Moving Timeline
Use our moving checklist to begin preparing early for your move. It's never too early to start planning for your move, and a comprehensive moving timeline and checklist are some of the best ways to ensure a smoother move. Our moving checklist can even help to involve the entire family in the relocation, providing each person with some responsibility.
Moving Timeline: Eight Weeks Before Move
- Contact your mover and make arrangements for the move day
- Remove items from your attic, basement, storage shed, etc.
- Use things that you can't move with you, such as frozen foods, etc.
- Obtain information about your new city by contacting the chamber of commerce or visitor/tourism bureaus.
Moving Timeline: Six Weeks Before Move
- If you are a relocating employee, verify what expenses and responsibilities each party is responsible for.
- Contact IRS Revenue Canada and/or your accountant for information on what moving expenses may be tax-deductible.
- Inventory and evaluate your belongings. Can you discard items and save money during the move?
- List everyone you must notify of your move, including creditors, subscriptions, family, professional contacts, friends, etc.
- Get a mail subscription to the local paper in your new community to get to know your new area.
- Locate all motor vehicle registration and licensing documents.
- Do you need storage-in-transit or permanent storage? Make these arrangements now, or check with your personal move coordinator for more information.
- Obtain personal records from doctors, dentists, lawyers, schools, accountants, etc. Ask for referrals where possible.
Moving Timeline: Four Weeks Before Move
- Submit a Change of Address form to the post office.
- Arrange for special transportation for your pets and plants.
- Contact utility and related companies (gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV and trash collection) for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. However, remember to keep phone and utilities connected at your current home throughout moving day.
- Arrange for coverage in your new home by contacting insurance companies including auto, home or renter's, medical and life, etc.
- If you're packing yourself, purchase moving boxes from your local mover. Pack items that you won't be needing in the next month.
- Donate items to charity or plan a garage sale to unload items you do not want to bring with you to your new location.
Moving Timeline: Three Weeks Before Move
- Make the travel arrangements for your trip, but do not make plane reservations for the same day that you're moving out in case there are delays or unexpected situations.
- Gather all your important documents, including insurance coverage, will, deeds, stocks, etc.
- Make arrangements to close your bank accounts as well as open new accounts in your new location.
Moving Timeline: Two Weeks Before Move
- Take your car in to be checked and serviced for your trip. Be sure your vehicle is prepared Have your car checked and serviced for the trip. Also, make sure that your automobile is prepared for the type of weather conditions in which you'll be traveling.
- Schedule use of the elevators in your building, if applicable.
- Call your move coordinator to review and confirm all the aspects of your move.
Moving Timeline: One Week Before Move
- Settle any outstanding bills with local merchants.
- Withdraw the contents of your safety deposit box, pick up dry cleaning, return library books and videos, etc.
- Be sure to take pets to the vet for any necessary immunizations and obtain copies of your pet's records while there.
- Drain gas and oil from equipment such as lawn mowers, snow blowers, etc.
- Prepare specific directions to your new home for your moving company . Also provide your new contact information where you can be reached.
- Defrost your freezer and refrigerator.
- Have your major appliances disconnected and prepared for the move. If you need assistance with doing this, your personal relocation consultant can assist you with these services.
- Pack a carton full of your personal items that you will want immediately in your new home. Either have this box loaded last on the truck, or bring it with you during the move.
- Be sure to set aside those items that are not being moved, this way they are not loaded on to the trucks on accident.
- Contact your personal relocation consultant to confirm the move day as well as fill them in on any last minute changes.
Moving Timeline: Moving day
- Have someone at home to answer the van foreman's questions should there by any.
- Record all utility meter readings for gas, electric, water, etc.
- Make sure you read and understand your bill of lading and inventory carefully before you sign them. Keep these -- and all related papers -- in a safe location until all charges have been paid and all claims, if any, have been settled.
- Follow the Allied Timeline for Moving
As you check items off your moving timeline, you will feel a sense of accomplishment and peace of mind throughout the weeks leading up to your move. Your moving timeline will also ensure nothing is overlooked and nothing slips through the cracks prior to the relocation. Have a happy move and use our moving timeline.