Whether you’re hopping from one house to another in Trenton or leaving Belleville for Prince Edward County, moving is hectic. And if you’re moving to the Quinte area, get ready for a few quirks. If you’ve purchased or sold a home with Quinte Living, we always do our best to help with the transition however we can. But it’s easy to overlook important tasks in the chaos of packing boxes and coordinating logistics. To help ensure a stress-free move, we’ve put together a list of things of the essential considerations to get and stay organized.
Make Your Plans as Soon as Possible
Early planning is the key to a smooth move. As soon as you know your essential dates, hire movers and make any necessary travel arrangements. The calendars of the professionals you’ll need will fill up quickly in the spring and summer, so you don’t want to leave anything until you’re out of options. Arrange for pet care during the moving process to minimize stress on you and your furry friends. If you have young children, consider arranging for their temporary care as well.
Changing Your Address: Institutions to Notify
There are many institutions to notify, some of which apply to everyone and some of which will be specific to you. Prioritize the ones you’re legally required to notify, such as the Government of Ontario, or that could interfere with other important parts of your life if you don’t. These include:
- Government agencies, such as the Canada Revenue Agency
- Municipal offices
- Banks and other financial institutions
- Educational institutions
- Insurance companies
- Legal representatives
- Your place of employment
- Canada Post
- Doctors and other healthcare providers
Keep in mind that some of these will require change of address forms, in-person visits, and time to process the documents, so you’ll want to allow as much lead time as you can.
Be sure to notify other people in your life, such as family members, friends, and anyone else you can think of who should know you’re moving. Sending a mass email with the pertinent details is an easy way to notify a large group of people at once!
Utilities and Services
Contact your utility providers to schedule the disconnection of services from your old address on the day of your move. To avoid any disruptions, arrange for utilities to be connected at your new home before your move-in date. Also, arrange for the transfer or cancellation of services such as internet, cable, and home security systems. Ensure any outstanding bills are settled before you move to avoid any unwelcome surprises later.
Inform service providers such as landscapers, cleaners, and pest control companies of your move to cancel or transfer services as needed. You’ll also want to change your contact information for any memberships or subscription services, particularly if they include home deliveries, such as Amazon.
If you need help sorting out utilities and services in the Quinte area and Prince Edward County, let us know, and we’ll be happy to assist you!
Moving Arrangements and Other Considerations
Purchase or acquire boxes and other moving supplies such as packing tape, bubble wrap, and markers. Declutter by donating or discarding unwanted items to lighten your load for the move. Gather important documents such as passports, birth certificates, and financial records, and clearly mark them in a secure location. Obtain copies of medical, dental, and veterinary records if necessary.
Pack a special bag with essentials for the first few days, including clothes, toiletries, medications, and anything else you’ll want quick and easy access to. Make sure to also have some easily accessible food and drinks for moving day and the short-term following the move. Return any borrowed items to their respective owners. If you have the time and haven’t done so during the purchasing process, research amenities, schools, healthcare providers, and recreational facilities in your new neighbourhood to ease your transition.
Schedule a thorough cleaning of your old home after moving out. This includes cleaning appliances, floors, bathrooms, and any other areas to leave the space in good condition for the next occupants. Depending on the terms of the agreement of purchase and sale, professional cleaning may not be required, but it’s a gesture of good will to the new homeowners that goes a long way. A final walkthrough for the buyers is standard practice, and if the house is left in poor condition, there’s always the possibility of the deal falling through unless or until the issues are dealt with.
There will always be small things that get overlooked but remember that prioritization and planning are key to a successful move. The rest will fall into place if you take care of the foundation. Don’t hesitate to reach out to Quinte Living for more advice and recommendations, especially for services in the Quinte area and Prince Edward County. Whether you’ve purchased your new home with us or not, we’re happy to help make your relocation as seamless as possible!
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