Moving Tips

Moving can be a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are some simple tips on how to move with minimal stress and strain.

• Look at all the alternatives – hiring a moving company ( visit our concierge services), versus renting a truck and doing it yourself. Whichever alternative makes more sense for you. Make sure you get bids from more than one vendor.
• A few days before a moving company is scheduled to arrive or you’ve supposed to pick up your rental truck, call to confirm that everything is on schedule.
• Prepare your change of address cards in advance and send them out as soon as it is appropriate to do so. The post office, utilities, companies you do business with, friends, relatives – all should be notified of your move.
• Get an early start on packing by concentrating on seldom used items first. Each box should have its contents and the room where they belong written on clearly. Colour coding the rooms has been a successful organizational tool when moving.
• Take a hard look at things you seldom or never use and throw away as much as you can. The more you give away, sell, or throw away – the less you have to move. This is always a good time for a garage sale.
• Use your extra towels and linens to protect breakables. When your supply of these is exhausted, crumpled newspaper makes an excellent substitute. Write “Fragile” on the appropriate boxes.
• Put your valuables (such as jewelery) and important documents (birth certificates, passports, etc.) aside in a safe place where they won’t be misplaced. You may wish to consider transporting these yourself.
• When the house is empty, go back through final inspection. Check closets, crawl spaces, basement, attic, out of the way nooks and crannies of all kinds. Have a second person make the same inspection separately.
• Clean you new home thoroughtly before moving in. It’s so much easier that way.
• Decide in advance where you want the heavy furniture. Changing your mind after the movers have departed is no fun – especially for your back.
• Locate all fuses, circuit breakers, and water/gas and electrical valves. Record the meter readings and check the smoke detectors to make sure they are working.
• List all phone numbers of the local police, and fire stations, doctors, nearby hospitals, etc. Put near your phone.
• Above all, plan, plan, and then plan some more. Make a schedule for disconnecting all services and re-connecting at your new home. Preparation and forethought will help you to keep everything under control and finish the move with your sanity intact.

Moving CheckList

Change of Address:

• business services (is – Bell Canada, Hydro….)
• charge accounts, credit cards
• subscriptions
• friends, relatives….

Contact:

• bank
• insurance – notify new location for coverage
• automobile insurance
• utilities
  • arrange for immediate service in new home and final
  • reading and change of name for billing
• newspaper and other deliveries
• schools – will need copies or transfer of record
• medical
  • get referrals for new doctor, dentist, etc.
  • and arrange for transfer of records
• organizations – religious, civic, clubs
• pets – arrange for vet and inquiry about licenses, vaccinations, etc.