Are you about to embark on a long distance move across Canada? It can be incredibly exciting. Of course, it can also be daunting. There are so many things that need to be done in relation to the move that it is easy to get overwhelmed.
To help you get off on the right foot, we’ve compiled a list of 12 things that you absolutely must do before starting your move. Some of them are common sense, but a few of them may actually surprise you.
This one should definitely be at the top of your list. If you haven’t done so yet, you need to find a new place to call home. This can actually take weeks, even months, to accomplish, so start well ahead of time. If you are on a timetable, make sure you know exactly how long you have and do not waste time. The good news is that the Internet has made finding homes for sale simple and easy with sites such as Realtor.ca, ZooCasa.com, REMAX.ca, and the like.
Once you find a place that you like, you’ll need to have it inspected. You can do this in person, or you can arrange to have someone handle it for you on your behalf. Our recommendation is to do it in person. Once you’ve checked the place out, make plans to spruce it up. If it needs a new coat of paint, or some minor repairs, have those taken care of now before you move.
Back at your current home, you’ll need to go through your possessions and figure out what you’re going to keep. That can be pretty challenging, especially if you’re moving into a smaller home than what you currently have. Actually, this is a great opportunity to get rid of some of that bric-a-brac that we all tend to collect. Decide what’s going, and then sell, donate, or give away what you don’t want to move.
In the midst of all the rest of this, you need to create a moving calendar. This is sort of a schedule, but it’s set up by months and weeks. Basically, it’s a rough guide on when you need to have specific things done so that you can stay on track. Trust us, moving is hectic, hectic, hectic, and you don’t want to realize two weeks before the move that you’ve forgotten to handle some crucial steps.
This one is just for fun – throw yourself a going away party! Get together with your closest family members and friends (and maybe the rest of your block) and have a bash. If you’re moving across the country, you will most likely not see any of these people again for a long time, if at all. Make it a party to remember (for the right reasons)!
With the mega-party over, it’s time to take a look at your current home and see what needs to be repaired. You’re going to need to sell it, and that is best done when the home is in decent condition. If you’re renting, you’ll need to make repairs and clean up so you can get your cleaning deposit back, so you don’t get to skip this step. Even relatively new homes can benefit from a little sprucing up – some elbow grease will help you get those stains out, and a rented steam cleaner may be able to breathe new life into your carpeting.
This is a big one, and you should take care of it well before the big day arrives. You’ll find that moving companies charge higher prices the closer to the date you want to move, so you can save some cash by reserving a spot ahead of time. Of course, comparing moving companies can be pretty challenging, but MoveIt.ca helps simplify the process, allowing you to find and compare moving estimates quickly and easily.
With the moving company out of the way, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to deal with Fido and Fluffy. No, the moving company won’t help, and the movers would probably be a bit miffed to find that one of the boxes they’re lifting suddenly starts barking or meowing. There are plenty of ways that you can move with a pet, though, including buying a car kennel so they can take part in your cross-country drive.
As moving day approaches, you’ll want to turn on the utilities at the new house. Believe us, it is absolutely no fun arriving to a completely dark home, with no heat or air conditioning (or access to Netflix!). Get your utilities turned on ahead of time so that everything is ready when you get there.
Here’s one of those common sense – boring! – tips we were talking about. You need to let people know where to reach you. Your magazine subscriptions, institutions that you’re signed up with, and others, will all need your new mailing address (and, no, this is not a good time to think about ditching any creditors).
One of the lesser-known upsides of moving (yes, there are some!) is that you may be able to deduct at least some of the costs from your taxes at the end of the year. Not sure if you qualify to deduct some or all of your moving costs? Check the Government of Canada website here.
The final thing you need to do is plan a road trip. If you’re moving across the country, this is your chance for what might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Grab that atlas (or fire up Google if you prefer) and plan where you want to explore on your way to that new home.
With these tips, you should be better prepared when moving day actually rolls around.
