Your New Home Moving Checklist
Congratulations on your decision to buy a new home! Over the years we have seen clients begin this journey with so many questions – and we are here to help! As you prepare to move into your new home, we know there’s a lot to consider and even more to do.
In this edition, we are sharing our new home moving checklist so you can rest easy at night knowing you aren’t forgetting anything crucial.
The Timeline
8 Weeks Before the Move: Start Planning
Create a Moving Budget: Save yourself the financial stress closer to your moving date by budgeting the costs you will need in the next couple of months. Think about hiring movers, buying packing supplies, and other expenses you will come across.
Research Moving Companies: Start investigating possible moving companies. We always recommend reading online reviews and asking friends and family. Get quotes from at least 3 companies and always ensure they are licensed and insured.
6 Weeks Before the Move: Sort, Purge & Organize
Sort Your Belongings: Go through every room of your house and decide what you want to keep, donate and discard.
Use it or lose it: Start using cleaning products, perishable foods, items in your freezer and cupboards.
Purchase Packing Supplies: Stock up on boxes, packing tape, bubble wrap, markers, etc. You can find free boxes at local stores or purchase them from moving companies.
Organize & Update Important Contacts:
- School Records: Register your child to transfer to their new school if leaving your current area. Then go to your child’s school and arrange for their records to be transferred to the new school.
- Veterinarian: Contact your vet and send your pet’s records to the new vet clinic.
- Insurance: Contact your insurance provider to update your home insurance policy to your new address.
4 Weeks Before the Move: Schedule & Start to Pack
Book your moving company or arrange for a truck rental.
Start Packing: Begin putting items you don’t use frequently into boxes and LABEL them. Think of items like your seasonal clothing, books, and decor.
Schedule disconnection/connection of utilities at the old and new house (to end the day after you move):
- Home Phone – Online, by phone or in person
- Internet – Online, by phone or in person
- Cable – Online, by phone or in person
- Water – Online or by phone
- Gas – Online or by phone
- Electricity – Online with your local electricity company or by phone
- Water Heater Rental – Online or by phone
Continue to Organize and Update Important Contacts:
- Subscriptions (Physical): Magazines, books, newspapers, etc – Online, by phone, in person or via email
- Ontario Works – With your caseworker or at a Social Assistance Office
- Employment Insurance (EI) – Online using your My Service Canada Account, by phone at 1 (800) 206-7218, or in person at a Service Canada Centre
- Old Age Security – By phone at 1 (800) 277-9914, mail your documents to the nearest service Canada Centre or visit them in person
- Canada Post: Fill out a “Change of Address” form at Canada Post in-store or online to have your mail forwarded to the new address.
- Charities – Online or by phone
New Address Stationary: Order new address labels or stationary as needed.
Cleaning and Repair Services: Arrange for cleaning and house repairs if needed before the move.
2 Weeks Before the Move: Final Preparation
Schedule for Move-in Day: Book the day off work for moving day and hire a babysitter if needed.
Confirm Moving Details: Call your movers to confirm logistics and make any last-minute adjustments if necessary.
Meal Prep: Plan your meals so you do not have leftover food to pack.
Return All Borrowed Belongings: Library books, items from your neighbours, etc.
Notify Friends & Family: Tell your friends and family about the change of address.
Start your Essentials Bag: Set aside fresh towels and linens to be used on moving day so you aren’t searching for them after a long day.
Continue to pack and clean as you go.
Take furniture apart if necessary.
Create a Home Owner Package: Compile a package of appliance warranties, instructions, etc for the new homeowners.
Continue to Organize and Update Important Contacts:
- Service Ontario: Update your Drivers license, Heath Card/OHIP, Vehicle and land registration, and Ontario Photo Card – Online or in person at a service Ontario location
- Banks – Online account, in person, or over the phone
- Credit Card Companies – Online account, in person, or over the phone
- Canadian Pension Plan (CPP) – Over the phone at 1 (800) 277-9914 or in person at a Service Canada Centre
- Cell Phone Provider – Online, in person, or over the phone or
- Boat Permit – Online on the Pleasure Craft Electronic Licensing System
- OSAP Loans and Bursary – Online through the OSAP website
- Scholarship Programs – Online or by phone
- NEXUS – Online or by phone
- Household Services (Cleaners, Gardeners, Maintenence, etc.)
The Week of the Move
Defrost the freezer, and clean the fridge and oven.
Get payment ready for the moving company.
Make a schedule/plan for moving day.
Continue To Pack an Essentials Bag: Have toiletries, a change of clothes and important documents along with the linens and fresh towels you already packed.
Continue to clean the house as you pack.
Set Aside boxes and items that you’re moving yourself.
Final Walkthrough: Before leaving your old home, walk through every room and ensure nothing is left behind. Turn off all lights and lock all doors and windows before leaving.
Once You’ve Moved In
Ensure all appliances and fixtures work on move-in day.
Change all batteries in all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Pick up the garbage collection calendar from the city.
Introduce yourself to your neighbours!
Continue to Organize and Update Important Contacts:
- Subscriptions / Streaming: Netflix, Disney +, Prime, Spotify, Apple, etc. – On your online account or on the phone
- Rewards programs – Online or over the phone
- Gym Memberships – By Phone or In Person on your last visit before the move
- Elections Canada – Online on the Elections Canada website
- Elections Ontario – Online by updating your voter registration on the Elections Canada Website
- Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) – Online or by phone at 1 (877) 899-3599
- Canadian Firearms Program of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (Armed Permit) – Online or by phone at 1 (800) 731-400
- Employer – Contact your HR department either by phone or in person
- Pharmacist – On your last visit before the move
- Dentist – On your next visit
- Doctor – On your next visit
- Library – On your next visit or by phone
- University – Online or by phone to your registrar’s office
- Car Manufacturer – By phone
- Car Dealership – By phone or in person
- Union – By phone call your local
- Professional Associations – By phone or in person
You did it!
Congratulations! You have now purchased your new home and completed all the steps to get there! You’ve navigated through the process, tackled the checklist and now it’s time to enjoy all of your hard work! Here’s to a fresh start, wonderful moments and endless joy in your new home.
Congratulations, once again!
Nicole Perri, Mortgage Agent Level 2