How to Plan a Move in 8 Weeks (Or Less!)

15Aug

TLC Moving

Moving Tips

TLC Moving

Moving Tips

Moving Checklists to Follow When Your Move is in Two Months

Is your moving date right around the corner? Don’t start panicking just yet! Whether your house has sold in record time or you’ve put off planning for your big move, we’ve got you covered!

By staying organized and creating to-do lists for every stage of the moving timeline, you can easily prepare yourself for a move in just eight weeks or less.

Why Is a Moving Timeline So Important?

With so many tasks to do before a move, it can become incredibly overwhelming, making it easy to forget important things when you only have an 8-week window.

But by getting organized and creating checklists for every stage of the moving process, you can spread out your moving tasks to ensure a more stress-free move.

Tasks to Complete for Each Timeline

If you are unsure of what tasks should be completed and when, here are a few checklists you can use to help keep yourself on track throughout the next 8 weeks.

8 to 7 Weeks Before the Move

Once you’ve decided to move and have either given your landlord notice or sold your house, start checking off the following tasks.

1. Start Making To-Do Lists and Getting Organized

Keep a journal, or a folder on your computer with important moving information, such as to-do lists and any other information relevant to your move.

This will help you stay organized as you start researching and hiring movers, truck rental companies, and other companies that will be helping with your move.

2. Get A Floor Plan of Your New Home

Looking at the floor plan of your new home can help you determine if your current furniture will fit the new space. It will also help you figure out if your new home or apartment will have room for all of your stuff, so you can decide what items need to be thrown out, sold, or put in storage.

3. Take Inventory

Start taking inventory of all your household items to help keep track of what you plan to take with you to the new space.

4. Research Moving Options

Will you hire a professional moving company or rent a truck and do the work yourself?

This is something you must figure out early on so you can start researching and hiring movers or look into booking a truck.

If you are hiring movers, once you have found a professional moving company you are satisfied with, it’s important to book them early. Also be sure to read over the contract before signing it.

If you are renting a truck, make sure that you confirm the dimensions so that there are no issues on moving day trying to fit everything in.

5. Rent Storage Space

If you have determined that you will be unable to bring certain items to your new home or apartment, but aren’t yet ready to get rid of them, you may want to look into renting a storage unit.

6. Set a Budget

There are many expenses associated with moving, such as buying new furniture, hiring movers, and renting storage space. It’s important to set a budget that accounts for all of these costs, so you can determine how much you can afford to spend.

7 to 6 Weeks Before

1. Preparing for Change of Address

Now’s the time to make a list of all the businesses that you must contact regarding your impending change of address. Be sure to also list your online accounts.

2. Book Time Off Work

Moving is not usually something that can be done in an afternoon after work, so it’s important to book some time off in order to give yourself enough time to move.

If this is an issue, consider moving on a Friday to give yourself more time to settle in without having to book additional time off work.

3. Research Your New Neighbourhood

Depending on how far away you are moving, children may need to switch schools and you might need to find a new doctor and dentist, or a veterinarian for your pets. Start doing some research well in advance and line all of this up.

6 to 5 Weeks Before

1. Start the Packing Process

Now it’s time for the most dreaded part of the moving process – packing.

Start packing non-essential items you use the least frequently, such as décor, books, photographs, out of season clothing and shoes, and infrequently used kitchenware.

Pack the items you use on a regular basis closer to the actual moving date, and everyday items like toothbrushes and other toiletries last.

2. Start Purging

Moving is already complicated enough without having to worry about packing and finding room in your new home for excess clutter.

Start getting rid of things you no longer need or use by donating them a charitable organization, selling online, hosting a yard sale, or giving things away to friends, family, or neighbours.

3. Hire an Insurance Consultant

Contact an insurance consultant to help you find an insurance policy for your new home.

4. Home Repairs

Do a walkthrough of your home or apartment and take note of any damages that need to be repaired before someone else moves in. This is particularly important for those living in an apartment, as it will help ensure that you get your security deposit back.

4 to 3 Weeks Before

You’re around one month away from moving which means you are already halfway there. By this point, you should:

1. Schedule Utility Disconnect

Contact your gas, water, hydro, phone (if you have a landline), and Internet providers to have them disconnect everything by the time you move out. You will also need to set up utilities at your new home or apartment.

2. Finalize Travel Arrangements

If you are moving to a different city, province, or even country, you will need to make travel arrangements. Whether you are driving and staying in hotels along the way or are flying to your new location and require accommodations until you move in, this should all be sorted out at least a month in advance.

3. Pack Valuables

Start thinking about the best way to pack your valuable items such as artwork, heirloom jewelry, antique furniture, etc.

You may need a lot of cushioning to protect your valuables during the move, so it’s important to purchase materials like bubble wrap and packing paper.

Also gather important documents and keep them organized in a folder. This includes birth certificates, passports, and medical, legal, and financial records.

4. Arrange for Parking and Reserve Elevator Space

If you are living in a high-rise apartment building, you will need to contact building management to reserve an elevator for your moving day.

You may also need to get a parking permit for your moving truck.

Three to four weeks from moving day is also a good time to:

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Start using up or throwing out food from your freezer and pantry
Buy moving supplies
Label boxes
Pack outdoor items
Continue packing non-essentials
Cancel any subscriptions to delivery services such as newspapers and magazines, and memberships to various clubs and organizations

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2 Weeks Before

1. Change Your Address

Begin the process by notifying Canada Post of your impending change of address. Then you can start reaching out to the people on your list to notify them as well.

2. Clean Out Your Fridge

Start using up and throwing out perishable foods from your refrigerator. Also plan and prepare for your meals for the next two weeks. You may end up dining out a lot during this time, so this is something you should include in your budget around the 8-week mark.

One Week Out

By this point, most of the big stuff should be already taken care of, allowing you to spend your time tying up loose ends.

The week before your move you should focus on: