Moving

[ultrabuzz]

With the vista platform not really being worth upgrading my computers for, we decided to upgrade … our house this year :)

Having just purchased a new one, sold my current house, financial and budget numbers taken care of, I guess it’s time to start packing. It’s hard to believe the stuff you accumulate over the years and by the looks of things, me and a couple of buddies may not be able to pull this off that easy this time. So we’re planning to hire a moving company to take care of the heavy and awkward appliances and furniture. Which brings me to a couple of questions… have you ever used a moving company? Can you recommend one? Anything to look out for when hiring them?

And while on the subject, any other moving related advise would be welcome.

Appreciate you replies..

[Aristera]

Boxes, get lots and lots of boxes.

[Hatshepsut]

We purchased the boxes and packing paper in advance from our movers. The movers will loan cardboard wardrobes free of charge on moving day for your clothes to directly hang in, and in the bottoms fit your pillows and comforters. Movers will also take down and set up your beds. We also purchased boxes to move "china" bakeware, mugs, etc. on the bottom and the fragile dishes on the top.

Label the boxes with the contents summary, if fragile and the room it is to be moved to. Plan in advance which room the heavy furniture will go. If you are worried whether something will fit, perhaps the present owners will allow you to come in and measure. Carry in your car the valuables, and an essentials kit with lightbulbs, TP, soap, paper towels, phone, soft drinks, cups, screwdrivers etc. and the phone number for a local pizza delivery service for dinner that night.

Find out in advance if the movers only accept cash. You will need an estimate of the moving cost/time so you know how much cash to have. In a long move, we always send the movers out for lunch half way at our expense (we give them lunch money, and the clock is still ticking on the move) and ensure that each worker gets a tip at the end, usually about $25.00 each.

Try not to book your move on a Monday, Friday or the first or last of the month. That way they movers are not overbooked.

Get rid of the crap in advance so you don't have to pack and move it. Use your move as an excuse to replace the stuff you hate.

Get three quotes and ask what the insurance really means. If they pay for damage by weight vs value of item. See if the move will go faster with 3 men vs 2, or 4 men vs 3, and weigh the cost.

We have used many times with success Armor Mayflower in Scarborough. As best I can tell, they are now called Allied Van Lines and are still at 12 Progress Avenue, also listed as Armor Moving and Storage.

[Lesley]

I've moved four times, long distance moves, and Hatshepsut is spot on.

One thing to note, if you pack yourself you may not get the same insurance coverage, I remember anything we packed was marked packed by owner on the manifest and we were responsible for it. The only time I had substantial damage was the one move where our stuff had to go into storage for a few days. Avoid that at all costs.

Don't leave any garbage around if the movers are packing for you because a lot of them will pack it. Yes, really. The same goes for dirty shoe trays and the like.

You can get the mover to come in ahead of time and give you an estimate on weight and time involved. I've found this is a fairly accurate way to get an idea of what costs are involved.

When it's time to bring stuff into the new house sit someone at the door with a clipboard and have the movers call out the label number of each item as it's brought in. This is the easiest way to ensure you get all your stuff. Also check the house for damage before and after the movers have been in and if need be take pictures. They can be pretty rough.

Good luck.


We purchased the boxes and packing paper in advance from our movers. The movers will loan cardboard wardrobes free of charge on moving day for your clothes to directly hang in, and in the bottoms fit your pillows and comforters. Movers will also take down and set up your beds. We also purchased boxes to move "china" bakeware, mugs, etc. on the bottom and the fragile dishes on the top.

Label the boxes with the contents summary, if fragile and the room it is to be moved to. Plan in advance which room the heavy furniture will go. If you are worried whether something will fit, perhaps the present owners will allow you to come in and measure. Carry in your car the valuables, and an essentials kit with lightbulbs, TP, soap, paper towels, phone, soft drinks, cups, screwdrivers etc. and the phone number for a local pizza delivery service for dinner that night.

Find out in advance if the movers only accept cash. You will need an estimate of the moving cost/time so you know how much cash to have. In a long move, we always send the movers out for lunch half way at our expense (we give them lunch money, and the clock is still ticking on the move) and ensure that each worker gets a tip at the end, usually about $25.00 each.

Try not to book your move on a Monday, Friday or the first or last of the month. That way they movers are not overbooked.

Get rid of the crap in advance so you don't have to pack and move it. Use your move as an excuse to replace the stuff you hate.

Get three quotes and ask what the insurance really means. If they pay for damage by weight vs value of item. See if the move will go faster with 3 men vs 2, or 4 men vs 3, and weigh the cost.

We have used many times with success Armor Mayflower in Scarborough. As best I can tell, they are now called Allied Van Lines and are still at 12 Progress Avenue, also listed as Armor Moving and Storage.

[Taz]

I was a mover for 13 years and I can say you have received some good advice here so far. Lesley is right if you "owner pack" valuebles like fine china, paintings ,collectables etc will not be covered in the insurance if they get damaged, What would be covered is damage to your furniture, walls in the homes.

From Lesley's post she has had experiance with DND moves, where every item is given a tag with a number and a description (incuding any markings,scratches etc.) are noted. Any long haul move will provide the same service as it protects the company as well. If you are moving locally I suggest labeling the boxes and labeling the rooms at the new house Example: master bedroom, bedroom 1 bedroom 2, tv room. A good mover will want a quick tour of the new home to get an idea where things go and ask you questions about any placement of larger furniture items. Now that said the insurance is optional not automaticly applied. Do yourself a favour and take it on a local move the cost is based on a % of the estimated value of your goods long haul you pay by % plus weight.

Now for companies I recommend using a major company. An agent for Atlas Van lines or United Van lines(The 2 largest companies around) not the little guy for $50/ hour. Reason is #1 he may not have the proper insurance so getting anything thats damaged or lost replaced or repaired could be a nightmare. #2 reason is experiance a major company is more likely going to have guys around that have been moving for several years. When I did local moves here in London we moved an average of 9 families a week, the experiance is invaluble.

I suggest using proper moving boxes not stuff from the grocery store, it just makes the job easier and faster in the long run, thoroughly consider having the movers pack you it's faster(Usually can be done the day before a move) and those with experiance will use less boxes = less cost.


As for movers

http://www.atlasvanlines.ca/householdmoves.htm

This is the Atlas Van lines company I would suggest
http://www.amjcampbell.com/ but the closest office to you is Mississauga
I'd still call for a quote

United
http://www.uvl.ca/

http://www.campbellbros.com/
http://www.armmove.com/

Campbells has a local move estimator

https://secure.campbellbros.com/
any other questions just ask

[Lesley]

From Lesley's post she has had experience with DND moves, where every item is given a tag with a number and a description (including any markings,scratches etc.) are noted. Any long haul move will provide the same service as it protects the company as well.

Yep, exactly that, before the current system which from what I understand has made moves a lot more difficult for people in the service.

I think even on a local move if you have stuff you care about it's worth paying for the full service move if it's available. Less stess and you're really protected against loss or damage. One dropped "packed by owner" box could destroy a lot of expensive stuff. Accidents happen.

[Taz]

Yep, exactly that, before the current system which from what I understand has made moves a lot more difficult for people in the service.

I think even on a local move if you have stuff you care about it's worth paying for the full service move if it's available. Less stess and you're really protected against loss or damage. One dropped "packed by owner" box could destroy a lot of expensive stuff. Accidents happen.

Most definitely, I've talked to customers that used friends or discount movers before and had very bad experiances. 1 customer had a discount mover and they had a baby grand piano that got dropped while it was being dismantled(they have to be moved a certain way). It never sounded quite right after that and because they used a discount service had no recourse to pursue.

[Ogee]

I agree with it all, if you can afford having the mover pack things do it...label all boxes on top and one side with the room that they will go to and the contents...in addition number all the boxes so you know how many should arrive at your new house and check them off as they arrive...if you are packing yourself...move the really fragile stuff in your car...buy sturdy boxes from a store specializing in that, and TAPE the BOTTOMS AND TOPS OF ALL THE BOXES.

Now the first thing to deal with in your new house--make the bathroom useable...towels, tp etc...Then SET UP THE BEDS and make them up before you start to unpack other stuff...that way when you are exhausted in several hours time you can fall right into bed.

Enjoy your new home

[lbjgh]

Garage/Yard Sale! Unload the junk, don't move it. :)

[T_Totler]

Garage/Yard Sale! Unload the junk, don't move it. :)
Like I said above, great option..but not in the dead of winter ;)

[Mouse]

Load it last then, and make a stop at a storage facility.

Bedroom first, ABSOLUTELY.

I'll take Mary Browns. Pick one that's close. Walking distance is good.

[ultrabuzz]

I very much appreciate all replies.

Well, here’s is the plan so far:
My neighbor works at a packaging plant and has been supplying a steady stream of nice 12mm wall, heavy-duty boxes for me. I’m double (and triple taping in some cases) the bottoms, plastic wrapping and labeling as I go. I’m boxing everything this time around. From dishes to clothes… no bags, I learned on the previous move. I think I have that part covered.

Apparently my better half has some remodeling plans before the move so we’ll be bridging my mortgage which gives me a week to get the new place ready. We’re getting some hardwood put in, shudders installed and I’ll also be doing some painting before the big day. It’s going to be a busy week.

After the new place is set up, we’ll be renting a cube van for a day and moving all the boxes, some small furniture, stuff from the garage, computers and small appliances ourselves. The new house is only 20min away so I’ll make multiple trips if needed. We’ll be hiring a moving company to move the large stuff (bedroom sets, dining furniture, tvs, desks, tables, dressers… etc). I had a few quotes already from large and some no name moving people and the prices seem to be in the same ball park. I think I’m going to pick up a fixed 30k insurance and not the by-pound deal. Only thing that concerns me before I book one is that I’m hearing of moving companies tending to go over the quote rather frequently and if they do, they will hold your stuff on the truck until you pay up the difference…any insights on that part?

Again, your input is very much welcome.
Thank You.

[Taz]

Most major movers will guarantee their quote to within 10%. Also your stuff is unloaded into your home before you pay so it can't be held on the truck. You can't write them a cheque for a service that hasn't been completed. If you get good service tip the guys a few $$