Moving to a new home is exciting—but it can also feel overwhelming without a clear plan. Whether you’re relocating across town or to another province, breaking the process down into manageable steps helps reduce stress and ensures nothing gets missed. Here’s a step-by-step guide to the home moving process to help you stay organized from start to finish.
Steps to a Successful Move
1. Plan Your Move Early
Start planning your move as early as possible—ideally 6 to 8 weeks in advance. Create a moving checklist and timeline that includes key dates, such as when to give notice, when to book services, and when to start packing.
Key tasks:
Choose a moving date
Create a moving budget
Map out your timeline
2. Hire Professional Movers (or Make a Plan to DIY)
Decide whether you’ll hire professional movers or handle the move yourself. If you’re hiring a moving company, get quotes from several providers and read reviews. Book early—especially during busy moving seasons.
Considerations:
Compare quotes and services
Ask about insurance and cancellation policies
Reserve your spot well in advance
3. Buy Moving Supplies
Before you start packing, gather all the supplies you’ll need. Investing in the right tools now will save time and protect your belongings later.
Must-have supplies:
Packing tape and scissors
Bubble wrap, packing paper, or towels for cushioning
Permanent markers or printed labels
4. Sort and Declutter
Moving is the perfect time to lighten your load. Go through each room and decide what to keep, donate, sell, or throw away. This will reduce how much you need to pack—and unpack.
Tips:
Tackle one space at a time
Donate or sell usable items
Recycle or discard what you no longer need
5. Start Packing Early
Begin packing items you don’t use daily about a month before moving day. Label boxes clearly with contents and destination rooms to streamline the unpacking process.
Packing tips:
Wrap fragile items carefully
Don’t overload boxes
Pack a separate “essentials” box with things you’ll need right away
6. Notify Important Parties
Let people and service providers know about your new address 2–3 weeks before the move.
Who to notify:
Canada Post (set up mail forwarding)
Utility companies and internet providers
Banks, credit card companies, and insurance
Employers, schools, and healthcare providers
7. Prepare for Moving Day
A few days before the move, confirm logistics with your moving team (or helpers) and tie up any loose ends.
Final prep tasks:
Disassemble large furniture
Empty and defrost the fridge
Double-check elevator bookings or parking permits
Set aside valuables to carry with you
8. Moving Day
Stay focused, follow your checklist, and make sure everything goes where it should. Be available to answer questions from movers and do a final sweep of your old place.
Day-of checklist:
Walk movers through the space
Check each room before leaving
Lock up and hand over keys if needed
9. Organize Your New Home: Key Areas to Tackle
Once the boxes are in, take your time unpacking and setting up your space. Start with the essentials and gradually work through each room to turn your new place into a calm, functional, and clutter-free home. Here’s a target list of spaces to focus on:
Entryway: Create a drop zone with hooks, baskets, or shelves
Kitchen: Organize by zone—prep, cook, serve, store
Closets: Use matching hangers, bins, and shelf dividers for visibility
Bathroom: Use drawer organizers and vertical storage
Living Room: Keep surfaces clear and designate homes for remotes, cords, etc.
Office or Workspace: Label supplies, file papers, and clear your desktop
Garage or Storage Areas: Use clear bins, label everything, and add shelving
10. Settle Into Your New Home
Test smoke detectors and utilities
Explore your new neighbourhood
Update your address anywhere you haven’t yet
- And just relax and enjoy your beautiful and organized new home!
How a Professional Home Organizer Can Help
We all know how stressful and time-consuming moving can be, but it doesn’t have to be that way!
It’s easy to look around your home and think that you don’t have that much stuff and that it won’t take long to pack until you start. That’s when you quickly realize that you’ve taken on more than you can handle. But you’re not alone! The professional packers and organizers from Harmony Home Organizing can make your next move stress-free and convenient.
What We Do
We take care of it all! Starting with a 30-minute virtual consultation, we will determine your needs, wants, and budget.
Hiring Movers
Finding a moving company can be daunting. We have experience working with many moving companies and have developed relationships with them. Our team takes care of coordinating and hiring the moving company and will be on-site to guide them on moving day.
Decluttering and Removing Items
Our team of professional organizers can quickly and efficiently declutter your home before packing to ensure no unnecessary items make their way into your new home. We can take donated items for drop off, bring old medication and prescriptions to a local pharmacy for proper disposal and drop off old electronics for recycling.
Purchasing Supplies
We will purchase all supplies necessary for your move, from boxes and containers to labels and packing materials. We can also purchase all supplies needed for organizing your new home.
Packing & Unpacking Services
With years of experience and a proven packing and labelling system, our team will have your home packed and organized for the move to your new home. Once at your new home, our labelling system will ensure the correct boxes and bins are placed in the proper room. This allows for a smooth unpacking and decreases time wasted by needing to move boxes around from room to room.
Organize as We Go
As we unpack, we will organize your belongings as we go and ensure proper “homes” for everything. This will make it a breeze for you to stay organized in your new home and will ensure a relaxing first night in your new home.
Final Thoughts
The home moving process doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With careful planning, the right supplies, and support from a good packing and moving team, you can take the stress out of your move and enjoy the excitement of your new home.
Curious to know more? Contact us today for your free virtual consultation and let us bring harmony to your home.
