Many people picture moving as a one-day job — the day the truck arrives. Anyone who has moved will tell you the real fatigue lies in dozens of small tasks before and after, from deciding what comes with you to updating your bank address. Planning in phases spreads the load and reduces the chance of forgetting something important.
Fix the moving date. If auspicious timing matters to your family, this is when to consult it and plan a housewarming merit ceremony. List every room in the old home and declutter room by room into four piles: take, sell, donate and discard. Early decluttering cuts moving costs and lets the new home start uncluttered. Measure large furniture against the new home's rooms and doors — some wardrobes or sofas won't fit a condo lift.
Get quotes from at least three movers. Reliable firms survey your belongings in person or ask for a video of every room before quoting, rather than estimating from a description. Compare what's included:
| Ask about | Why |
|---|---|
| Packing materials, boxes and bubble wrap included? | Some charge separately, raising the price a lot |
| Furniture dismantling and reassembly included? | Takes time and skilled staff with tools |
| Liability for damage and insurance limit | Should be in writing with a claims process |
| Extra charges for stairs without lifts or long carries | The usual source of on-the-day surcharges |
| Special items — pianos, aquariums, large plants | Need specialised equipment and teams |
For condo moves, contact both juristic offices to book the service lift, arrange vehicle passes, confirm permitted moving hours, and check for damage deposits on common areas.
Pack rarely used items first — books, decorations, off-season clothes. Label every box with the room it came from and the room it goes to, plus a rough list; a colour or number per room lets movers place boxes correctly at once. Meanwhile, book internet installation at the new home early (some areas have multi-day queues), contact the electricity and water authorities about transferring meter accounts or new connections, and arrange a final meter reading at the old home on moving day.
Under the civil registration law, you must notify moving out and moving in within 15 days. You can now do a destination move-in at the registry office in your new area, with the consent of the new house's head of household. Then update your address with banks, credit cards, insurers, your employer, social security and regular online shops. Change the locks or door codes, especially in a second-hand home where you don't know who holds spare keys. For homes you bought, remember that registering in the house and actually living there can affect tax treatment when you eventually sell.
For a one-bedroom condo with few belongings, renting a pickup with a driver may be cheaper. For a whole house with large furniture, an insured moving company greatly reduces the risk of damage and injury.
Weekdays usually have easier availability and sometimes lower prices, but check condo rules — some buildings allow moves only on weekdays during office hours.
Inspect items on arrival, photograph damage and notify the company in writing within the contract's time limit, which is often short. Don't sign a delivery-complete form before checking.
Smooth moves come from spreading the work: declutter early, pick movers based on a real survey, sort utilities before the day, pack a first-night box, and close out the paperwork within 15 days. Still looking for the next home? Browse curated homes and condos at MyProperty.
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