Gary Crowder’s TorontoMoves - Tips to Help Your Move Go Smoothly

BOOKING YOUR MOVERS Book movers well in advance – at least a month or more ahead. If you don’t have a mover that you know and trust, ask friends for recommendations. Be sure to get a detailed written estimate. Give your movers full details about the size and weight of your things so that they can estimate accurately the number of hours needed for the move. Let them know in advance about any awkward, heavy or fragile items, and ask them to bring appropriate packing materials. Ask your movers in advance what they will NOT take with them on the truck – for example house plants, household cleaning products, unboxed fragile items such as lamps. Make arrangements to transport those items yourself. Confirm how you will pay (credit card, cheque, cash). Check with your insurance company in advance to see what is covered during the move. Ask about insurance offered through your movers. Plan in advance for moving pets.

START TOSSING – START AS SOON AS YOU DECIDE TO MOVE! Begin sorting and clearing out unwanted items right away - long before your moving day. Honestly, how many people do you know who have boxes in their basements still unopened since their last move? Moving is the perfect incentive to get rid of items that you no longer like or use. Clean out cupboards, drawers and closets. The Canadian Diabetes Association, Goodwill, The Salvation Army, or many other charities will be pleased to take your items. If you have enough items of value you might want to have a yard sale instead of giving things away. Start using up food items, particularly perishable ones so you have less to move. Toss any old spices or condiments that are past their freshness date.

ONE TO TWO WEEKS BEFORE MOVING: Review your Toronto Moves Address Change Checklist to make sure service providers and others have been notified of your move. Arrange for help from friends and family for your moving day if needed (only if you are prepared to reciprocate when the time comes!) If you are moving from a high-rise building, reserve the elevator for the hours you’ll need it. Have area rugs cleaned and wrapped. If you’re moving far enough, open a new bank account near your new home and have your funds transferred to your new bank. Before closing your old account, be sure there are no outstanding cheques or automatic payments to be processed. Take inventory before you pack. If you can, take pictures or video tape. Record the serial numbers of stereos, televisions, and other appliances and electronics.

THE DAY BEFORE YOUR MOVE: Make sure your lawyer can reach you when the property closes so you can get the keys If packing yourself be sure you have enough boxes, packing, and tape for the day. Pick up any dry cleaning, return DVD rentals & library books or other borrowed items.

MOVING DAY: If you have kids, be sure to pack a box of items that your kids will want to have immediately on arrival. Mark the box clearly and ask the driver to pack it in the truck so that it can be unloaded first. If you can, arrange for your kids (and pets) to visit a friend or family member while the packing and loading is going on. Have kids come back to see the truck before it leaves so they know exactly what’s happening and can say goodbye to the house. Have snacks on hand to keep everyone’s blood sugar levels steady.

GENERAL TIPS: Label boxes clearly. List the contents directly on each box with a thin marker or solid pen. Number the boxes so you can take count at the other end. Write on each box which room it goes to in the new house. This will make things faster and easier for you and your movers. Plan for last-minute garbage. Make sure the new owners of your home aren’t greeted by mounds of your garbage. Ask a neighbour if you can leave last-minute garbage at their house for the next garbage day. If that’s not possible, see about making a trip to a city transfer station. (http://www.city.toronto.on.ca/garbage/index.htm) Reserve a parking spot for your moving truck. If you live on a busy street for parking, recruit some friends and park your vehicles in front of your house until the truck arrives. This will make the job easier for your movers, and reduce your moving time and cost. Identify ‘special care” items for movers. Let you movers know about special care items when they arrive. Also, let them know which boxes you would like unloaded first, such as kitchen and bathroom items, or children's toys. Take care of your movers so they take good care of your things. Have a variety of cold drinks and snacks for you and the movers. Be prepared to go on a coffee run to Tim Horton’s at some point. These people are handing all your worldly goods – you want to keep them alert and happy! Have a washroom designated for movers. Double-check everything before you go – look in closets, drawers, shelves, attic and garage to be sure you haven’t left anything behind. Carry important items such as passports, cash and jewelry with you. Leave all keys out and clearly labeled for the new owner – front door, back door, garage door, utility shed, whatever you have. Include garage door openers and security codes. Leave phone numbers of services such as security, lawn care, pool maintenance, furnace and air-conditioning repair, and appliance repair, along with any service records and manuals you have for everything that is staying with the house. Be sure to leave a clean house. If you cannot clean it adequately yourself, then arrange to have it cleaned professionally. Close and lock all doors and windows. Leave pre-addressed labels to forward mail. Make sure your truck driver knows exactly how to get to your new house. Have a map ready along with your cell number. Be ready to suggest a place the movers can stop for lunch. Take down the driver’s cell number and agree on arrival time at the other end.

ARRIVING AT YOUR NEW HOME: Depending on the size of your new house, you may want to have a floor plan of the new house ready so the movers know what boxes and furniture go where. Watch loading and unloading and examine all items carefully for damage before signing a receipt. Once the movers are gone, there’s not much you can do if you discover damage. Check to make sure water is on.

ONCE THE MOVERS LEAVE: Hook up the stereo so you can dance while you unpack! Have drinks and snacks ready for you and friends who may be helping you unpack – or have the pizza delivery number handy - 416-967-1111 if you don’t know the local one yet! Clean the insides of cupboards and the refrigerator. Focus on getting kitchen, bathroom and sleeping areas set up first.

NEXT DAY: Check the utility readings and confirm to the companies that this is what they have received. Find out what day is garbage day in your new neighbourhood – you’ll need it! Enjoy your new home!