Things To Do Before You Move – Don’t Forget This!

Moving is consistently ranked among life’s most stressful events, but most of that stress comes from leaving things to the last minute. With a plan and a little lead time, a move becomes a series of manageable steps rather than one overwhelming scramble. Whether you are moving across Brantford or settling into Brant County, here is a complete, week-by-week checklist of what to do before you move, including the Ontario address changes that almost every other list forgets. Save this page and tick things off as you go.

6 to 8 weeks before: get organized

The earlier you start, the cheaper and calmer your move will be. Use these weeks to lock in the big pieces and lighten your load.

• Book your movers, or your truck. Good movers get booked up fast, especially in summer, so reserve four to eight weeks out. Get a few quotes, and ask your agent, friends, and family for trusted recommendations. Doing it yourself? Reserve the rental truck and line up helpers now.
• Declutter ruthlessly. The less you move, the less it costs and the less you unpack. Sort everything into keep, donate, sell, and toss piles.
• Start a moving folder or binder for quotes, receipts, dates, and your checklist, and set a realistic moving budget.
• Begin collecting supplies: boxes, tape, markers, and labels. Liquor and grocery stores often give away sturdy boxes for free.
• If you rent, give your landlord written notice. If you have children, look into their new school or daycare and request that records be transferred.

4 weeks before: notify and arrange

This is the month to tell the right people you are moving and to make sure the new home is ready the day you arrive.

• Set up mail forwarding with Canada Post, timed to begin around your move date, so nothing slips through the cracks.
• Arrange utilities. Schedule the start of service at your new home and the transfer or shut-off at your old one: electricity, natural gas (Enbridge Gas in our area), water with the City of Brantford or County of Brant, and internet, cable, and phone. Book your internet installation early, as appointments fill up.
• Sort out insurance. Your lender will require home insurance in place before closing, so line that up, and update the address on your auto policy, since it can affect your rate.
• Transfer your services: refill and transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new home, and request copies or transfers of medical, dental, and veterinary records.
• Request any time off work you will need for the move.

2 weeks before: pack and confirm

• Pack room by room, and label every box clearly with its room and contents. Keep a simple inventory list so you know what should arrive.
• Confirm the details with your movers: date, time, address, payment, and any elevator or parking arrangements.
• Gather your important documents, passports, birth certificates, SIN cards, mortgage and closing papers, and insurance documents, into one folder that stays with you. Never pack these in a box.
• Cancel or update the address on subscriptions and recurring deliveries, from streaming and meal kits to your Amazon account and the gym.
• Start eating down the food in your pantry, fridge, and freezer so there is less to move and waste.

The week before: final prep

• Pack a first-night essentials box that travels with you, not on the truck: toiletries, medications, phone chargers, a change of clothes, snacks and water, basic tools, toilet paper, coffee and a kettle, and bedding. Add comfort items for kids and pets.
• Make a plan for moving day childcare and pet care. A familiar face to watch them away from the chaos keeps everyone calmer, and pets do best with their own food, toys, and bedding nearby.
• Prep your appliances: defrost and dry the freezer, and disconnect and drain the washer hoses.
• Confirm truck parking and access at both the old and new homes.
• Round up every spare key you have handed out or hidden, and locate all garage door remotes.

Moving day: don’t forget these

In the rush of the big day, these are the things people most often miss.

• Do a slow final walkthrough of your old home, opening every closet, cupboard, and drawer, and checking the basement and attic. Then do the same outside: the shed, the garage, and the garden. It is easy to leave behind outdoor items, planters, or that garden ornament, especially under snow.
• Collect any cash or valuables you have tucked away in closets, drawers, or unusual hiding spots.
• Leave the right things for the new owners: house, mailbox, and shed keys, garage remotes, manuals, and any warranties. And remember to take the garage door opener out of your car.
• Note your final utility meter readings, and keep your documents folder, valuables, and essentials box with you rather than on the truck.

Once you’re in: the first week

• Change the locks or have them rekeyed. You have no idea how many spare keys are floating around out there.
• Find the essentials: the electrical panel, the main water shut-off, the furnace and its filter, and every smoke and carbon monoxide detector. Test the detectors and replace batteries.
• Unpack your essentials box and the kitchen and bedrooms first, and photograph any moving damage right away for insurance claims.
• Get the lay of the land: your nearest grocery store, pharmacy, and clinic, and say hello to the neighbours.

The Ontario address changes you can’t forget

This is the part most moving guides skip, and the part with real deadlines attached. In Ontario, several of these are required by law, so do not let them slide.

Government processes and timeframes can change, so confirm the current details directly with ServiceOntario, Canada Post, and the CRA when you move.

Moving is a big job, but with a plan and a bit of lead time, it does not have to be a stressful one. Give yourself plenty of runway, do not be afraid to ask family and friends for a hand, and tackle the list one step at a time. If you are buying or selling in Brantford and Brant County, we are always glad to help, including pointing you toward trusted local movers and service providers. Explore the home buying process, see how we help sellers, or get in touch with our team. Welcome home.