A move goes smoothly when the work is spread out, not crammed into the last weekend. This is the timeline we'd give a friend: what to book, pack, cancel and confirm, week by week, from two months out to the night before.
8 weeks before: plan and book
- Pick your moving date and check it works at both ends: lease end, possession day, elevator availability.
- Get moving quotes, or reserve a truck if you're moving yourself. Weekends and month-end book up first.
- Start a moving folder (paper or phone) for quotes, receipts, the lease and the new address.
- Walk through every room and decide what's not coming: sell, donate or toss.
6 weeks before: sort and gather supplies
- Sell or donate furniture you're not taking. It takes longer than you think to find buyers.
- Collect boxes and supplies. Here's where to get boxes and what you need.
- Measure the new place, especially doorways, stairwells and the spot where the sofa will go.
- If you live in a condo or apartment, ask about move rules: elevator booking, move hours, deposits.
4 weeks before: start packing
- Pack what you won't miss: off-season clothes, books, decorations, guest bedding.
- Label every box with the room it goes to, on the side as well as the top.
- Book the elevator and loading zone at both buildings, if they apply.
- Arrange time off work for moving day, and childcare or pet care if you need it.
2 weeks before: change your address
- Set up mail forwarding with Canada Post.
- Update your address with your bank, employer, CRA, insurance, phone provider and subscriptions.
- In Alberta, update your driver's licence and vehicle registration at a registry agent, and your Alberta Health Care details.
- Schedule utilities: power, gas, water and internet off at the old place and on at the new one. Internet installs can take a while to book.
1 week before: confirm and pack the rest
- Confirm your movers or truck: time, address, parking and any elevator booking.
- Pack everything except daily essentials. Kitchen last; here's how to pack dishes and glasses.
- Use up frozen food and plan simple meals for the last few days.
- Refill prescriptions so you're not hunting for a pharmacy in the first week.
The day before
- Defrost and dry the fridge and freezer if they're coming with you.
- Take beds and tables apart. Bag the screws and tape the bag to the furniture.
- Pack your essentials box (below) and keep it with you.
- Clear a path from each room to the door. In winter, shovel and salt the walkways at both ends.
- Charge your phone, and get cash for tips or parking if you need it.
Moving day
- Be there when the crew arrives to do a quick walk-through: what's going, what's staying and what's fragile.
- Keep valuables, documents and medication with you, not in the truck.
- Do a final sweep of every closet, cupboard and the garage before you leave.
- At the new place, point the crew to each room so boxes go straight where they belong.
The essentials box: pack it last, open it first
One box (or suitcase) that rides with you and gets you through the first night without opening anything else:
- Phone chargers, toilet paper, soap, towels and a shower curtain
- Bedding for the first night, a change of clothes and medication
- A box cutter, a screwdriver, an Allen key set and garbage bags
- Snacks, water, a kettle or coffee maker, and a few plates and cups
- Pet food and bowls, and kids' favourite things
Pro tip: Take a photo of the back of your TV and computer before unplugging anything. You'll know exactly which cable goes where.
Want this whole list to be easier? Get a free quote and we'll handle the heavy part: truck, crew, blankets and dollies.
Quick answers
How far ahead should I start packing?
For most homes, three to four weeks. Start with things you rarely use and finish with the kitchen and daily essentials.
What should I pack first?
Off-season clothes, books, decorations, spare bedding, and anything in storage or the garage you won't need before the move.
What shouldn't go in the moving truck?
Valuables, important documents, medication, and flammable or pressurised items like propane, gasoline and paint thinner. Keep valuables, documents and medication with you.
