Planning a move in Ottawa and wondering when to do what? This 8-week countdown checklist is how we’ve seen successful Ottawa moves play out after 14+ years and thousands of clients. Print it, pin it to the fridge, check items off as you go. It’ll save you money, stress, and the classic “oh no we forgot” moments on move day.

Week 8 — Lock the Plan (8 Weeks Before Move Day)

• ☐ Confirm your move date. Talk to your landlord (old and new), or closing attorney.
• ☐ Request quotes from 3 Ottawa movers. Check licensing and insurance. Get our quote in 60 seconds.
• ☐ Lock your mover. Written flat-rate quote + email confirmation.
• ☐ Notify your current landlord 60 days in advance (Ontario Residential Tenancies Act requirement).
• ☐ Confirm new lease start date or closing date.
• ☐ If moving long-distance, book travel for yourself.
• ☐ Create a moving binder or folder for all paperwork.

Week 7 — Start Decluttering

• ☐ Go room-by-room. Decide what to keep, donate, sell, or toss.
• ☐ Book donation pickups with Habitat for Humanity ReStore Ottawa or The Salvation Army.
• ☐ List big-ticket items on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji (ironic but effective).
• ☐ Schedule junk removal if needed (1-800-Got-Junk, local haulers).
• ☐ Remember: every box you don’t move is money saved. See our cost guide.

Week 6 — Get Boxes & Supplies

• ☐ Order moving boxes. Estimate: 40 boxes for 2-BR, 60 for 3-BR, 80+ for 4-BR.
• ☐ Small boxes ($3 each): books, kitchen items, dense items.
• ☐ Medium boxes ($4): general household, linens, toys.
• ☐ Large boxes ($6): bedding, pillows, lamps (light items).
• ☐ Specialty: dish-pack ($12), wardrobe box ($15), mirror box, mattress bag.
• ☐ Get bubble wrap, packing paper, masking tape, Sharpie markers.
• ☐ Men In Trucks can supply — ask at quote time.

Week 5 — Address Changes & Utilities

• ☐ Change address with Canada Post (mail forwarding $75 for 4 months).
• ☐ Update CRA, OHIP, driver’s license (ServiceOntario).
• ☐ Update banks, credit cards, investment accounts.
• ☐ Update subscriptions (Netflix, Amazon, streaming, magazines).
• ☐ Notify employer, doctor, dentist, veterinarian.
• ☐ Schedule utility transfers: Hydro Ottawa, Enbridge Gas, water (if applicable), internet (Bell, Rogers, etc.).
• ☐ Schedule final water/electricity reads for old place.

Week 4 — Start Packing Non-Essentials

• ☐ Pack what you won’t need before move day: off-season clothes, books, decorative items, art.
• ☐ Label every box with: contents (short list), destination room, fragile Y/N.
• ☐ Tape boxes securely — bottoms especially.
• ☐ Keep an inventory list (number boxes 1–N, write down contents).
• ☐ Take photos of valuable contents before packing.
• ☐ If moving into a condo, start coordinating with property manager.

Week 3 — Condo Building Logistics

• ☐ If moving into a condo, book the service elevator (typically 2–4 hour window).
• ☐ Ask your mover to submit Certificate of Insurance (COI) to your building.
• ☐ Pay move-in fee or refundable deposit if required ($100–$500).
• ☐ Ask about loading dock access, parking, restricted areas.
• ☐ See our Ottawa Condo Moving Rules guide for details.
• ☐ If you have specialty items (piano, pool table, safe), confirm mover has appropriate gear.

Week 2 — Pack Most Remaining Items

• ☐ Pack seasonal kitchen items, secondary electronics, fine china.
• ☐ Disassemble furniture you can handle (bed frames, non-structural shelving).
• ☐ Arrange for pet boarding or sitter for move day.
• ☐ Arrange for kid care on move day (grandparent, friend, daycare).
• ☐ Confirm moving date with your mover — call or email.
• ☐ Confirm truck size, crew size, start time.
• ☐ Confirm payment method accepted (cash, e-transfer, credit card).

Week 1 — The Final Push

• ☐ Pack remaining clothes, bathroom items, dishes.
• ☐ Prepare an “essentials box” for day-of: toiletries, change of clothes, medications, phone chargers, important documents, snacks, kettle/coffee, basic tools.
• ☐ Drain gas from lawnmowers, grills, propane tanks.
• ☐ Dispose of hazardous items: old paint, chemicals, batteries. Movers won’t transport these.
• ☐ Defrost/clean the fridge 24 hours before move.
• ☐ Wipe out washer/dryer drums.
• ☐ Verify snow/ice cleared if winter move.
• ☐ Reserve parking with the City if street-only parking at either address.

Move Day Checklist

• ☐ Crew arrives. Walk-through at pickup address.
• ☐ Clearly mark any “do-not-move” items (personal jewelry, documents, medications).
• ☐ Point out fragile or high-value items to the lead mover.
• ☐ Stay accessible — questions will come up.
• ☐ Do a final walk-through before truck leaves (closets, cabinets, garage, basement, attic).
• ☐ Drop off keys per your lease or closing agreement.
• ☐ Drive to destination — arrive before crew if possible.
• ☐ Walk-through at destination — show crew where to place furniture.
• ☐ Supervise box placement by room label.
• ☐ Check for damage or missing items.
• ☐ Sign completion form and pay.
• ☐ Tip (optional): $20–$40 per mover.

First Week After Move

• ☐ Unpack essentials first (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen).
• ☐ Check for damage — report within 14 days per most moving contracts.
• ☐ Register car if moving between provinces.
• ☐ Update health card if crossing provinces.
• ☐ Leave a Google review for your mover (helps other Ottawa residents).
• ☐ If piano was moved, schedule a tuning 2–4 weeks after move.
• ☐ Dispose of boxes via curbside recycling or pass to next mover.

Common Ottawa Moving Mistakes to Avoid

• Booking too late. May 1 / September 1 book up 4–6 weeks ahead.
• Forgetting condo COI. Crew turned away at the door.
• Not labeling boxes. Hours lost at the new home figuring out where everything goes.
• Underestimating pack time. Most people take 2x longer than they think.
• Not disposing of hazmat. Movers can’t take it. You’ll be stuck with paint cans.
• Booking cheapest Kijiji mover. See our risk guide.
• Not photographing valuables. Essential for any damage claims.

Book Your Ottawa Move

Call 613-800-0917 or get your quote in 60 seconds. Licensed, $2M insured, transparent flat rates from $299.

Related

• Get a Moving Quote Ottawa
• Ottawa Moving Day 2026 Guide
• Ottawa Moving Cost 2026
• Ottawa Condo Moving Rules
• Best Month to Move in Ottawa
• Movers Ottawa (main)