Europa Movers Toronto

6-24 The East Mall,
Toronto, ON M8W 4W5
416-604-9904

How to Prepare your Pet for a Long Distance Move from Toronto, ON

By

Moving a live animal long distances to or from Toronto, or elsewhere in Canada can present various challenges.

In this blog post we’ll give you some tips to help you prepare for moving your pet safely and comfortably anywhere in Canada.

Toronto Moving Company - Pet Moving Tips


Microchip your pet

This is a great way to track the location of your pet, should they go missing for any reason during your relocation. Make sure to arrange to microchip your pet at least 2 weeks before your move so there’s enough time to register a second contact, as this could make the difference in keeping track of your beloved pet.

Familiarize your pet with its crate

One extra way to help your pet’s feel better during the move is to allow them to spend time in the crate prior to moving day. We recommend doing this well in advance so that your pet has enough time to adapt to their new environment.

Another good way to make them feel comfortable is to associate their new crate with some reward i.e. let them eat and sleep in the crate. For most pets travelling by airlines, a properly sized crate will be necessary. It is important that you purchase a crate that is sturdy and has enough space for your pet to be comfortable during the journey.

Let your pet exercise

One good way to make sure that your pet feels comfortable in their crate is to provide them with a sufficient amount of exercise before your moving date.

Consider increasing the length of your pet’s walks from the usual time prior to the move so that they feel quite tired during the move. Not only will this prevent your pet from getting antsy and wanting to escape, it will also significantly reduce their stress levels during the moving process.

Pack accordingly

Depending on what kind of transport your pet will be taken by to your new home, there will be different amounts of pet accessories you are allowed to take.

However, it’s always important to pack as much as you can, as well as extras of everything your pet may need during the move, such as any medication they may need to take, food, toys to keep them entertained, litter bags, leashes and grooming equipment.

Preparing your pet for a move is always going to be a challenging process, but if you do your research, take every precaution you can. That way there won’t be a reason why your pet won’t reach your new home safely and happily.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

Great Places for Visiting and Living in Western Canada

By

Moving to or from Toronto, ON across a big country like Canada can be a challenging task, just because there is so much distance between where you currently are and where you will likely be moving to. However, this shouldn’t deter you from considering a big transition such as a cross-country move to Western Canada.

Moving Across Canada - Moving to Western Canada

It is very important to scope out your new potential places of residence in Western Canada, and to take in as much of the area as possible while you are visiting it.

In this blog post, we’ll discuss some of the best places to visit and live in Western Canada. Hopefully after visiting those places, you will feel more comfortable to make a decision that could change your life for the better.

  • Vancouver, BC – As the most populous city in Western Canada, Vancouver is a must-see when visiting British Columbia.The city is linguistically and ethnically diverse, and is one of the few cities in North America which has direct access to both the mountains and the ocean. Vancouver’s unique location and mild climate means that there is a host of activities that anyone can get involved with, no matter what time of year it is.
  • Whistler, BC – As one of the best ski resorts in the world and a host of the 2010 Winter Olympic games, Whistler is a great place for staying with family.Not only does it offer far more than skiing and snowboarding in the winter, there is a plenty of activities to get involved in during the summer months, from swimming in lakes to world class mountain biking and ziplining through the forest. If you are spending some time or living in BC, Whistler is the “perfect getaway” place.
  • Calgary, AB – Calgary is a city in the province of Alberta. It is situated at the confluence of the Bow River and the Elbow River in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, about 80 km (50 mi) east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies.Calgary is a city where you can explore the magic of the Canadian Rockies by day and be back in time for dinner. Calgary’s cultural scene is rich in its spectrum of arts and performing arts and city is proud of its ever-evolving culinary scene.
  • Edmonton, AB – Edmonton is the capital of Alberta, Canada. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by Alberta’s central region.Alberta’s capital city is always celebrating something, from arts and culture to food and wine, dragon boats, winter and even accordions. There’s more than 60 festivals to choose from, year round.

These were just a few of the fantastic cities that can be visited and considered for relocation in Western Canada, but there are numerous other attractions to discover in this great region, including Banff, Kelowna, Penticton, Kootenays etc. And if you are considering moving to Western Canada, it’s a great idea to visit some cities first, we’re sure you won’t be disappointed. You are welcome to check out our Viktoria Movers Vancouver and Viktoria Movers Calgarybranches’ Blogs for more tips on moving to Western Canada.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

 

Toronto Moving Tips: Moving to a Snowy Climate in Canada

By

If you are planning to move to Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada, you should be aware that it is very diverse in its landscape and climate, and sometimes, depending on your location, the weather can be extremely snowy to say the least. This can create numerous problems for people who are used to one specific climate.

Toronto Moving Tips - Moving to Snowy Climate

In this blog post we will cover some challenges that moving to a snowy climate in Canada can bring to you, and some tips to help make the transition for you and your family easier.

1. Be ready to drive more – One of the biggest changes to people’s lives when they move to a snowy, cold climate in Canada is the amount of driving that they will need to do.

Getting to places can become quite stressful and take a long time if one has to rely on public transportation, so be ready to invest in a capable vehicle and to spend significantly more on gas.

2. Change your driving habits – Driving in snowy climates can be very different from driving in dry ones. The good news is you’ll get used to your new roads quickly, out of necessity. However, it is still useful to re-evaluate your driving habits, as unexpected problems can occur when getting used to a new climate in Canada. Do your research, and remember that safety is of the utmost importance.

3. Invest in some appropriate clothing – If you are moving to a cold climate in Canada, chances are the winters will be long and cold, so it is absolutely necessary to invest in appropriate clothing for the cold season.

Depending on how cold the area gets, you may need some heavy-duty jackets. Although for most snowy climates, it will be a good idea to simply pick up a high quality jacket, scarves and a pair of gloves.

4. Be prepared for some inconveniences – Aside from the standard clothing and driving challenges, there might be other challenges that arise when you move to your new location.

For example, going places will generally take longer, so it is important to plan accordingly.

Also, power outages will be generally more frequent due to changing weather, so it is worth keeping some alternative forms of entertainment around the house for your kids, and making sure you have plenty of non-perishable food around for those outages.

5. Try to stay active – Staying active when it’s cold outside can be challenging. You can’t exactly just step out of your front door, as you may have been able to do in your old location. But it is extremely important to find ways to get your fix.

You can join a gym, go for walks in a mall or try and take up some winter sports. Not only will these things keep you from gaining a few pounds, but will also help keep the winter blues away.

Try to be open to new experiences, and try to take advantage of activities that can only be done in your new climate.

Above are just a few tips to make your transition easier, but there will be numerous other challenges that you never expected when moving to your new location in Canada.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

Some Moving Hacks for moving to or from Toronto ON

By

Moving is one of the most stressful experiences. No matter how many times you’ve moved before, there’s a couple things you’ll always need: a good, reputable Toronto moving company and as much help and advice as you can get.

20 Moving Hacks - Toronto Movers
Here are twenty helpful moving hacks that really work and can make your residential relocation smooth and efficient.

  1. Take photos of the rear hookup panels of your electronics before you disconnect them. Getting reconnected in your new home will be much easier with a photo of what cord goes where.
  2. Use clothing and linens as wrap for breakables. A t-shirt wrapped around a glass dish works as well as costly packing materials. You can also put a pair of rolled up socks inside your glassware. Towels and sheets can also be used as pads inside boxes with breakables.
  3. Use Saran Wrap and Glad Press ‘n Seal for keeping tiny things intact and in their original trays, drawers and display stands – this works particularly well with jewelry.
  4. Place a styrofoam disposable plate between breakable plates, stack them up and box them.
  5. Fill up every container, basket, box and anything with open space. Put your containers to work for you! Fill them with smaller items to space space in moving boxes. Don’t forget about your reusable fabric shopping bags with handles. Filling them up before packing will help to keep your moving boxes organized.
  6. Use suitcases for heavy items such as books. Suitcases can serves as moving boxes. Large suitcases with wheels are particularly helpful for moving heavy items like books.
  7. If you’re DIYing the packing, color code your boxes with brightly colored duct tape. Pink for kitchen, Blue for bedroom, Green for bathroom, etc. Specific contents can be written directly on the tape.
  8. No matter how you color code, label boxes on at least two sides (not the top) so that when they’re stacked, you can see the label.
  9. If you’re moving by yourself, keep your boxes small. You can get free photocopy paper boxes from office supply stores. They have built-in handles and are perfect for small heavy items like books.
  10. Put a cotton ball or cotton pad in your powder or compact cosmetics, such as powder and blush, to keep them from breaking.
  11. Cover the openings of liquid toiletries with Saran Wrap. Take the cap off, cover with the plastic wrap, then put the cap back on. If the lid accidentally pops open during the move, the plastic wrap will prevent spills.
  12. Keep cords from getting tangled mess by first filling a box with toilet paper tubes, upright. Put each cord into its own tube.
  13. Keep hardware together with the disassembled furniture it goes with by putting it in a snack size Ziploc bag and taping it to the largest pieced. Tape remotes to the TVs that they belong to.
  14. If you have more than one bed of the same size, color code your mattress and box springs if you want to keep them in the same bedrooms they had been in before. You won’t be able to tell them apart when they’re brought into your new home.
  15. Save partially full containers of basic cleaning supplies for your moving day cleaning kit. Keep them in a bucket that you don’t mind tossing. After the moving crew leaves, you can clean your house top to bottom and throw away the empty or near empty cleaners.
  16. Unpack the bedroom and your personal bathroom items first. At the end of a long moving day, you’ll want to shower and get to bed without any further heavy lifting.
  17. Make the local library your first stop in your new town. Libraries are a valuable resource for newcomers. Find the community calendar, and the rack of fliers and brochures for classes and programs offered. And don’t forget to get your new library cards.
  18. Stop buying liquids and flammables well before your moving date. Most moving companies won’t take anything flammable and some won’t take any liquids that have been opened. So don’t buy the value sized bottle of cooking oil unless you know you’ll use most of it by moving day.
  19. Avoid cheating. Your moving company has rules for a reason. Don’t sneak something into a box that you know is forbidden. If there’s a mishap, you’ll be responsible for the damages.
  20. Don’t move everything. In particular, outside trash cans, some indoor trash cans, toilet brushes, cleaning rags, and other items that are just unpleasantly “used up” should be tossed and replaced with shiny, brand new items for your new home.

 

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

Options for Moving Your Car During a Long Distance Move from Toronto ON

By

If you are moving locally in Toronto, ON, moving your car won’t be an issue. But when it comes to long distance moving across Canada, the situation is different.

While a local or short distance move in Toronto, ON presents a no-brainer ‘drive-it-yourself’ solution, a move that takes you hundreds or thousands of miles away is a bit more complicated.

Toronto Car Moving Services - Movers Toronto
We’ve prepared a list of options below to help you move your car.

  1. Drive it Yourself –For most people, this is exactly how they do it, combining a move across country with a fun road trip. It’s perfect when your new home is not very far away and you can make the journey in a day or two. But moving across Canada can take several days, and you may not have the time to do it. So, think twice about the pros and cons.
  2. Hire a Driveaway Service –It’s arguably the least commonly considered option, but it is a practical one. You give your car to a driveaway service, tell them where and when you want it delivered, and they match it with an individual looking for transportation to the same city. And your vehicle will be covered by the company’s insurance, with drivers leaving a fairly heavy deposit as well as ID, so you’ve got a good margin of safety built-in.
  3. Let Your Toronto Moving Company Move It –This depends on the size of your car, but you may be able to load your car onto the moving truck you’re already using. It’s a viable option when you need more than one truck, with the second not completely full. Just keep in mind the costs as your long distance moving service is charged by weight and distance, rather than by the hour. Ask your moving coordinator how they can assist you.
  4. Hire a Professional Toronto Vehicle Moving Company –There are car shippers around that will load your vehicle on a carrier, along with several others, and drive them to your new city. In some cases, they load it onto a freight train, minimizing the time needed. Obviously, moving your car this way is going to cost you more, but there are some pros:
    • You car is covered by the transportation company’s insurance, at least while in transit (check the particulars first)
    • You can rest easy your car will be delivered without a scratch
    • Your car’s mileage doesn’t increase
    • Wear and tear is avoided

If you do choose this option, get a quote and check the details before committing yourself. They will need to know the drop-off point, but not all will deliver to your door.

  1. Don’t Move It, Just Sell It –Finally, you could also just sell your car instead of moving it with you. Bear in mind that not all provinces in Canada share the same vehicle emissions testing laws, so a vehicle that’s deemed be fine in New Brunswick might not be okay in British Columbia. The same issues need to be considered when moving to the US, making selling up and buying a new car a logical decision. Check out the different laws in the AAA/CAA website.

 

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

Downsizing from a House to a Condo in Toronto ON – Tips

By

Thinking about moving from a house to a condo in Toronto, ON or any other city in Canada?

Toronto Movers - Home Downsizing Toronto
Even after adding up all the condo fees, you’ll probably come out ahead financially due to savings on utilities, property taxes and other maintenance costs. Here are some tips to consider to make the process of your residential move in Toronto easier:

  1. Start with a List – Make a list of all the belongings that you can’t live without, i.e.: bed, couch, side table, lamps, TV etc. This will make parting with the other items easier and will help with the purge. You probably have doubles of most things hiding in the basement like DVD player, TV, couches.
  2. Fit to Measure – Will your furniture fit in your new place? Make sure to get a copy of the floor plan and take measurements of your furniture in advance. What fits in your home now might be an eyesore in your new unit.
  3. Declutter – This will be a fairly time consuming project, and an emotional one at that. Don’t overwhelm yourself and plan a few months in advance. Choose a room per day/week and make it your priority to go through every nook and cranny. Don’t forget the attic and the basement.
  4. Purge – How much should you purge? If you use it regularly then it is a keeper. Ask yourself these questions as you go through the process:
  • Do I really need this?
  • Is this sentimental to me?
  • How many of these do I have?
  • Have I used/worn this in the past six months or a year?
  • Am I keeping this for someone else?

Give yourself a quota – you’re allowed to keep only so many sentimental items, the rest must be donated or given away. This forces you to be more disciplined when going through your belongings and puts a limit on how fast you accumulate “stuff” over the long term.

5. Recycle, Sell or Donate – Don’t throw your belongings away, think about the environment and what you will be saving from our dumps.

Clothing, books, sheets and blankets are always accepted at most Shelters or Good Will. Furniture, tools or accessories are accepted at most Habitat Centers.The garage will have lots that you can purge. Garden tools, ladder, lawn mower, rakes, and shovels can be sold or donated. Make separate boxes for Recycle, Sell and Donate, you might be surprised how much you can clear out.

6. Storage Space –  After packing it all up, you realize you still have more than you thought. It isn’t easy to let go of sentimental items and memories that are attached to them. You might want to consider renting a Toronto storage unit. Whether is it short or long-term, think of a storage unit in Toronto as a temporary off site extension of your home.

 

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

Reasons for Getting Storage for Long Distance Moving to or from Toronto

By

For many homeowners looking to move from to or from Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada, there can be some tough decisions involved. For example, not everything can be moved at the same time. And even when they can, the distance that needs to be covered can be too far for a non-stop journey to be practical. A lot, therefore, depends on your destination and the schedule you have. There’s a lot of aspects that need attention when moving, and storage offers some flexibility when the move is over long distances taking more than one day.

Toronto Storage Facilities - Moving and Storage Toronto
So what situations could come up that necessitate the use of storage facilities as part of your move? As some of the top Toronto movers, we happen to have experience in this area and prepared some tips for you below.

Reasons You’ll Need Toronto Storage Services

Renting Toronto storage facility can sometimes be a useful option for local moves, but when moving long distances in Canada, it becomes necessary because of the health and safety regulations preventing drivers from staying on the road for too long. Still, the 3 most common reasons for using storage facilities during a long distance move are:

    1. Store to Wait – Generally speaking, whatever you pack will be unpacked at your new place of residence. But there may be some question marks over the space available until you see it for yourself. Your new place may be smaller, so you’re not sure if there will be room for your extensive personal library. Or maybe permanent fixtures in your living room mean the interior dimensions will not accommodate your present suite of furniture. In all the similar cases, you may want to store some of your items until you find a place for them. Once that’s worked out, you can pick them up from your Toronto storage.
    2. Store to Declutter – Sometimes you already know what items are not coming with you on your move, but you have not made a decision yet on how to dispose of them. Perhaps a family member wants your couch, but can’t collect it for a few days. Or maybe you want to sell off your old golf clubs, gym machines and other hobby related items, but it may be necessary to keep them in storage for a few days before getting rid of them at a weekend market or yard sale. Often, homeowners looking to sell will store some items to ensure their home is uncluttered and is looking more attractive to buyers. The storage period can range from a couple of days while the property is open for viewings, or it can be for several weeks if the seller prefers.
    3. Overnight Storage – The most common reason for hiring Toronto storage services is that long-haul journeys take several days. This is pretty logical when you consider the timetable adhered to by your long distance moving company. Toronto to Halifax is over 1,100 miles and will take about 24 hours to drive, while Vancouver is over 2,700 miles away and will take close to 48 hours to drive. While you might opt to make your own way (whether by car, train or plane), with your Toronto moving company moving your items, spending such long hours on the road means that at least one overnight stop will be needed. Having your items stored in Toronto storage facility is a lot better than parking overnight on the street or a truck rest, as getting your items to their new home safely is the priority.

Usually, because these stop-overs are agreed in advance as part of the moving itinerary, the cost of renting overnight Toronto storage facilities is included in the fees for the move. But it’s important to always ask about this and not to simply assume it.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

Some Good Tips for Preparing a Plan for Long Distance Moving in Canada

By

When it comes to moving between Canadian provinces, some factors come into play that don’t feature when moving between neighbourhoods within one city. And the importance of preparing in advance is even more obvious when moving long distance to or from Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada.

Toronto Moving Company - Long Distance Movers Canada

Other than packing your belongings, what issues may come with moving long distances in Canada? We’ve put together a brief list of tips that can help you get your long distance moving strategy right.

  1. Redistribute The Load – We all like to hold onto things, usually because of the memories they evoke. Your first set of golf clubs, which has lain in the closet for the past decade long usurped by a newer and luckier set. Do you really need it? Consider these 3 simple questions:
    • Do I use it? – If you have not used it in the last 12 months, let it go.
    • Do I need it? – See above, though there may be special circumstances worth considering.
    • Will I wear it? – You’ll hardly need 2 or 3 heavy coats if you’re moving to a warmer climate.

    Remember, long distance moves are usually charged by weight rather than by hour, so decreasing the load will save you money. Give to charity, have a yard sale, or even bring items a recycling company.

  2. Get At Least 3 In-Home Moving Estimates – It’s often tempting to get an estimate from only one Toronto moving company and go with it, but it’s wise to have options. It can happen, for example, that your Toronto moving company has to pull out, leaving you stranded.

    Without adequate time for finding another moving company to carry out an in-home moving estimate, they’ll ask you to fill out an inventory form. That means an inaccurate assessment, and most likely an unpleasant surprise at the weighing. Getting in-house moving estimates from several Toronto moving companies helps you avoid this nightmare.

  3. Order Home Inspections – Don’t forget to have your new home inspected for any issues. That last thing you need is to arrive at your new home only to find a raft of defects making moving in difficult. This needs to be done about 4 to 6 weeks in advance of your move, to give enough time for issues to be resolved. For more on home inspections, check out CanNACHI, CAHPI, or ASHI.
  4. Know Your Floor Plans – Most properties are advertised in square footage, but that does not necessarily reflect the actual size as it doesn’t take into account some built-in features. For example, a large kitchen might take away from the size of a living room, which means less space for your furniture. Study the floor plans of your new home well in advance of you long distance moving date. That way, you can decide if there is any furniture that can’t fit and you should sell.
  5. Arrange Utilities Early – You’ll still need your phone, electricity and water services until your moving day, but with long distance moves in Canada you need to give yourself plenty of time, and make sure the utilities are working a day or two before you arrive. The phone company might need 3 or 4 weeks to set up working phone lines, while other utilities will need a few weeks notice before swapping the service into your name. In all cases, you may need to pay a deposit before anything happens.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

Colour Coding Tips for Residential Moving in Toronto, ON

By

Planning for residential moving in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada can be a challenge as there is a lot involved: wrapping, packing and moving, and then almost just as much to do when reaching your new home. One of the ways to help things move more smoothly is to use colour coding.

The idea of colour coding is pretty straightforward: different colours communicate information about the items contained in each box, such as type, location or how fragile it might be. During any move, communicating this information is quite important, and unlike written labels – colours are easily seen and rarely misread.

There is many ways to apply a colour-code system. The most common system for residential moves in Toronto, ON and elsewhere in Canada is matching items with the rooms they are destined to be placed in so everything can be transported directly from room to room. For example, if Mary’s room is coded yellow, then Mary’s possessions are placed into yellow-labeled boxes which can then be taken directly to Mary’s new room at her new home.

It’s not hard to find colour stickers, and at Europa Movers we’re happy to provide them upon request. It’s best to keep the large stickers for the boxes themselves, and use small stickers for individual items so they can be identified for packing in specified boxes.

Benefits of Colour Coding For Residential Moving

  1. Visualizing The Move – With everything that needs to be done during a typical residential move across Toronto or elsewhere in Canada, ticking off a list may not be enough to ensure accuracy. Having a colour-coded plan of your home with something visual to refer to, revealing clearly what packing has been done.
  2. Strategic Packing – The general advice is to start packing a few weeks before your moving day to decrease the pressure of the project. With a colour code, you can strategically divide the packing work over your available time. For example, red items should be packed on the first night, blue – the second night, yellow – over the first weekend etc.
  3. Clearer Labeling – Written labels are perfectly fine, but we all know that we recognize colours much more easily than written words. Having items from a specific room, or of a specific type, identified by some colour makes it easier for people to find, organize and do the packing. It’s also important for identifying fragile items for your Toronto movers to be aware of.
  4. Better Prioritizing – This is loosely related to strategic packing, but it refers mainly to identifying specific boxes for priority attention, so during residential moving the items that need to be unpacked and set up first can be easily located. For example, practical things like a coffee machine, cutlery, bowls and cups, flashlights etc.
  5. Faster Unpacking – Just as the packing can be a long process, unpacking requires some time and effort too. With a colour code system, boxes can be easily associated with specific rooms and locations. So, the items can be taken to the right place immediately, with no need for searching.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

Long Distance Moving Tips: How to Cut Your Moving Costs

By

The cost of moving long distances to or from Toronto, ON, across Canada or into the US will be outside of the classification of ‘local’ moving. Your belongings are going to be in transit for several days – in some rare cases even weeks.

Good news is that there are ways to cut the costs of long distance moving, from Toronto, ON to anywhere else in North America, and here are some tips for you in form of the infographic.

Europa Movers Toronto - Long Distance Moving Tips Infographic

 

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.