Moving is one of the most demanding life events, both logistically and emotionally 😅. Between sorting your belongings, finding a reliable moving company, updating your address, and the big day itself, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The good news? With structured planning and a few smart habits, a move can go off without a hitch, even during the busy July 1st period in Quebec. In this guide, you’ll find every step, from the initial sort to settling into your new home, along with a printable checklist you can download and check off as you go.
In this article:
- 📅 When Should You Start Planning Your Move?
- 🧹 How to Sort and Declutter Before Packing
- 🚚 Professional Movers or a Rental Truck?
- 📦 How to Pack Your Belongings Properly
- 🏠 What Administrative Steps to Take Before Moving
- 💰 How Much Does a Move Cost in Quebec?
- 🔑 How to Prepare for Moving Day
- ✅ Printable Checklist
- 🏡 Samuel Jacques’ Take, Real Estate Broker
- ❓ Frequently Asked Questions
📅 When Should You Start Planning Your Move?
The golden rule: the earlier you start, the less you’ll stress. Ideally, give yourself 6 to 8 weeks before your move date to begin preparations. That timeline gives you room to compare moving companies, book an elevator or parking spot if you live in a condo building, and spread out sorting and packing over several weeks instead of scrambling the night before.
If your move falls during peak season (June through August, and especially around July 1st, the traditional moving day in Quebec), it’s even more important to act fast: the best movers can book up months in advance, and rates climb noticeably as the date approaches.
🧹 How to Sort and Declutter Before Packing
Before you even pull out the boxes, take time to walk through each room with a critical eye. It’s the perfect chance to get rid of things you haven’t used in years. Fewer belongings means fewer boxes, fewer hours of work, and often a lower moving bill, especially if you’re paying by volume or by the hour.
- Create three piles: keep, donate or sell, and toss.
- Sell furniture or appliances that are still in good shape on local classifieds platforms.
- Donate clothing and other usable items to a charity in your neighborhood.
- Recycle smartly instead of sending everything to the landfill.
Every item you don’t have to move is a saving in time, money, and energy on moving day.
🚚 Professional Movers or a Rental Truck?
This is probably the most common question of all: should you pay for a moving crew, or rent a truck and rope in some friends? The answer mostly comes down to how much you own, your budget, and how much time you have.
For a small, well-organized home with friends available and few fragile pieces, renting a truck can be the more budget-friendly route. For a house or larger apartment, with heavy appliances, a piano, or valuable items, hiring professionals is usually worth the price, if only for the insurance and peace of mind.
| Factor | Professional Movers |
|---|---|
| Physical effort | Minimal, everything is handled for you |
| Cost | Higher, but insurance is included |
| Best for | Larger homes, heavy or fragile items |
| Booking | Plan several weeks ahead |
Whichever route you choose, take the time to compare several quotes before signing anything. A site like soumissionsdemenagement.ca lets you quickly get multiple quotes from moving companies so you can compare prices and included services. Always confirm that the mover you choose carries liability insurance, provides a written contract, and has consistent customer reviews: be wary of unusually low rates or ads that list nothing but a phone number.
📦 How to Pack Your Belongings to Avoid Damage
Packing is often the longest, most underestimated step. Give yourself at least three to four weeks to pack a full household, starting with the rooms you use least (basement, seasonal closet, books, decor).
A Few Practical Tips 📝
- Label every box with its contents and destination room, it makes unloading much faster.
- Keep boxes under 20 kg (44 lbs) to avoid injuries and boxes that give out at the bottom.
- Use bubble wrap or towels and clothing to protect dishes and fragile items.
- Set aside a separate box for important documents (passport, lease, contracts) that should never travel in the truck unattended.
- Disassemble furniture ahead of time and group the hardware in small labeled bags taped directly to the piece.
🏠 What Administrative Steps to Take Before Moving
Administrative tasks are often pushed to the last minute, even though skipping them can have real consequences. If you’re a tenant, keep in mind that specific rules govern the notice you owe your landlord and each party’s rights and obligations around a move: the Quebec government’s site clearly explains how to organize a stress-free move when you’re renting.
On the address-change side, ideally a month before moving, make a list of every organization to notify:
- SAAQ (driver’s license and vehicle registration)
- RAMQ (health insurance card)
- Revenu Québec and Retraite Québec
- Banks and insurance companies
- Employer, internet, phone, and electricity providers
Many of these government agencies can be notified in a single step through the free change-of-address service offered by the Quebec government, which saves you from repeating the same information seven times over.
And if your move comes along with selling a property, know that a residential real estate broker can coordinate the transaction dates with your moving timeline, so you avoid the headache of juggling two homes at once.
💰 How Much Does a Move Cost in Quebec?
The price varies widely depending on the size of your home, the distance involved, and the time of year. Outside peak season, expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a small apartment with professional movers, and more for a house. Around July 1st, rates can climb 30 to 50%, or even double or triple with some in-demand companies.
Don’t forget the side expenses that often fly under the radar: packing supplies, renting a dolly or straps, tipping the crew, parking fees for the truck, or temporary storage if the dates for your two homes don’t line up perfectly.
🔑 How to Prepare for Moving Day
Moving day takes a fair bit of logistics. Confirm your appointment with the movers (or your friends) the day before, take photos of your old place’s condition to avoid any disputes, and make sure you have the keys to both addresses along with your essential documents on hand.
One tip that really makes a difference: pack a separate, clearly labeled survival box that goes into the truck last and comes out first. It should include:
- Sheets, pillows, and a blanket
- A toiletry kit and a change of clothes
- Phone and laptop chargers
- Disposable dishes, snacks, and water
- A flashlight and a small first-aid kit
- Your medications and important documents (lease, contracts, ID)
This box saves you from digging through twenty boxes to find a toothbrush or a charger when you’re exhausted after a long day.
✅ Printable Checklist
Here’s a condensed list you can print and check off as you go. It covers the main phases: sorting, paperwork, packing, and moving-day logistics.
- ☐ 8 weeks before: sort and declutter every room
- ☐ 6 weeks before: request several moving quotes
- ☐ 4 weeks before: start packing the least-used rooms
- ☐ 4 weeks before: book the elevator or parking spot if needed
- ☐ 3 weeks before: start your address changes
- ☐ 2 weeks before: confirm the contract with your movers
- ☐ 1 week before: prepare your survival box
- ☐ The day before: empty the fridge, confirm the schedule
- ☐ Moving day: take photos of the property’s condition, hand over the keys
- ☐ After the move: unpack the kitchen and bedroom first
Feel free to personalize this list based on your situation: kids, pets, or a home office to set up in the new place.
🏡 Samuel Jacques’ Take, Real Estate Broker
In my view, the market is shifting sides: buyers are gradually regaining negotiating power. In my practice, I see it firsthand — first-time buyers used to deal with a lot more disappointment, multiple competing offers, and regularly losing out on homes to higher bidders. Today, things have changed, and our clients have more room to negotiate, take their time, and attach conditions to their offers.
If you’re planning a move tied to buying or selling a property, I strongly recommend coordinating both processes as early as possible. You can also get a free estimate of your property’s value before you even start packing, so you can properly plan your budget and timeline.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Moving
How far in advance should I start preparing for my move?
Ideally 6 to 8 weeks ahead, and even earlier if your move falls around July 1st, the busiest time of year in Quebec.
Do I need to notify my landlord before moving?
Yes, notice is required under the rules that apply to your lease. Look into your rights and obligations as a tenant before setting your move-out date.
What should go in a moving survival box?
Sheets, a change of clothes, toiletries, chargers, disposable dishes, medications, and important documents, so you’re not digging through every box the moment you arrive.
How can I save money on my move?
Declutter before you pack, compare several moving quotes, avoid peak season if you can, and handle simple tasks like packing yourself.
Who do I need to notify to change my address in Quebec?
The SAAQ, RAMQ, Revenu Québec, your bank, your employer, and your service providers (internet, electricity, insurance) should all be notified of your new address.
Article written by Samuel Jacques, real estate broker
