The Complete Moving Guide: How to Plan, Pack, and Move Without the Stress
Most moving day problems start weeks earlier. The boxes that aren't labelled, the movers who were never confirmed, and the dresser that won't fit through the new front door all come from small things that got pushed to the last minute.
This guide puts everything in one place: a week-by-week checklist, packing advice, moving day safety, and help for moving with kids, helping a parent downsize, or moving a business.
Your Moving Checklist, Week by Week
Give yourself about two months if you can. If you have less time, start at whichever step matches your calendar and work forward.
Plan and book
- Set a moving budget. List movers or a truck, supplies, storage, cleaning, and travel. Leave room for surprises.
- Start a moving folder for quotes, receipts, contracts, and legal and financial documents.
- Get quotes and book early. Popular dates fill up fast, especially in summer and at the end of the month.
- Line up a storage unit if you'll need one, so you can move boxes into it as you pack.
- Ask for help and find out which friends and family are free, and when.
- Research the new neighbourhood: schools, childcare, transit, doctors, and services.
Declutter and start packing
- Buy your packing supplies. Good boxes, tape, and wrapping material save time and prevent breakage.
- Start decluttering with the attic, basement, and rooms you rarely use, then closets.
- Pack what you won't need before the move: off-season clothes, books, decor, and spare linens.
- Make a plan for plants, pets, and valuables on moving day.
Update your address and accounts
- Set up mail forwarding through Canada Post, then update your bank, employer, insurance, and subscriptions.
- Update your driver's licence and vehicle registration. Moving provinces means a new health card and licence too.
- Transfer or cancel utilities, including internet, at both addresses.
- Update records with your doctor, dentist, vet, and your children's schools.
Confirm the details
- Confirm movers or your truck rental, and ask about elevator bookings or move-in hours at either building.
- Arrange final meter readings for the day you leave.
- Move or close accounts if you're changing cities or provinces, including safety deposit boxes.
- Prepare a folder for the new owners with manuals, warranties, and your new address.
Clean, measure, and pack the essentials
- Eat down the fridge and freezer.
- Clean appliances like the stove, dishwasher, and barbecue.
- Drain fuel from small engines, then wrap the mower and snowblower in plastic.
- Dispose of flammables like paint, gasoline, and propane. Movers won't take them.
- Measure doorways, stairwells, and large furniture.
- Pack your essentials box and overnight bag.
Get the house ready
- Defrost the fridge and freezer, then prop the doors open slightly so they don't develop odours.
- Pack food, snacks, and drinks for the day.
- Strip the beds and set out mattress bags.
- Clear a path through the house and outside, including any ice or snow.
Load, check, and lock up
- Keep your essentials box with you, not in the truck.
- Protect the floors with cardboard or old carpet runners.
- Bag the mattresses and load boxes first.
- Sign the bill of lading(the movers' inventory and receipt) and keep your copy.
- Walk through every room, cupboard, closet, and the garage one last time.
- Lock up and turn down the heat. If the home will sit empty, turn off the water and lights.
Declutter Before You Pack
Every item you get rid of is one less thing to wrap, carry, and unpack. Go room by room and sort everything into four piles.
Keep
You use it, or it matters to you.
Sell
It's worth the effort to list.
Donate
It's in good shape, but you don't need it. Many charities will pick up large items.
Ditch
It's broken, expired, or not worth passing on.
Selling your home at the same time?
Decluttering does double duty. Clearing out seasonal items, extra furniture, and personal collections makes rooms look bigger to buyers, and everything you pack now is already done when moving day comes. Just keep the cleared rooms looking lived in, not half empty.
Make a home inventory as you go
List each item by room with a short description and approximate value, and take photos. Save a digital copy. If anything is lost or damaged during the move, you'll have what you need for an insurance claim. And pack the photo albums early, or they'll slow you right down.
Moving Supplies Worth Getting
Good supplies don't cost much more than bad ones, and they save you from broken dishes and split boxes.
Small, medium, and large boxes
Small boxes for heavy things like books. Large boxes for light, bulky things like pillows.
Quality packing tape
Thick tape holds in humidity and doesn't split, so you use less of it.
Plain newsprint and packing paper
Old newspaper ink rubs off on dishes, and you'll end up rewashing everything.
Perforated bubble wrap
Tears off like paper towels, so you're not stopping to cut every sheet.
Dish and glass guard kits
Pre-shaped inserts protect plates and glasses without wrapping each one.
Mirror and picture kits
Protect glass and frames, and keep you from getting cut if something cracks.
Wardrobe boxes
Clothes move on their hangers and come out without wrinkles.
Furniture and mattress covers
Choose covers with breathing holes. Sealed plastic traps moisture and can lead to mould.
Stretch wrap
Keeps drawers shut, bundles loose parts, and protects furniture from scuffs.
Apple Self Storage sells boxes, tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, mirror and picture kits, guard kits, and furniture and mattress covers at our locations. Packing on a budget? Suitcases, laundry baskets, towels, and blankets all work too.
See packing supplies and tipsHow to Pack for a Move
Pack in the right order
Start with the rooms and items you use least: the basement, spare room, off-season clothes, and decor. Leave the kitchen basics, bathroom, and bedrooms until the last few days.
Keep boxes light enough to lift
Put heavy items in small boxes, fill gaps with paper so nothing shifts, and keep each box to a weight one person can carry comfortably. Tape the bottom seams twice.
Label everything, and use colours
Write the contents and room on at least two sides of every box, number it, and keep a master list. Then give each room in your new home a tape colour, and put a matching sticker on that room's door.
Wrap fragile items properly
- Wrap each dish and glass in paper, and pack plates on their edge like records.
- Mark mirrors and framed pictures "FRAGILE" and stand them on end.
- Line the top and bottom of every box of breakables with crumpled paper.
- Use the original packaging for electronics when you still have it.
Packing shortcuts that save hours
- Leave dresser drawers full. Wrap each drawer in stretch wrap and slide it back in at the new place.
- Leave clothes on hangers in wardrobe boxes or garment bags.
- Bag the hardware. Tape screws and bolts in a sandwich bag to the piece they belong to. Do the same with cords.
- Photograph the back of your TV and computer before you unplug anything.
- Vacuum-seal off-season clothing and bedding.
- Stand long-handled tools in a garbage can. Extra cans nest inside each other.
- Lay books flat to protect the spines.
The essentials box
Ideally a clear plastic bin, with everything you'll need in the first day or two at the new place.
- Toilet paper, paper towels, and garbage bags
- Cleaning supplies and a box cutter
- A small tool kit and light bulbs
- A few dishes, utensils, and a kettle or coffee maker
- Power bars for charging
The overnight bag
Personal items that should stay with you through the whole move.
- A few days of clothes and toiletries
- Medications
- Phone and computer chargers
- Important documents and passports
- Jewellery and other valuables
Packing on a Short Timeline
A quick home sale, a job transfer, or a lease that ends early can leave you with days instead of months. Work through it in this order.
- Make a list first. Ten minutes of planning saves hours of running in circles.
- Buy your supplies in one trip. Some movers rent reusable plastic bins, so there's nothing to assemble or recycle.
- Declutter fast. Keep, donate, or ditch, and book a charity pickup for anything large.
- Pack the biggest rooms first. Living room and kitchen, then bedrooms, then the bathroom.
- Pack now, sort later. Clear labels let you sort the contents at the new place.
- Get help. The kitchen takes the longest, so hand that room off if you can.
- Move boxes out as you go. Taking packed boxes to a storage unit clears floor space and shrinks the load on moving day.
How a Storage Unit Makes Moving Easier
A storage unit is one of the most useful moving tools most people don't think to use. Here's where it helps.
A staging area for a local move
Bring boxes over a few at a time in the weeks before. By moving day, only furniture and daily essentials are left.
While your home is for sale
Moving furniture, seasonal items, and boxes out makes rooms look bigger and cleaner for showings.
For a long-distance move
Keep part of your household in storage while you settle in, then bring it over when you're ready.
When your new place is smaller
Storage gives you time to decide what to keep instead of forcing you to choose on the spot.
For the things you're not sure about
Not sure the old sofa suits the new living room? Store it and decide later.
For seasonal and bulky items
Holiday decorations, winter gear, golf clubs, and patio furniture don't need to crowd your new home on day one.
When dates don't line up
Closing dates shift and new builds run late. A storage unit gives your belongings somewhere safe to wait. We've put together a full plan for that situation.
Flexible 4-week rentals
Apple Self Storage units are rented on a 4-week cycle with flexible terms, so you can keep a unit for one cycle between homes or as long as you need.
Climate control
For wood furniture, electronics, documents, and keepsakes, our climate control storage units stay within a steady temperature range year-round.
Storage for your household
Our residential storage page explains how people use our units during a move.
How to pack a storage unit
Our size guide shows what typically fits in each unit. Choose the smallest unit that fits, and use its full height.
- 1 Needed-first boxes go by the door, along with anything you'll want during the move.
- 2 Leave an aisle down the middle so you can reach everything without unstacking.
- 3 Stand mattresses and sofa cushions on end to save floor space.
- 4 Leave a small gap at the walls so air can circulate.
- 5 Set everything on pallets or 2x4 boards over a floor cover, since concrete can get cold and damp.
- Stack heavy on the bottom, light on top, and add free-standing shelves where you can.
- Make a map of which numbered boxes are where.
- Leave out anything combustible: gasoline, paint, paint thinner, solvents, and propane can't be stored.
Moving Day
Get the space ready
Reserve truck parking at both addresses, and check building rules if you're in a condo or apartment. Stack boxes near the door. Put anything the movers shouldn't take in one room with the door closed.
Decide how you're moving it
For anything bigger than a small apartment, one truckload beats many car trips. Ask whether a dolly and straps come with the rental. Movers often charge by the hour, so have everything packed before they arrive.
Keep kids and pets out of the way
Moving day means heavy loads and open doors. If a friend or relative can watch the kids and pets somewhere else for the day, everyone stays safer.
How to Prevent Injuries When You Move
Back strains, pinched fingers, and twisted ankles are the most common moving injuries, and most are avoidable.
Before moving day
- Pack in uniform boxes, keep them light, and tape the bottoms well.
- Clear every path inside and out. Trim branches and deal with puddles, ice, or snow.
- Keep box cutters, scissors, and screwdrivers in one spot.
- Put slider pads under heavy furniture and appliances.
On moving day
- Wear sturdy, closed-toe shoes with good grip, plus thick work gloves.
- Warm up with five to ten minutes of light activity first.
- Lift with your legs, keep the load close, and don't twist while carrying.
- If you can't see over the load, it's too big for one person.
- Use dollies and hand trucks for anything heavy.
- Drink water, take breaks, and ask for help before you need it.
How to Save Money on Your Move
- Budget with a buffer for extra supplies, small repairs, and the unexpected.
- Compare at least three quotes. Check reviews, confirm what's included, and ask about insurance for damage.
- Move off-peak if you can. Mid-month weekday moves outside summer are often cheaper and easier to book.
- Book early. Last-minute bookings cost more and leave fewer choices.
- Move less stuff. Decluttering shrinks the load, and selling puts money back in your pocket.
- Mix and match services. Hire movers for loading and unloading, and drive the truck yourself.
- Pack before the movers arrive. When you're paying by the hour, every packed box saves money.
- Protect what you have. Replacing broken items costs far more than good packing material.
Moving With Kids
Kids handle a move much better when they feel included and their routines don't fall apart.
Before the move
- Explain what's happening and when. A picture calendar helps younger kids.
- Explore the new neighbourhood together: parks, libraries, and the new school.
- Collect other parents' contact details so kids can keep in touch with friends.
- Let kids pack their own rooms, or fill a small box with favourite toys.
- Moving provinces? Gather school records and health cards early.
On moving day
- Pack a go-bag for each child with snacks, clothes, and comfort items.
- Download shows, pack activity books, or save a few small new toys.
- Arrange for someone to watch younger children if possible.
- Reward their help, like letting them pick dinner or the music for the drive.
After you arrive
- Set up the kids' rooms first so they feel settled.
- Let them decide where things go in their room.
- Keep bedtimes, meals, and playtime on the usual schedule.
- Store outgrown toys and extra boxes so there's room to play.
Helping a Parent Downsize
Moving out of a long-time family home is hard, and the hardest part is usually deciding what to let go of. These steps make the process easier on everyone.
- Talk about it first. Listen to their concerns and let them make as many decisions as possible.
- Focus on what gets easier: no lawns to cut or snow to shovel, lower heating bills, and easier access to care.
- Plan the new space. Sketch the floor plan and mark where furniture will go, so it's clear what fits.
- Sort into four groups: the new home, keepsakes for family, sell or donate, and throw out.
- Don't rush it. Spread the sorting over several sessions.
- Photograph the current setup so you can recreate a familiar feel in the new home.
- Keep what can't fit for now. A storage unit gives the family time to sort later. Climate control protects photos, heirlooms, and paperwork.
Moving a Business
Business moves need extra planning, because every day the doors are closed affects revenue. Our commercial storage units can hold inventory, equipment, and archived files while the new space is set up, or permanently if it's short on room.
- Hire movers with commercial experience. Equipment, files, and inventory need different handling.
- Update your address early with clients, suppliers, and service providers.
- Minimize downtime by moving on evenings, weekends, or in a slower season.
- Audit your inventory first. Sell or donate what you don't use instead of paying to move it.
- Keep staff and customers informed about the timeline and any interruptions.
Saying goodbye to your old home
- Take pictures, including a family photo out front and the spots you'll miss.
- Walk through each room one last time, and close each door as you leave.
- Have one last get-together if your home has hosted a lot of them.
Settling into your new home
- Open the essentials box first, then make the beds.
- Unpack the kitchen and bathroom next, then one room at a time.
- Don't rush. Bring items over from storage as each room is ready.
- Keep decluttering. If something has no place, decide whether it stays.
- Make it feel like home with pictures on the walls and the keepsake from the old place.
Moving FAQs
How far in advance should I start planning a move?
About two months is ideal. That gives you time to book movers or a truck, declutter without rushing, and pack a few boxes at a time. If your timeline is shorter, start with booking help and buying supplies, then declutter as you pack.
What should I pack first when moving?
Start with the items you use least: off-season clothes, books, decor, spare linens, and anything in the basement, attic, or spare room. Save the kitchen basics, bathroom, and bedrooms for the last few days.
How can I pack for a move quickly?
Buy all your supplies in one trip, declutter quickly, and pack the biggest rooms first. Label every box clearly so you can pack now and sort later. Ask for help with the kitchen, and move packed boxes into storage as you go to keep floor space clear.
What should go in a moving essentials box?
Toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, cleaning supplies, a box cutter, a small tool kit, light bulbs, a few dishes and utensils, and chargers. Keep medications, important documents, and valuables in a separate bag that stays with you.
Should I use a storage unit when I move?
A storage unit is useful when your new home isn't ready yet, when you're selling and want rooms to look bigger, when your new place is smaller, or when you'd like to move gradually instead of all in one day. It also gives you time to decide what to keep.
How long can I rent a storage unit for a move?
Apple Self Storage units are rented on a 4-week cycle with flexible terms. You can keep a unit for a single cycle between homes or for as long as you need it.
What can't I put in a storage unit?
Combustible and flammable materials, like gasoline, propane, paint, paint thinner, and solvents, can't be stored. Drain the fuel from lawn mowers and snowblowers before storing them.
Ready to make moving day easier?
Find an Apple Self Storage location near you, and our team will help you choose the right unit and the packing supplies to go with it.
