Our tips to help you move like a pro

1. Reserve trucks or movers early

This is where you should start. The best companies are booked months in advance. By contacting them earlier, you will avoid having to do business with a second-rate company...precisely the one likely to break your favourite lamp or scratch your stainless-steel fridge.

Ask for referrals to companies located near you and compare two or three quotes before you commit.

If you plan on doing the move yourself, let people in your circle know ASAP so you can recruit some help and rent a truck right away.

If you want to save a few bucks, avoid a few dates such as July 1 (Canada Day) or the end of the month. Picking a day in the middle of the week rather than the weekend can also be helpful. Make sure to ask your employer for time off around this date.

2. Love making lists? Then it’s your time to shine!

There are so many things to plan for over the coming weeks, and keeping a list will ensure nothing is forgotten.

If you’re moving with others, share the list with them and scratch off tasks as soon as they’re done. If you can, keep an electronic list so you can update it easily.

• Sell: Organize a garage sale to get rid of what you can or sell items online.
• Give away: Donate what you don’t sell, it will surely help others. If you can, do it ahead of moving season. Charities receive a lot of donations and calls at that time of year.
• Recycle or transfer: Figure out what can be recycled and what can be reused. Be realistic. You probably won’t have time to strip a large piece of furniture, have it varnished and fix the broken handles. Keep only what can be useful for you in the future.
• Trash: Sometimes you just have to admit that some items or articles of clothing have reached the end of the line. Time to throw them out so you don’t have to pack them.

In short, don’t keep more than you have to.

4. Stock up on boxes

Purchasing boxes can cost a pretty penny. A few weeks before you move, look for boxes at nearby businesses. Opt for smaller ones to minimize the risk of injury.

If you do decide to purchase them, remember to get wardrobe boxes which come in handy to move your clothes with minimal handling.

Start gathering material that could be useful: markers, tape, scissors, strings, paper rolls, garbage bags, wipes, etc....

5. Have a plan for each box

How should you prepare your moving boxes? Depends on what you’re packing in them. Here are a few tips:

• Start by packing the least used items like Halloween costumes, Christmas decorations, dishes for special occasions, souvenirs, etc, and work your way up to the essentials.
• Mark the contents of each box, specifying which room it should be moved into and whether the contents should be handled with care.
• Pack your dishes standing upright to minimize damage. Each dish needs to be wrapped separately.
• You can convert some of your drawers into moving boxes. If their contents are not too heavy, keep them as they are for the move.
• Don’t pack large boxes filled with books, they will be too heavy. Have suitcases on wheels? These are ideal for moving books.
• Use drapes, blankets and dish towels to wrap certain pieces of furniture or fragile objects. This way, you will also avoid using less eco-friendly solutions such as bubble wrap.
• Make your life much easier by taking pictures of things you will have to reassemble or set back up in your new home such as the wiring behind your TV and computer, picture arrangements, etc.

7. Make an address change

This is the time to notify people and many organizations about your change of address.

If you’re a Quebec resident, use the Service québécois de changement d’adresse. In one fell swoop, several organizations will obtain your new address info:

• Directeur général des élections du Québec
• Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec
• Retraite Québec
• Revenu Québec
• Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec, etc.

Then, you must inform the following organizations:

• Canada Revenue Agency
• Your cable company
• Your electricity or natural gas supplier
• Your employer
• The Government of Canada
• Your financial institution
• Your pharmacy, credit card company, etc.

Worried you forgot to notify someone?

Canada Post can transfer your mail to your new address. This is not a free service, but it makes things easier by ensuring you receive all your mail for the next four to 12 months, depending on the option you choose.

8. Survival 101: Gather all necessities to make it through 24 hours

You won’t be unpacking everything as soon as you move in. That’s why you should plan to have two or three boxes of essentials to help with the transition. Here’s what they should include:

• Toiletries such as toothbrushes, soap, towels, toilet paper, etc.
• Tools and screws
• Cleaning products
• Essential medication
• Pillows and blankets
• Change of clothes
• Telephone and computer wires
• Baby food or pet food, if needed
• Utensils and plates for your first couple of meals

Do this and you should be set for several hours!

9. Be careful

Moving can sometimes cause injuries, but you can avoid most of them by taking a few precautions.

• Move heavy objects with straps and a trolley.
• Remove any obstacles that can cause falls like a slippery rug or small bench.
• Wear rubber gloves so you can get a better grip on boxes.
• Bend your knees when lifting any heavy objects, with your legs spread to maintain your balance.
• Hold boxes close to your body so you can relax your arms.

10. Take care of for your helpers

Are friends or family members helping you on the big day? Treat them right: Prepare a cooler with drinks, snacks, moist towels and food you can serve without dishes, such as sandwiches.

If you go with pizza, the traditional moving day food, make sure you have cash or a credit card on you so you can quickly pay for the delivery.

After all this activity, you may want to clean the floors or empty a few boxes or...simply have a lie down. Whatever you decide, welcome to your new home!