Moving isn't just about hauling boxes from one home to another. It's a big, emotional milestone that reshapes your everyday routine, so it deserves careful, thoughtful planning. A solid plan really is half the battle.
At PlusOne Moving, we like to share what we've learned so your move feels clear and simple from day one. Here's a closer look at the details worth paying attention to.
Your Prep Timeline: What to Do 8, 6, 4, and 2 Weeks Out
We've put together a detailed checklist to help you plan your relocation and dodge the usual pitfalls.
8 Weeks Before the Move
This is one of the most important stages. Here's what's on your plate:
- Settle on your moving date.
- Reach out to a moving company and book their services. Ask what's included in the price, whether there's an extra charge for heavy items, what size of truck you'll get, and whether insurance coverage is part of the deal.
- Build your moving budget, factoring in packing materials, movers' fees, transport in the truck, and cleaning for both your old and new place.
Keep in mind that during peak moving season (the warmer months), it pays to start your search for movers even earlier, ideally 2 to 3 months ahead.
6 Weeks Before the Move
Once the big organizational pieces are in place, it's time to get your belongings ready for transport. Before you start packing, take stock of what you own. There's no point boxing up things you no longer use or won't unpack in your new home. It'll cut down on volume, and save you both time and money.
Six weeks out, here's what needs to happen:
- Pick up packing materials, or book professional packing through your moving company. PlusOne Moving supplies boxes, bubble wrap, tape, and other essentials as part of our full-service packages.
- Finalize the terms of your new lease, or if you're buying, make sure every document is in order so nothing catches you off guard later.
- Take care of paperwork: let your bank, employer, and family doctor know about your upcoming move.
- Book the freight elevator and a parking spot for moving day if you live in an apartment building.
4 Weeks Before the Move
This is where planning turns into action:
- Pack up anything you won't need in the near term, like seasonal clothing, decor, and appliances you're not using right now.
- Confirm your date and time with the moving company.
- Check that utilities are set up at your new place, and that internet service is arranged.
- Put together a dedicated folder for your important documents, so nothing gets lost in the shuffle of boxes.
2 Weeks Before the Move
Time to wrap up the loose ends. With 14 days to go:
- Pack the bulk of your belongings; don't leave it all for the last minute.
- Set aside a separate box of essentials you'll need right after the move: medications, a change of clothes, chargers, and toiletries.
- Line up help, whether that's professionals or friends, for taking apart bulky furniture.
- Think through where your pets will stay while the movers are working. The noise and unfamiliar faces can be unsettling for them.
- Arrange internet installation at the new address if it isn't already set up.
- Book a cleaning company for your old place after moving day. Honestly, for a lot of people, this one turns out to be a lifesaver.
How to Handle Your Important Documents
Your important papers are best kept with you, either in your own vehicle or in a separate, clearly marked box. Don't toss them in with everything else. You'll want them within arm's reach at all times. Passports, your lease, medical records, and insurance policies all belong in one dedicated folder. Moving in wet weather? Use waterproof packaging: moisture can ruin documents beyond repair, and reissuing them is a headache you don't need.
Update your address with the key institutions in your life, your bank, medical offices, and schools. Getting this sorted early saves you a lot of stress and last-minute surprises down the road.
What to Do with Your Belongings
Start by sorting through what you own. The less you need to move, the lower your costs will be. To make this easier, try splitting everything into four categories:
- to bring with you
- to donate
- to sell
- to toss
Clothing, appliances, china, and furniture you still love should make the trip with you. Got things you don't need anymore, like kids' jackets, small shoes, or toys they've outgrown? Donate them. What no longer works for you might be exactly what someone else needs.
Extra appliances and furniture can be sold. The trick is lining up buyers ahead of time. Post your listings on the right sites and social media early, don't leave it until the last minute.
As for broken appliances or furniture, it's best to leave them behind rather than hoping you'll fix them once you've settled in. If you haven't gotten around to it yet, chances are you won't later either. In the meantime, they'll just eat up truck space and drive up your moving costs.
How to Pack Your Belongings
Packing looks simple enough at first glance, but it's actually a time-consuming job that takes real effort.
Get ahead of it: estimate how much you have and stock up on boxes in a range of sizes. Got laundry baskets or organizers lying around? Great, use those too.
Get ahead of it: estimate how much you have and stock up on boxes in a range of sizes. Got laundry baskets or organizers lying around? Great, use those too.
To keep things organized, pack room by room, starting with the spaces farthest from the exit so you're not tripping over boxes on your way out. Here's a handy trick: use colour-coded labels for each room, green for the kitchen, blue for the bathroom, red for the bedroom, and so on. Jot a quick note on each box about what's inside: "winter clothes," "shoes," "bedding," "china." And always mark boxes with fragile items clearly; it gives them an extra layer of protection. When movers see "fragile," they handle those boxes with extra care and load them onto the truck last (or on top).
Moving in the rain? Protect your belongings from moisture by wrapping boxes in shrink wrap to keep the cardboard dry.
If you'd rather skip the guesswork entirely, professional packers can step in. Book ahead, and a team will arrive to pack everything carefully, no need to worry about sourcing special materials yourself.
Getting Your Current Place Ready
To avoid any friction with your landlord, give the place a good clean before you go. Clear out the trash, and empty any cabinets or drawers you're not taking with you.
While you're carrying boxes out, keep an eye on the walls, floors, and doorways for any damage. If you spot something, call in a repair professional yourself or flag it to your landlord right away.
While you're carrying boxes out, keep an eye on the walls, floors, and doorways for any damage. If you spot something, call in a repair professional yourself or flag it to your landlord right away.
Getting Your New Home Ready for Move-In Day
It's important that the basics, hydro, water, heat, are all connected before move-in day. That way, you won't waste time chasing down technicians or utility companies once you're there. Instead, you can focus on unpacking and settling in.
If you can, visit the new place ahead of time, ideally with a professional who can check the electrical, heating, and air conditioning systems. It's also worth mapping out where your furniture and appliances will go in advance (not everything you're bringing may fit, so plan accordingly). Knowing exactly what goes where also helps your moving crew work more efficiently. They'll place the heavy items right where you want them the first time.
Before you arrive, arrange for a basic clean of the new place if your landlord isn't handling it. For the best results, bring in professional cleaners so you're stepping into a spotless home.
Moving Day: What to Get Done
Before the movers show up, finish packing whatever's left. Be sure to point out which boxes hold fragile items; it goes a long way in preventing accidental damage to your valuables.
Do a final walkthrough of every room, check closets, drawers, built-in shelving, and any wall nooks, to make sure nothing's been left behind. Once everything is loaded onto the truck, hand off the keys to your landlord or someone you trust.
When you arrive at your new place, focus first on setting up the essentials: bedroom, bathroom, kitchen. Don't expect to unpack every box in one day, that's just not realistic. Pace yourself, and save your energy for the long haul.
If you're looking for a smooth, predictable move from start to finish, our team at PlusOne Moving is here to help. We've already supported hundreds of clients, moving households of every size, over any distance. From mapping out the best route and packing your belongings to setting up furniture and connecting appliances in your new home, we've got it covered.
