Moving season hits hard every year across Ontario — whether it's the wave of July 1st move-ins in Quebec spilling over the border or the steady stream of leases turning over from Ottawa to Toronto, London to Windsor. And the same question comes up in thousands of households: what do we do with the appliances?

Move them? Sell them with the place? Use the opportunity to replace them? At Corbeil, we've been helping Quebec families move since 1949 — and we've been doing the same for Ontario households too. Here's our complete guide so your appliances, old or new, arrive safe and sound.

A poorly prepped appliance means a water leak in the truck or a fridge door swinging open on the stairs. A few days before the move:

Unplug and empty everything. Unplug all your appliances from power, and shut off the gas or water line if needed (dishwasher, washer, gas range, water-dispenser fridge). For the refrigerator and freezer, allow 24 to 48 hours to empty them, defrost them, and let them dry out with the doors open.

Clean your appliances. A thorough cleaning prevents spills and bad smells in transit — and means you move into your new place with spotless appliances.

Take your measurements. This is the step everyone forgets! Measure the doorways, hallways, and stairwells at both your current place and your new one. Also check where the outlets and water hookups are in your new kitchen and laundry room. A 36-inch fridge won't fit through a 32-inch door frame.

Gather your paperwork. Manuals, receipts, warranties, and protection plan contracts: keep them all together in a folder you carry with you — not in a box at the bottom of the truck.

Update your utility account. Contact your local electricity or gas provider ahead of time so service is active the moment you arrive at your new home.

•     Pack carefully. Wrap each appliance with moving blankets or protective padding.

•     Secure the doors. Use tape or straps to keep doors from swinging open in transit — front-load washer doors and fridge doors are the first casualties of any move.

•     Label every appliance. Note its name and the room it belongs to in the new place. Your movers (or your very patient friends) will thank you.

•     Call in professionals. For appliances needing special hookups — gas or water — leave the disconnect and reconnect to a qualified tech. This isn't the moment to improvise.

Before you unpack the first box of dishes, plan where each appliance will go and make sure the necessary connections are in place. One important reminder: after transport, let your refrigerator sit upright for a few hours before plugging it back in, so the compressor fluids can settle.

Once everything is reconnected, test each appliance to make sure it's working properly. An empty washer cycle, a fridge that's cooling down, a range where every burner heats: better to find out on day one than the day guests show up.

Let's be honest: moving an old washer out of a triplex basement sometimes costs more — in sweat and mover fees — than the machine is worth. A move is often the perfect moment for a fresh start, especially if your appliances are over 10 years old and running up your energy bill.

A few reliable picks for furnishing a new home without breaking the bank:

•     Ellipse ERTM181WE refrigerator (18 cu. ft., 29.75") — our in-house brand, perfectly sized for condo and apartment kitchens, at an unbeatable price.

•     Ellipse front-load washer-dryer set (EW410W-ED700W) — a dependable, budget-friendly duo for starting a laundry room off right.

•     LG WM3400CW front-load washer (5.2 cu. ft.) — compact and powerful, ideal for tight spaces.

•     Ellipse ECF070W chest freezer (7 cu. ft.) — a lifesaver for families who stock up after a big grocery run.

And for the tight budgets that always follow a move (paint, curtains, damage deposit — we know the drill), our Eco-Choice section offers brand-new appliances sold as liquidation or "as-is," all inspected, at a reduced price.

It's precisely in the chaos of a move that our services make the difference:

24-hour express delivery. Didn't survive the trip? For $89.99, get your new appliance the very next day (subject to postal code eligibility). Standard delivery is free on orders of $799.99 and up.

Best Price Guarantee — for 30 days. Find the same product cheaper at an authorized Canadian retailer (or even at Corbeil) within 30 days of delivery? We'll refund the difference. Buy before your move with total peace of mind.

We take care of your old appliances. Don't want to haul the old dryer to the new place or leave it on the curb? Through our GoRecycle partnership, we'll pick it up and make sure it's recycled responsibly.

The Corbeil Protection Plan. Up to 4 years of additional coverage, parts and labour included, with lemon-law protection. And if you never use your plan, get a 50% rebate gift card in-store.

Flexible financing. Moving is expensive. Our interest-free financing plans, offered with our partner Fairstone, let you furnish your new home without draining your account.

30+ locations across Quebec and Ontario. Need advice or after-sales service? Our specialist advisors are close by, before and after your move — find a store near you.