The Complete Moving Checklist (8 Weeks Out to Move Day)

Every move has the same shape whether you're going three blocks or three provinces: a mountain of small tasks that all feel optional until you're standing in an empty apartment realizing you forgot to forward your mail. This checklist breaks it into weekly blocks — including the one decision that changes how the actual packing week goes: totes or cardboard.

8 weeks out

Set the plan in motion

Set a moving budget and pick a moving date
Research and book movers if you're using one — good crews get booked up 6–8 weeks ahead, especially over student move-in weekends
Start a "keep, donate, toss" sort of anything you haven't touched in a year
Check tote availability — use the tote calculator to see what size package fits your home

6 weeks out

Start the slow packing

Order any moving supplies you're buying (tape, bubble wrap, markers)
Start using up food in the freezer and pantry instead of restocking
Research your new area — schools, doctors, parking permits
Begin packing the things you're definitely keeping but rarely use: off-season clothes, books, decor, spare linens

4 weeks out

Lock in the logistics

Book your totes or confirm your box order — get a quote if you haven't already
Submit a change of address with Canada Post
Notify your bank, employer, insurance provider and any subscriptions of your new address
Schedule utility disconnect/connect (hydro, internet, gas) for move day
Start collecting boxes or totes at your place so packing doesn't stall on supply

2 weeks out

Pack in earnest

Pack everything except daily essentials — kitchen, bathroom, one week of clothes
Label every box or tote by room, not by contents — it's faster for whoever's carrying it
Confirm your movers or truck rental, and confirm tote delivery/pickup dates
Arrange parking or elevator booking at both addresses if your building requires it
Use up what's left in the fridge

Moving week

Close it out

Finish packing everything but a small "first night" bag (toiletries, chargers, a change of clothes, snacks)
Defrost and clean the fridge/freezer if you're leaving it behind
Take photos of your old place for the security deposit or lease inspection
Confirm move-day timing with everyone involved — movers, building management, tote pickup

Move day

Land it

Do a final walkthrough of every room, closet and cabinet before you leave
Hand off keys/fobs as required
Unload essentials first, then unpack room by room — not everything the first night
If you rented totes, they get picked up empty on your scheduled date — no trip to the recycling depot, no flattening boxes in the hallway

The one decision that makes the whole week easier

Most of the friction in a move isn't the big furniture — it's the hundred small trips packing everything else into boxes that don't stack cleanly, tear if they get wet, and need to be broken down and hauled away afterward. Reusable totes stack square, seal with a snap-on lid, and get picked up empty when you're done. See the full breakdown in totes vs. cardboard boxes, or check how many totes you'll actually need for your home size.

Skip the box hunt. Rent heavy-duty totes from $99, delivered and picked up free across Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge. See tote rental packages →

Common questions

How far in advance should I start planning a move?

Start 8 weeks out for a full household move. If you're only moving a studio or dorm room, 3–4 weeks is usually enough.

What should I pack first when moving?

Start with things you don't use daily — out-of-season clothes, books, decor, spare linens. Save the kitchen, bathroom and anything you need every day for the final week.

Is it cheaper to rent moving totes or buy boxes?

For a one-time move, renting is almost always cheaper once you account for buying boxes, tape and a dolly, plus the time spent breaking everything down and hauling it to recycling afterward. See the full cost comparison.

The Complete Moving Checklist