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Moving
tips: A six-week checklist for a pleasant and hassle-free
move
6
weeks before your move:
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Start
by deciding what must go and what must be left behind. Be objective.
Remember, more weight = more money! |
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If
you have a lot worth selling, a garage sale would be a good
idea. |
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Plan
to use up things that can’t be moved, e.g. frozen foods etc. |
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Create
a “move” file to keep track of all the details of your move. |
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Have
a floor plan of your new home and start thinking about where
you’ll want to place your furniture. This eases the stress of
making major decisions when the furniture arrives at your new
home. |
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| 4
weeks before your move: |
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Contact
utilities (gas, water, electricity, telephone, cable TV) to
schedule the disconnection of services on the day after your
move and arrange for these services to start they day before
your move. This is to ensure that you have utilities still on
when you’re still in your old home and when you arrive in your
new one. |
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Arrange
for an expert, if necessary, to install fixtures upon their
arrival in your new home. |
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If
packing yourself, start packing articles that are seldom used
such as fancy dishes and glasses, decorative items etc. |
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Remember
to distribute heavy items in your moving boxes. |
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| 3
weeks before your move: |
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Plan
your food purchases so you’ll have as little as possible in
your freezer or refrigerator by the time you move. |
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Take
inventory of your everyday household goods such as pots, pans
and small appliances. |
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For
self-packers: start your serious packing. Label the contents
of all boxes, and pack carefully. |
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Create
a box for essential items you need upon arrival such pillows,
towels etc. place this in a separate place so that the mover
can identify them. You could label it “pack last/open first” |
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| 2
weeks before your move: |
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If
necessary, cancel any delivery services such as newspapers and
start a subscription to the newspaper in your new neighbourhood. |
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Empty
secret hiding places to remove valuables and spare house keys. |
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Dispose
of toxic or flammable items that can’t be moved. |
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Double-check
to make sure arrangements have been made to disconnect and service
major appliances being moved. |
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Pack
for your family as if you were going to stay in a hotel for
a few nights. These items should go in your car and not the
moving van, such as your chequebook, cash, essential toiletries,
your “move” file etc. |
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Pack
your own suitcase of clothes for the move. |
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Pay
all outstanding bills and remember to indicate your new address.
Inform the bank and other relevant institutions of your change
of address. |
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Remove
any fixtures you are taking with you and replace (if specified
in your home-selling contract) |
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| 1
to 2 days before your move: |
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Empty
and defrost your refrigerator and freezer; clean both with a
disinfectant and let them air out. Put baking soda or charcoal
inside to keep them fresh. |
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Check
your moving company’s accepted methods of payment, terms and
its policy for inspecting your belongings when they arrive to
determine if any breakage has occurred. Also inform them about
any special requirements your move will involve. |
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Leave
your forwarding address and phone number for your home’s new
occupants. |
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Notify
neighbours and police if your old house will be sitting vacant. |
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| Moving
day: |
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Remove
bed linens and pack in your “pack last/open first” box. |
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Accompany
the moving van operator to take inventory and verify delivery
plans. |
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If
there is time, give your home a final cleaning or arrange in
advance for someone to perform this service the day after moving
out. |
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If
you arrive before your movers, take some time to tidy up your
new home, like dusting shelves etc. so that they can unpack
items directly onto clean shelves. |
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Unpack
your car. |
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Check
to make sure that the utilities have been connected and follow
up on any delays. |
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Review
your floor plan to refresh your memory about where you want
your furniture and appliances placed. |
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Confine
your pets to an “out-of-the-way” room to help keep them from
running away of getting unduly agitated by all activity. |
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Be
present when the mover arrives. Make sure all your boxes have
arrived undamaged before signing paperwork and letting movers
leave. |
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One
person should check the inventory sheet as items are unloaded
and a second person to direct the mover on where to place the
items. |
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Once
unloaded, unpack only what you need for the first two days.
Focus on creating a sense of home for your family. Give yourself
at least two weeks to unpack and organise your belongings. |
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