Preparing for a move involves more than packing boxes and hiring movers. Edmonton homeowners who take proactive steps before moving day can prevent unnecessary delays and ensure everything runs smoothly.
A well-planned move minimizes stress, protects belongings, and allows professional movers to complete the job efficiently. Tasks such as creating a detailed checklist, decluttering, and confirming moving details with the company streamline the process.
Proper preparation also ensures that essential items remain accessible, making settling into a new home easier. By following these essential steps, homeowners can enjoy a hassle-free moving experience.
1. Create a Moving Checklist
A moving checklist helps homeowners stay organized and focused on necessary tasks. List all the steps required before, during, and after the move. Include timelines for packing, scheduling utility disconnections, notifying service providers, and confirming moving details.
Checklist Essentials
- Confirm Moving Date: Double-check your moving date with the company to avoid scheduling conflicts. Ensure you receive a written confirmation and discuss any last-minute move changes or special requests.
- Schedule Utility Transfers: Arrange disconnection of utilities at your current home and reconnection at your new address. This includes electricity, gas, water, internet, and cable services to avoid interruptions.
- Update Your Address: Notify banks, insurance providers, government agencies, and subscription services of your new address. This ensures you receive important mail and prevents any disruptions in services.
- Plan for Pets and Kids: Arrange transportation and care for pets and young children on a moving day. Keeping them safe and occupied helps reduce stress and prevents potential disruptions during the move.
- Identify Special-Handling Items: List fragile, valuable, or oversized items requiring extra care. Communicate these needs to the movers and ensure they use proper packing materials for protection.
Edmonton moving services often stresses the importance of staying on track with a structured checklist. By breaking the move into manageable steps, homeowners avoid last-minute scrambling and ensure all critical tasks are completed on time.
2. Declutter and Downsize
Decluttering reduces packing time and lowers moving costs by eliminating unnecessary items. Take inventory of belongings room by room and decide which items to keep, donate, sell, or discard.
Sorting through clutter makes unpacking more efficient and ensures that only essential items are moved.
Decluttering Tips
- Start Early: Begin decluttering at least a month before the move. Tackle one area at a time to avoid feeling overwhelmed and ensure you have enough time for sorting.
- Sort by Category: Group items into clothing, furniture, and electronics categories. This method makes deciding what to keep, donate, or discard easier before packing.
- Apply the 12-Month Rule: Get rid of items you haven’t used in the past year. Donate, sell, or discard anything that no longer serves a purpose to reduce clutter before moving.
Reliable movers in Edmonton recommend homeowners declutter thoroughly to avoid moving unnecessary items that will take up space and increase costs. Less clutter means fewer boxes, shorter loading times, and easier unpacking in the new home.
3. Pack Essentials Separately
Packing essential items efficiently ensures that homeowners have immediate access to necessities after the move. Designate a box for daily essentials such as toiletries, medications, chargers, and important documents. Keep this box with you instead of loading it onto the moving truck.
Essential Items to Include
- Basic Toiletries: Pack essentials like soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and other hygiene products. These items will keep your family comfortable during the transition before unpacking entirely.
- Prescription Medications: Keep all necessary medications in a labeled, easily accessible bag. This ensures you have immediate access to critical prescriptions during the moving process.
- Important Documents: Carry essential documents like IDs, insurance papers, and lease agreements. Store them in a secure folder to prevent misplacement during the move.
- Chargers for Devices: Bring chargers for phones, tablets, and other essential devices. Fully charged electronics can help keep you connected and entertained during and after the move.
- A Change of Clothes: Pack a change of clothes for each family member. This provides comfort and convenience if unpacking takes longer than expected or in case of unexpected delays.
Moving companies in Edmonton suggest preparing an essentials box to avoid unnecessary digging through multiple boxes during the first few days after the move. Keeping these items readily accessible allows for a smoother transition into the new home.
4. Confirm Moving Details in Advance
To avoid confusion on a moving day, confirm all essential details with the moving company at least 48 hours before the scheduled move. Ensure that the date, time, and destination address are correct. Discuss any special requirements for fragile items or bulky furniture.
Details to Confirm
- Moving Date and Time: Double-check the confirmed date and time with the moving company. Ensure everyone involved knows the schedule to avoid last-minute confusion or delays.
- Pickup and Delivery Addresses: Verify that the moving company has the correct pickup and delivery addresses. Confirm details like unit numbers or special instructions to ensure smooth coordination on a moving day.
- Estimated Arrival Time: Ask for an estimated arrival time at the new home. This helps you plan your day and ensures you’re ready to receive your belongings.
- Handling Fragile Items: Provide clear instructions on packing fragile or valuable items. Label boxes appropriately and communicate special handling needs to avoid damage during transportation.
Reliable movers in Edmonton emphasize double-checking these details to prevent last-minute misunderstandings. Clear communication with the moving company ensures a more efficient and organized moving experience.
5. Protect Your Home and Belongings
Protecting the home during a move prevents damage to floors, walls, and doorways. Ensure both the current and new home remains in good condition throughout the moving process.
Protection Tips
- Cover Floors: Protective padding or moving blankets shield floors from dirt, scratches, or damage. This is especially important for hardwood, tile, or carpeted surfaces during the move.
- Wrap Furniture: Cover furniture with moving blankets to prevent scratches, dents, or other damage. Secure blankets with plastic wrap or tape to keep them in place during transportation.
- Protect Door Frames: Install corner guards or foam padding on door frames. This prevents accidental scratches or dents while movers carry heavy furniture or large items through tight spaces.
- Clear Pathways: Remove clutter and clear hallways, stairs, and entryways. Creating an open path minimizes the risk of trips, falls, or damage to the movers and your belongings.
Edmonton Moving Services recommends these measures to minimize the risk of damage to the property and belongings. By preparing the home in advance, homeowners ensure a safer, smoother moving process.
6. Label Boxes for Easy Unpacking
Labeling boxes properly helps movers place items in the correct rooms, making unpacking more efficient. Use a consistent labeling system, such as colour-coded stickers or clear labels that indicate the room and contents.
Labeling Tips:
- Room and Contents: Label each box with the room name and a brief description of its contents. This helps movers place boxes correctly, making unpacking quicker and more organized.
- Colour-Coding System: Use different coloured labels or tape for each room. This colour-coding system allows movers to identify where each box belongs, reducing confusion and streamlining the unloading process.
- Mark Fragile Items: Mark boxes containing fragile items. Use labels like “FRAGILE” or “HANDLE WITH CARE” to ensure movers give extra attention and prevent accidental damage during transportation.
Professional moving services in Edmonton stress the importance of labelling to reduce confusion and speed up the unloading process. Well-labelled boxes make it easier for homeowners to quickly unpack and settle into their new homes.
7. Disassemble Large Furniture in Advance
Disassembling large furniture ahead of time saves time and effort on moving day. Remove legs from tables, take apart bed frames, and secure loose parts with tape or zip ties. Keep screws and small components in labeled plastic bags to prevent losing them during the move.
Furniture to Disassemble
- Bed Frames and Headboards: Disassemble bed frames and headboards to prevent damage and save space during transport. Keep screws and small parts in labeled bags for easy reassembly later.
- Tables and Dining Sets: Remove table legs and secure them separately. Wrap tabletops with moving blankets to prevent scratches. Store screws and bolts in a labeled bag for reassembly.
- Shelving Units: Disassemble large shelving units to prevent breakage. Label shelves and hardware for easy setup. Secure glass shelves with bubble wrap and pack them separately.
- Large Desks and Entertainment Centers: Remove detachable parts and secure cords. Wrap delicate surfaces to prevent scratches. Store screws and small parts in labeled bags for smooth reassembly.
Moving companies in Edmonton often recommend disassembling bulky items in advance to streamline the loading process. Doing this reduces the risk of damage and makes it easier for movers to transport furniture safely.
8. Arrange Parking for the Moving Truck
Securing a convenient parking spot for the moving truck ensures a faster and safer move. Check with local authorities if permits are required to park the truck in front of your home. Ensure that the pathway from the truck to the entrance is clear and easily accessible.
Parking Considerations
- Reserve a Parking Space: Secure a spot near the entrance to reduce carrying distance. Obtain a parking permit or notify building management to avoid last-minute issues.
- Inform Neighbors: Let neighbors know about the moving schedule to minimize disruptions. If moving from an apartment, check if management requires advance notice for elevator reservations.
- Check Parking Restrictions: Review local parking rules, time limits, and loading zone regulations. Ensure the moving truck complies with street parking laws to avoid tickets or delays.
Reliable movers in Edmonton appreciate when homeowners arrange parking in advance, preventing unnecessary delays and keeping the moving schedule on track.
9. Make Arrangements for Pets and Children
Moving day can be hectic and stressful for pets and young children. To avoid distractions and ensure their safety, arrange for pets and children to stay with family or friends during the move. If that’s not possible, set up a safe and quiet space where they can stay away from the hustle and bustle.
Tips for Pet and Child Care
- Arrange for Daycare or Pet Sitter: Hire a trusted caregiver to watch pets or children during the move. This reduces stress and ensures they stay safe while movers handle heavy items.
- Pack a Comfort Kit: Prepare a bag with favorite toys, snacks, and familiar items. Keeping essentials close helps children and pets feel secure and comfortable during the moving process.
- Keep Pets Secure and Safe: Place pets in a separate room or crate away from the action. This prevents accidents and keeps them calm while movers enter and exit the home.
Edmonton moving experts highlight the importance of making these arrangements to prevent unnecessary stress and accidents during the move.
10. Perform a Final Walkthrough
Before the movers leave, conduct a final walkthrough of your old home to ensure nothing is left behind. Check closets, cabinets, basements, and storage areas for forgotten items. Confirm that windows and doors are locked and utilities are turned off.
Final Walkthrough Checklist
- Inspect All Rooms and Closets: Check every room, closet, and storage area for overlooked items. Pay extra attention to attics, basements, and garages to ensure nothing important is left behind.
- Confirm Utility Disconnection: Verify that electricity, gas, and water services are turned off or transferred. This prevents unexpected charges and ensures new owners or tenants won’t encounter utility issues.
- Secure Doors and Windows: Lock all doors, windows, and entry points before leaving. This step protects the property and gives you peace of mind after completing the move.
Reliable movers in Edmonton recommend a final walkthrough to prevent leaving valuables or essential documents behind. This last step ensures a smooth transition and minimizes post-move complications.
Seamless Moving with ASR Moving Company: Your Trusted Partner
Edmonton homeowners can ensure a smooth and efficient moving experience by taking proactive steps before the movers arrive. Creating a moving checklist, decluttering, and confirming details with the moving company minimizes stress and prevents last-minute surprises. Packing essentials separately, protecting the home, and labeling boxes properly make unpacking easier.
Additionally, disassembling large furniture and arranging for pets and children’s care contributes to a safer, more organized move. Partnering with ASR Moving Company ensures a seamless transition, as their professional team prioritizes the safety and efficiency of your move, allowing you to settle comfortably into your new home.
