Moving Checklist

Moving Checklist For a Residential Move

Print a copy of this item checklist to receive an accurate moving quote from Paramount Moving.

At Least Six Months Before Your Move:

• Contact Paramount Moving Company to get a quote on your potential site-to-site move.
• Meet with a representative of Paramount Moving Company and bring your moving checklist.
• Read all our documentation carefully to be sure you understand it before signing any documents.
• Verify any need for insurance before making your final decision
• Sign the contract, being sure you have a hard and a soft copy.

At Least Four Months Before Your Move:

• List out what you own now that needs to be moved.
• List out what you had to get rid of; make a note of how and where you did that for future reference.
• Think about how to move large items (couch/large desks) and other difficult items (sculptures/paintings)
• Consider adding extra packing material to your checklist if needed: example–special pads/crates
• Check with Paramount Moving about moving materials they will provide and what you need to provide.
• Make certain that all expensive or irreplaceable items are included in your moving checklist.
• Work with Paramount Moving Services to create a budget* for your upcoming move:
  • • * Suggestion: Create a spreadsheet program, put it into a secure file for easy reference.

Special Considerations for Your Move:

• • For Children: Check on schools/daycare for specific documents needed
  • Pets: Think through how your pet/pets will be transported with you*.
    • * Note: (Paramount Moving will not take care of this for you.)

At Least Three Months Before Your Move:

• Set up a time for a walkthrough* of your new location with our Paramount Moving Representative
  • *Remember to bring your moving checklist to refer to during the walkthrough (You may need to add or change things.)
• Begin cleaning out closets, the garage, and attic.

For In-City Moves:

• • Set up times to drive through or even walk through the area*.
    • * Set up trips at least one or two times a month to get to know the area**:
    • ** Example: Find important landmarks (statues/fountains/buildings/parks) or features (transit stops)

 

• List out the utility companies you need to contact, as well as any financial institutions
• Decide how you will contact these companies and then contact them to set up any new services.

At Least Two Months Before Your Move (Part One)

• Make note of any unusually-shaped items to be moved to decide on the best way to move them.
• Double-check that your parking permit is valid for both current and future residences.
• List out contact numbers for each residence adding them to a special place on your checklist.
  • ** Suggestion: On the back of this moving list, add your contact list to avoid it from being lost.
• Research and list out local medical facilities/doctors* for any concerns prior to moving
  •  Note: Add this information to your contacts list on the back of your moving checklist
• Request medical records from your existing doctors.

At Least Two Months Before Your Move (Part Two): 

• Hold a garage sale or donate any unwanted things to charity or take them to recycle centres.
• Contact schools to arrange to transfer school records.

At Least One Month Before Your Move:

• Schedule packing times so that you will have fewer items to pack as your moving day approaches.
• Decide on a room you will use* for your packed boxes prior to your moving day.
  • * Note (if needed): Consider renting/borrowing a storage space for your packed boxes.
• Make brightly-coloured labels to put on each packed box to help identify each box.*
  • * Suggestions:
    • Use one colour for each specific location.
    • Use a separate colour for extra information (Red for Fragile or Blue for Extra-heavy)
• Begin packing things that are not essential.
• Take pictures of your furniture and other expensive items to cross-reference after your move.
• Remove batteries and drain fluids from any machinery you will not use in the next few weeks.
• Set aside a special box for warranty information, receipts, and user manuals, especially for electronics.
• Update your address on all your mailing subscriptions.

Call or go online to contact: 

• (  ) local postal service to set up a forwarding service for your mail to your new address.
• (  ) to cancel newspapers and cable TV and security
• (  ) to cancel pest control, cleaning help, lawn maintenance, and any other services you receive
• (  ) utility companies to arrange for disconnects of gas, electric, water, and telephone.
• (  ) utility companies in your new site to schedule similar connections for your new home.

 

• Request time off from your employer for the time of your move. 
  • • Suggestion: Requesting a Friday off may give you that long weekend to unpack and settle in.
• Arrange for repairing any minor damage around your current home, especially if it is a rental.*
  • • Note: Check with the landlord if these repairs will help you recover more funds from the damage deposit.
• Service your transport vehicle, ensuring it is roadworthy, particularly for cross-country moves.

At Least Two Weeks Before Your Move:

Pack up these things:

• (  ) all your framed pictures and wall hangings.
• (  ) light and loose electronics
• (  ) power cords.
• (  ) seasonal equipment and clothing.

 

• For cross-country moves: look into hotels/motels to serve as an emergency residence.*
  • • *Note: Sometimes there are unexpected delays preventing immediate occupancy.
• If you have children, arrange childcare on moving day.
• Fill any prescription medications.
• Set aside a special place for things you will need for your final clean-up

A Week Before Your Moving Day (part one)

• Make an inventory as you carefully pack fragile and expensive items.
• Use casual clothing and towels as padding for dishes and fragile objects when packing them.
• Clean the stove and finish up any last-minute cleaning
• Clean the refrigerator, defrost it and dry.
• Finish all your packing.
• Prepare a snack of non-perishable and easily disposable items for the last day.

A Week Before Your Moving Day (part two)

• Get enough cash to take with you for various expenses.
• Say good-bye to your neighbours.

For cross-country moves:

• (  ) Pack overnight bags with essentials to prepare for unexpected delays.
• (  ) Consider making a “ moving-day” playlist or activities box to use to keep everyone entertained.

MOVING DAY:

• Keep in touch with Paramount Moving Services and make sure to point out items that need extra care.
• Remember to relax and enjoy your move!

We are located in Calgary, but you can feel free to contact us if you need Black Diamond moving services or any other city. Check the full list of locations where we work on the site.