As a first-time home buyer, it’s easy to become overwhelmed by the process and miss a step along the way. This guide contains a multitude of tips and suggestions to make things easier for you, your kids, your pets, and even your plants.

Moving with Kids

How to make the move easier on your kids

With all the hustle and bustle involved with moving, sometimes children’s feelings get overlooked. For many kids and teenagers, moving means leaving everything that is important: their home, their school, their teams and clubs, and their friends. They are generally uninvolved in the decision to move and often do not understand the necessity. It’s a frightening prospect.

Important things to keep in mind:

It is not unusual for children to show signs of stress, such as problems sleeping, anxiety, and lack of appetite. To make the process easier for your children and mitigate the impact of the move on them, consider the following tips:

• Tell your children as soon as you can. Children need time to deal with feelings of loss or separation; the more time advance notice they have, the better.
• Explain in simple terms why the move is necessary. Keep it short and positive without overselling—children often know when a parent is masking negative feelings.
• As the children become used to moving, tell them about their new house and what they might expect to find there.
• Encourage open communication. Let children talk about their feelings. Reassure them by letting them know their feelings are normal.
• Attachments are strong, even at a young age. Children may take time to let go of their old house and life.
• Involve your children in the move. Ask for their opinions and suggestions. Their point of view may provide insight into their true feelings.
• Involve them in the process. You can give them their to-do list so they feel they are contributing to it.
• Throw your children a going-away party. It’s a great way to gather their friends and create positive memories of your old home.
• Most people plan their move to coincide with the end of the school year. Child psychologists, however, suggest moving at least a month before the end of the school year so children can make new friends before the long summer break. Children adapt much better to a circle of friends and some routine.

Make sure to give extra support to your children through the first weeks and months in your new home. Keep the same customs or rituals, such as movie night or taco Tuesdays, to help make your kids feel at home in the new place.

Moving Your Plants

Moving houseplants on a moving van is usually not a good idea. Extreme temperatures and a lack of fresh air and moisture can be fatal. Your driver or moving company will decide whether to move your plants. In most cases, movers will not assume liability for plants.

Consider the options of either giving your plants to friends, hospitals and libraries or selling them. If you decide to transport your house plants long-distance, here are some precautions to ensure they arrive in good condition:

• Re-pot plants in clay pots into unbreakable plastic containers.
• Prune larger plants.
• Eliminate insects or plant parasites.
• Give your plants their usual dose of water. In winter, roots saturated with moisture may freeze; in summer, too much water can cause fungus growth.
• Pack your plants the night before or the morning of your move. Conventional packing cartons are suitable for moving plants: cushion branches and leaves with soft paper. Punch air holes in the sides of the box. This way, your plants should be able to travel safely for up to four days.

Factors affecting the move of your plants:

• Shock: some houseplants are susceptible to shock when moving. More time in transit or storage won’t make the shock greater, but it means your plant will take longer to recover.
• Temperature: temperatures below 5°C or above 30°C for over an hour can be fatal. Plants in properly wrapped cartons will withstand a broader range of temperatures. Most moving trucks and storage and transfer areas do not have controlled temperatures.
• Water: plants should be moist when transporting. Most can survive a week to 10 days without being watered and suffer little harm.
• Darkness: houseplants can tolerate darkness for up to a week when other conditions are favourable. However, too much time in the dark causes plants to put out abnormal growth and become more susceptible to disease. Limit sun exposure for the first few days after the move.

Rules and regulations regarding plants:

Moving plants from province to province does not require special inspections. However, if you’re transporting house plants across borders, check federal, provincial, and state regulations and ensure no plant quarantines are in effect.

Moving your Vehicles

Your options for moving cars, trucks, vans and other vehicles long-distance:

• On the moving van:
  • In most cases, at least one of your automobiles can travel on the moving van with your furniture (peak period may be an exception):
  • Your automobile is strapped down. Plywood decking is used to protect the vehicle from other items on board.
  • The cost of moving cars within Canada is based on distance. Relocation to remote areas and to or from the United States is charged by weight.
  • Recreational vehicles of various sizes can travel on the van. Charges are based on the amount of space occupied by the vehicle.
• Do not pack personal items in the automobile. Empty the trunk except for the spare tire and jack. Give the moving consultant a copy of the ownership, proof of insurance, and a spare key. Leave approximately 1/4 tank of gas in the automobile.
• By rail, auto, or specialty carrier:
  • Atlas Van Lines has a worldwide network of licensed and insured third-party carriers that provide moving options for automobiles, vans, boats, RVs, and other recreational vehicles.

The cost covers the third-party charges plus a surcharge (usually 10%) for making arrangements and pre-paying for the service.

Moving leased Vehicles

You need a letter of permission from the leasing company to relocate leased automobiles to another city or province. A copy should be given to the moving consultant.

Leasing companies usually do not allow their vehicles to be moved to or from the United States or other foreign countries.

Moving with Pets

Like any other family member, pets feel the stress of relocation. When moving with pets, minimizing their exposure to extreme changes in routine will go a long way toward easing their stress (and yours).

Before transporting your pets, it’s crucial to consult your veterinarian. Ensure all vaccinations are current, obtain medical records, and request a recommendation from a veterinarian in your new area. This step will make you feel responsible and caring for your pet’s well-being during the move.

Transporting Pets

Household movers are not permitted to transport live animals in a moving van. Bus companies will only accept seeing-eye dogs accompanied by their owner.

Dogs and cats can ride in your car, but make sure you stop at least every two hours. Call ahead to find motels and hotels that allow pets.

If you are flying, your cat or dog can ride in the baggage compartment. Call your airline to find out about vaccination requirements. Talk to a vet about tranquillisers for long plane trips or if your pet is nervous.

If your move is to another country, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency provides reference material and current import regulation from around the globe.  Check this guide early and follow the steps listed before you move.

Atlas Van Lines can make shipping arrangements on your behalf for a nominal charge, or you can use a third-party firm that specializes in transporting pets. Several companies in Canada and the United States specialize in these travel arrangements.

Some step-by-step tips to make your pet’s travel to your new home as comfortable as possible:

• Before the relocation: before the move, it is essential to keep your pets’ daily routines as consistent as possible. If feasible, arrange for a friend or a kennel to take care of your pets during the move. This consideration will make you feel empathetic and understand your pet’s needs during this disruptive time.
• During the relocation: ensure your pet has an identification tag and that the phone number on the tags is current. Have extra food and water on hand in case of an emergency.
• Arrival at your new home: the sooner you re-establish old routines, the better. Allow your animals to become familiar with the home. Cats should be kept indoors for a few days before being allowed to roam free. Dogs will benefit from frequent familiarization walks around your new location. It’s also a good idea to set up their sleeping and feeding areas as soon as possible to give them a sense of familiarity.

Small animals

Transporting pets such as hamsters, birds, and guinea pigs in their cages in your car is easy. Ensure the animal has enough food and water, and do not park in the sun. It’s also essential to secure their cages to prevent them from sliding or tipping during the journey.

Fish

There is no practical way for the relocation of fish in their aquarium. It is best to give the fish away to a good home, move the aquarium dry, and then purchase new fish when you get to your new home. For short trips, you can carry your fish in plastic bags.

Before you Move

Your movers or moving vehicle rental:

• It’s a good idea to obtain estimates from several moving companies.
• The estimate will depend on whether the movers pack everything, just the breakables, or whether you want to do all the packing yourself.
• Consider getting an appraisal on your expensive items to insure them for your move.
• To save costs, consider renting a moving van or truck and arranging for your friends and family to help you pack. Don’t forget to read the fine print on mileage allowances and fuel surcharges.

Your utilities – if you own your present home:

• Arrange to have your gas, water, and electricity meters read on the day you leave. Have the bills forwarded to your new address.
• Have your oil tank read and filled before your sale closes, and if required, give the receipt to your legal professional.
• Arrange for the water heater and furnace rental agreements to be transferred to the purchaser.
• Disconnect your telephone, cable TV, and water softener.

Your utilities – at your new home:

• Arrange to have gas, electricity, water softener, telephone, and cable TV connected on the seller’s closing date.

Your agreements – if you rent your present home:

• Give your landlord written notice and make arrangements to return any deposits.
• Have your telephone and cable TV disconnected.

General to-dos:

• Get change-of-address cards from the post office and send them out well before moving day.
• Have the post office forward your mail to your new address.
• Cancel contracted services and pre-authorized cheques.
• Inform gardening, dry cleaning, garbage pick-up, newspapers, magazines, diapers, and other home services of your move. Arrange for service at your new address.
• Get a letter of introduction from your bank to help set up new accounts. Transfer trust or bank accounts and securities.
• Cancel or transfer social, athletic, civic, religious, or business affiliations and memberships.
• Ask your dentist, doctor, pharmacist, and optometrist to transfer medical, dental, and prescription records.
• Change your driver’s license address effective the day of your move.
• Collect all items for cleaning, repair, or storage.
• Make arrangements to move perishables, such as plants.
• Make arrangements to move your pets.
• Dispose of all flammable liquids. It is illegal for movers to carry them.

Moving Checklist

What’s the best way to prepare for a move? See our moving checklist and calendar below.

Four weeks before moving

• Decide what you want to take to your new home, what you want to throw out, and what you want to donate to charity or sell.
• Start using frozen food and staples. Don’t buy any more than is necessary before moving.
• Start planning your trip. Make airline reservations: book hotels and rental cars.
• Arrange for important school, medical, financial, and legal records to be transferred to your new home.
• Decide how your furniture and belongings will be moved, such as using a packing and moving service or renting a truck and packing and moving yourself.
• Schedule a moving service company for your move, or reserve a truck or van rental for relocation.
• If you need to store any of your stuff for the move, arrange for storage space. Your moving company can often provide temporary storage.
• If you have kids, start talking to them now about the move. Getting them involved in the moving process will help them cope, especially if this is a long-distance relocation.

Three weeks before moving

• Arrange to have your pets transported or boarded. Start preparing your plants for the move.
• You should return any items you have lent (and give back any borrowed items) and pick up any items being repaired.
• Dispose of flammable items such as paint, aerosol cans, and cleaning fluids.
• Send change-of-address information to the post office and other businesses.
• Two weeks before moving
• Schedule a date for a service firm to disconnect and prepare the appliances you are moving.
• Start packing non-essential items.
• Arrange for a babysitter for moving day.
• Start planning to disconnect utilities.
• Arrange for any services for your new home that will be easier to do before your things arrive, such as painting, carpet cleaning, and floor or wood cleaning.
• Draw up a floor plan for your new home and start planning your furniture arrangement (it makes moving in twice as easy).
• One week before moving
• Finish packing suitcases and essentials. Make sure valuable documents, currency and jewellery are in a safe and easily accessed place.
• Drain garden hoses, lawnmowers, and other machinery.
• Defrost and dry the fridge and freezer. Don’t forget to empty the defrost water pan.
• You should take down items such as curtain rods, shelves, light fixtures, and mirrors that you are taking with you.
• Dismantle extensive power tools, such as lathes and grinders.
• Ensure all your important papers, keys, medications, and plane tickets are available for the trip.
• If you travel a long distance by car, you may want to have the car serviced.

Packing day

• Leave a clear workspace for the packers.
• Identify fragile and valuable items, those you take with you, and those left for the new owners.

Moving-out day

• Plan to stay home until the moving van has left.
• Tour the house with the van operator during inventory. Sign the bill of lading. Confirm your new address and delivery date. Check destination contact phone numbers.
• Do a final check for overlooked items. Ensure windows and doors are locked, lights are turned off, utilities are discontinued or turned off, and the keys are transferred.

Moving-in day

• Try to get to your new home the day before the moving van arrives. Make sure the utilities are connected. Take another look to see if your furniture plan is optimal.
• When the mover arrives, check the items unloaded against the inventory. Make arrangements for the installation of appliances. Confirm the unpacking requirements.
• Make sure you’ve covered everything for your move.

Now, sit back, relax, and enjoy your new home!