MOVING TIPS

Written by Brenda Ernst

8 Weeks Before Moving Day

• Go through your home and make a list of what needs to stay, be sold, donated, or thrown out.
• Decide on the date you would like to move.
• Call for an estimate, and show your Moving Consultant things that need to be packed and moved.
• Discuss if other services are required and offered: Packing, Storage, Un-Packing, etc.
• Keep all documents and information connected with your move in a special place. This information should not be
  packed away. It will be extremely helpful on your moving day.
• Gather information from doctors, business associates, clubs, dentists and lawyers in your new location.

6 Weeks Before Moving Day

• Notify your post office of your move. Get your new address and send out change of address cards.
• Arrange to have your utilities disconnected, such as telephone, cable TV, water, gas, and electricity.
• Ask phone company at destination if service can be connected before arrival.
• Ask your bank to transfer your accounts to the branch nearest your new home.

4 Weeks Before Moving Day

• Plan a garage sale. This will help get rid of the items you’re not keeping.
• Transfer fire, theft and other insurance to your new location.

2 Weeks Before Moving Day

• Have rugs and drapery cleaned. Leave rugs rolled and wrapped.
• Prepare a floor plan of new home and make extra copies. This will be useful on “move in” day.
• Plan a go-away party for children and their friends.
• Make sure most of your packing is complete. Assign every member of your household a colour, and paste their colour on their boxes. Craft paper from dollar stores work here. Also, every room can have a colour pasted on the box and labeled so Movers know exactly what goes to each room.

• Prepare meals between now and moving day. Donate excess canned and frozen foods to community
  food bank.
• Keep separate any food, plates, utensils you will need during the last days. Be sure to pack
  them on moving day.
• Make sure all laundry is clean, and nothing left in the dryer. And remember to pick up any dry cleaning.
• Organize all of your moving and travel documents as well as valuables you will be taking with
  you the day of the move. It may be helpful to but this in a colourful box or envelope , one that is easily seen.

1 Week Before Moving Day

• Take down all curtains, blinds, shelving units, etc. that are not included in the sale.Unfasten any fixed carpets that are to be moved.
• Set aside and label items such as luggage that you do not want to be moved.
• Pack your car for the move. (Pack items you intend on moving yourself).

On Moving Day

• Be on hand when international movers crew arrives, or authorize someone in writing to take your place.
• All questions should be directed to the driver or foreman of the moving crew.
• Sign the form at the beginning of the move. This will instruct the crew to begin the move.
• Keep all children and pets away from the moving truck. Keep children on a normal routine as much
  as possible. Set aside a few toys or set up a movie in a quiet room.
• Before crew leaves, take one last walk through to make sure everything has been loaded.

Arriving To Your New Home

• If some goods are to be stored, advise the storage facility of any items that you need to store or have
  removed from your unit.
• Confirm that utilities will be connected on time.
• Pick up a set of keys. (Make copies for you and people in your home).

Moving In

• Make sure all boxes and furniture are in the designated rooms.
• Check everything that was unloaded by the crew.
• Keep track of where you unpack boxes and where you placed them in your new home.