Relocating can be a daunting process, even when you’re moving to a wonderful city like Vancouver. Not only do you have to deal with the stress of moving, you also face the uncertainty of a new environment.
To make things easier, we’ve compiled a comprehensive moving checklist with moving tips for each stage of preparation and settlement.
Plan Your Move
Moving Tips for 4 – 6 Weeks Ahead
› Plan your moving date, taking into consideration your travel agenda to Vancouver and the closing date or lease start date of your new home.
› Clean out all your storage areas, including your closets, basement, garage, attic, shelves, cupboards, etc. Discard anything you don’t want or need. If you haven’t used something within the last year or two, you probably don’t need it. Give unwanted items away, or donate them to charities or hold a yard sale.
› Decide whether to ship your appliances and old furniture, considering their age, condition, and how well they will fit into your new home. If you intend to bring a gas stove, make sure your new home is set up for it rather than going to the hassle and expense of bringing it out there only to discover that you can only use an electric one. Also, if your fridge, washer and dryer won’t fit in your new home, you’re probably better off leaving them behind.
› Make a complete list of items to be moved.
› Use up your food, especially perishables and frozen foods, but also stuff that doesn’t need preservation like canned goods, etc. You’re better eating it than having to move it.
› Notify all your regular service providers (i.e. security, lawn care, snow removal etc.) of your moving date.
› Notify your subscription publications and other correspondents the date of your moving day and give them your new address. Canada Post and many other post offices have a service that forwards your mail to your new address in case you miss anything.
› Check your home insurance policy and make arrangements to transfer it if possible. If not, arrange for insurance in Vancouver.
› Check the status of any club memberships you hold. You may be able to get a refund on prepaid months. If not, consider transferring the membership to a friend.
› Consult your veterinarian about your pet's travel needs and make preparations as recommended.
› Collect any advance/security deposits you made on utilities or rentals.
› Collect items you’ve lent to people like books, CDs, videos, etc and give back any items you may have borrowed. Don’t forget to return library books and video rentals.
› Research schools in your new Vancouver neighbourhood and register your kids. Make arrangements to forward their school records.
› Check your bank accounts. Most major Canadian banks have a presence in Vancouver so you’ll probably be able to use your accounts without changing anything other than your address. If this is not an option, arrange to transfer your deposits to a bank in Vancouver.
Moving Tips for 2 – 3 Weeks Ahead
› Contact your utilities companies (i.e. electricity, phone, gas, etc.) to provide the date to discontinue services. Notify your landlord or realtor. Make arrangements with utility companies at your new home in Vancouver to start services the day you arrive.
› Cancel newspaper delivery and any other regular services.
› Clear out your school or gym lockers.
› If you can arrange to get a family physician in Vancouver ahead of time, do it. They’re in high demand and it can be difficult to get one. Transfer medical records and get any prescriptions you need. If any of your family members have ongoing medical or dental needs, make arrangements ahead of time in Vancouver.
› If you’re doing your own packing, obtain the packing materials you need. See
What Packing Supplies & Moving Supplies Do I Need?
Moving Tips for One Week Ahead
› Keep detailed records and receipts of all your moving expenses. In Canada, you can claim these expenses on your income tax as long as you are moving at least 40km closer to your work or school.
› Drain gas and oil from lawn mowers, chain saws, snow blowers, barbeques etc. If you’re shipping vehicles they should only have a quarter of a tank of gas.
› Get your children mentally ready for the move by having them prepare bag of toys, games and snacks for the trip.
› If you’re doing your own packing, pack whatever items you don’t need up until your moving day and take care of items that require special preparation. See
Packing Tips: Packing for a Move.
› Prepare your moving essentials box that you’ll be carrying with you or packing on to your moving truck last so it can be brought out first when you arrive.
› Clear any snow/ice from doorsteps, sidewalks, and driveways.
› Remove items from your safety-deposit box.
Moving Tips for the Day before Moving Day
› Whether you’re doing your own packing or you’ve ordered a packing crew, this is likely the day most of your packing is being done. If have a packing crew, stay home and supervise the packing. Pack all valuables you want to take with you or send yourself by insured delivery (i.e. jewellery & other valuables, insurance policies, legal documents, etc).
› Arrange to transfer all your house keys to your real estate agent or landlord. You may want to notify the police if your home will be unoccupied for some time.
› Inform a friend or relative of your itinerary in case of an emergency.
Moving Tips for the Day You Move Out
› Check your moving company’s inventory against your records and make sure you agree on the condition of your household goods. It’s a good idea to take photos in case of a dispute. Obtain your own copy of the inventory list.
› Do a last-minute check of every room & closet before the moving truck departs. Close and lock the windows and turn off the lights. Turn off the water heater. Turn off your air conditioner if it’s summer or set the thermostat at 15 degrees if it’s winter.
› Make sure the Bill of Lading is accurate and complete before signing. Keep a copy for your records.
› If movers are handling your moving truck, make sure you have the truck driver's name and contact information, and give him/her contact numbers in Vancouver.
Moving Tips for the Day You Move In
› Ensure you arrive at your new home before the movers. You may be charged extra if the movers have to wait.
› Confirm your service start dates with your utility companies.
› Test the appliances, furnace and hot water heater. Arrange for repairs if anything is faulty.
› If you’re using movers, put up a floor plan of your new home near the entrance, so they know where to put everything. If you’re handling your own move, unload the truck bringing all the items to the rooms you’ll use or store them in.
› Verify the condition of each box or household item as it is unloaded. Make a list of all missing or damaged items on the mover's copy of the inventory form. Since you’ll be doing most of the unpacking after the movers leave, make a "subject to inspection for loss or concealed damage" note on the inventory form. By signing the inventory sheet, you acknowledge receipt of all items listed. Report losses or damage to your moving company.
› To prevent damage, don’t use TV sets, electronic equipment and major appliances until they’ve had a chance to adjust to room temperature.
Moving Tips for After You Settled
› Obtain local identification (i.e. driver's license, health card, etc).
› Register your vehicles at your new address. Most vehicles must be registered within 30 days of arriving in BC.
› If the neighbourhood is new to you, walk and/or drive around to get a sense of it and to find out where things are.
› Check opening and closing hours of local stores and service facilities.
› Register to vote.