The Complete Moving Checklist
A step-by-step, interactive checklist from 8 weeks out to move-in day. Track your progress, save it as you go, and print it off — built by the moving experts at SS Moving Services.
Your Interactive Timeline
Check off tasks as you go — your progress saves automatically on this device.
Your Move Progress
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8 Weeks Before
Plan & BookPro tip: Book movers early — summer (June–August) availability fills up fast across BC.
4–6 Weeks Before
Pack & NotifyPro tip: Use uniform box sizes — it makes the truck load safer and the unload faster.
2 Weeks Before
Pack Heavy & LabelPro tip: Color-code boxes by room — blue for bedroom, red for kitchen — for faster unloading.
Moving Day
Stay On SitePro tip: Keep your phone charged and stay reachable — the crew may need directions.
After Your Move
Settle InPro tip: Update your address with the CRA and ICBC within 10 days of moving.
Room-by-Room Packing Guide
Expert packing strategies for every room in your home.
Kitchen
- Wrap breakables in dish towels and pot holders to save bubble wrap
- Pack plates vertically, not stacked — they break less often
- Seal spice jars with tape and pack upright
- Empty the fridge 24 hours before moving day and defrost the freezer
Bedrooms
- Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes — skip the folding
- Put mattress and bedding in protective bags
- Pack pillows in the gaps of boxes to cushion other items
- Bag hardware from disassembled beds and tape to the frame
Living Room
- Photograph your TV and electronics cord setup before unplugging
- Wrap remotes in cling film and tape to the matching device
- Protect couch corners with cardboard and stretch wrap
- Roll rugs and secure with straps — avoid folding to prevent creases
Bathroom
- Pack toiletries in a clear bin for easy first-night access
- Tape bottles shut and place in sealed bags to prevent leaks
- Set aside towels and a shower curtain for move-in day
- Empty the medicine cabinet and carry meds with you personally
Home Office
- Back up computers to the cloud before disconnecting
- Pack monitors in their original boxes if you still have them
- Label every cable so reassembly is quick
- Carry laptops and hard drives with you, not in the truck
Closets
- Donate clothes you have not worn in a year before the move
- Vacuum-seal bulky seasonal clothing to save space
- Keep shoes in their original boxes or a dedicated wardrobe box
- Label closet boxes by season to make unpacking easier
Garage & Storage
- Drain fuel from lawnmowers and trimmers before the move
- Disassemble shelving and bag the hardware
- Dispose of paints, chemicals, and propane — movers cannot transport them
- Secure tools in a separate, clearly labelled box
Vehicles & Valuables
- Carry jewellery, documents, and cash with you — never in the truck
- Keep passports and IDs in one sealed envelope
- Transport plants yourself — most movers will not move them
- Take photos of valuables for insurance records before loading
8 Pro Tips From the Pros
The small details that separate a smooth move from a stressful one.
Photograph cord setups
Snap your TV, router, and electronics wiring before unplugging so reassembly is effortless.
Pack an essentials box
Load it last and unload first — toiletries, chargers, a change of clothes, and coffee.
Use wardrobe boxes
Keep clothes on hangers and skip folding — saves hours on both ends of the move.
Label top AND sides
Write room and contents on multiple sides so stacked boxes are still identifiable.
Reserve elevators early
Book the elevator and loading dock at both buildings the week before — they fill up.
Keep valuables with you
Documents, jewellery, meds, and laptops travel in your car — never in the moving truck.
Heaviest boxes on the bottom
Stack heavy items low and light items high to prevent crushing and shifting in transit.
Confirm arrival window
Call your movers the day before to confirm the crew, arrival time, and address details.