5 moving tips and packing tips to make moving day a success

TIP 1: CHOOSE THE RIGHT MOVER

Take some time to find a reputable professional moving company, preferably one who is certified by the Canadian Association of Movers. Check with your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if there have been any complaints filed. Take some time to browse through the Web and social media to read reviews or scores it has been given by clients.

TIP 2: CHOOSE A GOOD DATE

For the best rates, try to schedule your move for mid-week or mid-month. And if you live in Quebec, try to avoid moving on July 1^st, as about 120,000 people move on this day in Quebec each year! If you move on another date, you’ll have a much easier time finding a moving company, you’ll save a lot of money on inflated moving rates, and avoid timing issues with the current resident at your new home or the person who's waiting for you to move out of your old place.

TIP 3: CHANGE YOUR ADDRESS

Don’t forget to change your address with all banks, utilities, government, employers and more. You can make all your changes at once using specialized websites.

TIP 4: MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MOVING DAY

If you are moving to an apartment, book the elevator in the building if possible and notify the building manager of your arrival time. Arrange for street parking, if needed. Schedule Internet, cable and phone installation for the day you move in.

TIP 5: PREPARE MOVING DAY NECESSITIES

Set aside a box for everything you’ll need on moving day. Include things like felt markers, scissors, packing tape, gloves, screwdriver, utility knife (X‑Acto), garbage bags, household cleaning supplies. And be sure to have snacks and water on hand – it could be a long (and hot) day.

Moving tips

• Obtain estimates from at least 3 moving companies
• Check references and online reviews
• Get the costs, terms and conditions of your move in writing
• Make sure you have adequate replacement value protection for your goods
• Follow the guidelines provided in this Checklist for Moving

Packing tips for moving: it’s a wrap!

Make boxes easier to carry by putting lightweight items (clothes, linens) in large boxes, and heavier items like books, canned foods and small tools in smaller boxes. Similarly, pack heavier items at the bottom, with lighter objects on top to help distribute the weight. Fill in any gaps with packing paper or clothing. Be sure to clearly identify very fragile items (e.g., glass or ceramic).

To make unpacking more efficient:

• Don’t mix items from different rooms in the same box. Label all boxes with the room name as well as a list of its contents
• Last in, first out: you need to load last the boxes you’ll need first upon arrival. This way, you can quickly access them and start setting up the most important rooms as soon as you get there.

Protect your belongings

Have you ever unpacked after a long day of moving to find out that valuable items have been damaged? To protect your belongings:

• Take photos of furniture that could be damaged in the move, in the event of future claims
• For long distance moves, make sure your moving company prepares an inventory list of what they are moving and supplies you with a copy for your records. Also ask them what procedures they follow to ensure your goods are protected against theft, fire, or water damage if in storage overnight
• Make sure your belongings are adequately insured by either your mover’s replacement value protection or your own insurance. Your home insurance policy will cover the replacement value of your belongings if something is damaged during the move, but you should always check with your insurance company to be sure
• As contents are being unloaded, carefully note any damage to your belongings or lost inventory. If you need to do so, make you insurance claim in a timely fashion, because some insurance policies have specific time periods to make claims involving damage related to moving.

For more on this topic, visit:

Finding professional movers

Good Move, Good Advice

July 1 Moving Day