The weeks leading up to your move can be exhausting. Our four-week moving & planning checklist will help you stay organized and keep you on track:

4 Weeks Before Moving

  • Tour your house, including the attic, garage, and storage shed, and decide which items should be sold, discarded, or donated to charity.
  • Contact a professional mover to request an accurate estimate of your moving charges.
  • Begin to use up frozen food and staples. Buy only what will be used before moving. Moving frozen goods on the van over long distances is not advisable.
  • Make travel reservations for the trip – airline, hotel, rental car.
  • Arrange for transfer of records. i.e., school, medical, vet, etc.

3 Weeks Before Moving

  • Start packing if you have planned to do some of it yourself. Ask for a Packing Tips brochure from your mover.
  • Arrange for transportation of pets, including kennels. Check with your veterinarian.
  • Return library books, video rentals, and other borrowed items. Collect anything lent or out for repairs.
  • Dispose of flammables – paint, matches, pressure cans, cleaning fluids, etc. at a Dangerous Goods facility in your area.
  • Notify the post office, mail order accounts, etc., of your pending change of address.

2 Weeks Before Moving

  • Draw up a floor plan of your new home and indicate furniture placement. It makes moving in twice as easy.
  • Set a date with a reliable service firm to prepare your appliances – washer, dryer, etc. for moving. Check with your Moving Consultant for their recommendations.
  • Arrange a babysitter for moving day for the children and pets.
  • Plan to discontinue utilities, delivery services, etc.

1 Week Before Moving

  • Prepare for the car trip. Finish packing all suitcases and basic essentials. Plan to carry valuable documents, currency, and jewellery with you.
  • Drain water from garden hoses and oil/fuel from lawnmowers and other machinery.
  • Defrost and wipe dry fridge and freezer. Don’t overlook the defrost water pan.
  • Remove curtain rods, shelves, and items attached to walls if not in the house sale. Dismantle large power tools such as lathes, grinders, etc.
  • Confirm that you have important papers, keys, medications, plane tickets, and appropriate clothing for your trip.
  • Finish any last-minute packing.

Packing Day

  • Have a clear workspace for packers, like an ample countertop or a table.
  • Point out (a) fragile, valuable items, (b) items you will be taking with you, and (c) anything to be left for new owners.

Moving Day (Out)

  • Plan to stay home until the moving van has left.
  • Tour the house with the van operator during the inventory, sign the mover’s Bill of Lading, and confirm your new address and delivery date. Be sure to check the destination contact phone numbers.
  • Do a final check through your home for overlooked items.
  • Ensure windows and doors are locked, utilities are discontinued or turned off, keys are transferred, and lights are out.

Moving Day (In)

  • It is a good idea to be at your new home a day before the moving van to verify that utilities are connected, and the floor plan is correct.
  • Check off items as they are unloaded with the mover’s inventory list.
  • Make arrangements for the installation of appliances.

If you would like more information on the four-week move planning checklist and to arrange a free moving quote, contact Premiere Van Lines at 1-877-671-6683.