8 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE:

Contact your local Moving Consultant to begin making arrangements for moving day. Remove items from such storage areas as your attic, basement and shed. Start using up possessions you can't move such as frozen food and cleaning supplies. Obtain community information on your new hometown.

 6 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE:

Verify exactly what expenses and responsibilities if any, your employer will cover. Find out what moving expenses may be tax-deductible. Consider which of your possessions you may want to sell, give away, or donate to charity. Make a list of everyone you need to notify about your move.

Consider subscribing to the local paper from your new community. Locate all auto licensing and stored, make arrangements now. Obtain copies of any vital personal records - medical, legal, financial, pharmaceutical.

4 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE:

Obtain and complete change of address forms from the post office. Arrange special transport for your pets and plants if required. Contact utilities for service disconnect/connect at your old and new address. Contact insurance companies to arrange coverage at your new home. If you're packing yourself, purchase packing boxes from your local mover.

3 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE:

Make any necessary travel arrangements and reservations. Collect important papers such as insurance, wills, deeds, stocks. Arrange for the transfer of bank accounts to your new address.

2 WEEKS BEFORE YOU MOVE:

Have your car checked and serviced for the trip. If you're moving out of or into, a building management to reserve an elevator. Contact your Moving Consultant to & confirm all moving arrangements.

1 WEEK BEFORE YOU MOVE:

Settle any outstanding bills with local merchants. Don't forget about library books, safety deposit box, dry cleaning and rented videos. Take you pet's records. Drain gas and oil from power equipment such as lawn movers and snow blowers. Give away plants not being moved. Prepare specific directions to your home for your moving company includes your itinerary and emergency numbers.

2 DAYS BEFORE YOU MOVE:

Defrost your freezer & refrigerator. Be sure to tape doors closed so they don't accidentally open on pets or children. Have your appliances disconnect and prepared for the move. Pack a box of personal items and mark it to be loaded last or carry it in your car. Set aside and clearly label items that will be traveling with you so they are not accidentally loaded on the van. Confirm arrival time of the moving van and notify your Moving Consultant of any last minute details.

MOVING DAY:

Make sure someone is home during the move to answer the moving company's questions. Record all utility meter readings. Read your mover's Bill of & Inventory carefully before you sign. Be sure to keep these and all related papers in a safe location.

Also:

• Notify post office of change of address.
• Notify utilities when to discontinue service. Make sure telephone is left connected until the loading is complete in order to accommodate any last minute requirements you or the mover may have.
• Make arrangements in advance for all services at your new home so that all utilities are turned on for you on the day you are moving in.
• If moving in cold weather, articles subject to freezing should not be shipped via moving van.
• Carry with you currency, jewellery and valuable papers. Movers will not accept responsibility for articles of extraordinary value.
• Be sure to notify the Vehicle Registration office of change of address.
• Notify doctor, dentist and family allowance offices.
• Notify school authorities so they may forward your children's school records to the new school.
• When ever possible, try to move at times other than at the beginning and end of the month, when our movers are busiest.
• Have the utility company read your metres.
• Arrange to transfer your bank account to the new location.
• If you are moving into a new home in a new subdivision, check that the driveway and roads are accessible to the moving van
• Take a telephone book with you; it will come in handy for checking addresses, etc.
• Discard flammable items such as lighter fluid, gasoline.
• DO NOT overload dresser drawers. Pack drawers lightly removing fragile and heavy items.
• Liquids in bottles should have tops securely fastened
• Pack in one carton enough dishes and utensils to allow you to prepare your first meal at your new home. Take with you in your car if possible.
• DO NOT leave trays loose in refrigerator and stove.
• If you desire to store all or part of your goods, notify the mover well in advance so arrangements can be made. When storing, advise the moving company of any items that you may want to access so these pieces may be kept forward in the storage pallets.
• Dismantling and setting up of beds is part of most mover's service.
• After the moving crew has finished loading, check attic, basement and garage before the truck leaves to make sure no items have been left behind.
• Be available at all times when unloading. This will assist the mover greatly in determining where to have your furniture placed as it is unloaded from the moving van. Advise the van foreman of any articles you may require first in your new home so they may be unloaded accordingly
• Any items, such as luggage, that you are not including in the goods to be moved should be kept separate so they will not be moved in error.
• Leave furniture as it presently is in your home. Trained crews can load your effects faster and easier that way, than if it is all places in one room.
• Discuss the moving of your deep freeze and its contents with the moving company.
• Power tools, such as lathes, saws, grinders, should be dismantled for safe moving.
• Defrost your refrigerator the day before moving.
• Make sure to drain the gas out of such items as outboard motors and power mowers.
• Any fixture fastened to the wall, drapery tracks, etc. SHOULD BE TAKEN DOWN FOR THE MOVERS.

Packing Tips

Basic Rules for the do-it-yourselfers:

Do-it-yourself packing is a big job, but it can be a worthwhile way to save money on your moving costs. With the right materials and a little help from the moving company, you can achieve professional results to protect your possessions.

Use containers that are clean and strong. Containers should have lids and be seal with packing tape.

• Load heavy items in smaller cartons, lighter objects in larger cartons.
• Pack tightly to avoid shifting and rubbing of contents. All boxes must be filled to the top to prevent crushing.
• Use clean packing paper, towels, sheets or soft materials for wrapping & cushioning.
• China and fragile items must be carefully wrapped and packed with ample cushioning to prevent breakage.
• Plates, platters, records and other flat fragile items should be packed on their edges for added safety.
• Label each container with contents and room location to ensure proper placement in your new home.
• Pack heavy items at the bottom, lighter on the top. Pack lampshades & dry flower arrangements individually to prevent crushing. Do not use newsprint.
• Foodstuff, medicines and other liquids must be sealed and packed in an upright position to prevent spilling. Mark carton THIS END UP.
• Mirrors, glass and pictures too large for ordinary cartons should be packed in
  telescopic picture cartons which can be supplied by your moving company.
  

COUNTDOWN TO MOVING DAY

It's never too soon to begin planning your move! This checklist is a great way to spread our responsibilities and involve the whole family in the moving process. Once loading day arrives, you can be rest assured that nothing has been overlooked or omitted.

PLANNING YOUR MOVE:

• Decide which items to move.
• Have a garage sale for items you no longer need. Q Contact movers for estimates
• Decide on loading and delivery dates
• Make arrangements for storing your goods
• Calculate the replacement value of your goods, in order to arrange for adequate protection
• Book for elevators to be on service if needed
• Make arrangements to disconnect appliances
• Arrange transportation of pets/plants/perishables
• Prepare a floor plan of your new home to expedite the arrangement of furniture
• Arrange for personal travel
• Send out rugs and draperies for cleaning
• Send out furniture for refinishing
• Service automobile if you are driving for the move.

MOVING DAY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Move jewellery, cash and documents personally.
• Empty refrigerator and freezer. Defrost fridge, if necessary, 24 hours before move
• Attach "do not move" tags to goods you intend to leave behind.
• Keep your personal luggage separate.
• Arrange for babysitting
• Label cartons you will need immediately
• Turn off lights, check furnace.
  

NOTIFICATION OF MOVE

• Post Office
• Financial Institutions
• lnsurance
• Telephone 
• Delivery Services 
• Magazines
• Hydro
• School Records
• Water
• Newspapers
• Gas 
• Internet Provider
• Friends
• Motor Vehicle License
• Relatives
• Lawyer
• Dentist
• Church
• Water Softener
• Cable/Satellite 
• Dentist