Planning Your Move
Choose your mover carefully. We can offer you our 20 years of experience and all of the services you need to
complete your move in the most efficient manner possible.
Preparation
Return library books
Collect everything you have lent, return what you have borrowed
Throw out unneeded items - be ruthless, it may be cheaper to buy new than ship some items
Clear out basement, garage, attic and toy cupboards. Have a car boot sale, donate to charity or dump the items you no longer need
Make plans to empty & transfer Safe Deposit Box contents. Arrange for a new Box in your new locality.
Seek advice and/or knowledge of your new locality by asking friends and researching through the internet or your local library
Make an inventory of your belongings, noting any existing damage, dents, scratches, etc.
Acquire packing materials, if you are to pack yourself.
6-8 Weeks Before Moving
If you are renting, notify your landlord in writing
Choose a moving company
Make sure all goods you plan to transport are allowed at your destination: notable items are firearms, alcohol, pornography, etc.
Arrange moving insurance
Plan your travel - if long distance, kids may fly while adults drive
Ensure your moving contract is in order
Plan food purchases so that frozen food is used, and the refrigerators & freezers have little left in them.
Arrange for records to be forwarded to new schools
4 Weeks Before Moving
Make arrangements to have your appliances disconnected just before moving day
If moving into an apartment building, arrange to have access to the lift, or freight lift (if available). This shows courtesy for your new neighbours.
Organise the utilities in your new accommodation through the relevant company/ies
Arrange for installation of fixtures in your new home
Acquire a plan of your new home and plan where the furniture is to go
Start packing non-essential items, if you are to pack yourselves.
Label all boxes with contents and "Open First" or "Load Last" type labelling. Don't pack so that boxes are too heavy.
1 Week Before Moving
Arrange exchange of keys.
Defrost freezer(s)
Plan simple meals for moving day
Separate personal items required for travel, so they don't get packed
Clean garden tools, luggage items and empty lawnmower tanks
Check medication, if required, and prepare to have supplies on hand while moving
Decide what to do with your house plants and pets. Some movers will not transport them.
Mow the lawn
Arrange for a cleaning service to clean your home when it is empty, if required.
Dispose of combustibles and spray cans
Prepare an "emergency pack" for everyone travelling, with such things as spare clothing, toys, CD player, books, snacks, toothbrush, etc.
Investigate local restaurants, if needed
1-3 Days Before Moving
Organise travellers' cheques or currency, if moving abroad
Check that short-term medical or special meal requirements are covered
Arrange for payment to moving company
Give directions and contact numbers to moving company
Leave your forwarding address and phone number for your home's new occupants.
If your old house will be vacant for any length of time, notify police and trusted neighbours.
Moving Out Day
Try to offload children & pets, they will only be in the way on moving day
Be present to instruct and supervise a moving crew
Allow moving crew to pack, if that is the plan
Make sure customs documentation is available
On arrival, check all goods in case an insurance claim is necessary
Don’t leave until after the movers have gone.
Stay with the moving van driver to oversee inventory.
Tell packers and/or driver about fragile or precious items.
Verify the scheduled delivery date, time and destination.
Lock all doors and windows, set the alarm, pass alarm code to new tenant (if appropriate).
Moving In Day
Tidy / clean the new home in preparation for the arrival of your furniture and personal items
Check that all utilities are connected and in working order
Make sure pets are secure, they may feel unsafe in the new environment
Notification Of Address Change
Post Office Mail Redirection - to catch the mail you forgot about
Electricity Supplier
Gas Supplier
Home Telephone Company/ies
Mobile Telephone Company/ies
Cable TV Company
Doctor
Dentist
Veterinarian
Bank
Credit Union
Building Society / Mortgage Lender
Credit Card Company/ies
Hire Purchase & Rental Companies
Schools
Internet Service Provider
Your neighbours, friends and family
Car licensing & taxation
Income Tax / Revenue
Magazine & Newspaper Subscriptions
Milk & Bread Deliveries
Coal / Oil Merchant
Insurance Company/ies (Life, Motor, Home & Contents, etc.)
Pet licencing authority
Voting register
Window cleaner
Church
Club(s)
Sports Facilities / Classes
Moving Pets
Acquire your pet's medical records, if possible
See if your vet will recommend a vet in your new locality
Make sure any relevant documentation is in order
Get copies of any health certificates required by your airline
Check on the necessity/possibility of tranquilising your pet for the trip itself
Check that any necessary immunisations are in order
Ensure you have entry permit(s), if required
Make sure that pets and animals have identification tags
Ensure trailers, boxes and other transportation devices are in good order
Make sure pet transporters meet airline requirements, if required
Organise overnight pet accommodation, if the trip is a long one
Make sure you have an adequate supply of food for any animals travelling (don't forget a can opener)
Bring a supply of clean water
Be prepared for cleaning-up jobs
Arrange for regular stops for exercise
Don't leave your pet alone in a hotel room
Cats may need a "safe" place to hide in the new home
Get the number of a 24-hour emergency pet clinic
International Moving
Vaccination records
Passports & Driving Licences
Travel Documents, Tickets, Visas, etc. - Check they are up to date and relevant
Medical Records
Investment documents
School Reports
Check out Customs Duties
Check out if permits and/or visas are needed
Plan for car transport
Plan for pet transport
Arrange for hotel accommodation, if necessary
Check voltages & plug / socket shapes for electrical items
