A complete guide to preparing for a move

Are you planning to move? To avoid all the stress that moving can entail, it’s important to be well-prepared. Just follow this simple guide. It will help you get ready so you can stay calm when the big day arrives and ensure that your move is a success.

Two to three months before your move

Schedule the big event

First of all, you need to set a date for your move. If possible, avoid weekends and the peak season in Quebec, which runs from June 20 to July 10. You’ll save a lot of money—not to mention headaches.

You should also establish a special moving budget, as this project will entail numerous fees, and you won’t want to be caught off guard.

Choose your moving method

On the big day, you’ll have two possible solutions for making the move: doing it yourself (with the help of friends and family) or hiring a moving company. While professional movers may cost more, calling on their services has a number of advantages, including peace of mind, full insurance coverage, and a team of experienced movers who have all the necessary skills and equipment to pack up your things, even the heaviest ones, load them on the moving truck and transport them efficiently, all without damaging them.
If it’s simply out of your budget, consider a hybrid solution: pack your things yourself and hire the movers to load them, transport them and unload them.

Make a checklist

To make sure you’re well-prepared for your move, making a to-do list can help reduce your level of stress by preventing you from forgetting anything important. To learn more, check out this article: The ultimate checklist for a successful move.

One to two months before your move

Do some major sorting

Moving presents a perfect opportunity to sort through the numerous things you’ve accumulated over the years. Get rid of all the items you no longer use.

Start packing

Get some boxes, packing tape and markers so you can start packing up all the things you don’t use on a daily basis. Don’t forget to label the sides of the boxes.

Two to four weeks before your move

Submit your change of address

You’ll need to give your new address to numerous institutions and companies, including financial institutions, both levels of government, Canada Post, Hydro-Québec, your employer, your cable company and your internet provider, among others.

To make this seemingly endless task easier for you, you can use this new Canadian moving app: Moving Waldo.

Safeguard your valuables

Back up all the files on your personal computers. Set aside all of your valuable items, such as jewelry, passports and cash, so you can move them yourself.

Make preparations for the big day

Find a sitter for your children and make arrangements for moving your pets.

One to two weeks before your move

Keep packing

By now, your packing should be well underway. Think about taking down the blinds and curtains and only keeping out the most essential items and a few tools.

And don’t forget to confirm your appointment with the movers.

The night before your move

Make the final preparations

Disassemble the furniture, unplug the appliances and electronic devices, and empty the hose to the washing machine.

Think about packing a suitcase with enough clothes for the first few days, as well as a kit of essential items like toilet paper, paper towels, sheets, napkins, paper plates, plastic utensils, etc.

The big day

Be ready when the movers get there. Empty and unplug the refrigerator.

For high-quality, efficient, worry-free moving service, call on the team of professionals at Martineau Movers!