The Ultimate
Moving Checklist
By Homelife
If you’re reading this, you’re probably on your way to moving out and moving on, but your packing strategies, once coherent and timely, are starting to fray. Your boxes, once logically labelled and organized, are becoming diverse. Perhaps the “am I forgetting something” feeling has your palms sweating as you put your new shoes in a kitchenware box?
Don’t sweat it - I have yet to meet a single soul who remained calm & collected through an entire move. So, throw those running shoes in with the pots and pans and let’s go over some things you actually need to think about.
The ESSENTIALS
Right After you Sign your Lease/Contract
8+ Weeks Before Move-In
Keep Track
Create an online folder and a physical “Moving Binder” to keep track of your checklist, budget, and essential documents. Share the online folder with your partner/housemate and keep the binder somewhere it will not be accidentally packed away. Make an emergency contact list.
Download our Ultimate Moving Checklist folder to keep track of everything on this list and more.
Take photos of everything!
As soon as you’re handed any documentation – receipts, estimates, legal documents, etc. – take a photo. Photograph all your personal IDs. Lastly – be sure to take photos of your current house once you’re packed up and take photos of your new home before unpacking.
Keep your documents safe
Your IDs, credit/debit cards, bank statements, moving agreements, lease/mortgage documents, invoices & receipts, vehicle registrations, warranties, insurance policies, school records, contracts, contacts, and medical records are just the beginning. Keep a physical and digital copy of everything. See our full list of documentation here:
Determine Your Budget
How much will it cost you to move, pack, and relocate? Put together an estimate so you can determine what your contingency fund should be.
Take Time Off – From Everything & Everyone
Give early notice to your company, friends, committees, family and any other commitments. The best solution is to take off a Friday and Monday so you have a four-day weekend to move and get organized in your new home.
Buy Packing Supplies
The sooner, the better. Period.
Be Prepared to Hire Help
Yes, you could do it all. But there could be an emergency or you could just be exhausted after packing for 6 weeks. Have a preferred mover and a few trusted friends on speed-dial in case anything happens.
Research Schools
Maybe you chose your new neighbourhood because of the fantastic schools or maybe you have a few picked out. If you’ve already selected the Many parents already have their choice schools picked out before they move. If you don’t, time to start researching.
If you have kids school-aged kids, they’ll eventually need to enrol in a new school. You should start researching schools in your new area early to get information about them and find top-rated schools for your children.
Emergency Contacts
☐ Emergency numbers: close friends and family
☐ Medical facilities
☐ Auto services
☐ Your moving company
☐ Any other moving services or contacts (eg. the hotel you intend to spend the night in on the way to your new home, your storage facility, etc.)
Financial Documents
Safe and away from other people’s eyes.
☐ Credit cards
☐ Bank statements, transactions, taxes, records etc.
☐ Business paperwork
☐ Loan Papers
☐ Receipts
☐ T4s
☐ Tax deductions
Property Documents
☐ Selling & buying agreements
☐ Copies of your lease
☐ A letter of reference from your landlord
☐ Mortgage documents (for both your old home and your new residence)
☐ Insurance policies for your property
☐ Auto: insurance cards, registration documents, license(s)
Medical Records
☐ Visit your doctor shortly before your move and obtain all the medical documentation you are going to need in your new city
☐ Records of you and your family members’ medical history, health problems, specific medical needs, etc.
☐ Transfer you & your families’ prescription medications to a local pharmacy
☐ Transfer you & your families’ dental records to your new dentist
☐ If you have pets: retrieve copies of their veterinary records and certificates
School Records
☐ Your children’s school records, as you will need them to enroll your kids into new educational facilities after the relocation.
☐ If your child is applying for a college or university, be sure to request certified copies of his/her school transcripts;
Professional Records
☐ Your professional licenses
☐ Skills qualifications
☐ Degree certificates
☐ Letters of reference
