Moving Checklist
Your Downsizing Moving Checklist
A comprehensive, month-by-month timeline to keep your downsizing move on track. Print it, share it, and check things off as you go.
3–4 Months Before
- Create a moving binder or digital folder for documents, receipts, and contacts
- Research and interview moving companies — get at least 3 quotes
- Decide what to keep, donate, sell, or discard
- Contact estate sale companies if selling household contents
- Begin sorting room by room, starting with low-emotion areas
- Notify your realtor if you haven't already — start preparing the home for sale
- Research your new neighbourhood, community, and amenities
- Review and update insurance policies
2 Months Before
- Book your moving company
- Start packing non-essential items (seasonal decor, guest room, storage)
- Arrange for disposal of items you're not keeping
- Notify Canada Post of your address change
- Update your address with banks, insurance, and government agencies
- Arrange for utility transfers or connections at your new home
- Schedule home preparation work (painting, repairs, staging)
- Begin transferring medical records if moving to a new area
1 Month Before
- Confirm all utility transfers and connections
- Pack most rooms — leave only daily essentials unpacked
- Label all boxes clearly by room and contents
- Confirm moving date and details with your moving company
- Arrange child or pet care for moving day
- Return borrowed items and collect items loaned to others
- Clean and prepare appliances for moving
- Confirm your closing date and key exchange details
1 Week Before
- Pack remaining items — leave only absolute essentials
- Defrost fridge and freezer 24 hours before moving day
- Confirm arrival time with movers
- Prepare a "first night" box with essentials (toiletries, medications, chargers, sheets, snacks, basic kitchen items)
- Clean rooms as you empty them
- Do a final walkthrough of the property
- Confirm keys and access for your new home
- Take photos of meter readings
Moving Day
- Do a final walkthrough of every room, closet, and cabinet
- Check that all utilities are off (except fridge)
- Hand over keys, garage remotes, and access codes
- Supervise the movers and check items against your inventory
- Keep important documents, medications, and valuables with you
- Take final photos of your old home
- Arrive at your new home before the movers if possible
- Direct furniture placement and check for damage
First Week After
- Unpack essentials: kitchen, bathroom, bedroom
- Set up beds and basic living areas first
- Change locks and update security codes
- Update your driver's licence and vehicle registration
- Register for healthcare in your new area
- Meet your neighbours
- Locate nearest pharmacy, grocery store, and hospital
- Take time to settle in — don't rush the unpacking
Quick Packing Tips
Pack by room, label by room
Colour-code or clearly label every box with its destination room and key contents.
Heavy items in small boxes
Books and dense items go in small boxes. Light items like bedding go in large boxes.
Wrap fragile items in clothing
Use towels, t-shirts, and linens as packing material. It saves money and space.
Keep a "first night" box
Pack toiletries, medications, phone chargers, sheets, snacks, and paper towels in one accessible box.
Let me handle the real estate so you can focus on the move
From staging to closing, I'll take care of the sale while you focus on your next chapter.
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