No matter how many times you’ve moved, it’s always a very exciting, but stressful experience. That’s why so many hire reinforcements to help us make the big move – anything that helps make the process a little easier is gladly welcome. A moving checklist can help tremendously!

If you are hiring movers, be sure to plan in advance. Ask friends and family if they’ve used movers before and search the internet for reviews. Ask movers to come and provide you with a quote. If you’re looking to be as cost-effective as possible, get a few different quotes and let movers know that you’re looking for the best deal possible. Keep in mind that weekends (including long weekends) are often busiest for movers, so availability may be more difficult to come by during these times and rates may also be more expensive.

Another thing that helps to make the moving process easier is pre-planning. Regardless of whether you’re hiring movers or not, we have a handy basic checklist to help make your move as stress-free as possible.

MOVING CHECKLIST:

• Before starting the packing process, donate or get rid of any items you no longer need or use. There’s no point moving things you don’t need or want!
• Even if you’re hiring movers, you’ll likely need to pack up your housewares. As soon as possible before your move (at least a month before), gather of all the packing items you’ll need: boxes, bubble wrap, tape, sharpies etc.
• After that, start packing up the items in your home that you use the least. From there, pack things up steadily until your move date. Pack things up in order of least used to most used. Be sure to accurately label all boxes so things are easy to find in your new home.
• Get your papers in order. Update your address with organizations, schools, medical offices, banks, insurance companies, magazine subscriptions etc, where necessary – try to do as much of this as you can online (it’s much easier). You can also arrange for Canada Post to forward mail sent to your old address to your new address, just in case you missed anything.
• A couple of weeks or so before your move, arrange for utilities, cable, internet etc. to be shut off at your current home, and setup in your name at your new house.

If you are new to Kelowna, check out our relocation guide, which has lots of information on local services and activities.

If you have any questions about the Kelowna real estate market or need any advice, please contact us.