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Getting ready to move can sometimes feel a little overwhelming. Here’s an easy weekly list of important to-dos before and after you settle into your new Signature home.

6 Weeks Before

1. Create a file labeled “move” to store receipts, records, checklists and documents. Keep it handy!

2. Arrange for utilities at your new home and set-up cancellation of accounts (cable, telephone, newspaper, home security) at your current home for the day after moving day.

3. Take an objective look at your household items and personal belongings. Determine items to be moved, sold at yard sale and/or donated to charity.

4. If you have school-aged children, arrange for transfer of school records.

5 Weeks Before

1. Let your physician(s) and dentist know you’re moving. Check your local health services for a list of doctors taking new patients in your new community. If you need, request transfer of medical information and prescriptions to the new places.

2. Contact your vet for your pet’s medical records.

3. Purchase coloured markers and/or labels so that you can mark cartons and easily identify the contents.

4. Obtain large boxes and packing materials before you start packing so that you don’t have delays caused by running out of supplies.

4 Weeks Before

1. Pick-up change-of-address moving cards from the post office or online and set-up mail forwarding.

2. Check with your insurance company to see if your belongings are covered during the move.

3. Plan the placement of furniture in your new home. Use the floor plan and create signs to be taped on room doors (e.g. Bedroom No. 1) so that furniture and cartons will be placed in the correct rooms on moving day.

4. Have a yard sale. It will save a lot of unnecessary moving.

3WeeksBefore

1. Update your insurance policies (home, auto, etc.).

2. Be sure you have returned anything borrowed (video rentals, library books, etc.).

3. Check dry cleaners, storage facilities and repair shops for personal articles.

4. Start packing, boxing items systematically and label or colour-code your cartons accordingly so you can direct the movers and unpack with ease. If you can, type out a list of what general items are in each box so you have a master list.

5. Set aside items you will need immediately and make a note to load this box last. Plan on carrying irreplaceable and hard-to-replace items with you.

2 Weeks Before

1. If you are moving from a high-rise building, reserve the elevator for moving day(s).

2. If you have children and/or pets, consider arranging for a babysitter or make the necessary travel arrangements for moving day.

TheWeekBeforetheMove

1. Back up your computer files before packing your system.

2. Send out change of address cards to friends, relatives, neighbours, organizations, and so on.

3. Defrost your freezer.

4. Clean! Appliances, carpets, walls, refrigerator and freezer or arrange for house cleaning after your move out.

5. Arrange for street parking for the truck in front of your house (both pick-up and delivery address). Permits may be required.

The Day Before the Move

1. Pack the last of your items and leave out one small suitcase for your clothing and toiletries.

Moving Day

1. Confirm street parking for the truck.

2. Leave all furniture in its original place. Don’t move it into one room.

3. Supervise the movers – walk them through your home indicating the special-care items, giving specific instructions and confirming final details.

4. Once the truck is packed and before it leaves, do one final walk-through to check all cupboards, behind doors, all storage areas and the garage. Ensure everything has been loaded and that those items NOT to be moved (anything you want to keep with you) are still on the premises.

5. Arrive at the delivery address before the movers. Bring your floor plan and hang the labels you created for each room so the movers can start unloading the labeled boxes to the correct rooms right away.

FinalMovingDayCheck

Before you leave, make sure:

1. Furnace is turned down or off

2. Lights are turned off

3. Windows/doors are shut and locked

4. Keys are left as agreed with new occupants

After You Move In

1. Change your address on your driver’s licence