Ultimate Moving Checklist

Moving can be a daunting task, especially when it comes to transferring all the furniture and household goods from your old house to your new one. It’s a complicated process that requires strategic planning and excellent organization. To ensure that everything goes as smoothly as possible, it’s crucial to have a Moving Checklist on hand. Starting from eight weeks before the big day, this step-by-step checklist for moving will guide you through each phase of the process – from sorting through your belongings and packing them up, to transferring utilities and setting up in your new home. And unlike other guides, our moving house checklist doesn’t stop at just getting your belongings to the new location. It extends beyond moving day, offering practical advice on how to settle in, organize your space, and turn your new house into a home. Begin your moving journey by using our comprehensive Moving Checklist. This tool is designed to assist you with all the necessary steps for a smooth and stress-free move. It starts eight weeks out, giving you ample time to sort, purge, and pack your belongings. As you get closer to the moving day, the checklist for moving becomes more detailed, focusing on tasks like notifying your utility providers and forwarding your mail. Our moving house checklist is not just about the physical move, however. It includes post-moving day tasks such as unpacking, setting up utilities, and organizing your new space. This comprehensive checklist is designed to help you transition into your new home with ease, ensuring that nothing is overlooked in the process. So, whether you’re moving across town or the country, having a detailed Moving Checklist can make the process much simpler. By following a tried-and-true checklist for moving, you can ensure that nothing is forgotten in the hustle and bustle of the move. Plus, with our inclusive moving house checklist, you’ll be well-prepared to settle into your new home swiftly and smoothly.

Updated for 2026 — this guide reflects the latest moving tips and pricing for the Greater Vancouver area.

Eight Weeks Before – Moving Checklist:

• Declutter and purge. Room by room decides what you want to get rid of, what you want to keep and see if any items might require special packing.
• Research movers. Ask friends and family for recommendations.
  • Ask if they are a member of the BBB.
  • Ask if they will do a visual quote.
  • Ask what insurance is included.
  • Get the estimates in writing, and remember, estimates are not fixed, binding quotes, unless it says so.
• Create a binder or moving file. Put all your estimates, receipts and an inventory of the items you will be moving in it.
• Ask your doctors for referrals in your new city.

Six Weeks Before – Checklist for Moving:

• Hire the mover you’re most comfortable with.
• Request a copy of the signed contract from the mover.
• Order or buy boxes and other packing supplies you’ll need.
• Take measurements of doors in your new home to make sure large pieces of furniture will fit through them.
• Arrange to have medical records, school records and veterinarian records sent to the providers you’ve chosen in your new city.
• Contact your homeowner’s insurance agent to see if you need to change or add on coverage.
• Cancel or transfer memberships to health clubs and any membership organizations.

One Month Before – Moving House Checklist:

• Start packing the items you don’t use much. Label each box with the room it’s destined for and a number, like “Master Bedroom, #1.” Assign each room a colour and place the appropriately coloured sticker on the boxes.
• Place valuable jewelry and important papers in a safe box that you’ll hand carry to your new home on moving day.
• Fill out a change of address either online at usps.gov or in person at your local post office.
• Inform the following service providers of your move: banks, financial planners, stockbrokers, human resources at your employers’, magazine and newspaper subscriptions, credit card companies, insurance agents, cell phone providers and utility companies. Discuss shut-off day with the utility companies at this time.
• Make travel arrangements for your pets, if necessary—place copies of their medical and immunization records in your moving binder.

Three Weeks Before – Ultimate Moving Checklist:

• Plan how you will move your house plants.
• Dispose of flammable items and poisons.
• Take moving day off from your job.
• Have a locksmith change the locks in your new home.
• Continue packing boxes with contents of your garage, attic and storage areas.

Two Weeks Before – Moving Checklist BC:

• Notify government offices of your move, including the city or county tax assessor, state vehicle registration, Social Security Administration, IRS, and Veterans Administration.
• Confirm travel arrangements if it takes more than one day to get to your new home.
• Start using up your perishable food.
• Make a folder with critical information about your old house for the new owner.
• Get your vehicles ready for a new climate if you’re moving to one.
• Remove the contents of any safety deposit boxes and put them in the safebox.
• Continue packing.
• Call to have utilities turned on in your new place.

One Week Before – Moving Checklist Alberta:

• Print out the address of your new home and driving directions and include your cell phone number to give to the movers.
• Finish packing. Set aside enough clothing for five to seven days and put it in a suitcase.
• Call the moving company with any questions you have.
• Fill any prescriptions you’ll need for the next two weeks.
• Pack a box of essentials that you’ll keep with you during the move. This could include medication, snacks and water, toiletries, a camera, etc.
• Drain gas and oil from lawnmowers, gas grills, heaters, etc.
• Drain water from hoses.

Two Days Before – Moving Checklist Ontario:

• Empty and defrost refrigerators and freezers.
• Confirm moving day details with the moving company. Check on arrival time.
• Get cash to tip your movers and to have on hand for emergencies.
• Take care of payment for the movers if you haven’t already.
• Create a written inventory of your packed boxes.

Moving Day – Moving Checklist Toronto:

• Walk through your home and yard before the movers arrive to make sure you’ve packed everything.
• Give your old house keys to your real estate agent or landlord.
• Check items and boxes off your inventory list as they are loaded.
• Before the movers leave, sign the bill of lading or inventory list and keep a copy.
• Check every room and closet for missed items after the movers have left.
• Leave a note with your new address so new occupants can forward your mail.
• Test appliances, faucets, toilets, smoke detectors and security systems in your new home.
• Set up the beds first.
• Unpack boxes and begin organizing your new spaces.
• Inspect furniture and other household goods that have been moved for damages. Photograph those with damage.

One Week After Moving Day – Moving Checklist Vancouver:

• Recycle your moving boxes.
• Buy fire extinguishers and smoke detectors if you don’t already have them.
• Hang pictures and other simple projects that make your house a home.
• Get acquainted with your new community and find out where everything is located.
• Find out local requirements for vehicle registration and drivers’ licenses.

Budget Planning: What Most Checklists Miss

A moving checklist is only half complete without a corresponding budget. Start by listing every anticipated expense: mover fees, packing supplies, utility connection charges, cleaning services, and travel costs. Then add a contingency line of roughly ten to fifteen percent for surprises like an elevator booking fee at your new condo or same-day storage if your move-in date shifts.

Get written quotes from at least two moving companies so you can compare rates and services. Full-service movers like Simple Moves include both labour and trucks in a single hourly rate, which makes budgeting straightforward—there is no separate vehicle rental to account for. Ask whether the quote includes furniture padding, dollies, and moving blankets so you are not hit with add-on charges on moving day.

Packing Strategy by Room Priority

An efficient packing order prevents last-minute chaos. Begin with rooms you use least—guest bedrooms, storage closets, and the garage—four to six weeks out. Move to living areas and home offices two to three weeks before the move. Leave the kitchen and daily-use bathrooms for the final few days, packing a clearly labelled essentials box with toiletries, medications, chargers, a change of clothes, and basic kitchen items like a kettle and mugs.

Colour-coded labels (one colour per room) speed up unloading dramatically. When your movers arrive at the new home, they can place boxes in the correct rooms without repeatedly asking for directions, saving time on the clock and reducing your overall cost.

Why Choose Simple Moves for Your Relocation

Simple Moves is a full-service moving company serving British Columbia with trained, professional crews. We handle everything from careful packing and furniture disassembly to safe transport and setup at your new address. Our transparent pricing means you know exactly what you are paying, and our crews arrive with all the equipment needed—no surprise rental fees. To check an item off your ultimate moving checklist, get a free quote today or call (604) 398-4680.

Moving Day Emergency Kit

Even the most detailed checklist can miss the unexpected. Pack a separate bag—not a box—that stays with you throughout moving day. Include a basic first-aid kit, phone chargers, snacks, water bottles, toilet paper, a roll of paper towels, a box cutter, a screwdriver, and any medications you need during the day. This bag travels in your personal vehicle, not the moving truck, so it is always within reach.

If you have children, pack a separate activity bag for them with colouring books, a tablet loaded with shows, and favourite snacks. Moving day is long and tiring for kids, and having familiar entertainment on hand prevents meltdowns during the busiest hours. For pets, prepare a travel carrier with food, water, a leash, and waste bags so they are comfortable and secure throughout the transition.

Address Change Checklist You Cannot Afford to Skip

Forwarding mail through Canada Post covers the basics, but dozens of accounts need manual updates. Beyond the obvious—bank, credit cards, and insurance—remember to update your address with the CRA, your employer’s payroll department, your children’s schools, your family doctor, dentist, and pharmacy. Subscription boxes, online shopping accounts, and loyalty programs also need attention. Tackle these updates in batches of five over the week before your move rather than trying to handle them all on a single stressful afternoon.

Post-Move Tasks That Protect Your Investment

Once the boxes are unpacked, a few tasks deserve immediate attention. Change the locks on your new home—you have no way of knowing how many key copies the previous owner distributed. Test all smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms, replacing batteries even if they seem functional. Locate the main water shut-off valve and the electrical panel so you can respond quickly in an emergency. Finally, introduce yourself to your immediate neighbours within the first week—a brief, friendly conversation builds the kind of relationship that leads to package pickups, security awareness, and long-term community connection.

Read More

Moving Checklist BC(Opens in a new browser tab)

Moving Checklist Ontario(Opens in a new browser tab)

Post-move Checklist: What To Do After You’ve Moved In(Opens in a new browser tab)

Moving Checklist Saskatchewan(Opens in a new browser tab)

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