Europa Movers Toronto

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

How to Choose a Toronto Office Moving Company

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There are so many horror stories circulating about unprofessional office movers that customers find it difficult to trust any Toronto office moving company at all. So how can you avoid being the next victim of unprofessional Toronto office movers?

More importantly, how can you make sure that Toronto office moving company you hire is on the up and up and won’t engage in illegal tactics to steal your money? As with everything in life, there are no guarantees, but the following four guidelines can help ensure you find a credible, professional company that can provide you with a stress-free office moving experience:

Check Out the Company on the BBB

Your first stop in researching your prospective Toronto office moving company should be the BBB (Better Business Bureau) website. The BBB is a 3rd party organization that aims to provide accountability for businesses. This agency reviews, rates, and gives accreditation to businesses that have shown to conduct themselves at the highest levels of professionalism and customer service.

Are They Insured?

One question you should be asking any company you speak with immediately is whether they carry proper insurance coverage for their workforce. In Ontario this is governed by the WSIB (Workplace Safety Insurance Board).

If employees are working illegally for a company, or the company has not properly set up coverage for their workers, you could potentially be sued if anyone is injured on your property or in the course of carrying out your move.

This is an issue that is not as well publicised but also important to look out for. Asking questions about workers’ insurance is a good way to avoid this issue and also speaks to the overall professionalism of the company.

How Are Their Reviews?

The best way to determine if a Toronto office moving company is providing great customer service is by researching them online. There are many independently audited 3rd party websites that allow users to post reviews of Toronto office moving companies (both positive and negative) such as www.yelp.ca and www.homestars.com. Chances are if the company is doing something right (or wrong) somebody has taken the time to log on to one of these websites to write about it.

If a company is well reviewed, has a high volume of reviews, and the reviews are recent, you’re probably looking at a professional organization.

Evaluate Their Prices

Pricing is always a factor when deciding on hiring a moving company, however it can also serve as a great indicator of the level of service you can expect.

One of the hallmarks of disreputable Toronto office moving companies is offering extremely cheap hourly rates (sometimes ½ or ¼ of the price of the competition), and this is the primary way these Toronto office moving companies market themselves.

That doesn’t mean that you should simply hire the most expensive Toronto office moving company you encounter in order to ensure you get a good experience, but if a company’s rates are significantly cheaper than the competition something is very wrong.

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.

Keep your Valuables Safe with these Toronto Moving Tips

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One of the most time consuming aspects of moving is packing all of your possessions away in moving boxes to be transported to their new home in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada. Most of our things can be tossed in together and will make the journey unharmed. But what about our favourite chinaware set? Or travel mementos? These require special consideration to ensure they are properly protected.

Moving Tips Toronto - Moving and Storage Toronto

Here are some key Toronto moving tips from us:

1. Create an Inventory

Documenting every book you have may not be worth your time, but making notes and taking photographs of your more meaningful possessions can help, should anything go wrong. It’s easier to make a claim against your homeowner’s insurance, or Toronto moving company’s, if you have documentation of the original state. This should fit in easily with your pre-move organizing.

2. Get Insurance

For anything that goes on a truck, make sure it’s covered by insurance. Your homeowner’s insurance may cover a move. Some Toronto moving companies might offer extra insurance.

3. Big Stuff Needs Help

Thing like pianos, antique furniture and art art pieces require special attention and hiring a professional Toronto moving company to help with these items can ensure they get the proper care and safe transportation.

4. Small Stuff Goes With You

We don’t want your jewelry or important paperwork get damaged and recommend that you keep your valuables in your vehicle during moves.

5. Invest in the Right Moving Boxes

Special flat-screen TV boxes have padding to keep the screen safe. The $20 or so might seem expensive for a box, but that’s cheaper than buying a new $1,000 television. The same goes for stemware, which is particularly hard to pack. There are specialty boxes for all sorts of items.

6. Dishes Side-by-Side

Pack dishes in several layers of paper, and fit them in the box on the edge – not flat-side down. They’re less likely to shatter if something bumps the edge.

7. Tape Paintings

Put a big X with masking or painter’s tape on anything under glass – like you see in photographs of shop windows during hurricane preparations. The tape helps keep glass from shattering.

8. Box It Up Right

With any moving box, especially the ones containing fragile things, gently shake it as you pack to make sure the contents don’t move. If they do, add more padding. Also, don’t just fold over the box tops – tape them. And make sure to fill the box so the top can’t cave in.

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.

Things to Consider when Upsizing your Toronto Home

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Living in smaller homes can be affordable and cozy if you have the luxury of living alone or with a partner but when the news comes that baby is on the way… the planning starts for your new bundle of joy. Upsizing and moving to a larger home in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada is a natural first step to a growing family and to helping you prepare for the exciting journey ahead. Here are a few things that you should consider before making the BIG decision for your future.

Home Upsizing Toronto - Moving Services Toronto

How much can you afford?

Don’t start looking at the white picket fence until you know what you can afford.

  • Contact your bank to obtain a pre-approved mortgage and work out other expenses like condo fees, property taxes, and utilities. This will give you an idea of where to start looking.
  • Do you want a new house or resale? If you’re handy, you can not only save money on a fixer-upper, but you can customize it however you’d like, and you can add value to it for when you finally decide to move out!

Location, Location, Location

Location is the most important key to any family life. A house in a good neighbourhood will give you a piece of mind, knowing your loved ones are safe and secure.

  • Finding a house in a good school district will ensure your children receive an excellent education. Check out this list of Most Improved Toronto Schools for an idea of the up-and-coming school districts you might want to consider!
  • Since downtown Toronto is building more compact development, larger home locations may be found outside of the busy city core. How far will you be from work, schools, shopping, etc? Do you need a car to get around or can you use TTC?
  • Walking distance from a park will give you and your kids the freedom to play and run around too.
  • Once you find a location, make your larger home search a little easier by providing your real estate agent with an expected wish-list of what you visualize your family living in.

Planning for your future.

Most couples searching to upsize for their family end up living in the same house for a large span of their children’s life.

  • While bunk beds can work for the first few years, you may need extra bedrooms to sleep the children you plan to have.
  • More living space for comfort and entertaining and a bigger back garden to play in too.
  • And don’t forget Toronto storage!  Your children will inherit lots of equipment and toys starting with strollers, car seats, highchairs not to mention ride on toys, bikes, sports equipment and lots lots more. Garages can work as storage areas for old toys… if you run out of space we’ve got you covered!

Upsizing can be exciting and intimidating at the same time, but if you’re prepared and know what you’re getting into, you can be confident you’re making the right choice!

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.

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.

Professional Movers: Serving Toronto, Oakville, Etobicoke and Mississauga

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Why Choose Professional Toronto Movers Over a DIY Move?

As countless people have probably told you, moving home in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada, is no easy task. There always seems to be so much to do and so little time to do it in. Even if you start preparing for your move weeks in advance, your moving date almost always ends up creeping up on you, resulting in a last minute rush. Even so, many people feel they have to handle all aspects of the move themselves as they haven’t got the money to be “throwing it away” on professional Toronto moving services. However, many of the people that have this mindset have never actually looked into the possibility of using such a service and if they did, they would most probably be pleasantly surprised. When you take your time and the cost of hiring all of the required equipment to carry out the move yourself, the difference between a quote from professional Toronto movers and the cost to do it yourself isn’t usually that great. Europa Moving and Storage Toronto is a leading moving company that operates in Toronto, Oakville, Etobicoke and Mississauga, and has a proven track record spanning three decades. Professional Toronto movers are so much more than competitive on price though; they are able to offer a whole range of advantages.

The Benefits of Using Professional Toronto Movers to Help You Relocate

Nowadays Toronto movers can help you with each stage of the moving process, from completing all the necessary preparation to actually moving all your belonging from your old place to your new place, to helping you unpack in your new home. The vast majority of people typically take on the preparation and unpacking phases themselves (if you need any advice on making a moving checklist, please don’t hesitate to ask), but require help when it comes to the move itself. Using professional Toronto movers is a wise investment and you can expect to experience the following benefits:

  • Speed Comes from Knowledge – Professional Toronto moving companies will always get you moved in less time than you could do it in yourself simply because they know what they are doing. They dedicate their lives to this task and have most probably done it thousands of time before. Much of what needs doing is second nature to professional movers, meaning everything is done without having to really think about it, resulting in a huge saving in time. Don’t drag your move out over 3 or 4 days and add additional stress to your life; call our professional Toronto movers and get it done in a single afternoon.
  • Relax Instead of Stress – When taking care of everything yourself a home move can be unbelievably tiring and stressful, and you’ll probably find it difficult to relax until you’re all set up in the new place. The problem is that by that time you’ll be so tired that you won’t actually be able to enjoy it. Moving home should be exciting, but a DIY move usually turns out to be something you will dread rather than look forward to. Moving home isn’t just emotionally draining either; heavy boxes and furniture can put considerable strain on your body too! Why not let Europa Moving and Storage Toronto take care of everything for you so you can get on with your life as normal?
  • The Proper Equipment is Always Used – When trying to carry out a DIY move it can be tempting to try and lower costs by working with the equipment you do own rather than purchasing what you don’t own. Many times this means using equipment that is not fit for purpose, which significantly increases the chances of your items breaking or getting damaged while in transit. The vehicle is the main issue; not many homeowners own a large truck and squashing your items into a smaller vehicle is never a good idea. Professional Toronto movers like Europa Moving and Storage Toronto, however, have all of the equipment necessary to complete your move safely and quickly including purpose build moving trucks, quilted moving dollies and the tools required to disassemble (and then reassemble) pieces of furniture. Protect your items and use professional movers!
  • Accidental Damage? We’ve Got You Covered – Professional Toronto movers are legally obliged to accept responsibility for the items that they transport, and unless you sign a waiver (you might be thinking “why”, but doing so can often lower your moving cost), the company will have to repair, replace or make a cash settlement with you should anything get accidentally damaged. If you carry the move out yourself, you simply won’t have this cover and should you break something it will be up to you to replace it.

If you’re moving to or out of Toronto, Oakville, Etobicoke or Mississauga in the near future and you’re looking for a reliable team of Toronto movers to assist you, give Europa Moving and Storage Toronto a call. We have been operating for 30 years and offer some of the most competitive moving quotes around. You can reach us on 416-604-9904.

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.

Preparing For an Efficient Move in Toronto, ON

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Getting ready for a move is one of the most crucial components to an efficient moving experience. As professional and skilled as our Toronto moving crew members are, there are situations when we arrive at a location and a lot of items are improperly packed, and there is a lot of loose items which changes and increases the actual estimated moving time. In order to alleviate some of these challenges, we prepared some recommendations below to help keep things moving.

Moving Boxes

When it comes to moving boxes, certain guidelines should be followed:

  • Keep boxes relatively of the same size, if not the same size, to ensure that the truck does not become a game of Tetris. When boxes are all of different sizes, more time is spent making sure most of the available space is used to fit everything in the truck
  • Keep books and heavy items in smaller boxes
  • Properly label boxes. This will minimize moving time as the crew won’t have to ask where each box goes when unloading
  • Use ample amount of bubble wrap or wrapping paper for fragile items as they will be subjected to some bumps as the truck will be driving on potentially uneven surfaces
  • Properly label boxes with Fragile stickers if necessary

Loose Items

It may not seem like it but loose items are one of the main causes why moves take longer than expected and potentially require a second trip to complete the move.

  1. Loose items do not stack well and therefore reduces the amount of usable space on the truck
  2. Carrying loose items versus carrying items in a box limits the total volume you can carry at one time and affects the overall efficiency of the process

Fragile Items

Although we can move almost anything for you, there are some items we kindly suggest you take in your personal vehicle if possible. Since these type of items typically require more attention in terms of preparation, it would also add relatively more time and effort to find a safe spot to place them in the truck.

  • Lamps
  • Vases
  • LCD TV’s without a box
  • Artwork
  • Figurines
  • Planters/Plants
  • Etc.

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.

Choosing the Right Toronto Movers – What to Look For

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Looking for the right Toronto Moving company for your move can be a long and stressful task. By searching on Google, you will probably browse through pages and pages of reputable Toronto moving companies that look like they would be up for the task. So how do you choose the right Toronto moving company? Hopefully this guideline can help you decide which moving company in Toronto will be the best fit for your move.

  1. Accreditations – Checking websites like the BBB (Better Business Bureau), CAM (Canadian Association of Movers), and others like these lend a helping hand in distinguishing which Toronto moving companies are recognized to conduct their services with integrity.
  2. Review Websites – Finding out what other clients have written about their experiences working with these companies will give you a better idea of what kind of service you will receive. Websites like Homestars.com and Yelp.ca will provide unbiased third party reviews to help you make an informed decision.
  3. In Home Moving Estimate/Over the Phone Moving Estimate – Interacting with a moving company in Toronto is one of the best ways to get a feel for a business. Filtering them using the criteria above, meeting one on one or speaking over the phone, will provide a deeper insight to how they conduct their business. At this point you’ve already done ample research on Toronto moving company you are looking to book with and are looking for the final factor which would be the human interaction.

 

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.