Moving out of Calgary to another city or province can be a stressful time. Utilities need to be shut off. Mail needs forwarding. Somewhere in the final week, you’ll realize the storage unit key is still in a coat pocket.
A move-out to-do list stops that. If you will have write down all your tasks and short them when to do.
Plan Your Long Distance Move
Know where you are moving to, what date you need to be out, and how your items are being transported.
Walk through your home before you pack anything. Sell, donate, or toss what you wouldn’t miss. Hauling a couch you never liked across the country costs real money.
Flag the awkward items now. A piano, a big sectional, a glass table, or framed art all change how you pack and who you hire.
Then set a budget. Count the truck, packing supplies, storage, fuel or flights, cleaning, and any overlap between leases.
Pack one room at a time
It is usually easier to pack your items room by room.
Use strong boxes and label them with the room name and what’s inside. “Kitchen: everyday dishes” beats “Kitchen” when you’re unpacking at 10 p.m. in a new city.
Keep important items such as documents, medication, charging cables, keys, and a spare set of clothes with you. So they are easily accessible when you need.
For a long haul, a rough inventory helps. A room-by-room list works fine. Add a few photos of your valuable pieces before they’re wrapped.
Line up your movers early
Book transportation before everything is boxed, not after.
Ask your movers what is included in their quote, how they will deliver your items, and what information they will need about your home. Movers will also ask you about building access, stairs, elevators, parking limits, and oversized items. If there is a need, reserve the parking for loading and book the elevator.
If you’re comparing long-distance movers Calgary, give every company the same details. That’s the only way the quotes line up fairly.
Confirm your pickup date, your delivery address, and how you’ll get updates on the road. Driving separately? Keep your trip essentials in your own vehicle.
Sort out the paperwork before you leave
Address changes slip through until mail starts piling up at the old place. Update your bank, insurer, employer and anyone else who sends you things.
Canada Post offers Mail Forwarding for people moving from a Canadian address. It recommends setting it up before you go.
Don’t cancel everything on moving morning. Keep everything in order; utility shutoff and handover dates should be matched for electricity, gas, internet, and insurance.
If renting? Book the move-out inspection with your landlord. In Alberta, move-in and move-out inspection reports are a must for residential tenancies.
Do a slow final walk-through
When the truck is almost loaded, stop and check every space again to confirm.
Especially look at the high shelves too. Don’t leave a single corner; go everywhere: garage, basement, cupboards and balcony.
Phone chargers, cleaning supplies, and half-used paint cans are what people usually leave.
Clean and repair to whatever your lease or sale requires. Without the hassle, keys,, remotes, and fobs are ready for the next person.
Moving in winter? If there’s snow or ice, this could affect how you load your items and travel on the roads. Having some flexibility with your departure date can be helpful in the winter.
Keep your essentials separate until the last minute. Make sure you have your ID, medications, travel documents, snacks, water and anything you need for your first night with you. Don’t hide them in the back of your moving truck!
Before you close the door
Most move-out stress comes from small jobs nobody planned for. Most move-out stress comes from small jobs nobody planned for. Follow your move out to do list with timelines, confirm your transport and moving crew, update the address and hand over utilities on time, and leave time for one last walk-through.
If the logistics are getting out of order, a full-service long-distance moving crew can take care of the transport. So you can smoothly leave the house in good shape.