The Ultimate Moving Guide for Central Alberta Residents

Moving to a new home in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, or anywhere in Central Alberta is an exciting chapter! But let’s be honest, it can also feel overwhelming. Packing boxes, coordinating logistics, and managing the unexpected – it’s a lot to handle. At Halbro Moving & Delivery, we’ve helped countless families and individuals make smooth moves, and we want to share our expertise. This guide breaks down the moving process into manageable steps, helping you stay organized and stress-free from start to finish.

Planning Your Move (8+ Weeks Out)

The key to a smooth move is planning ahead. Starting early gives you time to make decisions without feeling rushed.
Create Your Moving Budget: Determine how much you can allocate for moving expenses. Consider costs like hiring movers, renting a truck (if DIY), packing supplies, storage (if needed), and potential cleaning fees. Downloadable moving budget templates can be helpful.

Declutter Ruthlessly: Moving is the perfect opportunity to get rid of items you no longer need or use. Go room by room and decide what to keep, sell, donate, or discard. Consider local options like the ReStore, Women’s Outreach Centre, or local Facebook Marketplace groups for selling or donating usable items.

Research Moving Companies: Not all movers are created equal. Look for reputable, insured, and experienced companies. Check reviews on Google and the Better Business Bureau (like Halbro Moving’s A+ rating!). Decide if you need a full-service move, just help with heavy lifting, or packing assistance. Learn Why Central Albertans Choose Halbro Moving

Get Moving Quotes: Contact your top choices (including us!) for in-home or virtual estimates. Be sure the quote details the services included, estimated time, and pricing structure (hourly vs. flat rate). Don’t wait – book your preferred moving date early, especially during peak season (summer months).

Start an Inventory (Optional but helpful): For larger moves or if using storage, creating a basic inventory list of major items can be useful for organization and insurance purposes.

Packing Like a Pro (4-6 Weeks Out)

Packing often takes longer than expected. Start with items you don’t use daily.

Gather Quality Supplies: You’ll need sturdy boxes in various sizes (book, medium, large), packing tape, bubble wrap or packing paper, and permanent markers. Using proper moving boxes is better than relying on random store boxes.

Pack Room-by-Room: This keeps things organized. Finish one room completely before moving to the next.

Protect Fragile Items: Wrap dishes and glassware individually in packing paper. Use plenty of cushioning (paper, bubble wrap, linens) in the box. Pack plates vertically, not flat. Mark these boxes clearly as “FRAGILE.”

Pack Smart: Don’t make boxes too heavy (especially book boxes). Fill empty spaces with packing paper or towels to prevent shifting. Use smaller boxes for heavy items and larger boxes for lighter, bulky items (linens, pillows).

Label Everything: Clearly label each box on the top and at least one side with its contents and the destination room (e.g., “Kitchen – Pots & Pans,” “Master Bedroom – Linens”).

Pack an “Essentials” Box: This crucial box should contain items you’ll need immediately upon arrival at your new home: toiletries, medications, basic tools (box cutter, screwdriver), phone chargers, important documents, snacks, drinks, pet food, and maybe even the coffee maker! Keep this box separate and move it yourself or have the movers load it last/unload it first.

Need Help Packing? Feeling overwhelmed? Consider professional packing services. It saves immense time and ensures your items are packed safely.

Final Preparations (1-2 Weeks Out)

The final stretch involves confirming logistics and preparing your old and new homes.

Confirm with Movers: Reconfirm your moving date, arrival time, addresses, and contact information with Halbro Moving. Discuss any special instructions or concerns.

Transfer Utilities & Change Address: Arrange to have utilities (electricity, gas, water, internet) disconnected at your old home the day after you move out and connected at your new home the day before or the day of your move in. File your change of address with Canada Post online and notify banks, subscriptions, employers, schools, and Alberta Health Care. Update your driver’s license and vehicle registration within the required timeframe after moving.

Arrange Child/Pet Care: Moving day can be chaotic and potentially unsafe for young children and pets. Arrange for them to stay with family, friends, or a sitter.|

Plan Meals: Use up perishable food. Plan simple meals for the last few days that require minimal cookware. Defrost and clean your refrigerator/freezer at least 24 hours before the move.

Moving Day Essentials

It’s finally here! Stay calm and let the professionals handle the heavy lifting.

Meet the Crew: Be present when the Halbro Moving crew arrives. Do a walkthrough to point out fragile items or anything requiring special attention.

Protect Your Home: Our crew will use floor runners, door jamb protectors, and padding to protect both your old and new homes.

Supervise Loading/Unloading: While our team is experienced, it’s good to be available to answer questions. Ensure everything is loaded from your old home and placed in the correct rooms at the new one.

Final Walkthrough: Before the truck leaves your old home, do a thorough walkthrough of every room, closet, and storage area to ensure nothing is left behind.

Payment & Paperwork: Have your payment ready as agreed upon in your quote. Review and sign the bill of lading (moving contract).

Essentials Box: Keep your essentials box easily accessible.

First Night Prep: Make sure beds are accessible or easy to assemble. Know where your toiletries and basic kitchen items are. Order takeout – you deserve it!

Settling In

You made it! Now it’s time to turn your new house into a home.

Unpack Strategically: Start with essential rooms like the kitchen, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Don’t feel pressured to unpack everything at once – pace yourself.
Set Up Utilities: Double-check that all utilities are working correctly.

Update Information: Finish updating your address with any remaining services or contacts. Remember your Alberta driver’s license and vehicle registration.

Explore Your New Community: Get acquainted with your new neighborhood in Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Blackfalds, or wherever you’ve landed! Find the local grocery store, parks, and community centers.

Moving doesn’t have to be a nightmare. With careful planning and the right support, it can be a smooth transition. This guide provides a roadmap, but if you’d rather leave the heavy lifting, packing, and logistics to the professionals, Halbro Moving & Delivery is here to help. Our experienced, reliable team offers comprehensive moving services across Central Alberta.

What Our Customers Say About Us

Would highly recommend Halbro Moving! The men doing the moving moved quickly and carefully. There was no breakage or scratching of furniture. They were very pleasant to work with and sensitive to requests. Thank you, guys!

Lois Kelln
March 25, 2025

Just used Halbro to move us yesterday and would 100% use them again! Both Corey and the man with him (feel bad I didn’t get his name) were polite and respectful. They were punctual and had great communication throughout. Quick but careful with our belongings. Thanks so much again for the help! Will be recommending you to family and friends.

Cahlyn Kirwer
April 1, 2025

The best experience one can have moving - HIRE HALBRO!! Very accommodating and flexible with dates and times that work with your schedule 😊🙏

Shawna Quast
March 1, 2025
We have used Halbro Moving numerous times over the past years. They have never failed to disappoint. Halbro has always handled our items with care, never damaging anything. Their employees have always been very kind and respectful to us. We found Halbro Moving prices to be in line if not lower than their competitors. My husband and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a moving company that is respectful of your items and reliable!

Kathy Dulmage
March 1, 2025

Great moving company, I would highly recommend them to anyone. They were efficient and respectful of the items they were moving. Thank you Halbro for a job well done!!!!

Ashley Wright
December 1, 2024

My move was super smooth. Corey and Ron did and excellent job caring for my possessions, shrink wrapping when necessary. We finished over an hour earlier than expected. They didn't waste anytime even though they had to deal with an elevator. I highly recommend Halbro moving and would give them 6 stars if I could!! Thanks, Kelly Sylvan Lake

Kelly Greer
March 29, 2025
I have used and recommended Halbro Moving Company many times and everytime has been a great experience, right from start to finish they take pride in their work, they lay down runners to keep carpet prestine, they navigate around tight corners carefully keeping your walls & trim safe and undamaged, they use lifting straps to position & manipulate furniture for easier transport throughout homes, they also have blankets & plastic wrap to properly package fragile things like TVs, cabinets with swinging doors & drawers, and not only are they careful they work at a very high pace keeping the cost lower for the customer, hands down would never use anyone else and would recommend to anyone looking to move and take some of the stress out of the process. THANKS to Corrie and his Team, Great Job Again. Kind Regards, Alan

Alan Hannah
March 25, 2025

Holbrook moving was a excellent experience from the first call to them for our moving to new resident. Carrie was polite and very professional in getting all Info required and able to answer my concerns. Unfortunately I can't remember the names of the 2 gentlemen who arrived on time to our place . Once there we did a walk through and asked questions about things going and staying. They then proceeded and we're very professional and caring for our belongings. There was no dogging and wasted time with them from them loading and unloading at new place. Very pleased with our experience with them and definitely would recommend Halbro moving and delivery Thankyou Alex Frayn

Alex Frayn
March 18, 2025