Moving 101 - Re-posted from Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Step One

Moving can be very exciting. There’s something wonderful about a fresh start, a clean slate, a new beginning. However, moving is also a very stressful time. There is so much to do, so many details to think of and so much to remember. To make your move a little easier, I’ve broken it down for you.

FIRST THINGS FIRST

• As soon as you have confirmed your move, firm up your moving plans. Whether you’re booking a mover, calling on friends or renting a vehicle, get these plans done as soon as possible. This is not one of those items you want to leave to the last minute. Since most people choose to move around the same time of year and time of the month, you may be surprised to find trucks and moving companies book up quickly. If you are choosing a moving company, get referrals and be sure you are dealing with an experienced and reputable company.
• If you are moving locally and can afford it, try to book a little overlap in your move dates. If you can give yourself a week or two where you can get into your new place, without having to rush out of your current home, this will allow you time to clean, paint and plan – decreasing your stress.

A Month or Two Before

• Declutter. Declutter. Declutter. The rule of thumb for keeping items is if you haven’t used it in six months- you don’t need it. I’ll be more generous and say one year. Now is the time for a fresh start. Get rid of those unused clothes, books, electronic equipment, papers and gadgets. Why pay to move things you are not using? There are many organizations like the Ontario Cerebral Palsy Organization and the Cystic Fibrosis Organization that will do donation pick ups right from your front door. If the season is right, make a little extra moving money with a garage sale.
• Contact your utility, phone and Internet companies to book the end and beginning of services.
• Create an inventory of items being moved and begin packing them in categories that make sense for you, i.e. “Knick knacks from Living Room” etc.
• Begin to use up food in your freezer and canned goods in your pantry. Again, it cost money to move these items and transporting frozen foods can be unsafe. Begin shopping with more of a short-term mind set.
• Notify your post office, bank, magazine/ newspaper subscriptions and family/ friends of your upcoming address change.
• Contact your insurance company about changes to your mortgage and content insurance.
• Research and contact schools your children may be attending (if applicable).

Visit www.movingagain.ca  for more info about how we can help you with your next move.

By: Sharon Osvald and Andrew Brown

Top 10 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Mover...

There is such a large number of moving companies across Canada that sometimes it can be difficult to choose one to hire for your relocating needs. There has also been an increase of small "fly-by-night" moving companies (that are most likely unregistered businesses) as well, which can create confusion amongst which companies are reliable and which ones are scammers. Below I have listed the top 10 questions to ask prior to booking a mover.

1. What are the rates and is there a cheaper time to move? It is very common for moving companies to vary their rates through-out the month based on busy and slow times. The end of the month is one of the busiest times, which means you are more likely going to end up paying an increased rate for your move. If you can manage to move during the middle of the month, better yet a weekday during the middle of the month, many companies will drop their rates and offer you a deal.


2. Is there a charge for travel time? When paying an hourly rate, many customers believe the clock starts when the movers arrive at their door. In many cases this is not true. Most moving companies will start charging from the time they leave their location and will also charge you for the time to get back.


3. Is there insurance and what does it cover? Some companies will include insurance automatically into their rates, however others (especially "fly-by-night" companies) will not offer anything at all. Sometimes the insurance that is included in the rates will cover next to nothing after deductibles. Be sure to ask what there policy is, and have them send you a copy of their policy so you can read it over more thoroughly. Often, any boxes you pack yourself, particle/chip board furniture, and electronics are not covered. 


4. Are the employees covered by WSIB? Ask if the moving crew is covered by WSIB so you are not held reliable for any injuries that may occur on your property. 

5. Do you offer free in-home estimates? When receiving a quote over the phone, it is usually just based on averages from previous moves. The person on the phone does not know how much furniture and household goods you have, which varies from home to home. The best way to receive an accurate quote is to have a representative of the moving company come by and conduct a free in-home estimate. 


6. How will my furniture be protected? Damages can happen easily when furniture is not properly protected. A professional moving company will wrap all of your furniture in moving pads and occasionally shrink wrap to prevent damages. The moving pads will also protect the furniture from scuffing any floors or walls. If you are concerned with your flooring or have light coloured carpet, ask the movers to lay down floor runners. 


7. Are you members of any associations? Most reliable moving companies will be registered with the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM), and the company may also be registered with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Even if they are not registered with the BBB, still do a search on the company (www.bbb.org) as you can find useful information as to how reliable the company may be. If you can not find the company on the BBB website, or anywhere online when doing a basic google search, take that as a warning that they may be an unreliable "fly-by-night" company. 


8. Are there any hidden fees? Always ask if there are any hidden fees, as there have been tragic stories of customers who may think they are getting a deal, but later find out the mover charges for every step they take, or every box they lift. Surprises like these can lead to lawsuits involving extortion. Here is a perfect example.

9. Is there any risk with booking in the afternoon? During busy weeks moving companies will often book multiple moves throughout the day. If you are inquiring about a start time around noon, ask if there is any potential for delays. Sometimes moves are booked without knowing the exact size of the shipment, or a customer may be completely unprepared causing delays. Ask if this could happen, because if you need a guaranteed start time due to elevator schedules it is best to book a morning time slot. 


10. What differentiates your company from the rest? Ask the movers you are considering for hire why you should hire them. What makes them different from the rest? Sometimes companies will offer you discounts on packing materials, or include the free use of wardrobe boxes, flat screen t.v boxes, or mattress bags. You may find that they are a local family run business, which some may prefer to deal with over large corporate companies. It never hurts to ask about a companies history. 


Best wishes on your search for the right company!




By: Michelle Langdon and Andrew Brown

Save some time... and some money!

So you have booked your movers... now what?!

We all know that moving can be a very stressful, time consuming, and expensive transition. Being well prepared can save you both time and money on your moving day... and who wouldn't want that? Here are a few tips to help organize yourself as you await the big day.


1. Make a list - having a checklist of everything that must be accomplished before moving day is a great start. It will allow you to see what needs to be done, how much time you have to do it, and provides a sense of accomplishment as you check off completed tasks.


2. Downsize when possible - moving is a great time to figure out what items you actually need and use, and which ones you can do without. Downsizing the amount of "stuff" you have in your house will definitely cut down on moving time. Make a garage sale if possible and earn a little cash to help pay for the move.


3. Pack everything in boxes - besides the large furniture of course, pack everything possible into sealed boxes. One of the most time consuming parts of moving can be collecting small appliances, lamps, and items that are loosely thrown into baskets to be put on the truck. Loose items are not very stackable, requiring the mover to make multiple trips in and out of the house. When everything is sealed in boxes the mover can take multiple boxes in one trip therefor saving you time and money (and saving the mover some energy).


4. Disassemble bed frames - although most movers can do this for you, if you are looking to save some time and money, have your beds disassembled and ready to go. If you know of any other furniture that requires disassembly, let your mover know ahead of time so they can come prepared, or do it yourself to save some time.


5. Leave clothing in your dressers - if your dresser is strong and only has clothes in the drawers, save some packing time and leave them in the dresser. Most movers will wrap the dresser in moving pads to keep the drawers in place and prevent the dresser from being damaged.


6. Ask about wardrobe boxes - Moving Again Inc. offers their customers the free use of wardrobe boxes for clothing hanging in closets. Ask your mover if they have wardrobe boxes to offer you as it will save you packing time and save your clothing from being wrinkled or ruined.


7. Properly package electronics - Be sure that all electronics are safely packaged (original boxes work best) and all cords are tied together to avoid tripping. Moving Again Inc. offers the free use of flatscreen t.v boxes for those who no longer have the original. See if your movers offer anything similar, and let your movers know the size of the t.v so they can come prepared.


Best of luck with your move!


By: Michelle Langdon and Andrew Brown

Creating Curbside Appeal

If you are planning a move this spring/summer but still need to sell your home, there are some things you can do to make your house stand out above the rest. We’ve talked about staging the inside of your home, but many people neglect the outside – which is also important.

Here are a few tips:

1.The inside of your house can be pristine, but if you can’t get people through the doors, it won’t really matter. Start with the entrance. If your porch or front door has chipped paint or is looking tired, dress it up with a coat of paint. Sometimes just painting your front door with a more modern colour (black or a dark red) can make a huge difference.

2.Adding a few seasonal flower pots, some simple plants or flowers and mulch to your flower beds creates instant warmth. If you don’t want a lot of work, consider easy-care plants like hostas or sedums to fill in space and create beauty.

3.A fresh coat of white paint on window sills and tired looking garage doors will also spruce up the front of your home.

4.Get rid of the junk. You may not notice the broken barbeque or the ugly trailer at the side of your place with garbage that needs to go to the landfill site, but buyers definitely will.

5.Cut grass and trim hedges. Sometimes when people know they are moving they stop trying. Now more than ever your home must be “show-ready”. Make your home look like you care about it. This will tell buyers you aren’t hiding a lot of problems they can’t see.

Best wishes selling your home and taking the step to moving on.

By: Sharon Osvald in collaboration with Andrew Brown

The Flat Pack

With more and more of our readers buying flat screen televisions, we realized it might be helpful to know how to pack them if you are moving. So here is our version of "Step by Step" instructions of how to pack a flat screen television. Please note, it is safer and easier to do this job with two people than solo.


1) SUPPLIES (and TV's cords all unplugged and removed).

2) Remove tv stand from the tv... (be sure to keep tv stand, cords, and any tv related electronics together in one box so nothing is misplaced when reassembling)

3) Be sure all supplies are in the package (tv bag, two narrow 1/4" thick foam pieces, two 1/4" thick larger foam pieces)

4) Assemble box and place both narrow 1/4" thick foam pieces in bottom.

5) Place and wrap tv in protective bag.

6) Wrap the outside edges of the tv in both sheets of 1/4" thick larger pieces of foam and tape in place.

7) Place wrapped tv in box.

8) Be sure excess edges of the thick foam are tucked down the inner sides of the boxes so the tv is snug and does not move around.

9) Seal the box and handle with care.

Enjoy your safely packed Big screen TV!

By: Andrew Brown

While You Are Waiting

You’re moving.

Congratulations! Your house has sold or you’re nearing the end of your lease. You’ve already got your new home all arranged but you aren’t moving until the summer. There is nothing to do but wait. Not so. There is a lot you can do while you wait, that will make less work for you later on.

Here are a few ideas (besides packing of course):

•Have a garage sale. Take a look at all that extra stuff you’ve accumulated while you’ve been in your current home. If you haven’t used that tread mill, downhill skis or watched those movies in two years, it is time to get rid of them – and make a little money at the same time.

•Get rid of hazardous chemicals. Throw out your old paints cans and cleaning chemicals. Most dumps have special dates you can dispose of these chemicals. Check with your local landfill sites. Don’t forget to empty the fuel from your lawnmower/snowblower.

•Take a good hard look at your clothes closets. Again, if you haven’t worn something for a year – it is time to set it free. There are many places that would benefit from the donations of your gently used clothing, coats and bedding or towels. There will be less to move and you’ll be helping someone.

•Create your change of address list. With email this is a lot less expensive and time consuming than it used to be. Make a list of the relatives, friends and businesses/services that will need your new address.

•Contact your utility companies, insurance company etc. and make sure you have given them your end/ new start dates for services.

•If you are leaving the area, begin researching and making arrangements for a new veterinarian, family physician, dentist, optometrist etc. You can also take this time to research schools, family and recreational activities and churches.


Happy Planning!

By: Sharon Osvald and Andrew Brown

Home Sweet Home?

If you are moving this spring or summer, you may be considering whether or not to purchase your very first home.
You are probably asking yourself: Am I ready to buy?

Here are some things to consider before taking the leap:

1. Are you really in a good financial place to handle such a commitment? Have you saved up the down payment? Have you paid off or in the process of regularly paying off outstanding debts, student loans or credit card debts?

2. Could you afford to pay your mortgage payments if the interest rate jumped? Currently, in Canada the interest rate for borrowing is at an all-time low. Many borrowers are paying 2% interest on their mortgages, but in the 1990’s people were paying closer to 14% interest. Although, you are able to lock in for a term where your rate remains the same, be certain you could manage an eventual price hike.

3.Have you truly considered the cost of maintenance, property taxes, insurance and utilities? Are you aware of the large one-time costs like legal fees, title insurance, home inspection, property transfer and taxes?

If you have prepared and are ready to buy your first home, here is a good website where you can learn more about how to arrange a mortgage, how to calculate what you can afford and much more at www.howrealtorshelp.ca/planning-finances.php#Buying-Step-4

Happy House Hunting! If we can be of help in your upcoming move visit www.movingagain.ca

By: Sharon Osvald and Andrew Brown