Planning ahead saves you time, energy, & your sanity

-If you have your heart set on a renovation being done before you move in you may need to order renovation materials or make plans for the work to be done in advance.
-If needed, book time off work for the move, although you may want to wait until the sale is firm incase there needs to be any changes to the closing date.
-If you have children, contact the new school about arranging to transfer their records and register.
-If the oven needs cleaning, now is a good time to do it.
-Make arrangements for children or pets to be taken care of during the move if needed.
-If you have kids, make sure they understand what’s happening and when. Small children may benefit from stories about moving, or play activities that involve moving.
-If you’ll be changing health care providers, contact your doctor, dentist, and/or vet for copies of all records and arrange to transfer files to your new health care provider.
-Contact Canada Post and arrange for mail forwarding to your new address.
-Purchase and/or collect any packing material if you haven’t already.

2 to 3 weeks before you move:
-Arrange to have new services set up at your new home. (i.e. internet, phone, cable, power, etc.)
-Arrange to have your services disconnected at your current home.
-Start the packing process.

You'll need to contact companies and businesses to update your address to the new one. This includes any magazine subscriptions or subscription boxes as well as the ones below;
- Driver’s license and license plate if applicable
- Health Card
- Your employer(s)
- The CRA
- Insurance providers
- Any bill or credit card companies
- Any important friends or family members

-Identify any hazardous items that will require special disposal or recycling. (i.e. old paint, fluorescent light bulbs, old electronics, dangerous cleaners, batteries, etc.) Your municipality should have full details on their website.
-Sort out and keep aside (in a safe place) any important documents as you come across them. (Health records, Tax slips, Insurance documents, Passports, etc.)

-Confirm all moving arrangements.
- Driver and or moving company
- Somebody to look after pets or children if applicable
- The closing date for your purchase
- Anyone who is supposed to be helping with the move

-Set aside everything you’ll need for moving day night, (for showering or sleeping - including your bed and linens, medications, etc.) in a special area. These items along with your moving day suitcase should go in the car or van last so that they come out first when unpacking.
-Set aside everything you’ll need for the morning after moving day. (i.e. coffee maker, any cooking equipment, medications, etc.)
-Clean out your fridge and kitchen cupboards. Give away or dispose of anything that has expired or that you can’t move. Treat yourself to a few days of take-out for easy clean up.
-Empty and defrost refrigerator and freezer.
-Organize and label any keys if applicable.
-Set out manuals for any appliances you’re leaving behind. Place them somewhere the new owner will spot them quickly, such as the kitchen counter.
-Disconnect any electronics and keep all the cables, adapters and other hardware organized and handy so that you can reconnect everything easily. (Labeled freezer bags taped to the units can save a lot of time.)

-Take down and pack window treatments.
-Clean the top of the stove and the inside of the fridge.
-Clean all windows and mirrors.
-If possible, have any vehicles packed and ready to go for the morning in order to save yourself time while moving.

-Have a great breakfast.
-Have any paperwork you may need that day.
-Remove any towels or linen from the beds and pack.
-Dismantle beds if not done already.
-Put any keys for the new resident where they’ve been arranged to be.
-Do any final cleaning touch ups, remove garbage, clean bathrooms, and sweep once the house is empty.
-Do one final check of the closets, the basement, and anywhere else in the house where something may have been forgotten.
-If you’ve been renting your former landlord may want to do a walkthrough with you.