Moving day in Waterloo Region: movers, closings and address changes

Hiring a mover in Ontario: what the government pages say

Two official pages cover the consumer side: the Government of Ontario's Hiring a mover and the Government of Canada's moving advice. Read both before you sign. Here is what each says.

Ontario's page says:

• Moving companies are not licensed by the province.
• Consumers should research references and search the Consumer Beware List for complaints and charges against the company.
• A contract worth more than $50 must be in writing. It must include the mover's name, address and contact information, a description of the services with itemized prices, the total amount, start and end dates and payment terms.
• The mover cannot charge more than 10 percent above the estimate in the contract unless you need additional supplies or services and agree to an increase.
• A mover cannot hold your items to pressure you into renegotiating the contract.
• Ask about insurance, such as whether it covers items you packed yourself, and find out who is responsible if items are damaged or lost.

The federal page says:

• Get quotes from at least three reputable movers, make sure the mover sees all your items before quoting, and ask for the quote on company letterhead signed by a company representative.
• Red flags include no physical address, estimates given only by phone, large upfront deposits and no listing with the Canadian Association of Movers or the Better Business Bureau.
• It says the mover's standard liability is $0.60 per pound ($1.32 per kg) per item, and that you can buy replacement value protection for fuller coverage. As of October 2026, check the page for the current figure.
• Items you pack yourself are generally at your own risk.
• Make a household inventory before the quote, check items off as they are unloaded and note any damage or missing items.
• Claims are to be filed within 30 days for local moves and 60 days for long distance moves.

For a downsizing move, add two questions of your own. Ask whether the crew will take items to a donation outlet on the way, and whether the quote changes if the move shrinks after you finish sorting. Our guide to clearing a long-held home covers what to do with the items that are not coming along.

The Canadian Association of Movers as guidance

The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) is a trade association for moving and storage companies. Its website gives consumer tips on choosing a mover, moving checklists, scam alerts and a directory of member movers. Treat it as guidance, not an endorsement of any company, and note that membership does not replace checking references, insurance and the written contract. The association's phone number on its site is 1-866-860-0065.

Booking the elevator and loading area in a condominium

If you are moving out of, or into, a condominium, the corporation sets the rules for move days, and they differ by building. Ask the property manager early, and ask for the answers in writing:

• Whether the elevator or a loading area must be booked, and how far ahead.
• What days and hours moves are allowed.
• Whether there is a fee or a deposit, and how it is returned.
• Whether the mover needs to provide proof of insurance.
• Where the truck may park and whether elevator pads or door protection are required.

Give the mover whatever you learn, so the quote and the crew size reflect the building. If a corporation's answer affects your closing date, mention it to your lawyer. Our guide to buying a condo in Waterloo Region covers the other documents to ask for.

Timing two closings with your lawyer

If you are selling one home and buying another, the closing dates may be the same day or may be days or weeks apart. Your lawyer works out the logistics, including when keys are released and when funds move. A few things to settle with your lawyer and agent before you book a mover:

• Whether the two closing dates can be the same, and what happens to your belongings if they are not.
• Whether the sale agreement allows any time between closing and handing over the keys, or whether the house must be empty by a set time.
• What happens if one closing is delayed after the truck is booked.
• Whether you need short-term storage, or a short stay in between.

Ask the mover what the cancellation and rescheduling terms are before you pay a deposit. Our guide to buying first or selling first goes into how the order of the two deals affects this. Timing questions about your agreement are a lawyer's to answer.

Utilities and addresses to change

Start the list as soon as you have a closing date. Each provider has its own process, so check the provider's own site. These are pages we checked:

Utilities

• Hydro. Enova Power's site lists Kitchener, Waterloo, Wellesley, Woolwich and Wilmot among the communities it serves and has a "Start/Stop/Move My Account" link on its home page. GrandBridge Energy, based in Cambridge, has a move in and move out page. Your hydro bill shows which company serves your address.
• Natural gas, water and sewer. Kitchener Utilities' site lists natural gas, water, stormwater and sewer. It gives 519-741-2529 and utilities@kitchener.ca as contacts. Whether Kitchener Utilities or another company supplies gas at an address depends on where it is, so check your gas bill or ask the seller or your agent.
• Internet, phone and television. Book installation ahead and ask whether you can move your service.

Government and mail

• Driver's licence, vehicle permit and health card. The Government of Ontario's address change page says you must update your driver's licence and vehicle permit within six days, and your health card within 30 days. You can use ServiceOntario online or in person.
• Canada Revenue Agency. The CRA's change your address page lists the options: sign in to your CRA account, call 1-800-959-8281 or mail Form RC325. It says an up-to-date address helps the CRA verify your identity and makes sure payments and letters reach you.
• Canada Post. Canada Post's moving page says you can sign up for Mail Forwarding online or at the post office. Check its terms for how long forwarding lasts.

Also tell your bank, insurer, pension and benefit payers, pharmacy, doctors and the people who send your statements. Ask your home insurer how to arrange coverage for the new home from the closing date, and see our guide to flood and home insurance when downsizing for the questions to ask.

Garbage carts and collection day at the new address

The Region of Waterloo moved to cart-based collection in 2026. Its Waste Whiz tool shows your collection calendar by address, sends reminders and lets you look up how to dispose of an item. It is for households in single and semi-detached homes, according to its page, and it supports multiple addresses, so you can check the old and the new one. Ask the seller whether carts stay with the house, and check the Region's collection changes page for the set-out rules. If you are moving into a condominium or apartment, the property manager will explain how garbage and recycling work there.

Winter moves and the sidewalk snow bylaws

Moving in winter adds ice, short days and the possibility of a storm postponing the truck. Ask your mover about its weather policy before you book. Once you own a freehold house, the sidewalk becomes your job:

• Waterloo: the City's sidewalk page says owners clear sidewalks within 24 hours after a snowfall or ice build-up. It also describes an Assisted Snow Clearing Program for seniors and people with disabilities, with eligibility on the City's site.
• Kitchener: the City's snow removal page says sidewalks must be cleared of snow and ice within 24 hours, and describes an assisted program run through Community Support Connections.
• Cambridge: the City's winter maintenance page says sidewalks must be cleared within 36 hours of a snowfall ending.

In a condominium or land lease community, ask who clears snow before you assume. The rule depends on the corporation or the community, and the answer should be in writing.

Parking for a moving truck

The City of Waterloo's road occupancy permit page covers closing or occupying roads, sidewalks or boulevards for work, but it does not mention moving trucks. Do not assume you need a permit or that you do not. Ask the city's parking or by-law staff where the home is, and ask your mover, who will often know the local practice. In a condominium, the property manager decides where the truck can stop.

A short plan for the week of the move

In the last week, confirm the mover's arrival window and the crew size in writing, set aside a box of things you need on the first night, and photograph meters and any damage to the old home. Keep papers, medications, keys and valuables with you instead of on the truck. Walk each room once the truck is empty, and leave garage door openers, keys and manuals as your agreement of purchase and sale requires. If you are unsure what the agreement requires, ask your lawyer before closing day.

Next steps

Put the closing dates, mover booking, elevator booking and utility calls on one calendar. The step-by-step downsizing guide shows where moving day sits in the plan, and the resources page lists regulators and local services. If you are looking at areas to move to, see where to downsize. When you want to talk with an agent, request an introduction. Introductions go to agents on the operating team at eXp Realty, so this is not a search of the whole market.