Thorough planning is the key to an easy move. Experience tells us most moves take 8 to 10 weeks from start to finish, so start early.

8 weeks before the move

• Call for estimates from professional movers
• Draw a floor plan of your new home. Use decorating charts and a grid to place furniture to scale in each room and decide which furniture to move, and which to dispose, replace or add.

6 weeks before the move

• Inventory all possessions. Decide what to move, sell, replace or donate to charity.
• Complete Canada Post change of address forms, mail to media, stores, organizations.
• Obtain copies of all medical, dental, legal, accounting, and veterinarian records.
• Make arrangements for records transfer between schools on both ends of the move.

4 weeks before the move

• Repair, send out for re-upholstery or clean furniture, drapes and carpeting if necessary.
• Advertise garage sale to dispose of unneeded furniture, accessories, clothes etc.
• If professional movers are packing your goods, schedule packing day(s) before move.
• If you move yourself, order adequate boxes, packing materials and tape now.
• Arrange for short-term or long-term storage if you need it.
• Make travel arrangements for pets, including necessary medical records, immunizations, etc.

3 weeks before the move

• Assemble sufficient supply of packing materials and equipment.
• Pack items you don’t use immediately or that will go into storage.
• Contact utilities on both ends of the move, order termination or turn-on for occupancy date.
• Confirm final travel arrangements for family and pets.

2 weeks before the move

• Prepare auto(s) for trip to new home. Check tires and have car(s) serviced before the move.
• Terminate newspaper and other delivery services
• Confirm new bank accounts by phone and fax.
• Schedule an appliance service firm for moving day to prepare major appliances for the move.

1 week before the move

• Gather important papers, records, valuables or protected shipment to new home or safe deposit box.
• Notify friends and neighbours of new address and phone number if available.
• Make plans for young children to be cared for on moving day.
• Fill any necessary prescriptions, medications needed for the next two weeks.

Day before the move....and moving day

• Defrost refrigerator and freezer. Give away all food in both units.
• Plan simple meals for moving day (take-out works) to avoid using the refrigerator.
• Pick up cash for your trip and certified cheque for the mover’s invoice.
• Pack items you need to take with you including valuables, financial records, and personal papers.
• Pack signed bill of lading and inventory where they can be easily reached at your destination.
• Carefully mark LAST BOX PACKED - FIRST BOX UNPACKED containing tools, shades, etc.
• Give the mover your new telephone telephone number and address where you can be reached in your new town.

If at any time you have any questions about selling your home and would like to speak to a qualified sales agent, please contact Roger Bilawchuk at (780) 974-0997 for assistance.