How to pack your house in 10 easy steps.

Whether you are moving a few blocks away or across town, a little preparation goes a long way. The difference between a stressful moving day and a smooth one almost always comes down to how well you planned ahead. Our team at Six Moving has put together this step-by-step guide to help you stay organized, reduce last-minute chaos, and actually enjoy the process of starting somewhere new.

Step 1: Book a reliable moving company early

tart here. Research local moving companies, read their Google and HomeStars reviews, and get at least a couple of quotes so you have a clear sense of what to expect. Look for a company that is transparent about pricing, responsive to your questions, and compliant with the Good Practice Guidelines for Canadian Movers.

Aim to get your quotes at least four to six weeks before your move date, especially if you are moving during a busy period. Spring and summer weekends book up fast in Toronto, and so do end-of-month dates year-round since most leases turn over on the first. Once you are happy with your quote, lock in your date. That is one major thing off your list.

Get a free quote from Six Moving to get started.

Step 2: Declutter before you start packing

You will not truly know how much stuff you have until you start going through it. Before a single box gets packed, spend some time sorting through your belongings and deciding what actually makes the trip with you.

Sort items into three categories: keep, donate, and dispose. Clothes and household goods in good condition can go to Habitat for Humanity ReStore, the Salvation Army, or Value Village. Furniture and larger items can be listed on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. Six Moving can drop furniture donations to Habitat for Humanity ReStore free of charge when you book your move. A lighter load means a faster move, and a faster move means a lower bill.

Step 3: Start packing the things you use least

Once you have decluttered, start packing seasonal and infrequently used items first. Think holiday decorations, off-season clothing, spare linens, books, and anything stored in the attic or basement. Getting these items boxed up early frees up space in your home and gives you a sense of real progress without disrupting your daily routine.

Label every box as you go with the room it belongs to and a brief description of its contents. Do not save the labelling for later.

Step 4: Notify your service providers

This step is often pushed to the last minute, causing unnecessary headaches. Set aside time about a month before your move to contact all the service providers and organizations that need to know about your change of address. This includes your internet, cable, and phone providers, your bank, insurance companies, doctors and dentists, the Canada Revenue Agency, Service Ontario, your employer, your accountant, your vet, and Canada Post.

Canada Post offers a mail redirection service that will forward your mail to your new address while you update everything else. Check out our address change checklist to make sure nobody gets missed.

Step 5: Get your packing supplies sorted

If your movers are not handling the packing for you, make sure you have everything you need before you start. Running out of tape or boxes mid-pack is frustrating and slows you down.

Stock up on boxes in a range of sizes, clear packing tape, bubble wrap, packing paper, markers, labels, wardrobe boxes, and mattress covers. Not sure how much you need? Use our Box Supply Calculator or check out our Know Your Boxes guide before you shop. Six Moving carries Canadian-made supplies and offers free delivery within Toronto. Assign a colour or number to each room and use that system consistently across your labels to make things easier for your movers on the day.

Step 6: Take the day off work

Book moving day as a personal day if you can, and try to keep the day before clear as well. Moving takes longer than most people expect, and having breathing room on both sides of the day makes a real difference. You will want time to do a final walk-through before the truck arrives, manage any last-minute tasks during the move, and get at least partially settled at the new place before the end of the day. Trying to squeeze a move around a work schedule adds unnecessary pressure.

Step 7: Pack valuables and important documents separately

About two weeks before your move, gather all important documents and valuables, and pack them separately to move yourself rather than have them shipped with the truck. This includes passports, birth certificates, SIN cards, financial documents, jewellery, hard drives, and any irreplaceable items.

At this point, continue packing as much of the house as you can while leaving out the items you will still need in the days before the move. Kitchen essentials, toiletries, and daily use items can be the last things packed.

Step 8: Pack an essentials bag for moving day

This is one of the simplest and most effective things you can do for your moving day experience. Pack a bag or clearly labelled box with everything you will need for the first 24 hours in your new home, so you are not digging through boxes looking for your toothbrush before bed.

Good things to include are toiletries, a change of clothes, phone chargers, medications, a basic first aid kit, snacks, bottled water, toilet paper, coffee or tea supplies, bedding, and pet food if you have animals. Keep this bag with you or ask your movers to load it last so it is the first thing off the truck.

Step 9: Confirm everything with your moving company

A day or two before your move, check in with your moving coordinator to confirm all the details. This is a good time to share any updates, such as changes to what is being moved, parking arrangements, elevator booking confirmation if you are in a condo, or any access details your movers should know about.

At Six Moving, your coordinator is always available to answer questions and make sure everything is in order before moving day. The more information your movers have going in, the smoother the day will run.

Step 10: Set aside a tip for your movers

Moving is physical, demanding work, and a tip is a genuinely appreciated gesture for a job well done. A common guideline is around 10 to 15 percent of the total move cost, split between the crew, though any amount is welcome and makes a real difference to the people who spent the day taking care of your belongings.

You are ready to go!

Follow these ten steps, and you will arrive at moving day feeling prepared, organized, and a lot calmer than most people do. And once you are in, it is time to plan the housewarming.

At Six Moving, we are here to support you every step of the way, from your first quote to the last box off the truck.

Related Resources

Looking for more moving tips? Explore our full blog library or visit our resource hub to discover how to make your next move easier.