Moving Checklist: Your Step-by-Step Guide for Quebec & Canada
Here is the complete moving checklist that Déménagement DMAX provides to help you plan every stage of your move and find what you need, week by week, whether you're relocating within Quebec or heading to Ontario, the Maritimes, or anywhere else in Canada. From your landlord notice to the final boxes, this guide covers every essential step so nothing slips through the cracks. Check off each item as you go, keep this page handy, and consult the additional sections (packing tips by room, mistakes to avoid, FAQ) whenever you need a deeper dive.
Your Moving Checklist, Week by Week
8 Weeks Before: Lay the Groundwork
- Give written notice to your landlord. In Quebec, the minimum notice is 3 months for an annual lease. In Ontario, it's 60 days. Send it by registered mail for proof.
- Start house or apartment hunting on Centris, Kijiji, or local real estate sites.
- Request 3 written estimates from professional moving companies so you can compare services, prices, and availability.
- Begin decluttering. Sort, donate, sell, or recycle items you no longer need. The less you move, the less it costs.
- Set aside a moving budget to cover both the move itself and unexpected expenses. Arrange time off work for the key dates.
4 Weeks Before: Book and Start Packing
- Book your movers or rental truck. During peak season (May to July), good companies fill up fast.
- Pack non-essentials first: books, decor, off-season clothing, and things you don't use daily.
- Get your moving boxes from the DMAX online shop, or collect free boxes from grocery stores, liquor stores (SAQ/LCBO), or Facebook Marketplace.
- Set up mail forwarding with Canada Post (canadapost.ca).
- Contact your insurance company to set up coverage for your new home.
- Notify your employer, your children's school, and key family members of the address change.
- Reserve the elevator or loading dock if you live in a condo or apartment building.
- Schedule utilities transfers (electricity, internet, gas) so everything is active on move-in day.
2 Weeks Before: Notify Key Organizations
This is the most administrative phase, but also the most critical. For the full breakdown, see our dedicated guide on who to notify when moving in Quebec.
If you live in Quebec:
- SAAQ: driver's license and vehicle registration (mandatory within 30 days).
- Revenu Québec: via clic-sequr.gouv.qc.ca.
- Canada Revenue Agency: My Account on canada.ca.
- RAMQ: Quebec health insurance card.
- Hydro-Québec: close old account, open the new one.
If you're moving to or from Ontario / other provinces:
- ServiceOntario (or your provincial equivalent): driver's license and plates.
- OHIP or your provincial health card.
- Hydro One or local electricity provider.
- Your provincial tax authority.
Everyone:
- Banks, credit cards, and any active loans.
- Family doctor and dentist.
- Internet, cable, and mobile phone utilities.
- Home and auto insurance.
Tip
Set up a single document with all your account numbers and reference IDs. It will save you from looking up the same info twelve times.
1 Week Before: Final Preparations
- Confirm the moving date and final details with your mover (time, addresses, payment method).
- Pack your essentials box: sheets, two days of clothes, toiletries, phone charger, important documents.
- Disassemble large furniture (beds, bookshelves, desks).
- Empty the freezer: eat what you can, give the rest away.
- Confirm key handover with your landlord and schedule the final walkthrough.
Moving Day: Execute With Method
- Photograph every room in your old place BEFORE you leave. These documents are your best protection in case of damage deposit disputes.
- Take final meter readings (electricity, gas, water).
- Inspect the new home at delivery and note any pre-existing damage.
- Hand over the keys with written confirmation.
- Check that all boxes and furniture arrived.
- Test the locks, plumbing, and heating in your new place. Make sure everything is clean and the basic systems work before you unpack.
After the Move
- Update your driver's license and registration with the SAAQ or ServiceOntario within the legal deadline (30 days in Quebec).
- Notify your college or university of the address change.
- Test the smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
- Keep all your receipts: some moving expenses are tax deductible (see FAQ).
- Update your voter registration.
- Verify that mail forwarding is actually working.
- Give a spare set of keys to someone you trust.
5 Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1
Accepting a verbal estimate. Always insist on a written contract from a licensed and insured moving company.
Mistake 2
Skipping the photo walkthrough of your old place. Without timestamped visual proof, getting your damage deposit back can become a battle.
Mistake 3
Moving around July 1st without a reason. Quebec rates spike 30 to 50% on that date.
Mistake 4
Underestimating packing time. Start 4 weeks ahead, not the night before.
Mistake 5
Procrastinating on address changes. In Quebec, the SAAQ fines you after 30 days.
DIY or Hire Professional Movers?
The right choice depends on volume, budget, time, and the number of friends willing to lend a hand.
| Criterion | DIY (rental truck) | With professional movers |
| Total cost | $250 to $500 (+ fuel) | $700 to $2,000 |
| Best for | Studio, 1-bedroom | 2-bedroom+, house, heavy furniture |
| Time required | Full day + friends | A few hours |
| Furniture insurance | Not included | Included |
| Risk of injury | High | Low |
| Schedule flexibility | Total | Limited (especially in July) |
Bottom line: for a studio or small one-bedroom with helpful friends, renting a truck on your own is a smart play. For a full house or fragile furniture, hiring professional movers is worth every dollar in time saved and items protected.
Pro Packing Tips: Room by Room
Packing room by room, instead of grabbing items at random, keeps your move organized and your unpacking sane. Here's a quick playbook:
- Kitchen: wrap dishes in paper and stack them vertically (like records, not flat). Use small boxes for heavy items. Tape liquid bottle lids before packing.
- Bedroom: use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes to skip ironing on arrival. Vacuum-seal off-season bedding to save space.
- Living room: photograph the back of your TV and AV setup before unplugging. Pack electronics in original boxes if possible.
- Bathroom: throw out expired medications and old toiletries (don't pay to move trash). Seal anything liquid in a Ziploc bag.
- Garage: drain fuel from lawn equipment, label tools by category, and don't move hazardous chemicals.
Universal rule
Label every box with its destination room AND a content summary on the side (not the top, you'll stack them).
Hidden Costs to Anticipate
Beyond the headline price, several expenses tend to slip under the radar:
- Packing supplies: $50 to $200 (boxes, bubble wrap, tape, markers).
- Parking permits: up to $75 in Montreal to reserve street spots.
- Cleaning your old place: $100 to $400 to recover your deposit (leave it clean to avoid disputes).
- First month of home insurance: $50 to $150.
- Food on moving day: pizzas and drinks for your helpers ($50 to $150).
- Equipment rentals: dollies, straps, blankets ($30 to $80).
- New appliances: $500 to $3,000 if your new place doesn't include them.
- Paint and small repairs: $200 to $800 to personalize the new space or fix the old one.
- Storage between dates: $100 to $400 per month if your move-out and move-in dates don't line up. Common for cross-province moves.
Need Help With Your Move?
This checklist walks you through every step, but you don't have to carry it all on your own. If you'd rather hand the transport and heavy lifting to specialists, contact Déménagement DMAX for a free, no-obligation estimate. Compare services, prices, and availability, then pick the mover that fits your budget and timeline.
Get your free estimate →Moving Checklist: Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include in my moving checklist?
A good moving checklist covers five blocks: administrative steps (notices, address changes), bookings (movers, truck, elevator), packing (boxes, room-by-room labeling), moving day verifications (photos, meter readings, walkthrough), and post-move tasks (driver's license update, receipt filing, detector tests). Customize the list based on your situation: kids, pets, working from home.
How can I pack efficiently for a move?
Pack one room at a time, label every box with the destination room and a content summary, and start with non-essentials four weeks ahead. This way, you will find what you need quickly when you unpack. Keep an essentials box for the first 48 hours. For a truly hands-off experience, consider a full-service move where the team handles packing, disassembly, transport, and setup.
Who needs to be notified when changing my address?
In Quebec, the must-do list includes the SAAQ, Revenu Québec, the CRA, RAMQ, and Hydro-Québec. In Ontario or other provinces, swap in ServiceOntario, OHIP (or local health card), and your local utility provider. Everyone needs to update banks, insurance, employer, school, and service providers (internet, phone). Canada Post mail forwarding works as a paid safety net during the transition.
What items should I consider leaving behind?
Anything broken, duplicated, expired, or unused for more than a year: these are the things you will not miss. Hazardous materials (paint, propane, fuel, chemicals) shouldn't be moved. Drop them at an eco-centre. Heavy items you can replace cheaply (old mattresses, half-empty pantry staples) often aren't worth the transport cost.
How much does a move cost in Quebec and across Canada?
In 2026, a local move in Montreal typically runs $700 to $1,400 for a 2-bedroom and $1,100 to $2,000 for a 3-bedroom, off-peak. A long-distance move from Montreal to Toronto for a 2-bedroom averages around $3,500. See our full breakdown for long-distance moves. Renting a truck yourself runs $250 to $500 plus fuel. Peak season (May to July, especially July 1st) adds 30 to 50%.
Can I deduct moving expenses on my taxes?
Yes, if your move brings you at least 40 km closer to a new job or full-time educational institution. The federal deduction is claimed via form T1-M. Keep all your receipts: movers, truck rental, fuel, packing supplies, and temporary lodging if applicable.