There’s a million things to think about when moving from one house to another. It’s one of the most stressful experiences a family can go through, especially if the move is poorly planned. That’s why you need to do as much as possible to prepare before the move date rolls around. Some essential moving tips and notes will make for a hassle-free move.
Pack with Purpose
A big part of your moving process is packing, whether you’re relocating in Canada or just moving down the street. You can’t just throw everything in boxes and hope it all makes it to your new place okay. Be purposeful about where you put things and how you organize – it’ll make your life much easier on the other side of the move.
If you’re looking for some packing tips, check out our page which offers great packing tips for moves both big and small.
Do you have your important Paperwork?
You don’t want your vital documents (birth certificates, passports, diplomas, etc.) shoved in with the rest of your belongings. Plus, you might need to access certain documents like financial information, car papers, or house deeds and agreements during your move. Designate a specific box or binder to house all of these essential items and personal records so that no matter what happens, you know you have your important documents in a safe place you can easily locate.
Have you set-up your Utilities?
Many people become so consumed by the process of packing that they forget to think about what their new home will be like when they arrive. When you’re unpacking at the new destination, you’ll want your heating, and water to be working properly as soon as you walk in the door.
Besides your heating and cooling needs, you’ll also need to follow through with any other setups that need to be conducted, like water, electricity, internet and cable. Experts recommend turning on your new home utilities a few days before you arrive.
Do you have spare clothes and toiletries on hand?
Don’t plan on unpacking everything during the first day at your new house. It takes time to get settled, but there are some things you’ll need to access before others. Make things simple by keeping a set of clothing in an easy-to-access place in case of any delays. That way, you don’t feel pressured to find things in boxes immediately.
You’ll also want to pack basic toiletries and medications to use within the first few days. Gather your prescriptions, make up, toilet paper, and essentials to keep together. You may also want to pack your shower curtain with the toiletries so you can shower the first day you’re in your new house.
Where is this box going?
When you’re packing up your old home, don’t just think about boxing things up room by room. Consider where the items will go in the new residence, then pack accordingly. This will make it easier to put boxes in their correct location when you arrive.
You should also label the boxes accordingly so that movers, family members, and other helpers know exactly where everything is and where it’s going. We often recommend color coding boxes by the room they’ll go in when you reach the new house. You could categorize by item type, but we typically find that to be more confusing upon arrival.
Packing tip: Make sure to label all four sides of a box when packing. Movers will need to maneuver and organize each of the boxes into their truck and by putting a name on each side, you’ve made sure that it’s identifiable no matter where the box ends up.
Have you Legally Changed your Address?
The sooner you can update your service providers about your change of address, the less room there is for error. You want all of your bills and addresses to wind up at the right place. Head to your local post office to grab a change of address form and arrange for mail forwarding. This should be done at least a few days before moving into your new home, but preferably over a week in advance.
Here are a few common items that will need updating:
- Driver’s licence and/or vehicle permit
- Health card
- Outdoors Card
- Enhanced driver’s licence
- Businesses
- Corporations
- Car Insurance
- Utilities
- Banking information
- Phone/Internet
- Family Doctor
- School
Remember to coordinate your packing with your moving company. They’ll be able to identify how much moving supplies you’ll need as well as how many movers you’ll need on moving day.
If you’re in need of moving supplies, reach out to any TWO MEN AND TRUCK location. Each of our franchises offers a wide range of moving supplies to match your moving needs.