You have sold your old home, and it is time to prepare to move to your new home, which is all nice and is an excellent time in your life. Still, there are many things to know and do before putting your old home behind you and moving to your new place.
Luckily for you, we have you covered as we are among the top professional movers in the Vancouver area. We are also full-service movers and provide residential, commercial moving, and storage services. That said, we know all the ins and outs you need to know before leaving your old place to its new tenants. So, we have prepared the following list of things you need to do before you move out of your house.
Four Weeks Before Moving Day
The earlier you start preparing, the smoother your move will be. Four weeks out is the ideal time to handle the big-picture tasks that take time to process.
Book Your Moving Company
If you have not already, now is the time to book your movers. Popular dates fill up fast, especially at the end of the month and during summer. Getting a confirmed booking with a reputable company like Simple Moves ensures you will not be scrambling at the last minute.
Arrange Mail Forwarding with the Postal Service
Visit your nearest post office and fill out the necessary paperwork to change your address, or go to the Canada Post website and set up mail forwarding online. Remember to update your address with subscriptions and any websites you have ordered from so your packages arrive at your new address. Also, leave your new address with the new occupants of your old house so that they can forward a delivery should one arrive at the old address.
Start Your Address Change List
Create a master list of every organization and person that needs your new address. This includes government agencies (CRA, Service Canada, ICBC), banks and credit card companies, insurance providers, your employer, your doctor and dentist, your children’s schools, and any subscriptions or memberships. Working through this list early prevents missed mail and billing issues later.
Sort and Declutter
Go through every room and decide what is coming with you, what is going to donation, and what needs to be thrown away. The less you move, the less it costs and the less time it takes. Consider hosting a garage sale or posting items online to lighten the load and make a little extra cash.
Two Weeks Before Moving Day
With two weeks left, it is time to focus on logistics and start packing rooms you use less frequently.
Provide a Disconnect Date for Utilities
Let all the utility companies know you are moving and provide the move-out date so they know when to discontinue services. Also, provide them with your new address so they can send you the final bill. Make sure you do not forget any of the utilities like electricity, water, gas, sewer, cable, garbage, security company, and internet. Schedule your new utilities to be connected at your new home for move-in day so you are not left without power or hot water.
Arrange the Cancellation of Homeowner’s Insurance
Before you move out, you need to cancel the homeowner’s insurance coverage on your old home, as this is not done automatically when you take out a new policy on a new house. Arrange it so you will be covered including moving day to be on the safe side. If you are renting your new place, set up tenant’s insurance before move-in day.
Organize Your Things for Moving or Storage
Organize your things and decide what goes where: what will go with you and what will be placed in storage. Label every box with the room it belongs in and a brief description of its contents. We provide professional storage services and have covered several topics about organizing your move, so check out our blog for more details.
One Week Before Moving Day
You are in the home stretch. This week is about finishing up packing, confirming plans, and making sure nothing slips through the cracks.
Confirm Your Moving Details
Call your moving company to confirm the date, time, and any special instructions. Let them know about heavy or oversized items, tight stairways, or anything else that could affect the move. Confirm elevator bookings if you are moving in or out of an apartment or condo building.
Pack Your Essentials Box
Set aside a box or bag with everything you will need for the first 24 hours in your new home. This includes toiletries, a change of clothes, medications, phone chargers, snacks, basic cleaning supplies, and important documents. Keep this with you rather than loading it onto the truck so you can access it immediately.
Handle Valuables and Important Documents
Gather passports, birth certificates, financial records, jewellery, and other valuables. Transport these yourself in your personal vehicle rather than putting them on the moving truck.
Moving Day
Do a Final Walkthrough
Before the movers finish loading, walk through every room of your old home. Open every closet, check every cabinet, look in the attic and basement, and inspect the garage. It is surprisingly easy to leave things behind in the rush of moving day. Check that all windows are closed and locked, all lights are turned off, and the thermostat is set appropriately.
Arrange Deep Cleaning of Your Old House
Many people forget that you need to do a deep clean of your old house before moving out, as it is easy to get distracted with moving boxes and packing. This is especially important if you are renting, as a thorough cleaning can be the difference between getting your damage deposit back or losing it. Ensure you have a broom and a vacuum ready, wipe down and dust everything, clean inside the oven and refrigerator, scrub the bathrooms, and mop the floors before leaving the premises.
Cleaning for Your Damage Deposit
If you are a renter, your landlord will inspect the unit against the move-in condition report. Pay special attention to the areas landlords check most closely: inside the oven and stovetop, bathroom grout and fixtures, carpet stains, scuff marks on walls, and window tracks. Take photos of every room after cleaning as proof of the condition you left it in. This documentation can protect you if there is a dispute over your deposit.
Return Keys and Collect Deposits
Hand over all keys, garage door openers, and access cards to the landlord or new owner. Collect any deposits you are owed from utility companies. Leave your forwarding address with the building manager if applicable.
Let Simple Moves Handle the Heavy Lifting
Now that you know what to do when moving out of your old home, feel free to contact us to get a custom quote and a tailored moving experience per your needs. Our team handles everything from packing and loading to storage and delivery, so you can focus on the exciting parts of settling into your new place.
Transferring Utilities and Services in 2026
One of the most overlooked pre-move tasks is coordinating utility transfers. Contact BC Hydro, FortisBC, and your internet provider at least two weeks before moving day to schedule disconnection at your old address and activation at your new one. If you are moving within the same municipality, most providers can transfer service seamlessly with no installation fee. Moving to a new city may require setting up entirely new accounts. Do not forget about less obvious services — home security monitoring, water delivery, newspaper subscriptions, and lawn care contracts all need cancellation or address updates. Create a spreadsheet listing every service, the provider’s contact information, your account number, and the transfer status. Checking items off this list as you complete them prevents the frustration of arriving at a dark, disconnected home on moving night.
Deep Cleaning Your Old Home Before Handover
Whether you are breaking a lease or selling your home, leaving the property in excellent condition protects your security deposit and your reputation. Start at the top and work down — dust ceiling fans, clean light fixtures, wipe down walls, and vacuum or mop every floor. Kitchen appliances need special attention: pull the refrigerator and stove away from the wall to clean behind and beneath them. Degrease the range hood and oven interior. In bathrooms, scrub tile grout, remove hard-water stains, and sanitize all fixtures. Do not forget closet interiors, window tracks, and baseboards. If time is short, hiring a professional cleaning crew for a move-out deep clean typically costs $200 to $400 for a standard apartment and ensures you pass even the strictest landlord inspection.
Updating Important Documents and Records Before You Move
Beyond utility transfers and address changes, several important documents and registrations need updating before or immediately after your move. Contact your family doctor and dentist to request copies of medical and dental records if you are moving to a new area where you will need new practitioners. Transfer prescriptions to a pharmacy near your new address so you do not run out of medication during the transition. Update your vehicle registration and driver’s license within 30 days of changing your address, as required by BC law. If you have a home-based business license, update your business address with the municipality and with the BC Registry. Notify your insurance broker about the move, as your home insurance premiums may change based on the new property’s location, age, and security features. Pet owners should update microchip registration information and municipal pet licenses with the new address.
Frequently Asked Questions
How early should I start packing?
Begin packing non-essential items four to six weeks before your move date. Items you use daily should be packed during the final two days. Starting early reduces stress and gives you time to declutter as you go.
Should I change my address before or after moving?
Submit a mail forwarding request through Canada Post at least five business days before your move. Update your address with banks, CRA, and insurance providers during the week of your move to ensure a smooth transition.
What should I do with items I do not want to move?
Donate usable items to local charities, sell valuable pieces online, and arrange junk removal for the rest. Decluttering before your move reduces costs and speeds up the process.
Can Simple Moves help with the entire moving process?
Yes. From packing and loading to transport and unpacking, Simple Moves provides full service moving so you can focus on the other items on your checklist. Get a free quote or call (604) 398-4680.
Moving out in 2026? Let Simple Moves take the heavy lifting off your to-do list. Call (604) 398-4680 today to book your Vancouver-area move and start your next chapter stress-free.
Your Complete Moving Checklist
A well-organized moving checklist keeps you on track and prevents important tasks from falling through the cracks. Here is a condensed timeline to follow:
- Six to eight weeks before: Book your movers, start decluttering, and begin collecting packing supplies.
- Four weeks before: Start packing non-essential rooms, notify your landlord or real estate agent of your move date, and begin updating your address with banks, subscriptions, and government agencies.
- Two weeks before: Confirm your moving date with Simple Moves, arrange mail forwarding with Canada Post, and schedule utility disconnections and connections at both addresses.
- One week before: Pack remaining rooms, defrost and clean the refrigerator, confirm elevator and parking reservations, and prepare an essentials box with items you will need on day one.
- Moving day: Do a final walkthrough of every room, closet, and cabinet. Hand over keys, take metre readings for utilities, and head to your new home.
Get a Free Moving Quote From Simple Moves
Simple Moves is a full-service moving company serving Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, and all of British Columbia. We provide the experienced movers and the trucks — you do not need to rent a vehicle or recruit friends. Whether you are moving across the street or across the province, we make every move simple.
Call (604) 398-4680 or request a free quote online today.