Moving day is just around the corner, and the stress is only increasing… There’s so much to prepare, you don’t know where to put your head. Just relax! Everything’s going to go smoothly with the checklist below, which will help you get through the move in complete peace of mind. What’s more, you can print it out and leave it on your fridge.
One to two months before D-day
Set the moving date: ___________________ and start time: ____________.
Book your movers or truck rental in advance.
Get at least three quotes for a mover or truck rental : our tips here.
Reserve your friends if you decide to move yourself.
Notify your employer if you need a day off for your move.e déménagement.
Register on the Service québécois de changement d’adresse website to send your contact details to several government departments.
Sort through your belongings, cleaning what you do and don’t want to move.
Sell or donate what no longer suits you. This will help you estimate the volume of truck you’ll need.
Ask the owner of your next home if you can go and take measurements to make sure all your furniture fits.
Find boxes; some grocery stores can provide them free of charge.
Start saving your flyers and old newspapers for packing.
Reserve a trolley or moving straps if necessary, if you’ve chosen to move yourself with friends.
Préparer son changement d’adresse et le signaler à :
Canada Post (offers a service to redirect your mail to your new address)
Canada Revenu Agency
Financial and credit institution (s)
Internet and telephone provider
Home and auto insurance company(ies)
Accountant or notary
Employer
Newspaper or magazine subscriptions
Credit cards
School board (school taxes)
Family and friends
Electricity, gas of heating suppliers (Hydro-Québec, Énergir, etc.). Some institutions, such as Hydro-Québec or Vidéotron may allow you to transfer your services to your new address (check the fees for these services, which are sometimes free).
Pssttt, in just 5 minutes, you can make all your address changes with Moving Waldo and its 100% free.
Tree to four weeks before the big day
Draw up an inventory of the goods to be moved.
Get boxes, labels and felt-tip pens.
Start packing and preparing your boxes, taking care to identify them clearly: write on the side, not the top, what they contain and in which room they are to be placed.
Set aside valuable items (e.g. jewelry, fragile objects, dishes, important papers, etc.).
Arrange for pets to be moved.
Invite friends to the move. Why not organize a Facebook event?
One to two weeks before the big day
Gather the right tools..
Remove all your frames and shelves and fill any holes.
Remember to use up what’s in your cupboards, freezer and fridge, so you don’t move too much food.
Prepare a box with a few essential tools and practical items:
- Measuring tape
- Adhesive tape
- Pair of scissors
- Paper, pens
- Gloves
- Multi-point screwdriver
- Utility knife
- Pair of pliers
- Hammer
- Wrench
- Rope
- Flashlight or desk lamp
- Broom
- Mop
- Cleaning products
- Vacuum cleaner
- Large garbage bags
- Wet towels
- Bandages, disinfectants
A few days before the big day
Confirm the presence of the charitable souls who have agreed to lend you a hand on the day, and confirm the appointment time.
Confirm an appointment time with your current landlord for the inventory of fixtures and key handover: ask him when and how he would like to collect the keys.
Check whether your new apartment is available to start cleaning before the move.
Remember to take out home insurance for your new apartment.
Finish any last-minute packing.
Do one last load of laundry.
Prepare a suitcase or bag for the first night in your new home :
- Clothes
- Toiletries, toothbrushes, soap, etc.
- Sheets, bedding, towels and pillows
- Telephone charger
Plan meals for your friends and buy food for moving day. Make sure everything can be eaten without utensils or plates (sandwiches, pâtés, raw vegetables).
The day before
Confirm the appointment time with your mover and/or your friends.
Dismantle all your furniture. Don’t forget to put all screws and small parts in a Ziploc bag and stick it on the furniture so they don’t get lost.
Gather everything you’ll need for the next day and keep it close at hand: cleaning products, markers, scissors, tools, etc.
Take photos of the current state of your furniture to check for any abnormal scratches after the move.
Prepare your plants by wrapping pots with soil to prevent damage.
Empty and defrost the refrigerator and freezer compartments.
Drain the washing machine and dishwasher. Clean the oven and microwave.
Leave the apartment in the same condition as when you arrived.
Put the items you need to have on hand on moving day in a box in the front of the car or truck: :
- Cold cooler
- Bottles of water
- Snacks
- Paper towels
- Toilet paper
- Bandages
- First-aid kit
- Some rags
- Washcloths
- Cleaning products
- Phone charger
D-Day
Be ready when the movers arrive.
Put the most fragile items in your car, and what you’ll need immediately once you’ve returned.
Once the truck is loaded, take a final look around the apartment to make sure you haven’t forgotten anything: wardrobes, closets, light fixtures and curtains, terraces, etc.
Don’t forget to clean the apartment when the truck leaves, out of respect for the next tenant.
It’s very important to return the keys to the owner.
Out of respect for the next tenant, give the apartment a good sweep.
Dans le nouvel appartement
Before you start unpacking, take the time to sweep and mop your new apartment.
Take care of your friends to thank them for their help.
Have as much fun as you can and take time to celebrate the end of the day with a meal and refreshing drinks.
See also:
Nos conseils pour ta prochaine signature de bail!
