The Ultimate Checklist for a Stress-Free 2025 Move in Calgary

Moving to a new home is an exciting life milestone, but without a clear plan, the experience can quickly become overwhelming. Whether you’re moving across Calgary or relocating from another city in Alberta (or beyond!), a detailed moving checklist is an excellent tool for staying organized and reducing stress.

Summer is the busiest moving season in Alberta. The weather is better, school is out, and many new communities, including Wolf Willow, are ready to welcome new residents for summer 2025. With the right packing and moving tips, and a realistic timeline, your summer move can be efficient, cost-effective, and even enjoyable for you and your family. Still looking for your prefect new home in Calgary? Explore all home options available in Wolf Willow here!

6 to 8 Weeks Before Moving Day: Get Organized Early

Create a Master Moving List: A master moving list is more than just a to-do list. It’s your central planning document for the entire process – a go-to reference for timelines, costs, service providers, and inventory. Here’s what to include:

Timeline & Key Dates: Everything from your move-out/move-in dates, when to notify your landlord (if needed), when to book movers or a moving truck, scheduling utilities to be disconnected and connected, and arranging a final cleaning.
Contacts: Keep a list of your moving company, utility providers, cleaners, and storage facilities, including confirmation numbers and payment details.
Inventory: Track what’s going into which moving boxes, being sure to note high-value items, and record box labels.
Packing Supplies: Track which packing supplies you need (tape, boxes, bubble wrap, markers, etc.).
Budget: Include moving company quotes, truck rental, boxes, meals, hotel stays (if needed), and any unexpected costs.
Personal Tasks: Forward mail, update addresses with service providers, transfer schools or medical records, and refill prescriptions.

Having everything in one place – whether that’s a printed binder or a digital spreadsheet, will save time and minimizes last-minute surprises.

Declutter Before You Pack: Don’t move with the mess! Now is the time to declutter. Go room by room and sort items into four categories: keep, donate, sell, or discard. Reducing your load will lower your moving costs, save time on packing, and help your new home feel more organized from day one.

4 to 6 Weeks Before Moving: Lock In Services and Start Packing

Book Your Moving Services: Whether you hire a professional moving company or rent a moving truck, summer dates fill up quickly. Book early and confirm all details in writing, including arrival times, rates, and cancellation policies. Ask about insurance and any restrictions they may have.

Set Up Utilities for Your New Home: Contact your key service providers like gas, water, electricity, internet, and home security, and arrange for disconnection or transfer of services to your new home.

Purchase Moving Supplies: Start gathering moving boxes, tape, labels, bubble wrap, packing paper, and furniture covers. Specialty boxes (like wardrobe or dish boxes) can make packing more efficient and protect your items during the move.

Begin Packing Non-Essentials: Begin with off-season clothes, decor, books, and items you won’t need for a few weeks. Use a room-by-room approach, label each box clearly, and fill in your inventory in your master list. Keep your packing experience organized by remembering the following:

Use consistent labels and inventory tracking.
Clearly label and note fragile or high-value items.
Pack heavier items like books in smaller boxes.
Cushion breakables with towels, paper, or bubble wrap.
Don’t overfill boxes! It’s better to use more than risk any damage or injuries.
Tape boxes securely and reinforce bottoms with extra tape.

2 to 3 Weeks Before Moving: Confirm and Prepare

Confirm Logistics: Double-check all bookings, from your moving company to utilities to cleaners. Make sure your movers know about potential challenges they may come across – like stairs, tight hallways, or parking restrictions around your home.

Continue Packing: As your moving date gets closer, now it’s time to shift your packing to things like kitchen supplies, linens, and other frequently used items you can live without for a week or two. Use towels and linens as padding to save space and reduce waste. Remember: pack heavy items in smaller boxes, and lighter items in larger ones to keep the weight of your boxes manageable.

Dispose of Hazardous Materials: Professional movers often won’t transport certain items like cleaning chemicals, propane tanks, or paint. Use or safely dispose of these according to City of Calgary waste and recycling regulations.

Final Week Before the Move: The Finishing Touches

Pack an Essentials Box: This should include the things you’ll need right away at your new home:

Toiletries and medication
Chargers and electronics
Important documents, like passports and birth certificates
Basic kitchen items
Towels and a change of clothes

Tip: Keep this box with you, not in the moving truck!

Prepare Your Home for Departure: Do a deep clean, patch any holes, and take final meter readings. If you’re moving out of a rental, photograph the space to document its condition for your records.

Moving Day: Stay Involved and Organized

Supervise the Process: Be available to direct the movers, answer questions, and ensure nothing is missed. Use your moving list to check off each box and items as they leave and enters your homes.

Do a Final Walkthrough: Once everything’s packed and the movers have left, walk through your old home one last time to check closets, drawers, garages, and storage areas to make sure nothing gets left behind.

After the Move: Settling Into Your New Calgary Home

Unpack the Essentials: Start with your essentials box, then tackle the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. These are the key rooms that will help you and your family get back into your regular routine and reduce the hectic feelings of making the big move.

Register and Update Records: Update your address with key government and services like Alberta Health Canada Post, and your insurance providers. If you’ve moved from out of province, you’ll need to register your vehicle and get a new driver’s license.

Get to Know Your New Community: Whether you’re in an established Calgary neighborhood, in a new development, or new to Wolf Willow and its plentiful amenities, be sure to take time to walk the area, introduce yourself to neighbors, and explore nearby parks, trails, and local shops.

Welcome Home!

Moving into a new home should feel like a big step forward not a chaotic experience. With a complete moving checklist and these smart packing tips for moving, you can reduce stress, save money, and settle into your new space with confidence.

If you’re looking for a new home in Calgary, be sure to explore Wolf Willow and its exceptional variety of new home options from some of Calgary’s most celebrated homebuilders – learn more here!