Europa Movers Toronto

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

Checklist for Day Before Moving in Toronto ON

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When you get closer to the day before your moving in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada, you’ll probably have had your share of checklists: items to pack, items not to pack, things to do 12 weeks before move etc.

How to Prepare Moving Checklist - Movers Toronto

While the most important moving checklist is your Moving Day Checklist, your Day Before Moving Checklist is also quite important. Without it, you’re likely to wake up on your moving day in panic with all that has to be done. But with a day before list full of check marks, you’ll spring out of bed ready to take on your move!

Prepare your Day Before Moving Checklist based on your move’s specifics and include anything you haven’t yet gotten around to. And you may want to consider these additions:

  • Remove pictures, mirrors and wall hangings from the walls.
  • Build your Do Not Pack pile, putting suitcases and things you’ll be taking with you, in a corner clearly marked for movers and packers to steer clear of.
  • Create a folder or a binder to keep your household inventory, checklists (including this one), and all other important papers.
  • Contact your moving company to check, double check and triple check that everyone is on schedule.
  • Secure cash, jewelry and valuables and put it with your belongings you’ll be taking with you.
  • Return any cable boxes, modems or other leased electronics equipment.
  • Do last-minute banking. Get cash for movers’ tips and emergency needs.
  • Return anything borrowed – including library books – and pick up anything left hanging out there – including dry cleaning.
  • If someone is taking care of your children or pets during the move, check in with them and be sure all details are set.
  • Back up your computer. Charge your laptop, phone and other devices. And while you’re at it, be sure your chargers don’t get packed.
  • Dispose of all perishable food, opened containers, and anything that could leak. If you’re putting garbage out to the curb for pick-up, make arrangements for a neighbor to retrieve the cans.
  • If you’re taking liquids with you, put them in tightly sealed plastic bags or containers.
  • Remove light bulbs from lamps and lights that will be packed and moved.
  • Drain hoses and anything that might be filled with water.

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

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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.

How to Get an Accurate Toronto Moving Estimate

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Every move is unique in its own way and each move will always be different. Generalized guidelines for pricing can be followed based on square footage and how many bedrooms a home has, but to get a more accurate Toronto moving estimate we really need to consider the following factors:

  • Volume. Someone who has lived in a home for 30 years vs. someone who has only lived in a home for 5 years will definitely have different moving expenses even if they have similar size homes, as the volume of items contained within will vary greatly.
  • Access to the pick-up location and drop off location will also drastically affect the flow of the move. Although most people may think the access to their home is fairly generous, they don’t realize that when we are moving items all day, each and every step that is added to the equation prolongs the move, and ultimately leads to a larger final bill.
  • Loose items are a time killer. In order to avoid lengthening of the move (and an increase to the final bill), box everything you can.
  • Travel time always needs to be considered and understood properly and to help you understand how it works, here is the breakdown. The “travel time” on a move is typically a flat fee that is added on the final bill. It is a necessary charge, and clients need to understand that there is a cost in running a truck and crew even if they have not officially arrived at their home for a move. It should not be confused with the time the movers spend travelling between addresses, as this is considered a part of the move and is covered under the hourly rate.
  • Preparing furniture for a move is another area that may affect your Toronto moving estimate. When dealing with furniture, it is very important to assess the weight as well as how delicate the piece may be. Obviously when dealing with heavy antique items, prep time will significantly increase or even double since much more attention and care are needed when prepping and transporting items.
  • Moving crew number: when it comes to supplying a moving crew, less does not necessarily mean cheaper as when it comes to man power, efficiency is the key. Many clients mistakenly opt for less crew members when booking their move because on paper the lower hourly rate may seem like a more logical choice to save money. A professional moving company can help to make a recommendation on the optimum size of the moving crew, and there are times when a 3 man crew is a better choice than a 4 man crew, and vice versa.

How to Ensure an Accurate Moving Estimate

The best thing you can do to ensure a moving quote is accurate is to fully discuss what is coming on the move with a professional moving company, especially when receiving a quote over the phone. A professional moving company will ask the right questions in order to make sure they get any necessary information.

About our Company

Europa Moving and Storage Toronto is a professional moving company operating out of Toronto ON, providing high quality local moving services throughout Toronto and GTA.

Call us (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.

7 Tips for Hiring Quality Toronto Movers

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With millions of moves every year in the Canada, to or from Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada, it’s a minor miracle that most of them go smoothly, with no issues whatsoever. Hiring quality Toronto movers is a must, of course.

But even with so many smooth moves, scams or shoddy practices do occur. It’s in your interest to be informed about every step in the process.

Here are 7 ways to hire the right team for your move:

1. Don’t let your mover phone it in

A reputable Toronto moving company will take inventory of all your belongings and determine the bulk and weight of your move. The estimator should be thorough and check all of your storage places such as cupboards, drawers, garages and bookcases. A large component of the mover’s price is based on the weight of your stuff and the space your goods take up in the truck. Be sure you understand this estimate and that it is as accurate as possible.

2. Look for more than a cursory glance

An estimator who performs a quick walk-through without noting what you plan to move is going to be off the mark. A good estimator will ask questions about what you plan to take from your current house to your next home. So, be sure you are prepared to tell the estimator which items you don’t want on the truck – the items you plan to give away, donate to a charity, sell in a yard sale, or leave behind for the new owners.

3. Don’t pay a large deposit

Reputable Toronto movers won’t demand cash or a large deposit before moving. You should only pay upon delivery. If you pay in advance, you have no control over when you will see your belongings again. When you do pay, use a credit card to help protect you from possible fraudulent activity.

4. Avoid the name switch

Some Toronto moving companies avoid being assessed by the Better Business Bureau by doing business under a variety of names. Be sure the company has a local address and information about licensing and insurance. Their employees should answer the phone with the full name of the business.

5. Get references

If your friends and family don’t have recommendations, check out their reviews on reputable sites such as Homestars & Yelp.

Ask any mover you speak with for references. Tell them you want a list of three customers from your area who have moved in the past three months. Call those customers and ask direct questions about their experiences.

6. Avoid packing costs

If you pack your belongings yourself, the mover generally isn’t responsible for damage to them. However, if you have your mover do the packing, you may pay inflated prices for boxes and packing materials, not to mention time and labor. If you decide to have the movers pack, ask about the packers’ experience. Most packers are careful, but you want to avoid the chance of getting someone who tosses whatever they can into a box and then seals it up with little regard for breakage.

7. Beware of extra fees

Do you live in a two-story house or are you moving into one? Moving to or from a 10th-floor apartment? If so, you’ll likely be charged extra for the movers’ having to negotiate stairs and elevators. Have a narrow street that won’t fit a moving van? Expect a surcharge for the transfer of your belongings to a smaller truck for delivery. Make sure to ask your mover about any additional fees that may apply to your situation.

About Europa Moving & Storage Toronto

Europa Moving & Storage Toronto is a professional moving and storage company operating out of Toronto, ON, providing high quality local and long distance moving services throughout Toronto, GTA, Ontario and across Canada. Thanks to our country-wide network we are also able to service our clients’ long distance moving needs throughout Canada.

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

What to Include in Your Moving Checklist for Moving in Toronto

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Moving to or from Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada, can appear pretty overwhelming at first, but if you sit down and map it out, breaking it into small manageable stages, it starts to appear less daunting. This plan is what is commonly known as a “moving checklist” and should list everything that needs to be done, each task’s level of priority and when each task needs to be completed by. The last thing we just mentioned (the deadline) is particularly important as it acts as a motivating factor and gets you to take action. Most people are procrastinators and will avoid doing something for as long as they possibly can (in this case, until a couple of days before the move), which can lead to a mad dash and poor preparation. It’s also important to be aware that there’s no one-size-fits-all moving checklist out there since every home move is different. This means that while you can use other moving checklists for inspiration, ultimately you’ll have to come up with your own. If you’re not sure of what sort of things you need to include in yours, we’re going to give you a helping hand based on our 30 years experience of being one of the best moving companies in Toronto and GTA.

Some of the Core Tasks that a Moving Checklist should include

As the expression goes “fail to prepare and prepare to fail.” You have to take your home move seriously otherwise the results could be disastrous. Some of the tasks that should definitely be on your moving checklist include the following:

Comprehensive Sort Through of Your Possessions

You aren’t going to be taking everything you own with you when you move. The vast majority of people build up a collection of, well, there’s no other way to describe it but “junk.” During the time that you’ve lived at your property, you’ve probably been guilty of a fair amount of hoarding and now is the perfect time to weed these items out and downsize. This has the added benefit of potentially lowering quotes from moving companies significantly. Go through absolutely everything you own and either put items in one pile for packing or another for “buy/sell/trade/dispose of.” Imagine your new home and ditch anything that you don’t think will “fit in.”

Contact Several Toronto Moving Companies

One item that should always feature on a moving checklist is “hiring a moving company in Toronto.” This is essential and depending on when you are moving (winter is considered to be pretty “dead” for Toronto movers), you will need to contact movers well in advance of your moving date as the good ones get booked up very quickly. Be as accurate as possible when providing them with details of your move over the phone (i.e. how much “stuff” you need to have moved) if you want to get an accurate estimate. There’s also a number of questions you should ask, such as how long they’ve been in business, whether they are fully licensed and insured and what types of equipment they will use to complete your move. Good movers now how stressful moving can be and will do everything possible to ensure you enjoy a smooth transition.

Purchase Packing Materials & Pack

You need to start packing well in advance as it’s more practical to take the “little by little” approach, rather than trying to get it all done in a single weekend. However, before you start packing, you’ll need to purchase a range of packing supplies (speak to your Toronto moving company as they may be able to “hook you up” with some discounted packing materials). We’d recommend you purchase sturdy cardboard moving boxes, bubble wrap, packing pellets and plenty of tape! We would also recommend buying permanent markers in several different colours to help you label each box after you’ve packed it, that way you’ll know where everything is when you “land” at your new place.

Notify All Important Parties of Your Imminent Move

Unless you actually tell people that you’re moving, how are they supposed to know? And if they don’t know, this means that they will continue sending mail to your old address, which will fall into the hands of the new owners or the landlord. This is not something that you want! Start by telling friends and family before contacting all financial institutions that you have dealings with, your employer, any magazines and newspapers that you are subscribed to, insurance companies and utility companies. Another task you should add to your moving checklist is to visit your local post office and set up a mail redirect service. This will ensure that mail from anyone you don’t remember to tell will be forwarded to your new address.

Confirm Arrangements for Your Moving Day

It’s common to book a moving company several weeks or even months in advance, meaning there can be a significant period of “non-contact” between your initial call and your moving day. It’s advisable to include a “confirmation call” on your moving checklist, just to double check that all arrangements are correct. Most Toronto moving companies will use this as an opportunity to explain exactly what’s going to happen on the day, so you sleep easy in the days leading up to your move.

Empty the Freezer Gradually and then Defrost

This is one thing many homeowners in Toronto, Etobicoke and Mississauga forget to include in their moving checklist and it often ends up costing them dearly. It’s usually not practical to take frozen food with you when you move home, which often results in throwing hundreds of dollars of food away. Rather than letting it get to this, a few weeks before your move you should ease off on grocery shopping and start cooking the food you have in your freezer instead! A separate task that should feature on your moving checklist is completely emptying, cleaning and defrosting your freezer (otherwise moving it could get very messy!). You need to do this at least 24 hours before the day of your move.

If you are moving home in the near future and are not sure what you should include on your moving checklist, give the pros at Europa Moving & Storage Toronto a call. We would be happy to provide you with any advice that you need and have over 30 years of industry experience.

About Europa Movers Toronto

Europa Movers Toronto is a professional moving and storage company operating out of Toronto, ON, providing high quality local and long distance moving services throughout Toronto, GTA, Ontario and across Canada. Thanks to our country-wide network we are also able to service our clients’ long distance moving needs throughout Canada.

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