Checklist for a Smooth Moving Process

Essential relocation tasks

• Arrange for a mover well in advance.
• Arrange for mail forwarding either at a Canada Post Office or online.
• Disconnect utility, cable, and (cell) phone services and transfer to your new address.
• Inform any delivery services such as Amazon and any web shops to deliver products to the new address.
• Cancel subscriptions or forward newspapers, magazines, etc.
• Cancel (pre-authorized) bill payments if necessary.
• Contact your doctor(s), dentist, optometrist, pharmacy, and other healthcare providers to update your medical records.
• Update the veterinarian and ask for medical records if necessary.
• Inform your bank(s), credit card(s) providers and all financial institutions.
• Inform all insurance companies such as for your home, car and healthcare insurances.
• Update your driver’s license(s).
• Notify employer(s) of your new address.
• Notify family, friends, clubs and schools of the new address.
• Return all borrowed library books and update your library card.

Declutter, declutter and declutter

• Go from room to room, sift through every closet, the garage and the basement and discard any unwanted items. (link to another article)
• Offer items to family and friends and returned any borrowed items to them.
• Hold a garage sale.
• Or find organizations in Calgary who take your unwanted goods. Many organizations will be happy with your donations! (link)
• Use or dispose of as much food as possible from the refrigerator, freezer and pantry.
• Find more cleaning and declutter tips in Selling Your House.

A few tips for the packing process

Packing up an entire home is not to be taken lightly. Try to break down the packing process with the following tips.

• Beforehand, collect boxes, totes, packing paper, bubble wrap, scissors, tape and labels.
• Start the actual packing early. Start with the items you don’t need immediately. Those boxes can be unpacked at a later date.
• Pack room by room: bedrooms, basement, garage, living room, etc.
• Clearly label every single box with either content or dedicated location in the new home.
• Don’t forget about pets and plants. They often need more care during the move. Make a plan by select a temporary home for pets and plants if possible.
• Make notes in one place, such as a notepad or in a cellphone app. List all items that will require attention during and after the move.  
• Collect a few strong friends to help with packing, unpacking or with the move itself if no moving company is involved.

Now comes the daunting task of moving. Although a stress-free move is not guaranteed, these tips can help you manage the process and reduce stress.