Moving Information and Checklists
Congratulations! You have closed on your new home and now you are ready to move! The next few pages contain tips and checklist so that your move is as organized and effortless as possible. Think about your move as a series of small projects that you can begin while your home is under contract. Your move will progress as your contract and closing progress. That way, when the day comes to physically move your belongings, most of the details will be taken care of.
Keep detailed records – some moving expenses are tax deductible!
Moving Checklist
Moving, whether across town or the country, is a huge and often overwhelming ordeal that involves much more than just packing. To help make your move less chaotic and more manageable, use the following checklists:
* Eight weeks before;
* Six weeks before;
* Four weeks before;
* Three weeks before;
* Two weeks before;
* One week before;
* Two or three days before;
* Moving day; and
* At destination.
Eight Weeks Before
* Remove unnecessary items from your attic, basement, storage shed, etc
* Use things you can’t move, such as frozen foods and cleaning supplies
* Obtain information about your new community
* Secure a floor plan of your new residence and decide what household items you want to keep
* Start a possessions inventory
* Solicit estimates from at least three moving companies
* Call your homeowners insurance to find out to what degree your move is covered
* Create a file for documenting all moving papers and receipts
* Arrange to transfer your children’s school records
Six Weeks Before
* Contact Revenue Canada and/or your CGA for tax deductible information
* Evaluate your possessions inventory. Can you donate anything? Do you need it all?
* Notify friends, relatives, professionals, creditors, subscriptions, etc
* Subscribe to a local paper in your new community and familiarize yourself with local government, community, social news and activities
* Begin the off-site storage process (if applicable)
* Locate high quality health-care professionals and hospitals in your new location
* Complete post-office change of address cards for the following:
o Banks;
o Charge cards;
o Religious organizations;
o Doctors/dentists;
o Relatives and friends;
o Revenue Canada/BC Medical;
o Insurance broker/lawyer/CGA/stockbroker;
o Magazines;
o Post Office; and
o Schools
* Clean your closets
* Hold a moving/garage sale or donate items to charities
* Choose a mover
* Contact your mover to arrangements and inquire about insurance coverage
* If relocating due to a job, contact your employer to see what costs, if any, they will cover
Four Weeks Before
* Start Packing!
* Send furniture, drapes and carpets for repair/cleaning as needed
* Gather auto licensing and registration documents, medical, dental and school records, birth certificates, wills, deeds, stock and other financial documentation, etc
* Contact gas, electric, oil, water, telephone, cable TV, and trash collection companies for service disconnect/connect at your old and new addresses. Also ask for final readings.
* Request refunds on unused homeowner’s insurance, security deposit with landlord, and prepaid cable service
* Notify your Gardner, snow removal service, and pool service (if applicable)
* Contact insurance companies (auto, homeowner’s, medical, and life) to arrange for coverage in your new home
Three Weeks Before
* Make your travel plans
* Arrange to close your bank accounts and open new accounts at your new local (if necessary)
* Notify your Motor Vehicle Branch of your new address
* Arrange for childcare on moving day
NOTE: for apartment dwellers, reserve the elevator for pickup and/or delivery dates.
Two Weeks Before
* Arrange special transport for your pets and plants
* Service your car for the trip
* Contact your moving company and review arrangements for your move
One Week Before
* Prepared detailed directions and an itinerary with emergency numbers for your moving company
* Settle outstanding bills with local retailers. Pick up dry cleaning, and return library books and rented videotapes
* Take pets to the veterinarian and get copies of their records
* Drain gas and oil from power equipment
* Give away plants not being moved
* Cancel newspaper delivery
* Buy two weeks worth of medication and have your prescriptions forwarded to your new pharmacy
* Buy traveler’s checks
* Make arrangements to pay for your move
Two to Three Days Before
* If you are not doing it yourself, have your mover pack
* Defrost refrigerators and freezers
* Consider gathering all valuables and giving them to family or friends to hold until the move is complete
* Disconnect all major appliances
* Contact your moving company for any updates
* Pack first night items and a survival kit. Keep them in separate boxes in your car
* First night items: Sheets, Towels, Toiletries, Phone, Alarm Clock, Change of Clothes and Flashlight
* Mover’s Survival Kit: scissors, utility knife, coffee cups, instant coffee/tea or a coffee maker, water and soft drinks, snacks, paper plates, plastic utensils, paper towels, toilet paper, soap, pencils and paper, local phone book, masking and/or duct tape, trash bag, shelf liner and aspirin or ibuprofen
Moving Day
* Be home to answer any questions your mover may have
* Record all utility readings (gas, electric, and water)
* Stay until your movers are finished
* Complete information on the bill of landing and carefully read the document and the inventory sheet before signing it
* Keep your copies of the bill of landing and inventory until your possessions are delivered, the charges are paid and any claims are settled
* Take one final look around to see if you forgot anything
* Give movers the directions to your new home and an emergency number where you can be reached during the move
At Destination
* Unpack first-night items and mover’s survival kit
* Be at the destination to welcome the movers and be on hand to answer any questions
* Scrutinize the unloading of your items and account for each one on your inventory sheet
* Check promptly and carefully for any damaged or missing items
* Place moving and any other important documents in a safe place
* Go to the post office and collect held mail
IMPORTANT INFORMATION WHEN YOU ARE MOVING INTO A NEW NEIGHBOURHOOD
Following are some important phone numbers that may help you. Use your due diligence before using their services.
Canada Post:
General inquiries regarding your mail delivery, how to and from where get the keys for your mail box and redirecting your mail from the old address to the new address.
Please call: 1-866-607-6301 or visit www.canadapost.ca
Utility company Phone Numbers:
TERASEN GAS:
Customer Service: 1-888-224-2710
Emergency Line: 1-800-663-9911( 24hrs)
BC HYDRO:
Local Phone No: 604-224-9376
Toll Free: 1-800-224-9376
Emergency Power Outage: 1-888-769-3766
GARBAGE AND RECYCLING: Please call the following phone numbers if you have any questions regarding your garbage pickup. Some of the municipalities supply the Blue Recycling Bin, yellow and blue bags free of cost to the Property owners.
The City of Surrey: 604-590-7289
Township of Langley: 604-530-3939
The Corporation of Delta: 604-946-3260 or Rempel Disposal Ltd 604-580-3379
The City of Vancouver: 604-326-4600
The City of Burnaby: 604-294-7972
The City of Abbotsford: 604-853-5485- or 604-864-5514
RESIDENTIAL PHONE, INTERNET AND TV CABLE COMPANIES:
Shaw Cable System: 604-629-8888, Toll Free: 1-866-684-7487
TELUS Communication: 604-310-2255, Toll Free: 1-888-811-2323
Rogers Communications: 1-888-764-3771
CELL PHONE PROVIDER COMPANIES:
Telus Mobility: 604-291-2355, Toll Free:1-866-558-2273
Rogers Wireless: 1-888-764-3771
Fido: 1-888-481-3436 or 1-888-945-3436
Koodo Mobile:1-866-995-6636
LOCAL NEWS PAPERS:
The Vancouver Sun: 604-605-7381 or Toll Free: 1-800-663-2662
The Province:604-605-7381 or Toll Free: 1-800-663-26624-:
TRANSIT CUSTOMER INFORMATION
Phone Number: 604-953-3333
7 days a week 6:30 am to 11:30 pm
BC FERRIES
Customer Information and Reservations:
1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779) from anywhere in North America
*BCF (*223) from your cell phone on Rogers or Telus Mobility Network
250-386-3431 from outside North America