Moving house can turn even the simplest tasks into complications. You might find yourself packing up the kitchen, only to suddenly remember that you need to get the internet set up at your new place. Or perhaps all your boxes are neatly stacked, but you forgot to reserve the apartment elevator for moving day. These are the little oversights that can lead to frustrating delays when the big day finally arrives.
A moving checklist helps you keep track of everything, from choosing a moving company and sorting your belongings to updating your address and checking your new home. Ideally, start planning six to eight weeks ahead. You may not need every week to pack, but having extra time makes it easier to deal with the tasks that often get pushed aside. You can explore the moving checklist below to get a clear process for moving stress-free.
Your Moving Checklist: What to Do & When
You don’t need to complete everything at once. Spread the work over several weeks and adjust the schedule to suit your move.
| Timeline | Essential tasks |
| 6–8 weeks before | Compare movers, set a budget, declutter, and confirm your moving date. |
| 4–6 weeks before | Book your mover, arrange building access, and start packing. |
| 2–4 weeks before | Update your address, organize utilities, and pack room by room. |
| 1 week before | Confirm arrangements, finish packing, and prepare essentials. |
| Moving day | Check your inventory, protect valuables, and inspect both properties. |
| After moving | Unpack necessities, check belongings, and update remaining records. |
Start earlier if your move involves a long distance, a busy season, or complicated building arrangements.
6–8 Weeks Before Moving: Plan Ahead
Choose a Moving Company and Set Your Budget
Request written estimates from reputable movers and compare the services included, payment terms, delivery arrangements, and potential extra charges. Before choosing a moving company, check references, ask about Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) certification, and review the written estimate carefully.
A reliable residential moving company should receive accurate information about your belongings, property access, and special handling requirements before preparing an estimate.
Declutter and Create an Inventory
Sort your belongings into items to keep, donate, sell, or discard. Moving fewer unnecessary items can simplify packing and help you plan transportation more accurately.
Make an inventory of major furniture, appliances, electronics, and valuable belongings. Photograph expensive or delicate items before packing and note any existing damage. Share relevant details with your mover so special handling requirements can be discussed beforehand.
4–6 Weeks Before Moving: Organize the Details
Check Building Access and Arrange Utilities
Moving into an apartment often requires more coordination than simply booking a truck. Contact the property managers at both addresses to ask about elevator reservations, loading areas, parking restrictions, and permitted moving hours. Some buildings require advance bookings or a refundable deposit, so confirm the details early.
For a house, check whether the truck can park close to the entrance and whether large furniture will fit through doorways or stairwells. This is also a good time to arrange electricity, gas, water, and internet services for the appropriate dates. Start packing things you won’t need soon, such as seasonal clothing, decorations, spare bedding, and books.
Update Your Address
Notify your bank, employer, insurance providers, schools, healthcare providers, and relevant government departments of your move. Address changes are not automatically shared between departments.
1–2 Weeks Before Moving: Get the Packing Finished
Pack room by room and label boxes with their destination rooms and a brief description of their contents. Use suitable padding for breakables, keep heavy items in smaller boxes, and store furniture hardware in labelled bags. If you are a busy person and want to avoid the stress of packing your furniture and other goods, including packing services in your quote is a great approach for moving.
Photograph electronic cable connections before disconnecting devices. Ask your mover about items they cannot transport, including certain flammable materials, and arrange safe disposal where necessary. During the final week, reconfirm your moving date, arrival time, addresses, payment arrangements, and any special handling requirements. If you’re moving long-distance, confirm your own travel and accommodation plans separately from the shipment’s delivery schedule.
Moving Day: Keep Essentials Within Reach
One useful rule: pack for your first 24 hours, not just the journey. Keep an essentials bag with you instead of placing everything in the moving truck. Include IDs, moving documents, keys, daily medications, toiletries, phone chargers, a change of clothes, and basic items for children or pets. Keep passports, jewellery, cash, and other important valuables with you.
Before leaving your old home, check closets, cupboards, storage areas, and the garage. At your new property, direct boxes to their intended rooms and check delivered belongings against your inventory. If any item is damaged during the move, photograph it and follow your moving agreement’s reporting procedure right away.
After the Move: Settle Into Your New Home
Once the essentials are in place, work through the remaining tasks at a manageable pace.
- Confirm that utilities and internet are working.
- Unpack the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom first.
- Check major furniture and appliances for damage.
- Update any remaining address records.
- Locate the electrical panel and water shut-off valve.
- Keep moving documents and receipts until outstanding matters are resolved.
If anything is missing or damaged, document the issue and contact your moving company immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When should I start preparing for a move?
Start around six to eight weeks before your moving date if possible. This gives you time to compare movers, declutter, organize paperwork, and pack without rushing.
2. What should I pack first when moving?
Begin with items you rarely use, such as seasonal clothing, decorations, books, and spare bedding. Leave daily necessities and frequently used kitchen items until closer to moving day.
3. What should I keep with me on moving day?
Keep identification, important documents, medications, keys, valuables, chargers, and a change of clothes in a separate bag. Avoid packing essential items in boxes that may be difficult to access immediately.
4. What should I remember when moving into an apartment?
Confirm elevator bookings, parking arrangements, building access rules, and any required move-in deposits. Measure large furniture and check doorways and hallways to identify potential access problems.
5. How do I prepare for a long-distance move?
Create a detailed inventory, confirm delivery arrangements and costs in writing, update your address, and keep essential documents with you. Allow extra time for travel planning and coordination with your moving company.
Plan Your Move With Apollo Moving’s Certified Team
A well-planned move starts with knowing what needs to be done and having the right support when planning becomes complicated. Use this moving checklist to stay organized, prepare your belongings, and avoid overlooking important details along the way.
Apollo Moving is a Canadian Association of Movers (CAM)-certified moving company offering residential and long-distance moving services. Our trained, uniformed movers provide packing and unpacking assistance, furniture disassembly and assembly, and protective moving materials, including moving blankets and shrink wrap.
Whether you’re moving from an apartment, relocating your household, or preparing for a move across Canada, our team can help you understand your options and plan the move around your requirements. Contact Apollo Moving to discuss your move and request a quote.