What should I expect on moving day?

What should I expect on moving day?

What this page covers

This guide lays out the common moving‑day stages and the practical checks to make with your mover so you can reduce surprises. It uses Canadian consumer guidance to support the checklist: read the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation guidance on moving day for renters and the federal Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice for consumers before finalizing arrangements (CMHC moving day guidance, Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice).

Before moving day: confirm the quote and reserve building access

Ask your mover to confirm the inventory covered by the quote and whether the price is final for that list. The Office of Consumer Affairs recommends you “ask about additional costs you may incur if you need to add items on the day of the move,” so get clarity about how on‑the‑spot additions are billed and whether on‑the‑day adjustments will be recorded (Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice).

If you live in a building, prepare access for the crew. The Office of Consumer Affairs advises you to “prepare for moving day so things like elevators, stairways and parking spots have been reserved or cleared,” so check building rules and arrange any required reservations or clearances with property management or neighbours (Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice).

See a sample description of a full packing and moving service: full packing and moving service. Whatever services you purchase, confirm the inventory and the division of responsibilities with the mover so you know which tasks you should plan to complete yourself.

Use the official consumer guidance as prompts for specific confirmation questions: confirm the inventory, ask whether the arrival time is a window or fixed, request how added items are charged, and ask what categories the mover will not transport. These verification questions are supported by the Office of Consumer Affairs advice to ask about additional costs and to check excluded items (Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice).

Practical pre‑move items to verify with building managers and third parties: confirm elevator bookings or holds, check whether a loading‑zone permit or temporary parking restriction is needed, and identify any move‑day access windows the building enforces. Use the Office of Consumer Affairs recommendation to “prepare for moving day so things like elevators, stairways and parking spots have been reserved or cleared” as a checklist item when you contact building management or neighbours (Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice).

On moving day: arrival, loading, transport and delivery

Canadian industry guidance for professionals provides additional prompts for the household to use on moving day and notes there can be tasks the household must handle. Use the CMHC professional guidance as a reminder to check with your mover which specific tasks they will perform and which you should be prepared to complete yourself (CMHC closing and moving day guidance).

Before the crew begins loading, ask for a brief walkthrough to confirm the inventory and to clarify which items the mover will not handle. This Old House’s checklist can help you confirm arrival timing and expected crew actions, and CMHC’s professional guidance that notes “you will have to move these items yourself” can be used to identify items you should plan to move or transport separately. If any additions or changes occur on the day, document them and note the mover’s response and the date—Office of Consumer Affairs advises consumers that if they “advise the business of your complaint by phone, make sure to note the date and details of the conversation,” which applies to documenting on‑the‑day conversations as well (This Old House moving delivery checklist, CMHC closing and moving day guidance, Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice).

Watch for last‑minute/add‑on charges and items movers commonly won’t move

Before moving day, explicitly ask the mover about fees for adding items on the day. The Office of Consumer Affairs specifically advises you to “ask about additional costs you may incur if you need to add items on the day of the move,” which helps you decide how strictly to stick to the quoted inventory (Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice).

Also check the mover’s list of exclusions. The Office of Consumer Affairs warns consumers to “check what your moving company cannot transport or store for you (e.g., live plants, certain food products, flammable items).” Confirm these exclusions so you can plan alternatives—transport separately, donate, or discard— for any items the mover will not accept (Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice).

If there is a billing dispute or problem after the move, the Office of Consumer Affairs suggests documenting interactions with the business: “If you advise the business of your complaint by phone, make sure to note the date and details of the conversation.” Keep records of any on‑the‑day adjustments and of the mover’s responses so you can refer back to specific dates and details if needed (Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice).

Rental move‑in/move‑out inspections and tasks you will handle

If you are moving into or out of a rental unit, plan to document the unit’s condition. CMHC recommends conducting a move‑in inspection and documenting the condition of the rental unit “by taking photographs or video on your smartphone.” Keep dated copies of that media and provide them to your landlord or property manager if there is a later dispute (CMHC moving day guidance for renters).

CMHC also notes the timing tradeoff about overlapping leases: “While paying 2 rents may be costly, it does offer more time to pack, move and set‑up your new place.” Use that exact guidance to weigh whether an overlap is worth the cost for your household’s circumstances (CMHC moving day guidance for renters).

For tasks the household must handle, the CMHC professional guidance plainly states there are items “you will have to move… yourself.” Use that statement to open a specific conversation with your mover: ask which items they consider the household’s responsibility and plan who will move or transport those items on the scheduled day (CMHC closing and moving day guidance).

As you photograph or video the unit for documentation, include wide shots of each room and close‑ups of any pre‑existing damage. Keep copies of the files with date metadata where possible and keep a copy separate from the phone used during the move; CMHC’s recommendation to document the condition “by taking photographs or video on your smartphone” is intended to create dated evidence you can share with the landlord or property manager if required (CMHC moving day guidance for renters).

FAQ

Will movers transport or store live plants, certain food items or flammable goods?

Not always. The Office of Consumer Affairs advises consumers to “check what your moving company cannot transport or store for you (e.g., live plants, certain food products, flammable items).” Because companies set their own rules, confirm those exclusions with your mover before moving day (Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice).

Should I pay two rents to make moving and setup easier?

Possibly, as a budget tradeoff. CMHC notes that “while paying 2 rents may be costly, it does offer more time to pack, move and set‑up your new place.” Use that exact phrasing to weigh whether the extra rent cost is acceptable for the reduced time pressure it can provide; compare the overlap cost with the value of extra unpacking time for your household (CMHC moving day guidance for renters).

What should I ask my mover about extra charges or items added on moving day?

Ask whether the quote is final for the listed inventory and whether there are fees for adding items at pickup or delivery. The Office of Consumer Affairs recommends you “ask about additional costs you may incur if you need to add items on the day of the move,” so request clear billing rules before the truck arrives (Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice).

How do I document a rental unit’s condition at move‑in or move‑out?

Follow CMHC’s advice to take photographs or video on your smartphone to record the unit’s condition. CMHC recommends documenting the condition “by taking photographs or video on your smartphone”; keep copies of that media, include dates, and provide it to your landlord or property manager if requested (CMHC moving day guidance for renters).

Talk with EC Movers Ltd

Contact EC Movers Ltd to ask about the next step and confirm which options fit your needs.