Moving Tips

Plan to spend the entire day at the house. Last-minute decisions must be made by you. Don’t leave until after the movers have gone.

• Tell the packers and/or driver about fragile or precious items.
• Make a final check of the entire house—basement, closets, shelves, attic, garage, every room.
• Approve and sign the bill of lading; if possible, accompany the driver to the weigh station.
• Double check with the driver to make certain moving company records show the proper delivery address for your new house. Verify the scheduled delivery date, too.
• Give the driver phone numbers both here and in the new community so they can contact you in case of a problem.
• Get complete routing information from the driver and phone numbers so you can call the driver or company while en route.
• Disconnect all utilities and advise the real estate agent who sold or is selling your house.
• Lock all doors and windows. Advise your real estate agent and neighbours that the house is empty.
• Each carton has to be sealed securely with packing tape.
• Remember to mark cartons clearly for fragile items and inform movers to be careful.
• Use only strong, corrugated cartons with covers.
• Use small boxes for the heaviest items, such as books.
• Label all cartons with markers for identifying their basic contents and their designated rooms.
• Save old newspapers for use in packing, but remember that ink from newspapers may be messy at times.
• Generally, self-packing will take about 2 weeks to complete. Start your packing as early as possible.
• Be sure all items are well padded, and use old newsprint to fill empty space inside cartons.