8-Week Moving Timeline: Your Week-by-Week Countdown for Ottawa

The number one cause of moving day chaos isn't bad movers or broken boxes — it's late starts. People underestimate how much time they need, cram everything into the last weekend, and end up exhausted, stressed, and surrounded by unlabelled garbage bags full of random stuff.

This 8-week timeline gives you a clear sequence of exactly what to do and when. Adapted specifically for Ottawa–Gatineau moves — including local logistics, seasonal considerations, and regional requirements.

Ready to lock in your moving date? Get a free quote from UpMove and start your countdown today.

Week 8: The Big Decisions (8 Weeks Out)

This is your planning week. No packing yet — just strategy.

[ ] Set your moving date. Avoid Ottawa's peak periods: July 1 (Quebec's moving day), Canada Day weekend, and the last weekend of each month.
[ ] Get moving quotes. Contact at least 3 companies. Video or in-home estimates are most accurate. See how to get an accurate moving quote.
[ ] Book your movers. In peak season (May–September), book 6–8 weeks ahead. In winter, 3–4 weeks is usually sufficient.
[ ] Create a moving binder or digital folder. Store all quotes, contracts, receipts, and checklists in one place.
[ ] Start a "moving expenses" tracker. Every receipt from now until unpacking day goes here.
[ ] Research your new neighbourhood. Schools, transit, grocery stores, parks. For Ottawa suburbs, see our Kanata, Barrhaven, and Orléans guide.

Week 7: Declutter and Donate (7 Weeks Out)

The less you move, the less you pay — and the easier everything is.

[ ] Start the declutter. Go room by room and sort into: keep, donate, sell, recycle, trash.
[ ] List high-value items for sale. Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, or Ottawa Buy & Sell groups.
[ ] Schedule donation pickups. Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and local Ottawa charities accept furniture and household goods.
[ ] Dispose of hazardous materials. Paint, batteries, propane tanks, and chemicals can't go on a moving truck. Check Ottawa's Trail Road Waste Facility for drop-off times.
[ ] Measure doorways, hallways, and staircases. At both your current and new home — know what fits and what won't.

For a step-by-step decluttering process, see our decluttering guide.

Week 6: Gather Supplies and Start Admin (6 Weeks Out)

[ ] Collect packing supplies. Boxes, tape, bubble wrap, markers, paper. For budget options, see where to find free packing materials in Ottawa.
[ ] Start packing non-essentials. Out-of-season clothes, books, decorations, guest room items — anything you won't need for 6 weeks.
[ ] Notify your landlord. Ontario requires 60 days' written notice for month-to-month tenancies. Quebec has different rules — check your lease.
[ ] Schedule elevator booking at your condo or apartment building. Some buildings require 2–4 weeks' notice. See elevator booking guidelines.
[ ] Start address changes. Canada Post, banks, employer, CRA, OHIP/RAMQ — the full list is in our address update guide.
[ ] Contact insurance about coverage during the move and at the new address.

Week 5: Pack Secondary Rooms (5 Weeks Out)

[ ] Pack storage areas. Basement, garage, attic, crawl spaces.
[ ] Pack the home office. Back up all digital files first. See how to pack a home office.
[ ] Label every box. Contents + destination room + handling notes ("FRAGILE," "THIS SIDE UP").
[ ] Create a numbered inventory. Number each box and log its contents in a spreadsheet. This helps with insurance claims and unpacking.
[ ] Take photos of electronics setups. Behind TVs, routers, console configurations — you'll thank yourself later.
[ ] Confirm moving details with your company: date, time, crew size, truck size, and insurance coverage.

Week 4: Pack Main Living Areas (4 Weeks Out)

[ ] Pack dining room and living room. Wrap fragile items individually.
[ ] Pack artwork and mirrors. Use picture boxes and corner protectors. See our artwork moving guide.
[ ] Disassemble furniture that needs it. Keep hardware in labelled bags taped to the furniture piece.
[ ] Arrange utility transfers. Set stop/start dates for Hydro Ottawa, Enbridge, internet, etc.
[ ] Book cleaning. Schedule end-of-lease cleaning for your old place or DIY with our post-move cleaning guide.
[ ] Plan pet and child logistics for moving day. Arrange a sitter, daycare, or a friend's house.

Four weeks out and feeling behind? Call UpMove — we offer full-service packing to catch you up fast.

Week 3: Pack Kitchen and Bedrooms (3 Weeks Out)

[ ] Pack kitchen — except a "last week essentials" box (1 pot, 1 pan, plates, mugs, cutlery for daily use).
[ ] Pack bedrooms. Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes. Roll folded items to save space.
[ ] Pack bathroom — leave out toiletries you'll use until moving day.
[ ] Confirm address changes are processing (mail forwarding, bank, subscriptions).
[ ] Return borrowed items and collect anything you've lent out.
[ ] Drain and clean appliances you're moving (fridge = 24 hrs to defrost, washer = drain cycle).
[ ] Prepare your new home if possible — clean, check locks, stock basic supplies. See preparing your new home before moving in.

Week 2: Final Prep (2 Weeks Out)

[ ] Finish packing everything except daily essentials.
[ ] Confirm movers. Call to verify date, arrival time, and any special instructions.
[ ] Pack your essentials bag — a suitcase or backpack with:
Medications, phone chargers, toiletries
Important documents (IDs, lease/deed, moving contract)
Change of clothes (2 days)
Snacks, water bottles, cash for tipping movers
Pet supplies, kids' comfort items
[ ] Disassemble remaining furniture. Bed frames, shelving units, desks.
[ ] Clear pathways. Make sure the route from every room to the front door is obstacle-free.
[ ] Defrost the freezer if you haven't already (takes 24 hours).

Week 1: Moving Week (Final 7 Days)

5–7 Days Before

[ ] Use up perishable food — stop buying groceries
[ ] Take final meter readings at your current home
[ ] Confirm parking for the moving truck at both locations
[ ] Clean areas already packed and emptied

2–3 Days Before

[ ] Final walkthrough — check every closet, drawer, shelf, and outdoor area
[ ] Charge all devices and portable batteries
[ ] Withdraw cash for mover tips (see our tipping guide)
[ ] Pack the "open first" box: toilet paper, paper towels, basic tools, light bulbs, trash bags

Moving Day

[ ] Strip beds and pack bedding last
[ ] Do a final sweep of every room, cabinet, and the garage
[ ] Be present to answer mover questions and direct traffic
[ ] Review the Bill of Lading before signing
[ ] Check your old home one last time — closets, attic, basement, mailbox, outdoor storage
[ ] Hand over keys and document the condition of the old property
[ ] At the new home: direct movers on box/furniture placement
[ ] Check the inventory against delivered items before movers leave

For a detailed moving-day hour-by-hour plan, see our moving day survival guide.

Quick Reference: 8-Week Overview

WeekFocusKey Actions8PlanningBook movers, set budget, research new area7DeclutteringSort, sell, donate, dispose6Supplies & AdminGet boxes, start packing non-essentials, begin address changes5Pack secondary roomsStorage, office, guest rooms4Pack main living areasLiving room, dining room, art, disassemble furniture3Pack kitchen & bedroomsKitchen last-box, closets, bathrooms, prep appliances2Final prepEssentials bag, confirm movers, clear paths1Moving weekFinal walkthrough, moving day execution

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I have less than 8 weeks before my move?

Compress the timeline. Weeks 8 and 7 (planning and decluttering) can be combined into a few intense days. The most important thing is to book movers and start packing as early as possible.

When should I start packing if I'm moving locally in Ottawa?

Still start 6–8 weeks ahead if you can. Even a local move across Ottawa has the same number of boxes and logistics — you're just saving on truck time.

How many boxes do I need for a typical 2-bedroom apartment?

Roughly 40–60 boxes: 20–30 medium, 10–15 small (books, heavy items), 5–10 large (linens, pillows), and 2–4 wardrobe boxes.

Should I pack or hire packers?

If budget allows, hire packers for fragile items (kitchen, art, electronics) and pack the straightforward items yourself. This hybrid approach saves money while protecting what matters most.

What's the best day of the week to move in Ottawa?

Weekday moves (Tuesday–Thursday) are less expensive and easier to schedule. Avoid Fridays and the first/last day of each month — these are high-demand periods.

Ready to start your countdown? Get a free moving quote from UpMove — book early, move stress-free.