General Checklist:

•  Get estimates from moving companies.
•  Transfer or resign from club or association memberships.
•  Sell, donate, give away and discard unnecessary belongings.
•  Get school records for transfer to new schools.
•  Get all medical, dental, birth, baptism & marriage records.
•  Set up bank accounts in new city.
•  Revise your will and other legal paper (if necessary)
•  Check storage facilities.
•  Defrost and clean fridge before moving; clean stove.
•  Use up perishable food.
•  Arrange for work to be done at the new home.
•  Plan for children & pets on moving day.
•  Cancel cleaning company, pool maintenance, gardener, and snow removal.
•  Ensure you have adequate insurance for goods in transit.
•  Pack a suitcase with items you’ll need the first day in your new home.
•  Leave the house clean for new occupants.

Packing Checklist:

•  Get packing paper, pad for inventory, marking pens and boxes.
•  Heavy twine, masking tape, label maker
•  Get boxes or large containers.
•  Empty gas from lawnmower, outboard motors, etc.
•  Remove batteries from toys or appliances.
•  Mark cartons clearly as to contents and room to be put in.
•  Set aside things you will carry in your car; mark as “Do Not Load”.
•  Mark cartons you want loaded last & unloaded first.
•  Tie or tape mops and brooms into bundles.
•  Point out and mark fragile or delicate items.
•  Carry money, jewelry and valuable papers with you.
•  Do not overload drawers when packing items in dressers.
•  Liquids in bottles should have tops secured.
•  Blankets are best moved in large boxes; towels and pillows in dresser drawers.
•  Pack lampshades in boxes by themselves.
•  Table lamps should be packed.
•  Do not leave shelves loose in the fridge & stove.
•  Small appliances should be wrapped and packed in the bottom of boxes.
•  Do not pack cleaning products in the same box as food.
•  Move clothes and drapes in a wardrobe supplied by mover.
•  Do not wrap furniture or tie with a rope.
•  Large power tools should be dismantled for moving.

Remember to notify:

• Accountant
• Banks / Finance companies
• Insurance Broker
• Utility Companies
• Church
• Credit cards
• Dentist – get referral
• Doctor – get referral
• Driver’s license
• Healthcard
• Prescriptions to new pharmacy
• Child Tax Benefit
• Housecleaning Service
• Internet Provider
• Lawyer
• Library
• Security Company
• Maternity Benefits
• Newspapers
• Old age security/Canada Pension
• Post office – Fill out “Change of Address” forms
• Schools
• Cancel Gym Membership
• Subscriptions (magazines etc.)

Call before moving:

•  Telecom: Bell Telephone  1-866-845-2998
•  Cable:     Cable TV Cogeco  1-877-846-7863
•  Utilities:  Chatham-Kent  1-866-804-7325
  E.L.K. Energy Inc.  519-776-5291
  ENWIN Utilities  519-255-2727
  Essex Powerlines  519-737-6640
  Hydro One Toll Free  1-888-664-9376
  Enbridge Gas  1-877-362-7434
•  Water:     Amherstburg  519-737-6640
  Chatham-Kent  1-866-804-7325
  Essex  519-738-6804
  Kingsville  519-733-2305 Press 2
  LaSalle  519-969-7770 ext. 1230
  Leamington  519-326-5761 ext. 1215
  Tecumseh  519-737-6640
  Tilbury  1-866-804-7325
  Wheatly  1-866-804-7325
  Windsor  519-255-2727
•  Internet:  Bell, Cogeco, MNSi, Rogers, Xplornet

Moving Out:

•  All meters read
•  Furnace turned down
•  Lights turned off
•  Windows and doors shut and locked
•  Keys are to be delivered to lawyers
•  Make arrangements for keys to new home
•  Leave house clean for new occupants

Moving In:

•  Have children and pets elsewhere
•  Be on hand for movers
•  Check off numbered boxes
•  Check each carton for damage or loss
•  List claims for damages
•  Pay movers
•  Unpack everything
•  Get appliances hooked up
•  Get kitchen and bedrooms set up first

After the move:

•  Review checklist to make sure everything has been done.
•  List all necessary phone numbers and put them by telephone.
•  Change all locks.
•  Introduce yourselves to your new neighbours.
•  Explore and get to know your new neighbourhood.