Moving Tips
Without the proper moving tips and packing tips are you really prepared for you move? Between packing, traveling, loading, and unpacking, moving can be a highly stressful experience. That is, if you don’t have a savvy moving crew on your side! Years of experience in the moving industry has allowed Sparta Movers to impart helpful knowledge onto our customers, making their moves as easy and efficient as possible. Follow our professional moving tips to make sure it all goes smoothly.
FOUR TO SIX WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVECleaning out closets, cupboards, shelves, and all other storage areas in your home will help you get an overview of your belongings and cut down on what you’ll be transporting. Discard all unwanted or unnecessary items. We find that most items unused in the past two years aren’t essentials. This is a great opportunity to have a garage sale, or to gift items to family, friends and charities. Donations can earn you tax deductions, and you can earn a nice profit from a garage sale, which can help pay for your moving costs.
Collect any and all advance and security deposits on your current rentals and utilities. This will further relieve your tight moving budget
Decide if you should ship your appliances and old furniture. It is wise to consider their age and how well they will match the aesthetics and fit in with the space of your new home. Also, verify if your old appliances are compatible with the systems in your new abode. (For example, don’t bother to bring a gas stove into a home equipped only for electric appliances).
Make your own inventory of all items that must be moved. Also, decide what plants will be moved and which must be disposed of.
Use up your current food stores and don’t buy too many new groceries. Perishable and frozen foods cannot be transported safely. If you have some food left on the day of your move, either dispose of it, or bring it in a cooler in your car.
Notify all of your service providers of your moving date. This includes utility, lawn care, security, and any other companies providing services directly to your home.
Submit a change of address notice to the post office, publications which you subscribe to, and all others you receive mail from.
Notify your homeowner’s insurance company of your move and renew the policy for your new home. Check in upon arrival.
Inquire about the status of all club memberships, checking if advance payments can be reimbursed, or your membership can be transferred to a loved one.
Look into the credential of your new neighbourhood’s schools. Visit them and once you’ve chosen one, register your children. Notify their old school to transfer your children’s records.
Schedule your moving date with Sparta Movers and plan for all necessary activities during the move.
MOVING TIPS: TWO TO THREE WEEKS OUT
Confirm your moving date and the discontinuation of services with your utility and other service providers, as well as your realtor or landlord. Arrange for utility services to be activated at your new home on the day of your expected arrival.
Redirect deliveries to your new home.
Don’t forget to retrieve belongings from storage lockers at your local gym, club, or school.
Obtain recommendations and referrals from your doctor and friends for a new doctor in your destination area. Have medical records transferred and be sure to pick up your prescriptions.
If necessary, relocate all valuables stored in a safety deposit box to one in your new neighbourhood bank. Transport them yourself, or send them through insured and certified mail.
DO NOT SHIP hazardous items. These include combustible or flammable materials, such as oil-base paint, bleach, cleaning and lighter fluids, matches, ammunition, and aerosol cans.
ONE WEEK BEFORE
Document all of your moving expenses and keep receipts. In Canada, the Canadian Revenue Agency may allow for you to file these expenses on your income tax forms. Click here for more information.
Don’t forget to drain fuels and oils from machinery such as lawn mowers, chain saws, etc. Shipping cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles requires that they have only a quarter of a tank of gas.
Be prepared by putting together a “safety box” that is to be loaded last and unloaded first. This box should include necessities from your kitchen, bathroom, medicine cabinet, and first-aid kit. Include a practical set of tools for any installations that must be made upon arrival.
Help your children get motivated for the move while preparing them by having them pack a “treasure box” with their favourite toys, games, and snacks to keep nearby during the trip.
Fully defrost and clean your refrigerator and freezer. You’ll need at least one day for defrosting.
Ensure the safety of the moving crew and your family by removing all snow and ice from the driveways, walkways, and steps.
Store your bed linens and pillows in dresser drawers and be sure to have them accessible for your first night at the new home. Hang your draperies lengthwise on hangers in the closet, and have your movers place them in wardrobe boxes.
DAY BEFORE THE MOVE
If you’ve opted for packing services, this will typically be done the day before your move. Be present to supervise packing and provide helpful instructions. Pack valuables that you want to transport yourself.
Make sure that fragile items are packed carefully, and label the boxes with “Fragile”. Label all boxes with contents and the room they need to be unloaded to at the final destination.
Gather all copies of your current house keys and arrange to leave them with the new home owners, realtor, or landlord. Tell the police if your home will be unoccupied for an extended period of time.
Let a loved one know of your moving day travel plans, new home address, and contact information just in case an emergency occurs.
Also consider packing for your first day and night after moving. Our blog post will tell you more.
DAY OF THE MOVE
Pull out your self-made inventory and compare it with the one made by the moving crew. Correct any discrepancies. Note the condition of your belongings and sign the mover’s inventory agreement form if you confirm all to be correct. Obtain a copy. Take photographs of valuables in case of the need to file an insurance claim.
After all has been loaded, walk through every room, check every closet, shelf, and storage area to be sure that nothing has been left behind. Turn off the water, furnace, lights, and air conditioning. Turn off the water heater. Set the thermostat at 15 degrees celsius.
Check the Bill of Lading to verify that all is correct before signing. Obtain a copy.
Get the van driver and moving crew foreman’s names and contact information. Provide your own. Verify that they have the right directions to your final destination.
Try to arrive at your new home before the movers so that you aren’t charged for waiting time and can give unloading instructions.
Keep your telephone on you and at full volume so that you’re reachable during your move.
Contact your new utility and service companies to activate services at your new home.
Upon arrival, check all appliances, including the furnace and water heater to verify that they are in working order. If not, contact a repair service immediately to avoid your family’s discomfort.
Have a printed or drawn out floor plan of your new home posted near the entrance so that the movers may refer to it when unloading boxes into specific rooms.
As boxes and furniture are unloaded, inspect their conditions. Document any losses or damages on the mover’s copy of the inventory form, making a note that states “subject to inspection for loss or concealed damage.” Do not sign the inventory sheet if items are missing. Report losses and damages as soon as possible to your moving coordinator.
Prevent damage to T.V.’s and other electronic appliances by postponing use until they adjust to the room temperature of their final position in your new home.
Check with the Canada Post to see if any mail has been held for you, and notify them that deliveries can now be made to your new address.
MOVING TIPS FOR AFTER YOU SETTLED
Have the addresses changed on your ID’s, driver’s license, and any other official documents. Check if you have a limited amount of time to have this done.
Register your vehicle(s) at the address of your new home. Most provinces give you up to 90 days for this.
Contact all desired subscription services for delivery to your new home.
Explore the area around your new home, familiarizing yourself with the streets and local businesses. Look for grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, and restaurants so that you can easily find them when you need them. Check their hours of operation.
Introduce yourself to your neighbours, and arrange play-dates with your children and other kids in the neighbourhood.
Refer to an attorney to find out about laws that may be different in your new area.
Update your voter registration information with your new address.