Europa Movers Toronto

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

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.

Useful Tips for Self-Staging Your House in Toronto

By

When potential buyers are viewing a house in Toronto for sale, they are usually “judging a book by its cover”. Consider your house an open book and encourage the buyers to make the offer that meets your expectations.

Useful Tips for Self-Staging Your House in Toronto - Toronto Self-Staging Tips Toronto
If a professional home stager is not included in your real estate contract, these tips could help you with self-staging your house in Toronto, ON for faster sale.

  1. Curb Appeal – Clean, sweep and powerwash the front entrance of your house. Landscape the garden, remove weeds, cut grass and trim edges to give your home a clean look. A fresh mat outside and a pot of bright flowers will freshen up the entryway too.
  2. Declutter – Pack all your personal belongings, such as: family pictures, collectible items, trinkets and all dust collectors. Minimize your furniture – fewer items in a room actually make the room look bigger. And don’t forget the closets!
  3. Storage and Sell – If you’re not sure what to do with all your stuff, you can rent a storage space in Toronto for your boxes and large items. Many Toronto storage providers will rent on a month-to-month basis. Have a garage sale for all the unwanted items.
  4. Paint and Touch Up – Patch-up cracks or holes in the walls, refresh the walls with a quick layer of paint. Think beige, taupe, white or pale blue, as rooms painted in light colours are calming on the eyes.
  5. Brighten Up – Mirrors on the walls give the perception of a longer or wider room. Keep the temperature of your house at a comfortable level. Clean your windows to offer a clear view and a subtle hint of cleanliness. Open windows to air out any stuffiness.
  6. Fresh scents – Fresh flowers on the dining room table or a single flower in a vase for the bathroom. Flowers give an elegant touch to any room. If you like to bake, feel free to indulge now. Everyone loves the smell of fresh baking. If baking’s not your thing, try this pro tip: boiling cinnamon in a pot gives a homemade pleasant smell.
  7. Clean, clean, and clean – Once rooms are decluttered it will be easy to keep up with the cleaning. Make it your daily routine to dust, vacuum, and mop floors. Clear plates and cups, wipe down sinks, the fridge and cabinet doors. Entryways should be clutter free. Hang jackets, put bags and shoes away.

Remember that a first impression is important and memorable, and might be the only chance you get to impress a buyer.

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.

Why Use Plastic Moving Bins for Moving in Toronto

By

While being an environmentally friendly alternative to cardboard products, plastic moving bins also carry the benefits of convenience, protection, efficiency and reduced cost.

Renting plastic moving bins means eliminating the need to assemble or break down cardboard boxes, bringing significant time savings before and after your move in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada.

Plastic Moving Bins Toronto - Plastic Moving Boxes Toronto

Our moving bins are made of high grade plastic, so they are durable enough to withstand pressure while keeping your belongings safe. Plastic moving bins also stack well as they were designed specifically for that, meaning the potential for damage is eliminated. Our moving bins come with a free delivery and pick-up, which can be arranged at a time convenient for you.

One thing most people don’t consider is how much effort the process of packing a moving truck requires. Stacking moving boxes safely while maximizing the use of space takes thought, care, and some planning. For this reason our professional Toronto movers work with plastic moving bins and are typically able to reduce your overall move time significantly.

And let’s not forget the environmental impact and sustainability that these eco-friendly plastic moving bins provide. By helping to reduce the production and consumption of paper products, not only are you making a smart choice for your moving day, but also helping to save the environment.

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.

Helpful Moving Checklist for Moving to or from Toronto

By

Are you planning your move in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada? We prepared this helpful moving checklist to save you some time and effort.

1 to 2 months before your moving:

  • Contact Europa Movers Toronto for a free in-home moving estimate
  • Get packing supplies if you are packing yourself
  • Make any necessary travel arrangements
  • Organize a garage sale
  • Get medical and dental records and ask your doctor and dentist for referrals and transfer prescriptions
  • Transfer your memberships and fill out change of address forms
  • Record serial numbers of electronic equipment
  • Start a moving expenses log, as some of your expenses may be tax deductible

2 to 4 weeks before your moving:

  • Book the service elevator if moving from an apartment building
  • Transfer your newspaper and magazine subscriptions to your new address in Toronto or elsewhere in Canada or discontinue delivery
  • Switch utility services to your new address – inform telephone, cable, hydro companies of your relocation
  • Confirm travel reservations if necessary
  • Check the contents of your safe-deposit box. Pack and carry all valuables such as jewelry, insurance policies, legal documents and important collections with you
  • Clean or arrange for a cleaning service to clean your home
  • Prepare your children for the move by encouraging them to prepare their own special box with toys, games and snacks for the trip
  • Start packing (if you are packing yourself)
  • Number all of your boxes, label each box according to its contents, specially mark fragile contents and keep an inventory list

A few days before moving:

  • Collect house keys and arrange to leave them with the new owners, your real estate agent or landlord
  • Disconnect your appliances
  • Double check all closets, shelves, your garage, etc. to be sure they are empty
  • Finish your packing

On the moving day:

  • Make sure your Toronto moving company have all your destination details, exchange phone numbers and have your cell phone with you in case you need to contact your movers, etc.
  • Walk through your home with the crew to survey the work to be done and make sure your instructions/wishes are clearly understood
  • Make sure you shut off all appliances
  • Assist your Toronto moving company by ensuring that items are delivered to the correct room
  • Carry all important documents, currency and jewelry yourself
  • Complete a last minute check of all rooms and closets

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.

Think Twice When Asking Your Friends to Help You Move in Toronto

By

The success of relocating in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada is usually defined as getting all your belongings from your previous residence into your new home in a one day time-frame, without damage to your belongings or either property. And the contrast between asking your friends to help you move vs. hiring professional Toronto movers is like night and day.

Damage is the most common and expected result when organizing your own move, and if you are not comfortable with your items or your home being damaged, this is not the route to take. Our professional Toronto movers are trained experts in techniques specific to every piece of furniture they encounter (and every environment), and that level of expertise comes only after several years in the industry. Not knowing the proper techniques and the correct angles to use when lifting items and furniture pieces through tight spaces – such as stairways and door frames – usually results in a lot of wasted time with trial and error as well. If damaging your furniture or your home is a concern, you should never move yourself.

As for the budget – moving yourself is far from cost-prohibitive. Your major expense will be renting a moving truck and any equipment necessary to aid in the move. When done properly, completing a move in Toronto or elsewhere in Canada requires not only a truck but several moving dollies, 80-100 professional-grade moving blankets, tie down straps, shrink-wrap, mattress covers, wardrobe boxes, and tools, all of which will need to be purchased or rented.

Although having your friends and family there to help may sound like a great idea, they are also far from a “free” labour force. Aside from the implied obligation to provide food and refreshments during the process, most people will also feel compelled to entertain the people who are helping out during the process and provide dinner (and possibly drinks) afterward.

Add up all of these factors with the financial cost related to repairing damages, and moving with the help of your friends is not as cheap as you thought!

As a conclusion – your time, money, and energy are all very valuable, and hiring professional Toronto movers often saves you all three.

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.

Tips for Choosing a Storage Facility in Toronto

By

When choosing between different Toronto storage companies, it’s important to understand that when choosing Toronto storage facility – there is a lot more than just picking a convenient location and finding the lowest price.

In addition to researching Toronto storage facilities /companies you will be storing your items with, you will also need to consider your specific storage needs when choosing the size/type of locker you will be renting (and if you need a locker at all) as well as other services offered by the storage facility in Toronto.

Security and safety should be your main concern, because nothing will bring you more stress than getting your items stolen or damaged. And when it comes to security, simply placing a lock on your storage locker will not guarantee that the contents will be safe. Using a good quality padlock is a smart choice, the chance of having your locker broken into will be influenced much more by the overall security precautions taken by your Toronto storage facility.

In addition to an adequate security system that includes a combination of security cameras and alarms, the surveillance cameras should be recording all input into a DVR that is indexed by time/date, and that allows video to be played back at least 2-3 months into the past.

The other concern most clients have is climate / temperature control, as there are some items which must be stored within a specific temperature range in order to avoid damage. A large number of storage facilities in Toronto areactually not climate controlled, and the ones advertising “climate controlled” Toronto storage facilities often make a claim that is misleading.

The final consideration is whether you will be hiring a Toronto moving and storage company to transfer your items into Toronto storage facility or if you will be handling this task on your own. If you’ve decided to work with professional Toronto movers, remember that you will be paying them by the hour for their services.

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.

Comparing Moving Quotes for Moving in Toronto

By

Performing your due diligence when comparing Toronto moving companies and collecting moving quotes allows you to fill confident in your selection and hire a moving company in Toronto that cares about your needs and guarantees professional and positive experience. If you research what the market offers, you might get exactly what you need from your Toronto moving company and possibly end up with considerable savings.

We prepared some tips below on how to compare Toronto moving quotes effectively.

  1. Free vs. Obligation

    Some Toronto moving companies will offer you a quote based on the pre-estimated weight (or volume: see #2) of your belongings. In other words: a good moving company in Toronto will give you a non-obligation (free) quote for moving services. And then there are those Toronto moving companies which offer binding estimates. This means the price you pay is fixed. However, this type of quote is different than the ‘not-to-exceed’ alternative. So, when you contact a moving company in Toronto, ask them about the type of moving quote you are receiving and take notes, so you won’t forget important details.

    But all this naturally raises a question: what are those moving quotes based on?

  2. Weight And Volume

    The more space your belongings take (or for other companies, the more they weight), the higher your final price for the move will be. While volume plays a big role in your moving quote, many Canadian moving companies, including us, charge per hour and per mover.

    And for a large amount of luggage and furniture, your Toronto moving company can send more people and a bigger truck or couple trucks. Sometimes, hiring more Toronto movers can save a lot of time, so it’s quite relevant to consider that. In any case, it’s best if you get rid of some items you don’t need anymore before you move.

  3. Additional Moving Services

    In most cases of a regular move, there is no need for you to consider hiring additional Toronto moving services. Especially when you don’t have any fragile items that usually require special handling, such as artwork or musical instruments. And if you do – you might need to hire additional moving services in Toronto.

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.

Relocation to Western Canada: Great Places for Living

By

Canada is a vast country with a seemingly infinite number of beautiful sights and places to visit and reside. This is why it’s incredibly important to scope out your new potential places of residence, and to take in as much of the area as possible while you are visiting it. In this blog post, we’ll talk about some of the best places to visit and live in Western Canada, and hopefully after visiting those places, you will feel more comfortable to make a decision that could change your life for the better.

  • Vancouver – 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 – As one of the best ski resorts in the world and a host of the 2010 Winter Olympic games, Whistler is a fantastic 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 – 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 – 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.

Those are 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.

If you are considering relocating to Western Canada, it’s a great idea to visit some cities first, and we’re sure you won’t be disappointed. You are welcome to check out Viktoria Movers Vancouver and Viktoria Movers Calgary Blogs for more tips on moving to Western Canada.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or commercial moving needs to and from the GTA and Metro Toronto area.

Some Additional Costs of Moving a House

By

We have touched on a variety of different challenges associated with moving, but one topic we are yet to discuss is the additional monetary costs that can be associated with a house move. Budgeting for a move can be a challenge for some and the idea of ‘saving up’ to afford to move houses certainly seems like a strange idea, but it can be helpful to avoid some unwanted debt on your moving day.

We never seem to factor these costs into the moving process, so in this post we will truly assess how much money you should have ready when planning a house move. Depending on what type of moving situation you are in, there will be different types of expenses.

1. Consider your transportation costs. Whether you are planning to hire a moving service or load up a van by yourself, you will still need to spend some money on transportation. Well, many moving van rental companies include extra costs depending on how far you are moving, not to mention that you must refill the truck with gas upon its return. Although a moving service will generally cost you more than hiring a moving truck yourself, you can trust that your items will arrive safely and in good time. This way you don’t have to deal with the added stress of planning your move around van availability etc.

2. Destination. Depending on where you are moving to, there may be some extra costs associated with moving houses that are not related to transportation.

For instance, if you will be renting your new place, there will almost always be some kind of security deposit required. And for certain managed apartment buildings there are likely to be extra charges such as move in fees, FOB rentals, parking spot fees and move-in damage deposits.

3. In addition to all the preliminary moving costs above, there might be some secondary costs that you may not have taken into account. For instance, people are often either upsizing or downsizing when houses, so either buying new furniture to fill out certain spaces, or disposing of old furniture that won’t fit in your new space is likely to cost you more money.

Although some people will make the necessary plans for these kinds of extra expenses, most people will not budget effectively to take into account all of these factors.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or commercial moving needs to and from the GTA and Metro Toronto area.

Tips for your Move to a Snowy Climate

By

Say you are moving to Canada. Be aware that it is very diverse in its landscape and climate, and sometimes, depending on your location, the weather can be extreme to say the least.

This can create numerous problems for people who are used to one specific climate.

In this blog post we will focus on changes that moving to a snowy climate can bring to your life, and some tips to help make your transition easier.

1. Be ready to drive – One of the most drastic changes to people’s lives when they move to a snowy, cold climate 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 dry climates can be very different from driving in snowy 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. Do your research, and remember that safety is of the utmost importance.

3. Invest in appropriate clothing – If you are moving to a cold climate, chances are the winters will be long and cold; this is why it is absolutely necessary to invest in appropriate clothing for the 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 inconveniences, 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 long 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.

These 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.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or commercial moving needs to and from the GTA and Metro Toronto area.