looking into moving companies that align with your needs. Start with trusted names in the industry and gather quotes from at least three different movers. Look for companies with proper licensing, insurance, and solid reviews. If you're planning a cross-country move or need storage, ensure the movers offer those services as well. Research their reputation on third-party sites, such as Google Reviews or the Better Business Bureau, and ask for references if needed. Early research will give you plenty of time to choose a mover and lock in your date.

Create A Moving Budget

A moving budget helps you avoid unexpected costs later. Consider all expenses associated with your move, including the movers, packing materials, potential cleaning fees, and any costs for short-term or long-term storage. Don’t forget to account for additional costs, such as utility setup fees, gas for the moving truck, or temporary accommodation if needed. Creating a detailed budget allows you to estimate total costs and adjust accordingly. It’s always best to leave room for unexpected expenses, so be sure to set aside extra funds for peace of mind.

Begin Sorting And Decluttering

Take this opportunity to reduce the amount of stuff you need to move. Go through every room and sort items into categories: Keep, donate, and discard. This will not only simplify your move but also cut down on packing and moving costs. If you’re undecided on some items, store them in a box for later assessment. Decluttering early also means you’ll have fewer things to clean and pack in the days leading up to the move.

Make A List Of Items To Sell Or Donate

Don’t let good items go to waste. If you’re downsizing or simply don’t need certain things, list them for sale or donate them to local charities. Consider selling larger furniture or gently used items on local buy-and-sell groups or online platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. Donating items to places like the Salvation Army or Goodwill is a great way to give back while lightening your load.

Gather Important Documents

As you start the move, gather your essential documents. This includes birth certificates, medical records, insurance policies, and tax documents. It’s crucial to have these in one place, easily accessible throughout the process. Consider using a folder or binder specifically for this purpose, ensuring that important paperwork stays organized and doesn’t get misplaced.

Six Weeks Before The Move

By the six-week mark, you should be well into your preparation. This is when you start taking more actionable steps toward packing, organizing utilities, and planning the logistics of your move:

Order Packing Supplies

It’s time to get all your packing supplies together. Depending on the size of your move, you’ll need a variety of materials like cardboard boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, and packing paper. Don’t forget about specialty boxes for fragile items such as dishware or electronics. You can purchase these from moving supply stores or order them online. Some moving companies even provide packing supplies as part of their services, so check with them about any available packages. Make sure to get extra supplies in case you need to pack more items than anticipated.

Begin Packing Non-Essential Items

Start packing items that you won’t need in the next few weeks, such as seasonal clothing, extra linens, books, or décor. Packing early allows you to chip away at the task little by little, instead of leaving everything until the last minute. Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to in your new home. This will make unpacking much more efficient. Focus on packing things you won’t need regularly and set aside only the essentials for daily use.

Notify Utilities And Service Providers

Now is the time to notify all relevant utility and service providers of your move. This includes your electricity, water, gas, internet, and cable providers. Schedule disconnections for the day after your move-out and connect services at your new home for your move-in date. If applicable, inform your waste management service, landscaping companies, and any other recurring services you use. This ensures there are no service interruptions during your move.

Take Measurements Of New Home

Visit your new home (if possible) to take measurements of key spaces. This is especially important for larger furniture pieces. Measure doorways, hallways, and rooms to ensure that your furniture will fit in the designated spaces. Planning ahead will help avoid moving large items only to realize they don’t fit in the desired area.

One Month Before The Move

With only a month left until your moving day, it’s time to get serious about finalizing plans and beginning the physical tasks of packing and organizing:

Finalize Moving Company

By now, you should have chosen your moving company, so it's time to finalize the details. Confirm the date and time of the move, and ensure all terms of the contract are clear, including services like packing, loading, and insurance. Double-check that the movers have all the information about your home and the new property. If you're moving to or from a building with limited access, such as an apartment, inform the moving company about any potential challenges. If you haven’t already, finalize the payment terms and discuss any additional fees that may apply.

Create A Moving Folder For Important Documents

As you approach your moving day, it’s crucial to stay organized. Create a dedicated folder or binder specifically for moving-related documents, including contracts, receipts, quotes, and insurance information. This will keep everything in one place, guaranteeing you can access the necessary paperwork quickly if needed. Also, include personal documents like medical records, IDs, or anything else you may need during the move. Keeping this folder handy during your move will save you a lot of stress in case something urgent arises.

Start Packing Room-By-Room

It’s time to start packing systematically. Focus on one room at a time, starting with the least-used areas like guest rooms or storage closets. As you pack, make sure to protect fragile items and use plenty of padding. If you have a home office, consider packing electronics and paperwork now. Room-by-room packing makes it easier to stay organized and helps you keep track of your belongings.

Label Boxes With Contents And Destination Room

As you pack each box, label it with a description of its contents and the room it will go to in the new home. This will make unpacking more efficient and help movers know where to place each box. Colour-coded labels for different rooms can also really help keep things organized.

Plan For Moving Day (Kids, Pets, Essentials)

Start thinking about how you'll manage your family and pets on moving day. Plan to have someone watch over kids and pets to avoid disruptions. Set aside essential items like toiletries, medications, snacks, and a change of clothes in a separate bag for easy access on moving day. This “essential bag” will ensure you have what you need without rummaging through boxes.

Two Weeks Before The Move

With only two weeks left until the big day, the focus now shifts to confirming logistics, packing the final items, and ensuring everything is in order for a smooth move:

Confirm Details With Moving Company

At this stage, it’s important to confirm all details with your moving company. Double-check the moving date, time, and the number of movers they will send. If you need any special equipment, like a crane for large items or extra padding for fragile furniture, make sure this is arranged ahead of time. Confirm the payment terms, including any deposits or final fees, and discuss any last-minute questions. This is also a good time to ask about the insurance coverage provided by the movers or inquire about additional insurance options for your high-value items.

Pack A Suitcase With Essentials For Moving Day

Prepare a suitcase or overnight bag with everything you’ll need for the day of the move. Include a change of clothes, toiletries, medications, chargers, snacks, and any essential personal items you may need for the first few days in your new home. It’s easy to overlook these things when you’re caught up in the packing process, but having them set aside will ensure you have everything on hand when you arrive at your new place—without having to dig through boxes.

Finish Packing Non-Essential Items

By now, the majority of your non-essential items should be packed away. This includes things like seasonal clothing, extra décor, and kitchen items you won’t use in the last couple of weeks. Finish packing these remaining items, and remember to label the boxes clearly. This will ensure you stay organized and won’t waste time searching for things later.

Arrange For Cleaning Services At Old And New Homes

Schedule cleaning services for both your old and new homes. Cleaning after the move is often required by your landlord if you're renting, and it’s a nice touch for the new owners or tenants. Consider booking a deep cleaning service, especially if you’re short on time or want to make sure everything is spotless.

Update Address With Important Contacts

Update your address with key contacts like the post office, your bank, insurance providers, and any subscription services. Don’t forget about your friends and family! Updating your address well in advance will ensure you don’t miss any important mail after the move.

One Week Before The Move

With just a week to go, it's time to focus on the final packing, ensuring that everything is in place for moving day, and addressing any last-minute details:

Pack Remaining Items

At this point, you should begin packing up the last of your belongings. Start with the items you use daily, like kitchenware, clothing, and toiletries. Pack as much as possible without leaving essential items behind. It's also a good time to pack your cleaning supplies, so they are accessible for both the final clean-up of your old home and cleaning your new one. Remember to pack things like your bedding and linens, but keep them separate for easy access the night before the move. Also, consider making a list of everything that has been packed, so you know what to look for when unpacking.

Prepare Appliances For The Move

Start preparing your appliances for the move. This includes defrosting your refrigerator and freezer, draining water lines from the dishwasher and washing machine, and unplugging all other appliances. If you’re moving large appliances like a washing machine or refrigerator, it’s a good idea to schedule a professional to disconnect them to avoid any issues. You may also need to check with your movers to ensure that they have the proper equipment to move bulky or heavy appliances safely.

Confirm Moving Day Details With Movers

Reconfirm all details with your moving company to ensure everything is set for moving day. Double-check the time, date, and locations, and confirm any specific instructions for the movers. If there are any changes to the original plan, such as an updated inventory of items or changes to the access details at either home, inform them in advance. Discuss the estimated arrival time at your new home, as this will help you plan your day accordingly.

Pack A Box Of Moving Day Essentials

Pack a box with essential items you’ll need on moving day. This includes things like snacks, drinks, phone chargers, basic cleaning supplies, and important documents. It’s also a good idea to pack a few basic kitchen items, like a coffee maker or utensils, so you have the essentials available as soon as you arrive at your new home. This box should stay with you during the move, not packed in the truck, so it’s easily accessible.

Moving Day

The big day has arrived! It’s time to stay organized and focused to ensure everything goes smoothly. Here are the essential tasks to tackle on moving day:

Do A Final Walkthrough Of The Old Home

Before you start the moving process, take a final walkthrough of your old home to make sure you haven’t missed anything. Check all rooms, closets, cabinets, and storage areas for any forgotten items. This is your last chance to pick up any stray belongings that may have been overlooked. Make sure that all windows and doors are securely locked, and if you’re renting, ensure that the property is in the same condition as when you moved in (as per your rental agreement). A final walkthrough helps prevent moving into your new place and realizing you left something behind.

Supervise The Loading Of The Truck

While the movers handle the heavy lifting, it's important to supervise the loading of the truck. Make sure that items are being loaded in the correct order for easy unloading at your new home. Heavy items should be placed at the bottom, with lighter and more fragile items on top. If you’ve hired a full-service moving company, it should have a plan for how to load everything properly, but being present will give you peace of mind. If you’re moving any valuable items, such as artwork or electronics, make sure they’re packed carefully and that special handling instructions are followed.

Ensure All Important Documents Are Easily Accessible

Make sure your important documents, such as passports, birth certificates, and moving contracts, are in a safe, easily accessible location. Keep them with you during the move, either in a folder or a secure bag. Having these documents on hand will ensure that you don’t have to dig through boxes later if you need them.

Double-Check All Rooms And Closets

Before the movers leave, double-check every room, closet, and storage space one last time. Look for any forgotten items, trash, or things that were left behind during the packing process. This final inspection will ensure you leave nothing behind and that the house is ready for its new occupants. Once you’ve confirmed everything is packed, you can move on to the unloading process with confidence.

After The Move

Once you've arrived at your new home, it's time to focus on getting settled and ensuring everything is in place. Here are the steps to take once the moving truck has been unloaded:

Set Up Utilities And Services

Set up utilities like electricity, gas, water, and internet as soon as possible. Contact service providers and schedule installations or transfers if you haven’t already. In addition to your utilities, ensure that services like waste collection, recycling, and any local services are set up. You may also want to check that appliances like your washer, dryer, or refrigerator are working properly. Getting these essentials up and running will make your new house feel like a home much faster.

Unpack Methodically, Starting With Essentials

Unpacking can be overwhelming, but approaching it methodically will make the process much smoother. Start with the essentials—the items you’ll need right away, such as toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, and kitchen essentials. Set up your bed and bathroom so that you have a comfortable place to sleep and relax. Once those basics are in place, tackle other high-priority rooms, like the kitchen and living room. Gradually, move on to unpacking your remaining boxes, but don’t feel pressured to get everything done in one day. Pace yourself and only unpack what you need or can handle in a single session.

Check Inventory For Missing Or Damaged Items

After unpacking, it’s important to check your inventory to ensure that nothing is missing or damaged. Go through each box, and take note of any items that have been misplaced or damaged during the move. If you hired professional movers, take pictures of any damage and contact the moving company as soon as possible to file a claim. If you’re handling the move yourself, consider reaching out to friends or helpers to see if they recall where certain items might be. It’s easier to handle any discrepancies or damages early on rather than letting them sit unresolved.

Enjoy Your New Home

After the hustle of moving and unpacking, take a moment to relax and enjoy your new home. Walk around, explore the space, and start personalizing it with your belongings. It’s important to take some time to settle in and adjust to your new environment. Whether it’s enjoying a quiet moment in your new kitchen or having a family meal in the dining room, celebrate the success of the move and the exciting new chapter ahead.

Conclusion

A successful move is all about planning, preparation, and having the right help by your side. This Ultimate Moving Checklist gives you a detailed roadmap so nothing falls through the cracks. If you’re looking for a trusted partner, Globe Moving & Storage offers expert relocation services, secure short and long-term storage, and nationwide reach through Atlas Van Lines and Premiere Van Lines.

Ready to make your next move stress-free? Contact Globe Moving today for a moving quote and let us help you get moving—with confidence.