Organizing a move doesn't have to be a painful or difficult task. We've put together this handy checklist to help make things as easy as possible.

One Month Prior To Move Date

• Set up a moving expense list and keep receipts. Some of your expenses might be tax deductible
• Call Concierge to recommend a company to arrange your rental truck or professional mover. Get two estimates from moving companies. Make sure the movers know exactly what they will move (always move jewellery and small valuables yourself). Check what their insurance will cover should anything get damaged. Ask about extra charges. Ask for customer references. Get written confirmation of the date and total cost of the move.
• Take a good look at what is worth keeping, and what you can sell or give away. Check the attic, basement, garage and garden shed. Have that garage sale and anything that doesn't sell, take it directly to a charity. Many will pick up items if you call ahead and arrange it. You may even get a tax receipt for the donation.
• Return any items you have borrowed, and collect anything you have lent to neighbours.
• Start collecting boxes for packing. Make sure they are sturdy and have a top. Call Concierge for where to find reasonably priced packing supplies.
• Get change of address cards from the post office. Include your new phone number if you know it:
  • Drivers Licence
  • Financial Institution
  • Credit Card Companies
  • Insurance, Home, Auto, Business
  • Employers
  • Provincial health insurance
  • Doctors, dentists
  • Newspapers and Magazine Subscriptions
  • School Resources
• Arrange for the changeover of all utilities including the telephone.
• Make arrangements for small children and pets at family or friends house for move day.
• Start Packing! You'll have more possessions than you thought. Start with rooms you can live without until your move date. Clearly mark the destination room for each box either by room name or assign a number and mark breakables as fragile. And you may want to mark the contents to make it easier to find necessities while unpacking.

One Week Prior To Move

• confirm details with the moving company
• Mark boxes you will move personally "For Car" and stack them together.
• Pack everything except what you will need for the next few days.
• Confirm arrangements for small children and pets for move day.

Two Days Prior To Move

• Do all laundry. Empty washer and dryer and disconnect for the move. Clean out the refrigerator and defrost freezers if required.

Day Before You Move

• Gather up all the keys (front, back, garage, shed) for the new owners and retrieve any you have left at neighbours. Leave any information, instruction manuals the new owners may need for any of the equipment left. Leave garage door openers or security alarm codes.
• Record number of boxes to be moved. Make sure you have a floor plan for the movers so they can move the boxes into the appropriate rooms that coincide with rooms as written on the boxes.
• Pack a move day survival kit with a cooler with refreshments and snacks, toilet paper, paper towel, garbage bags, light bulbs and all purpose spray cleaner and a few rags. Keep you vacuum handy.
• Ensure everything is packed and ready to move.
• Get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow is a busy day!

Moving Out

• Lay down plastic sheets to protect floors and carpets from heavy traffic.
• Make sure that the movers understand all instructions and check the number of boxes to make sure everything is accounted for.
• Just before the movers leave for your new home, go through the house once more to make sure nothing is left behind. Are the attic and garage empty? Put the garbage out at the street.

Moving In

• Get to the house before the movers.
• Lay down plastic sheets to protect your new floors and carpets.
• Check boxes for damage while the movers are still there. Should anything be damaged, clearly state the details on the mover's agreement and have them sign it. This will help if you need to claim for damages from the moving company.
• Unpack the necessities first such as Bathroom, Kitchen and set up the beds and make them.

Plan ahead and you'll reduce your stress over the move. Try to have extra pairs of helping hands and strong backs on the day to get the job done as quickly and smoothly as possible. We hope this checklist helps!

   Related links within 1st London Concierge:

1. A List of suggestions on how to get your property ready to sell
2. A To Do List to remind you of the notifications you need to do.
3. A list of the types of products and services that we can help you find.
4. Go to www.coldwellbanker.ca  for valuable service information