Moving homes can be an exciting and invigorating experience. You’re changing your surroundings and maybe even your lifestyle to move to a new location with a new house. However, part of the job is physically moving your belongings from one place to another, which can be a strenuous task.
Sure, you can pay the moving company to do it, but those jobs can cost quite a bit of money, especially if you live far off from where you’re going. By doing it yourself, you can save on the budget and give yourself more flexibility in terms of move-in times.
There’s a lot to keep track of when doing a manual move-in, so let’s go over a checklist of some considerations in case you’re worried about missing something.
What Preparations Should You Make?
Moving in yourself isn’t an expensive process, but there may be unexpected purchases that pop up. For example, you might need some extra supplies for storing your items. Make room in the budget with the expectation of potentially making these small purchases.
In the month leading up to the move-out date, remember to finish off any foods, beverages, and other perishables from your current house. Collect personal valuables like expensive jewelry, medication, and important documents and ensure that they are accounted for.
Also take note of any hazardous items that might cause problems during the move. For instance, gas, certain paints, bleach, batteries, and combustibles should be treated with care. Decide whether it’s worth transporting them and check with government regulations.
Don’t forget to set up mail forwarding when you change your address. This way, new mail is redirected automatically to your new property, and you don’t end up missing out on an important letter. Check with Canada Post, which offers this service when you change your address with the Canadian government. Try to set up everything a couple weeks in advance to prevent delays.
What Supplies Will You Need?
Utilizing the services of a moving company usually implies that the supplies are already given to you. But with DIY move-in, it’s up to you to procure your own. For instance, packaging everything safely for transport will require:
- Cardboard and plastic boxes to store everything
- Tape, bubble wrap, plastic wrap, and other packaging materials
- Tools like scissors and cleaning supplies
- Markers and other ways to mark everything
- Dollies for heavier items like appliances
- Trash bags in case you decide to throw anything out during the process
Alternatively, you can use clothing or scrap paper instead of bubble wrap if you have those items lying around. Remember to consult with your local hardware store to see whether they allow for dolly rentals.
In order to stay organized, use markers to label everything and have a move-in checklist to ensure that nothing is left behind. Make an effort to either throw out or donate unneeded items.
Which Moving Truck To Get?
Chances are you’re going to need to rent a moving truck. You luckily don’t need a moving service to rent a truck, and, when shopping around for service providers, look for features like:
- Good customer service records
- Optional storage units
- Different sizes of trucks
- A storefront for moving supplies
If a truck large enough for your needs is already available to you, make sure that it is functional and ready to use on the day of your move-in.
What Are Your Plans Afterward?
Imagine the truck has arrived at your new property. What next? You’ll have all your things in boxes and an empty house. Before you start unpacking everything, take some time to clean the rooms heavily.
Make a plan to see what goes where too. These small post-move-in steps can take a couple days to finish, so plan on setting time aside to settle into your new home.
Getting Ready with a Trusted Real Estate Agent
If you’re interested in moving homes, you want the entire process to be as smooth as possible. To that end, it’s vital to hire the right real estate agent to support you every step of the way.
Joel Cooper has been serving clients in the Toronto area for many years. Read up on testimonials and the ways he helped make moving easy and painless for various Canadian citizens over the years.
Hi, I’m Joel, a real estate professional based in Toronto.
My approach is simple—I put you first. I believe in open communication, total transparency, and meaningful results. I’ll guide you through the real estate process, market values, and always keep the focus on you—and your needs.