Property Listings - Gia Lucchetta with Royal City Realty - Helping people relocate in Guelph, Ontario

Keeping in mind that you will be run off your feet as the move gets closer, I thought you might appreciate a few tips on organization from someone who has seen virtually all of the things that can go wrong.

MORE THAN A MONTH BEFORE THE MOVE

	Start a moving expense book. Some of your expenses may be tax deductible, so be sure to save the receipts.
	Get written estimates from at least two moving companies and make sure the movers know all the items which are to be included. Do not include jewellery or other small valuables.
	Movers' insurance is usually minimal. Check that the movers' insurance will pay replacement cost of goods which are lost. You may need to purchase additional coverage. Notify your own insurance company of the move and ask for the policy to be reviewed.
	If furniture is to be stored, what does the insurance cover?
	Get a written commitment from the moving company confirming the date of the move and the time of arrival.
	Ask for references from movers.
	Don't be misled by rates - inquire about additional charges and methods used to compute time.
	Contact provincial health insurance authorities for the province you are moving out of, and the one that you are moving into. If It is within the same province, notify them of your change of address.
	Contact Savings Branch Manger. Arrange for the transfer of all accounts, personal loans, etc. if required.
	Order cheques in new address.
	Register your change of address with the post office and obtain a supply of change of address cards.
	Begin mailing change of address cards. Keep a list of cards sent. Don't forget to notify all credit card companies.
	Gather together all important documents. Don't forget the pet's documents.
	Resign from any clubs or organizations that are not active in your new community.
	Cancel newspaper subscriptions or change delivery address.

2 WEEKS BEFORE THE MOVE

	Take a good look at what is worth taking and what is not. Be ruthless.
	Have a garage sale. Get rid of all the junk you don't need to take.
	Clean out club and school lockers.
	Arrange for the changeover of utilities, including telephone.
	Book freight elevator If you are moving in or out of an apartment.
	Make a floor plan of the new house and plan where everything will go. Don't guess - take measurements.
	Start packing.
	Number all of the boxes. Keep an inventory list. Mark the contents on each of the boxes. Make two copies of the contents on each of the boxes. Keep one with your inventory list; put the other inside each appropriate box just before you close them all up. Seal boxes.
	Return all items that you have borrowed, get back what you have loaned.

1 WEEK BEFORE THE MOVE

	Prepare a list of all items you want to take with you personally. Include all jewellery and valuable items which should not be entrusted to movers .
	Dismantle and/or unfasten anything that requires it.
	Prepare a list of everything else that is left.
	Confirm the booking for the freight elevator.
	Defrost and air-dry the deep freezer.

2 DAYS BEFORE THE MOVE

	This is your last day to pack.
	Do your last laundry. Disconnect and drain the washing machine.
	Disconnect, defrost and air-dry the fridge.
	Protect delicate furniture with a thick coat of wax.
	Double check that all valuables have been accounted for.

1 DAY BEFORE THE MOVE

	Lead packers around the house and make sure they understand all of your instructions.
	Make sure you have gathered together all keys for the house for the new owners (don't forget garage and shed keys)!
	If you have a security system, why not change the code to something simple like 1-2-3-4-5 so you can feel free to use your old code at the new house?
	Pack all of the items that you will take with you personally. Mark them 'Do not load for Car'. It would be better If these were out of the house before the Movers came in.

MOVING OUT

	Lay down plastic sheets to minimize dirt in the house.
	Lead the packers around the house again and make sure they understand all of your instructions.
	Do a final check for forgotten items.
	Check inventory for number of boxes - break down by room.
	Clearly label and leave all the spare keys, and then code the security system if you have one, inside the house unless otherwise arranged.

MOVING IN

	Get to the house before the movers. Arrange to take milk, bread, coffee, tea etc. with you. It will be a long day.
	Verify that the utilities have been turned on.
	Lay down plastic sheets to minimize dirt in the house.
	Hang up curtains if possible.
	Find your floor plan and give copies to the movers. When your goods arrive look at each item carefully as it is out in place and check off your inventory.
	Note any damage. You won't be able to check goods which have not been unpacked so above your signature on the Bill of Lading write 'subject to loss or hidden damage' .
	First priorities will be the children's rooms, TV or radio, and a basic kitchen.
	Seeing as you have not yet unpacked, go out and have a nice dinner. You deserve it!

CHECK LIST FOR YOUR GUELPH HOME PURCHASE

1. FIRE INSURANCE:

Arrange sufficient fire insurance coverage to be effective the date of closing. Quite commonly, you will find that it is best to insure the home for the full amount of the purchase price, rather than attempting to differentiate between the value of the land and the building.

2. HYDRO:

Contact Guelph Hydro, 104 Dawson Road, Guelph, Ontario, to arrange for the connection of hydro facilities. Days: (519)822-3010; Evenings, Sundays and Holidays: (519)822-3123.
3. GAS:

If the premises are supplied with gas, contact the local Union Gas office at 1-888-774-3111 for the continuation of service on or before the date you move in. The office in Guelph is located at 10 Surrey Street.

4. OIL:

If the premises are heated by oil, it will be the responsibility of the seller to arrange for the final filling of the fuel tank and the payment of the final account. It will be your responsibility to arrange a contract with a fuel oil representative of your choice for all future fillings of the tank.

5. CABLE:

Contact Rogers Cable at 1-888-764-3771. Arrange for the cable service effective on or before the date you move.

6. TELEPHONE:

Contact Bell Canada to arrange for your new telephone service effective the date of closing. Their phone number for residential service is 1-800-668-6878 or 310-BELL (2355) or on the Internet at www.bell.ca.

7. NEWSPAPER:

Contact The Daily Mercury , 8-14 Macdonnell Street, Guelph, telephone 822-4310 to either arrange for home delivery of the Guelph paper or to advise of your change of address for home delivery.

8. MAIL:

Attend at the Post Office to complete the necessary change of address forms. The Post Office is located at 138 Wyndham Street North. Their phone number is (519)824-7173.

9. CAR OWNERSHIP:

Complete the change of address section of your car ownership certificate and either go in person to 485 Silvercreek Parkway North, Unit #16, Guelph, telephone number (519)822-5551, or mail your change to: The Ontario Ministry of Transportation and Communication, Ferguson Building, Queen's Park, Toronto, Ontario, M7A 2A2.

10. DRIVER 'S LICENSE:

Complete the change of information section of your Driver's License and either go in person to 485 Silvercreek Parkway North, Unit #16, Guelph. telephone number (519)822-5551, or mail your change of information section to: The Ministry of Transportation and Communications, P.O. Box 520, Station "F", Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 2M8.

11. SCHOOLS:
Phone (519)822-4420, Wellington County Board of Education for information on Public Schools, or call (519)821-4600, Wellington County Separate School Board for information on Separate Schools or visit their site at www.wellingtoncssb.edu.on.ca.

12. DOCTORS AND DENTISTS:

You will not have any trouble finding good dentists in Guelph.
While there are excellent physicians in Guelph, there are not enough. Stay with your current family physician until you find one in Guelph.

13. HOSPITALS:

There are two hospitals in Guelph as well as Walk-In Clinics.
St. Joseph's Hospital and Home is located at 80 Westmount Road, telephone number
(519)824-2620. This is a chronic-care hospital.
Guelph General Hospital is located at 115 Delhi Street, telephone number
(519)822-5350. Since this is an acute-care hospital, the Emergency Department is open Twenty-four (24) hours a day.

14. EXTRAS:

Please do not forget to notify: Family Allowance, Canada Health Insurance, Car Insurance Company, Life Insurance Company, District Taxation Office, Credit Card Companies, Banking Institution, Employer .

15. EXPECTING COMPANY?

Overnight, on-street parking exemptions are available from April 1st through to November 1st under certain conditions. For information, call the Parking Office at 836- PARK anytime between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Moving Checklist