Download PDF version of this checklist for your convenience.

Two Months Before

 Sort and purge

• Go through every room of your house and decide what you’d like to keep and what you can get rid of. Think about whether any items will require special packing or extra insurance coverage.

Research

• Start investigating moving company options. Do not rely on a quote over the phone; request an on-site estimate. Get an estimate in writing from each company.

 Create a moving binder

• Use this binder to keep track of everything – all your estimates, your receipts, and an inventory of all the items you’re moving.

Organize school records

• Go to your children’s school and arrange for their records to be transferred to their new school district.

Six Weeks Before

 Order Supplies

• Order boxes and other supplies such as tape, bubble wrap, and permanent markers. Don’t forget to order speciality containers, such as dish barrels or wardrobe boxes.

Use it or lose it

• Start using up things that you don’t want to move, like frozen or perishable foods and cleaning supplies.

Take measurements

• Check room dimensions at your new home, if possible, and make sure larger pieces of furniture will fit through the door.

One Month Before

Choose your mover and confirm the arrangements

• Select a company and get written confirmation of your moving date, costs, and other details.

Begin packing

• Start packing the things that you use most infrequently, such as the waffle iron and croquet set. While packing, note items of special vale that might require additional insurance from your moving company. Make sure to declare, in writing, any items valued over $100 per pound such as a computer.

Label

• Clearly label and number each box with its content and the room it’s destined for. This will help you to keep an inventory of your belongings. Pack and label “essentials” boxes of items you’ll need right away.

Separate valuables

• Add items such as jewelry and important files to a safe box that you’ll personally transport to your new home. Make sure to put the mover’s estimate in this box. You’ll need it for reference on moving day.

Do a change of address -canadapost.ca

• Go to your local post office and fill out a change of address form, or do it online at canadapost.ca. In case there are stragglers, it’s always wise to ask a close neighbour to look out for mail after you’ve moved. Check in with them two weeks after the move, and again two weeks after that.

Notify important parties

• Alert the following of your move: banks, brokerage firms, doctor’s offices, your employer’s human resources department, magazine and newspapers you subscribe to, credit card, insurance, and utilities companies.

Two weeks before

Arrange to be off work on moving day

• Notify your office that you plan to supervise the move and therefore need the day off.

• If you’ll be changing banks, remove the contents of your safe-deposit box and put them in the safe box that you’ll take with you on moving day.

Contact the moving company

• Reconfirm the arrangements.

Transfer Your Utilities

• Contact the customer service departments of the gas, electric, phone and cable companies at least 2 weeks prior to the move. Arrange to have the utility services up and running at your new residence at least a day before you move in. A few more points to keep in mind when vacating the premises:

 Moving Utilities Tip: Final Reading

• Have your utility companies and/or town do a final reading of the gas, electric and water meters. Make sure to get and keep a copy of your bill or report.

 Moving Utilities Tip: Forward Your New Address

• Supply companies with a forwarding address where they can send final invoices. If you don't, you could be surprised down the road with unnecessary late fees and unfortunate credit circumstances.

 Moving Utilities Tip: Pay the Piper and Get Your Money Back

• Pay any overdue bills, but also collect any refunds or utility deposits. Many people forget that they may have served up a substantial chunk of change months and sometimes year’s back - depending on how long they've lived at their most recent address.

 Moving Utilities Tip: Bring Important Numbers and Addresses With You

• To transfer utility service to a new location is usually a quick and painless procedure. You can transfer utilities or connect new services online. Listed below are frequently used utility services contact information

Phone/Internet/Cable

Bell – bell.ca or call 1-888-394-9953

Source Cable – sourcecable.ca or call 1-866-785-7851/905-574-6464

Cogeco – cogeco.ca or call 1-800-267-9000

Rogers – rogers.com or call 1-855-759-5857
 

Utilities

Union Gas – uniongas.com or call 1-888-774-3111 – (REQUEST a final Gas Reading)

Reliance – reliancehomecomfort.com or call 1-855-619-8987. Heat Water Tank – New buyers need to transfer rental agreement

Hydro One – hydroone.com or call 1-888-664-9376

Horizon Utilities – horizonutilities.com or call Hamilton: 905-522-6611; St. Catharines 905-684-8111

Check to ensure there isn’t additional rental equipment such as: hot water tank, alarm systems, air conditioning units, and furnace just to name a few. Contact the company directly to transfer any rental agreements.

One Week Before

Pack your suitcases

• Aim to finish your general packing a few days before your moving date. Then pack suitcases for everyone in the family with enough clothes to wear for a few days.

A Few Days Before

Defrost the Freezer

• If your refrigerator is moving with you, make sure to empty, clean and defrost it at least 24 hours before moving day.

Double-check the details

• Reconfirm the moving company’s arrival time and other specifics and make sure you have prepared exact, written directions to your new home for the staff. Include contact information, such as your cell number

Plan for the payment

• If you haven’t already arranged to pay your mover with a credit card, get a money order, cashier’s cheque, or cash for payment and tip. If the staff has done a good job, 10 to 15 percent of the total fee is a good tip. If your move was especially difficult, you might tip each mover up to $100. Don’t forget that refreshments are always appreciated.

Moving Day

Verify

• Make sure that the moving truck that shows up is from the company you hired.

Take inventory

• Before the movers leave, sign the bill of lading/inventory list and keep a copy.

Week of after Your Move

Blue Bins

• You will need to pick up new blue boxes & recycling bins after you move in. There are several locations where these bins can be picked up. Here is a quick link with location information and hours of operation. Please note you need to bring identification. Blue Boxes - City of Hamilton

Green Bins & Composting

• You will need to pick up new green bins & composting after you move in. You will need to obtain a service number before you are able to pick up your green bin, please call 905-546-2489. You must bring your service number with you in order to pick up your green bin. The “roaming” trailer rotates between each Community Recycling Centre click on link to view the locations and schedule: Green Bins & Composting - City of Hamilton

Changing your ID

• You are able to change your address on your driver’s license and heath card online through Service Ontario, click on the following link to get started: Change Address Online. You can also update your vehicle permit online but you will need to visit a Service Ontario centre to exchange your old registration for a new one. You can also visit a Service Ontario centre near you to make these changes.

The list of businesses, friends and families is endless when it comes to changing your address. Here are a few that come to mind:

• Family Doctor

• Dentist

• Schools

• Banking Institutions

• Insurance Companies

• Credit Card companies

• Cell Phone Providers

• Place of Employment

• Fitness Clubs

• Magazines