Moving day is trying and tiring for the whole family. We realize this and we want to help you in every way we possibly can. Of course, the easiest way to accomplish this is to let us do the whole move for you. We can pack, move, unpack and arrange any extra services that your move requires. The hardest way is to hire a truck and do the moving yourself with the help of friends. This will require a great deal of time and an enormous amount of energy on your part. It can also be the most expensive way of all , as damage to your furnishings or the premises, or even injury to either yourself or to your friends can more than offset any monetary savings on the cost of your move.

To help you decide on the best move for you, here are some suggestions about arranging the "next-to easiest" way to move locally. By following our guidelines you can move by our professional team and save money.

HOW IT WORKS

A local move is usually a move within the city or within a 50 mile radius in which the cost of the move is calculated on an hourly basis, and final costs are based on the actual time is takes to complete your move. Your belongings will determine the type of van you will need, the number of professional movers, plus any special services you will require. Additional costs for packing services, crating of special items, storage, travelling time, and transport protection will be included in the final bill. Payment for a local move is usually by cash or certified check on delivery.

PEAK MOVING TIMES

Hourly rates can vary depending on the number of movers required to safely and efficiently complete your move and the day on which you choose to move. Peak moving periods are usually charged at a higher rate than non-peak period (i.e., the end of June, Sundays, holidays) and overtime rates may apply if your move carries on until late in the day. We recommend that you avoid the peak periods and try to plan your move for either mid-week or prior/after the June month-end rush! If it is not feasible and you must move during a peak period, we recommend that you book your move as early as possible with us in order to that we may reserve the crews and equipment that will be required.

If your move is a large one and it is expected to take more than 8 hours, your Consultant may recommend a 2-day move (loading your goods on the first day, keeping them overnight on the truck in our Short Term Storage Area, and delivering to your new home the following day). This will not only save you on overtime charges but also will avoid an exhaustingly long day which can be particularly stressful for you. Your Moving Consultant will advise you on the best way to complete your move.

WHAT THE MOVER NEEDS TO KNOW

Unless special services are required for your local move (packing, crating, storage, etc.), most local moves can be booked with us over the phone through our in-house Customer Service Representatives and Inside Sales Staff. Some of the information you will be asked is:

• How many rooms in your current home/apartment are you moving?
• What items are stored in your locker or elsewhere?
• What type of access is available at both locations (elevators or stairs, long-carry from the street)?
• Do you have a piano, freezer, sofa bed or any other large Item that may require special equiptment  and/or handling
• Do you have any plate glass or stone tops i.e. dining room table tops, dresser top protective glass, marble pieces, slate or granite pieces that may require special crating?

Depending on your answers to these and other questions that may be asked, we may recommend that a Certified Moving Consultant visit your home and discuss any special needs you may have. If yours is a simple move (i.e.., no packing, storage, crating required), we can usually book your move over the phone and a confirmation will be sent to you. However if special services are required, a  Consultant will be pleased to visit you.

PLANNING & PREPARING FOR YOUR MOVE

Your Moving Consultant has a handy checklist of things to do prior to moving day. Some of these handy reminders include:

– Sorting out

Go through your drawers, closets, garage, attic, etc. and dispose of any items that you will not be moving. It can be confusing for the movers to try to determine what is and what is not to be moved on moving day! If some items are to stay with the house, clearly mark or indicate to the driver that the items are "NOT TO BE MOVED."




– Garage Sales

Your Moving Consultant can provide you, with a handy booklet on how to hold a garage sale to dispose of items that you no longer need. Remember that "One Man's trash is another Man's treasure!"




– Charitable Organizations

Furniture and clothing that you will not be moving can also be donated to various charitable organizations. Many of these organizations (Salvation Army, Sun Youth, Centraide, etc.) can arrange to pick up unwanted furniture items or clothing, if you phone them well in advance, and you can feel good knowing that they will be used for a worthy cause!




– Discarding Unneeded Items

Often we come across basements or attics that are full and the chore of discarding unwanted items can be  difficult. There are  agencies and companies who offer free pickup of used books, appliances/electronic items (working or not), as well as old furniture, at no charge. Your Moving Consultant can help you decide how to discard various items.






PACKING TIPS

If you choose to do the packing yourself, you can check out our " Do It Yourself Packing Guide" which explains the various sizes and types of cartons you will need, packing materials (paper, packing tape, labels, felt markers), as well as a plan to get organized. We can also assist you with packing materials which you can pick up at our warehouse at a nominal cost. For larger moves requiring many cartons, your Moving Consultant can arrange to have the packing materials delivered to your home well in advance of moving day!




• When labeling your cartons, do not mark everything as "FRAGILE". Something has to be on the bottom of the load and no one will know which cartons are really fragile!
• Do not use masking, electrical or scotch tape to seal your cartons. Proper packing tape is available either from us or can be purchased at most variety stores.
• Mattress covers and wardrobe cartons are available and can be either purchased or rented. Wardrobe cartons, because of their size, are usually brought to your home on moving day, set-up and positioned for you to pack the contents of your closets. These are great for saving on dry-cleaning and pressing.
• We ask that you remove any valuable items such as money, jewelry and important papers from drawers or cabinets and take these with you. The only items that we recommend be left in drawers or cabinets are soft goods (clothing, linens, pillows, etc.).
• All cartons that you pack should be sturdy, weigh no more than 50 lbs. when full, and be marked as to the general contents and which area or room in your new home they are to be placed. Sufficient packing paper or newsprint should be used to protect the contents from breakage. When packing fragile Items, try this simple test: After packing and sealing your carton, gently shake the carton - there should be no clinking sounds. If there are, you have not included enough padding.
• The china containers that your good dishes are stored in are not suitable for moving. All plates should be wrapped individually and then in groups of 4 and placed on edge on a cushion of paper in the carton (not one on top of the other).
• Pack cartons in layers separated by crumpled paper with the heavier items at the bottom.
• The secret to successful packing is LOTS OF PAPER! All holes or empty spaces should be stuffed with crumpled paper so that nothing can move or clink in the carton.
• Garbage bags should not be used except to protect the pots of large plants from spillage during transport.
• Clean and prepare your appliances, ensuring that trays and loose items (i.e., ice-cube trays, butter containers, oven racks, etc.) are taped down. Freezers and refrigerators should be disconnected and wiped down and  hoses emptied of  water. If you are unable to disconnect your appliances, your Moving Consultant can arrange for professional service people to look after this service for you.
• Brooms, rods, mops and garden tools should be tied or taped into bundles for easier handling.
• For safety reasons, flammable substances   (aerosol cans, oil, paint, kerosene etc.) cannot be moved on the van. You can check out our "Moving Dangerous Goods" for further information.
• Anything that is permanently affixed to the walls or ceilings (i.e., ceiling fans, brackets, shelving, etc.) that require removal or items that require special servicing (ice-makers, built-in dishwashers, slate pool tables, waterbeds, etc.) must be prepared prior to moving day. Your Moving Consultant can arrange to have a professional electrician, technician, plumber or specialized service person perform these services at for you.
• Power tools and outdoor items (swing sets, TV antennas, garden sheds, etc.) must be dismantled, cleaned and prepared prior to moving day. Again, your Moving Consultant can arrange to have these services carried out for you by professionals.
• Blankets and quilts make good wrapping for mirrors and pictures. If, however, a picture or mirror is oversized and particularly fragile, your Moving Consultant will recommend special packing or crating to in order to ensure safe transport.
• For a local, one-day move, your frozen food should be moved in a portable coolers with adequate freezer packs. Your food should stay frozen for a number of hours this way.
• Small items (bags of frozen peas, fruit, etc.) may defrost in a short period of time. Our best advice is to eat hearty. You can check our "Moving Frozen Foods" for more information.
• Plants require special attention and you can check out "plants" on this site.






DO's & DON'TS

• Do not overfill dresser drawers. Drawers are made for clothing or soft goods (linens). Filling them with books and heavy goods will stress the drawer and cabinet assembly.
Do not leave small items (brushes, jewelry, etc.) in dresser drawers, They can fall down the back and become lost. It's better to pack small loose items in a shoe box and then in a larger carton with other bedroom items.
• Cartons, when filled, should not weight more than 23 kgs. or 50 lbs.
• Garbage bags are not suitable for packing; they tear easily and do not protect your goods.
• Cartons should be cushioned with crushed newspapers on the bottom, between layers, at the top and in all empty spaces.
• Pack heavier items on the bottom layer of the carton and the lightest, most fragile items on top (fragile items should be packed separately).
• Small items, such as salt & pepper shakers, should be wrapped in colored paper or small boxes first so that they don't get lost.
• Cartons should not be overfilled. The tops should close flat and nothing should stick out of them.
• All cartons should he sealed with proper packing tape.
• Label each carton on the top and sides as to its general contents (books, dishes, lampshades, toys) and the room or area where it will be going. Keep a list of the contents of each carton either on the box itself or through a numbering systems and a notebook. It will make finding individual items easier.






LAST MINUTE PREPARATION

• Place "NOT TO BE MOVED" tags on any items that are not to be moved. Show these to the movers.
• Plan easy-to-prepare meals for moving day. Use one carton for dishes, utensils and food for the last meal in the old house and the first one in your new home Mark this carton "Load Last - Unload First". Your Moving Consultant can provide you with appropriate labels.
• Clean cupboards, windows and floors in your new home ahead of time if it is empty.
• Plan the placement of your furniture in your new home. Make a floor plan, tape signs on rooms doors (e.g., Bedroom No. 2) so that the movers can place the furniture and cartons in the designated areas.






MOVING DAY!

Before the van arrives, for your own peace of mind as well as their safety, we suggest that you arrange for someone to see that children and pets are kept out of the stream of traffic. and away from the van!




Leave all furniture in place, rugs on the floors, cartons and bundles in the rooms in which they were packed or stored. Do not dismantle furniture, even beds. Bedding can be put in cartons and replaced on the beds in your new home.




Make sure that all passageways are left clear and that articles required first in your home are shown to the Van Operator.




Check all cupboards, behind doors and all storage areas before the van leaves. See that everything that is to go has been loaded onto the van and that those items which were not to be moved are still on the premises.




SETTLING INTO YOUR NEW HOME!

Our men will lay loose floor runners and carpets, they will reassemble and  place your furniture as required, and leave labeled cartons and bundles in the designated rooms.




When appliances have been reconnected (allow the TV to warm to room temperature before turning it on and wait 4 to 6 hours before plugging in your freezer), when the beds are made and everyday dishes, utensils and perishable foods are put away, your new house is now "Home". The rest of the unpacking can be done at your convenience.