Moving Checklist: 8 Weeks Out to Moving Day
A move goes smoothly when nothing gets decided at the last minute. This checklist breaks the work into weekly blocks from 8 weeks out, with the Ontario-specific steps people forget: utility transfers, your Service Ontario address change, and tenant notice periods.
8 to 6 weeks out
This is the planning stage. Decisions made now save hours of billable time later.
- If you rent, check your lease for the required tenant notice period and give notice in writing
- If you're moving out of or into a condo, book the elevator with the property manager. Buildings often require 2 to 4 weeks notice and a certificate of insurance
- Start sorting room by room. Decide what gets sold, donated, or thrown out before you pack a single box
- Research and book your mover, and ask for a written estimate
5 to 4 weeks out
Start the paperwork you can do early, so it isn't competing with packing in the final week.
- Book time off work for moving day
- Start collecting boxes and packing materials
- Begin packing the rooms you use least: storage, off-season items, books
- Flag any large or specialty items with your mover in advance, a piano or a pool table needs to be planned for, not discovered on the day
3 to 2 weeks out
This is when the Ontario-specific admin needs to happen, not the week you move.
- Submit your address change with Service Ontario for your driver's licence and health card
- Set up utility transfer or start dates at the new address: hydro, gas, water, internet
- Set up Canada Post mail forwarding
- Confirm elevator or loading dock bookings at both buildings if either is a condo or apartment
- Notify your bank, employer, and any subscriptions of your new address
The week before
Packing should be close to finished by the start of this week.
- Confirm final details with your movers: date, time window, crew size, and access at both addresses
- Pack a clearly labelled essentials box and keep it out of the truck
- Empty and defrost the fridge a day or two before if it's making the trip
- Take photos of expensive furniture and electronics before they're wrapped
Moving day and the day after
The last stretch is about access and confirmation, not more packing.
- Do a final walkthrough of the old place before the truck leaves. Check closets, cabinets, and the garage
- Confirm the new address's utilities are live before you arrive
- Update your address with anyone you missed: voter registration, subscriptions, and any accounts still tied to your old postal code
Good to know
When should I start planning a move?
Start about 8 weeks out for a typical house or condo move. That gives enough time to sort belongings, book a condo elevator if you need one, and handle address changes without rushing the final week.
How much notice do I need to give my landlord in Ontario?
It depends on your lease and tenancy type, but for a standard month-to-month tenancy in Ontario the usual notice period is 60 days. Check your specific lease, since fixed-term leases can differ.
Do I need to book the elevator for a condo move?
Most condo and apartment buildings require move bookings in advance and may ask for a certificate of insurance from your moving company. Check with your property manager as soon as you have a move date.
What should go in an essentials box?
Pack a box with what you'll need the first night and morning: toiletries, medications, phone chargers, a change of clothes, basic kitchen items, and any paperwork for the move itself. Keep it with you, not on the truck.
Ready to book your move?
Once you have a date, get an instant estimate so the rest of the checklist has a number to plan around.