Moving: the art of planning ahead!

A successful move is a well-planned move. Given that there are always a lot of details to take care of at the last minute, it’s a good idea to organize as much as you can in advance. Start planning your move at least eight weeks before the big day. You’ll see that it’s not too much time to do everything that needs to be done.

• Start by collecting cardboard boxes and wrapping paper. You can never have too much packing material! If you are doing your own packing, remember that boxes should not weigh more than 50 pounds.
• Remember to notify the following institutions, organizations and service providers at least four weeks in advance: S.A.A.Q.; Revenue Canada and Revenue Québec; R.A.M.Q.; C.S.S.T.; R.R.Q.; telephone, gas, heating oil or electricity companies; central alarm service; professional services (doctors, dentists); insurance (life, automobile, home, group, etc.); various subscriptions (cable, internet, magazines, etc.); schools, daycare and other educational institutions; financial institutions; Canada Post (two weeks in advance).
• Provide your insurer information about your move (date, new address, information on your new home, etc.) and go over the whole policy to make sure it still meets all your needs adequately.
• Hire a moving company that is a member of a recognized association and check its references.
• Even if you hire a mover on the advice of somebody you trust, ask for references as well as a cost estimate and information about their rates (fixed? hourly? extras?).
• Visit the moving company’s office so you can check if it is wellestablished and to get a feeling of their level of professionalism.
• Once your choice is made, ask that one of the company’s representatives come and look at what needs to be moved and provide a revised estimate, if needed.
• Ask your mover to provide you with a signed contract, on which you itemize your principal valuables and state the total value of your belongings.
• Check with your insurer if your belongings are insured, and under what conditions during the move. Make sure that there is no deductible to pay if you make a claim. Also ask about the company’s policies in case of a loss or damage, since it will be their insurer that will be involved in such cases.
• Most policies cover goods in transit and allow a period of 30 days for the move as a whole. However, if your move takes place over a few days, make sure that your insurance policy covers your belongings at both addresses.
• A few days before your move, dispose of any hazardous or flammable materials that cannot be transported by your mover.
• Label each box with the name of the room in your new home where it should be unloaded.
• Before taking anything out of your home, take an inventory of everything that will be moved and everything that will remain. On arrival, check off the list what is loaded off the truck.
• Take the time to go around the house with the move supervisor to give him your instructions. Write “Fragile” on boxes that should be handled with particular care by the movers.
• Keep your jewellery, important documents and money with you because a good moving company will not accept responsibility for these types of items.
• Keep important personal papers (medical insurance, birth and marriage certificates) and documents related to schools or professional services (doctors, dentists) handy. If you had planned to place part of your belongings in storage, be aware that your home insurance policy does not cover goods in storage against theft and that you need to make sure that the owner of the storage facility has adequate insurance for theft or losses.
• If you are moving yourself and are renting or borrowing a truck, consider adding “number 27 rider” to your car insurance policy. This will cover any damage caused to a vehicle that does not belong to you.
• If you get the help of relatives and friends to move and someone gets injured or incurs some material losses, remember that your home insurance policy covers you with respect to civil liability.

If you apply this practical information and advice, your move should go smoothly and without unnecessary stress. Have a hassle-free move and welcome to your new home!

Source : Insurance Bureau of Canada, CMHC, Jacques Beaulieu consultant inc.