Category: moving tips

Trying to get packed up for a move is hard enough, but when you’re trying to do it in a hurry it can be extra stressful. Whatever the reason for the quick move, it’s essential that you still get everything packed carefully so your belongings are safe and secure. 

Here are a few tips and guidelines to make sure you handle packing for your move as efficiently as possible:

1. Leave it to the pros — One of the easiest ways to ensure your packing is handled quickly and safely is to hire a professional moving team. Movers do this for a living and know how to get in, get you packed up, and get you on your way as quickly as possible. If you can, give serious consideration to hiring pros to pack you up.
2. Don’t pack everything — This may seem counterintuitive, but one of the best tips we can give you is to reduce the amount of packing you have to do. To do this, you need to do a fast spring cleaning of all your belongings. Throw out anything you don’t need or want. If possible, donate it to a local charity so you’re reducing the amount that you have to pack. This is especially true when it comes to the kitchen. There’s no point in packing up a lot of food items for transit. Donate the unopened items to your local food pantry. Toss the opened items out and start fresh when you move into your new location.
3. Pack an essentials bag — Before you start packing your other belongings, put together an essentials bag. This will include all the things you can’t live without for a few days. For instance, you’ll definitely want a couple of days’ clothing as well as your medicines and toiletries that you will need. Also, throw in your chargers for items like your phone or laptop as well as any paperwork that you might need for the move. If you have kids, do the same for them and include a few favorite toys and a book or video to keep them occupied during the move.
4. Don’t empty your drawers — If you have a large dresser, don’t empty out the drawers and try packing the individual items. Instead, just leave everything in the drawers and use them as makeshift packing boxes to carry the items to your new location. You can even cover these in packing cling wrap to help keep everything bundled together nicely.
5. Don’t try to sort things out — Another big packing tip would be to not try to sort items when you’re boxing them up. The goal here is to just get everything into a box as quickly as possible. If you are trying to pack up a bedroom, for instance, just start putting everything into boxes. Don’t worry about sorting out whose clothes belong to who or putting some order or organization to the boxes. This is going to mean a little more work when you unpack and try to organize your new home, but it does mean you can get packed quicker in your old location. Also, as you pack these items, make sure you go room-by-room. If you bounce around from one room to another, you’re going to slow yourself down. 
   

   If You Have to Move Quickly, These Tips Will Ensure You Get Everything Packed in Time

   Moving is done best when you have the time to plan it out and organize yourself. However, if this isn’t possible, then you can always make use of these helpful tips to ensure that your quick move is as efficient as possible

   You’ve found the moving company with over 40 years of experience, BBB-accredited and certified in Canada!

   Crescent Moving & Storage has been in business for many years providing reliable, timely, and safe moving services for businesses and homeowners in the Vancouver area. Find out why so many trust Crescent Moving to care for their most valuable assets. Contact us for a FREE, no-obligation moving quote.

   
   

If you’re a seasoned mover who has hopped from place to place in your life, then you probably already have it down to a science. But you also know that a simple move across town is completely different than trying to move all your belongings out of one province and into another. Here are a few tips for those considering such a move and a handy checklist that will help you keep things organized without losing your sanity.

Before you make your move, you need to consider if the new province you are moving into is within your budget. Some provinces have higher expenses than others. Vancouver, for instance, has a higher rate than cities in Quebec or British Columbia. 

When you’re moving, there are three main areas that you want to focus on:

• Housing
• Transportation
• Living Expenses

With these three, you should understand there is a connection between all of them. For instance, if you want to live close to work or shops, you’re going to pay more for your housing than you would if you lived far out in the suburbs or a less trendy neighborhood. 

The trade-off here is that you may not need a car because you can take public transit to get to your work or to do shopping. But if you live far out and pay less for a house or apartment, then you’re going to pay more for transportation. 

Sometimes they are not an even swap, so look at the expenses for your province and budget accordingly. The same is true with monthly living expenses. Research what you expect to pay for food, gas, utilities, and taxes in your new province before you make the leap.

What Should You Take Care of Before You Move?

There are several different groups and people you need to talk with before you make the big move. Be sure that you consider the following:

• School — First, if you’re a parent, talk with your child’s school. There may be paperwork you need to fill out to transfer your child to their new school.
• Utilities — Make sure you have the utilities cut off in your old apartment or home and set up for your new location. This may require paying new deposits, but it’s important to get this set up. While you’re at it, don’t forget to transfer your Internet and cable TV service so you’ll have it ready when you arrive in your new home.
• Doctor — Talk to your doctor and see if they have any recommendations for a new physician where you are moving. Also, make sure to get your prescriptions taken care of so you don’t run out of medicine a few days into your new home.
• Post Office — Turn in a change of address form so your mail doesn’t pile up at the old house. Also, inform all your creditors and any subscriptions about the new address to make sure your mail gets to you.

Who Can Help You with Your Move?

Here’s a quick checklist of resources you can use for getting information and transferring your services over to your new address:

 

• Health Services 
• Mail Services 
• Pensions 
• Taxes
• Veteran Services 
• Voter Registration 

If you’re moving to a new province, do your homework ahead of time and plan carefully for the move. You don’t want to be hit with unexpected expenditures nor do you want to be left out in the cold when it comes to your benefits and services.

Use Experienced, Professional Movers Who Know Your Area
Crescent Moving & Storage has been in business for over 40 years providing reliable, timely, and safe moving services for businesses and homeowners in the Vancouver area. Rain or shine, we’re there for you! Find out why so many trust Crescent Moving to care for their most valuable assets. Contact us for a FREE, no-obligation moving quote.

 

 

 

If you’ve ever talked to a friend or family member and told them that you plan to move, chances are you’ve probably gotten A LOT of unsolicited advice. It seems that it’s a topic on which everyone has an opinion, even if it may not be wholly accurate. 

One of the things that we’ve found over the years is how little people know about how to properly budget for a move. It’s a little more complex than one might think and there are a lot of different factors that go into determining your total moving costs. 

Here are items you need to consider when you budget for your move:

1. Estimate your “stuff” — The biggest determining factor for cost will be just how much you’re having moved. You can do this by hand if you want, going room by room and estimating how many boxes you think it will take for the small things. Then include how many large pieces (beds, washer, dryers, dressers, etc.) that you plan to move.  

A better move would be to use a moving cost calculator app that can help you estimate exactly how much you plan to move. Once you have an idea, talk with your professional movers about their rates. Some will charge by weight and others by the hour. Either way, the amount of “stuff” you plan to move will determine a large part of the cost.

2. Determine the time of year — Time is also a huge factor in moving costs. If you move in the spring or summer, you’ll be paying “prime” rates. However, if you can hold off your move until the fall or winter (usually from September to late February/early March), then the rates are greatly reduced. This is because more people want to move when the weather is nicer, and the demand causes the rates to go up.

3. And figure out the time of the week — The day of your move can also impact your cost. If you want to move on the weekend, you’ll probably see a slight increase because of a higher demand for professional movers and vans. But if you can take some time off from work in the middle of the week, you can save yourself a few dollars. (And those add up!)

4. Other factors — There are several other aspects that you should consider when budgeting your move. All of these will potentially impact the cost:

• Distance from your old home to your new (especially if your new home is in another city or province).
• If the movers have to take apart a bunch of furniture or other items, then this will add to the time it takes (and the total bill).
• Optional add-ons such as additional insurance will raise the cost of your move.

Moving Costs Are as Unique as Each Move

In Canada, it’s hard to pin down an average cost for a move. A small apartment may only take as little as $750 while a large home can cost upwards of $2500. It’s important to talk with your movers, get a quote upfront, and look closely at your contract to help determine the budget for your move.

Easily Move Without Worry or Stress. Hire Experienced Movers That Care.

Crescent Moving & Storage has been in business for over 40 years providing reliable, timely, and safe moving services for businesses and homeowners in the Vancouver area. Find out why so many trust Crescent Moving to care for their most valuable assets. Contact us for a FREE, no-obligation moving quote.

Most of us have gotten to be “old hands” at packing and getting things ready for the movers. But many people forget that not all of your belongings are inside of the house. Lots of folks have to scramble at the last minute to prepare their outdoor furniture and accessories because they simply forgot about them. 

Here are steps you can take for your next move to get your outdoor furniture ready for movers:

Examine All of Your Items 

One of the first things you want to do is to look over all of your outdoor furniture to find any damage. Because they’re exposed to the elements so much, many of these items tend to wear out faster than regular furniture. 

If a lawn chair is broken or a chair cushion has become mildewed, it’s best to toss it. If you don’t plan on throwing any of it out, make sure to take pictures of the items (especially of any worn spots). 

You may want to take pictures of your furniture before the move so you can feel confident when you unpack in your new home that all the furniture was packed with care and moved without any damage. 

Clean It  

Next, perform a deep cleaning on all of your outdoor furniture. If possible, throw your cushions and pillows into the washing machine to get rid of any traces of mold. 

Use soap and a good water sprayer/hose to clean off all of the furniture and larger items. As you do this, make sure you get rid of dirt and other trash that may have accumulated over time. 

Also, if you have furniture with hollow sections (such as tubing) make sure that you clear out any insects that may have decided to nest inside of them. You don’t want the movers picking up your outdoor chairs only to have a nest of wasps come flying out. 

Doing all of this not only keeps you and your movers safe, but it also means that you won’t be taking dirty items on the moving truck with you as these can get other items from inside the house dirty.

Break Down the Furniture (and other items too) 

If you’re paying professional movers according to how much space you use in the moving truck, you definitely want to pack everything as compactly as possible. For lawn furniture, take the items apart (as much as you can). To make it easier to reassemble the items later on, be sure to use heavy packing tape to tie them all together. 

Alternately, you can place everything (including the screws and bolts) into separate bags for easy assembly. Definitely don’t just throw it all together and hope it will make sense when you get to your new home. 

If you have a glass tabletop, wrap it in protective cushioning such as moving blankets. Lawn umbrellas should be closed and tied shut so that it doesn’t pop open in the truck. 

If you have lots of outdoor cushions and pillows (or other small items), you can save a lot of space with vacuum bags. Place the items inside of the bag and then use your vacuum cleaner to draw out the excess air. This makes it easier to stack the items up in the truck. 

Finally, if you have pool items (such as floats), pack these appropriately. Floats should be deflated, dried out, and then rolled up. (You can also use vacuum bags for this.) Pool chemicals should be packaged and properly labeled to prevent spills or leaks.

Outdoor Furniture Needs Special Care in Packing for a Move

If you’re hiring professional movers to pack up your items as well as move you, they should already be familiar with these tips and make the process smoother. But, if you are packing yourself so the pros can move you, then make sure to follow these so your move goes quickly.

Easily Move Without Worry or Stress. Hire Experienced Movers That Care.

Crescent Moving & Storage has been in business for over 40 years providing reliable, timely, and safe moving services for businesses and homeowners in the Vancouver area. Find out why so many trust Crescent Moving to care for their most valuable assets. Contact us for a FREE, no-obligation moving quote.

 

Hiring a professional moving company means that you can sit back and relax while someone else does the heavy lifting. But before the movers show up, there are a few things you need to know.

Think of this as a “mover’s wish list” they wish you knew. By being aware of these tips, you can actually make the moving process easier for everyone involved (including you!):

Communicate with your movers early — Most movers are used to just about anything you could possibly throw at them. However, they need to be prepared for certain things.

If you’re planning to move special items like a piano or highly-valuable collectibles, be sure to communicate that well ahead of moving day. It may be that they will need to bring special moving equipment or packing supplies for these kinds of items. If you don’t tell them, they’ll have to go back to headquarters to pick up the necessary supplies.

This will slow down your move (and possibly cost you more money if you are paying by the hour). As soon as you can, make a detailed list of “bulky items” like a piano, couches, refrigerators, washers/dryers, or similar items and provide this to your moving team so they can arrive on moving day fully prepared.

Clear them a path — One of the hardest aspects of a move for movers is getting a large truck as close to your house as possible. If you live in a gated community, make sure they have the access code to get in on moving day.

If you live in a neighborhood without yards or driveways (where you have to park on the street), save them a space near your property so they don’t have to park a block away. Otherwise, make sure that your yard is cleared for them with full access to your home, including the backyard and garage. It’s important that someone is at your new home to meet them and direct them where to put things.

Have everything ready to go on moving day — A professional moving company will be happy to pack your things for you. But if you decide to do the packing yourself, make sure it’s all done ahead of time.

Nothing’s worse for movers than trying to move items around while you’re still packing up. If you do the packing ahead of time, make sure you use strong boxes and packing tape so the boxes don’t rip or tear while moving. Keep heavy items separate so they aren’t back-breakers. (It’s never a good idea to pack all of your pots and pans into one large box).

Be there for the move, but relax — On moving day you need to be home so you can let the movers in, show them where everything is, and where it needs to go. But after that, you need to sit back and relax. The movers are professionals and know how to move your belongings. Allow them to do the job you hired them for.

Bottom Line: Moving Can Actually Be Enjoyable with the Right Help!
Hiring professional movers will ensure your moving day is less stressful for you and your family. But before you hire those movers, make sure you follow these tips. If you do, the day will run even smoother than you thought.
Easily Move Without Worry or Stress. Hire Experienced Movers That Care.
Crescent Moving & Storage has been in business for over 40 years providing reliable, timely, and safe moving services for businesses and homeowners in the Vancouver area. Find out why so many trust Crescent Moving to care for their most valuable assets. Contact us for a FREE, no-obligation moving quote.

It seems like every profession has its own lingo and jargon of terms, acronyms, and abbreviations they use regularly. But for the uninitiated, these terms can sometimes sound like gobbledygook.

So, it should come as no surprise that the moving industry has its own “language” as well. But it’s important when using professional movers to be familiar with all of these terms so you can understand what you’re being offered.

Here’s a list of the most common terms you should know before your next move:

Charge Terms

• Quote — This is an estimate of how much a move will cost you. It’s not a guarantee of the final bill and is usually determined after a walk-through of the home.

• Moving Cost — This is the basic cost of moving your belongings from your old house to your new house. It does not include special fees.

• Actual Charges — This is the grand total of all your charges (moving charge, accessorial charges, and miscellaneous charges).

• Accessorial Charges — This is a charge for services other than the move itself. This can include the packing and unpacking of goods and the installation and set-up of appliances or furniture.

• Bulky Item Charges — This is another additional charge that is required for moving oversized furniture considered “’bulky” and difficult to move. This can include pianos, refrigerators, pool tables, and the like.

• Elevator Charge — This is another additional charge used by some companies. It refers to extra fees when the movers must use an elevator to deliver your items.

• Flight Charge — This is another additional charge used by companies if they need to travel up multiple flights of stairs to deliver your belongings. It’s only charged if the movers have to actually go up and down the stairs (as opposed to using an elevator). It’s also not used if they only have to go up one flight of stairs (to the second floor).

• Line-haul Charges — When you move a short distance, the total cost is usually a flat-rate or hourly charge. For longer moves, the cost is calculated based on weight and mileage. This is referred to as a line-haul charge.

• Long Carry Charges — This is a charge that you really need to be wary of. It’s basically charged if they carry your possessions a really long distance. The problem here is that the definition of “long carry” is left up to the discretion of the movers.

• Peak Season Rate — Generally speaking, movers are most busy during the spring and summer (from May to September). Some companies may charge a higher rate to move during this time as it is the peak season.

Insurance Terms

• Insurance Adjuster — In the event that you have to file an insurance claim for lost or damaged items, the claim will be handled by an adjuster. It’s this person’s job to investigate and decide about the claim.

• Full-value Insurance — This is an optional insurance policy offered by movers. It will cover your belongings with full replacement costs and repair costs. It’s probably the most fully comprehensive insurance policy offered.

• Hazard Insurance — This is optional insurance that is meant to pay out if your belongings are damaged by disasters such as fire or flooding/water damage.

• High-value Articles — These are items that are generally worth more than $100 per pound. They may require extra insurance during a move and can include collectibles and antiques.

Abbreviations

• CAM — This stands for the Canadian Association of Movers, a professional organization that represents professional moving and storage companies. The association not only advocates for these companies but also provides leadership, consultation, technical advice, and research in this field.

• BOL — This stands for Bill of Lading and refers to a document that lists all of the items that have been taken on by the moving company and serves as the agreement between you and the company.

• PBO/PBC — PBO refers to items that are “Packed by Owner.” PBC refers to items that are “Packed by the Company (Movers).”

• OA/DA — These abbreviations are used in extremely long moves such as from one country to another. OA refers to “Origin Agent.” This is the company that handles the start of the moving process. DA refers to “Destination Agent.” This is the company that the OA delivers the belongings to so they can make the final delivery to the new home.

• PAD — This stands for “Preferred Arrival Date.” It’s the date that you want to have your items delivered.

• SIT — This stands for “Storage in Transit.” It refers to when you may need to store items temporarily until the new home is ready for the items to be delivered.

Now that you know some of the lingo, your next move should run a little easier. Be sure to read over your contract carefully and make sure you understand every term before you sign on the dotted line.

Easily Move Without Worry or Stress. Hire Experienced Movers That Care.
Crescent Moving & Storage has been in business for over 40 years providing reliable, timely, and safe moving services for businesses and homeowners in the Vancouver area. Find out why so many trust Crescent Moving to care for their most valuable assets. Contact us for a FREE, no-obligation moving quote.

One of the most nerve-wracking aspects of moving into a new home is that you always feel like you’re forgetting something. You have so much to do that you’re worried things will slip through the cracks. We want to help you prevent that from happening during your next move.

Here’s a run-down of items you need to take care of as you prepare to move:

 

• Clear your schedule — Once you have your moving day picked out, be sure to clear your schedule from work. Even if you’re moving on a weekend, you might want to take a day or two off to handle moving-related errands. 

 

• Research your moving options — Take a load off you physically and figuratively by hiring a professional mover. Research by looking at reviews and talking to the movers. Look for established moving companies that have been around a long time and have great reviews.  Once you’ve made your choice, book your moving company for the big day. 

 

• Change your address — You can change your mailing address online and redirect your mail using the mail forwarding tool from Canada Post. The process is simple, and the fee is the same as you pay when you go to a postal outlet to fill in a form. Cost varies based on where you move. Don’t forget your credit card companies. They will find you eventually! Finally, change your address with your employer.

 

• Get organized — There are lots of ways to get yourself organized for a move. Check out apps such as Move Advisor or Sortly. These can help you keep track of your boxes and other essentials during a move.

 

• Take care of the utilities — Before you move, set up the utilities (including cable and Internet) in your new home and turn them off in your old one.

 

• Get your supplies — Be sure you have plenty of supplies. We recommend professional moving boxes instead of recycled boxes from your local package shop or grocery store. These will hold up well, especially if you have heavy items to pack. Also, be sure to get bubble wrap or Styrofoam packing peanuts for your breakables and LOTS of tape.

 

• Clean house — Don’t clean up, clean the house out. Go room-by-room and place everything into three stacks: to pack, to donate, and to trash. The more stuff you can donate or throw out means the less stuff you will have to pack and move.

 

• Start packing — Remember when you’re packing up your rooms to follow a few basic rules. First, don’t overpack. It’s easier to move twenty small boxes than it is to move twenty-boxes worth of stuff all crammed into one oversized and heavy box. Also, be sure to properly wrap breakables so they’re cushioned in the box.

 

• Label your boxes appropriately — Be sure to label EVERYTHING. When you’re packing your kitchen, label the boxes as “Kitchen 1 of ____” and so on. That way, when you’re finished you can put the total number of boxes in the blank and know exactly how many boxes go in each room. This makes it really easy to figure out if you have all of your boxes in the right spot when you arrive at your new home.

 

• Pack an overnight bag — No matter how well you pack, it’s going to take a few days to get everything unpacked and put up. In the meantime, pack an overnight bag with a few day’s clothes, your medications and toiletries, and a few favorite toys for the kids. 

 

• Make needed repairs — Whether your old house is a rental or you own it, you’ll probably need to do “touch-ups” to the house before you leave. But you also need to walk through your new home and find everything that needs to be fixed before you move in. It’s a lot easier to paint a room or replace the flooring before you move all of your furniture in.

 

• Take precautions — Since COVID-19 is still a major factor worldwide, you need to take proper precautions. Have masks and hand sanitizer ready for moving day. Also, if you are using a moving company, ask them about how they are handling safety during the pandemic.

 

• Treat your movers — If you have people helping you, it’s nice to have something to show them they are appreciated. Bottled water and a supply of coffee and donuts are great moving treats. Also, be ready to spring for dinner for your friends who help with the unpacking process. 

 

Moving to a new home doesn’t have to be stressful. If you follow this checklist, you’ll be sure to hit all the important points and keep your move as hassle-free as possible.

Are you ready to find a BBB-accredited and certified moving company in Canada? 

Crescent Moving & Storage has been in business for over 40 years providing reliable, timely and safe moving services for businesses and homeowners in the Vancouver area. Find out why so many trust Crescent Moving to care for their most valuable assets. Contact us for a FREE, no-obligation moving quote.

In 2020, it would be an understatement to say that the world went through some massive changes. But even though everything has been topsy-turvy, Crescent Movers has kept its customers at the top of our minds by keeping them informed of the best practices when it comes to packing and moving. We’ve also provided tips and tricks to make our customers’ moves easier, especially in these unprecedented times. 

Here’s the best of Crescent Mover’s blog in 2020:

Moving Tips

Our goal has always been for you to have a great moving experience. In 2020, we gave you tips within 7 blogs to make sure you know how to plan for a no-stress move. This past year, we showed you how to move into a new home during bad weather (always a possibility with Canadian winters) and why garbage bags may be a life-saver when it comes to moving in the rain. 

 

Besides the prospect of bad weather, we also looked at some of the problems you may have when packing for a move because your moving company can’t (or won’t) move certain items. From food and alcohol to pets and plants, we help you learn the items that are prohibited. We know that you may not think of these items, so we also included another category you might not have given much thought to—namely, the essential moving supplies that you may have overlooked in your preparation.

 

One of the biggest issues that we’ve found people to have is how to move specific items over the years. That’s why we included a breakdown of how to pack your kitchen, from the breakables like glasses to the heavy weighing items like pots and pans. But we also realize that a move isn’t just about the things that are inside your home. Your car is also a huge item to be relocated. That’s why we gave you tips on how to import your vehicle if you are moving to Canada from the U.S.

 

Finally, we realize that moving can be a truly expensive proposition. That’s why we offered you a few tips on how to save on moving costs and a realistic look at how much it costs to move yourself versus hiring professionals to move for you. 

 

How To’s

Crescent has been around more than 40 years and, in that time, we’ve learned a few things. In 2020, we provided four how-to pieces that are meant to help with moving the items most precious to us. These items run the gamut including how to pack your clothes to how to pack bulky, oversized objects that may be a moving headache.

 

For the wine connoisseurs (or those who just like a good drink now and then), we gave you information on how to properly package your wine for a move. And, once again, we helped you out with some financial how-to’s with an informative piece on how to avoid surprise moving charges. 

 

Educational

Whether it’s your first move or your 50th, we like to answer questions we get from time to time and that we think will help you in your move. This year, we covered several interesting questions from the useful to the inquisitive. Some people who are new to using professional movers got help with our piece on what to expect when using movers to pack. We also provided new parents with an idea of how to babyproof their home and new homeowners learned what home maintenance they should do after a move.

 

We also didn’t forget about companies that are looking to relocate with blogs on how to get rid of unwanted office furniture and what commercial office movers cover with their services. Finally, we also provided some good general information about how to compare moving companies and some popular moving myths that needed to be dispelled. 

 

Covid-19

What a year 2020 was! In our many years serving Surrey, Vancouver, the Fraser Valley and the Lower Mainland, we reached out safely through our website to deliver as much information as we had for those needing to move during such a confusing time. Our blogs offered advice on whether it was safe to move during the pandemic and how to move during the crisis.  We also offered suggestions on downsizing your home during the pandemic.  But most of all, we wanted to let you know how much your safety means to us with an informative piece on what we are doing as professional movers to protect our customers and employees during the outbreak.

And that leaves us with one remaining blog we shared in 2020 that could fit in all the categories above. Knowing how professional movers, particularly those we see on TV, prepare and manage a move is an educational piece with LOTS of tips!

For most people, the idea of packing up their things and moving into a new house is something on the same level with having a root canal. The move itself isn’t a horrible experience. A new home can be a wonderful place to start new memories. But the packing and moving itself can be tedious, grueling, and back-breaking work. 

That’s why it’s such a relief when you hire professional movers to do all of the hard work for you. If you’ve never hired professional movers, you may not know exactly what to expect from the experience. 

Here are some of the most common questions that people have about hiring professional movers and what you can expect:

What will the packers provide? 

If you want the full professional moving experience, they will provide everything for you. When they arrive, the movers will bring in all of the materials that will be needed: runners to protect your floor, moving boxes, packing tape, and packing material such as bubble wrap or packing paper. They will also bring the hand trucks, dollies, and other moving tools. You won’t have to provide anything. 

Will they pack everything? 

In short, YES! The packers are trained to not waste time going through each item. And this is when they’re better suited to the activity than you are. A person packing up his or her own belongings will naturally pause and ruminate over the items. Movers don’t do that; they are mechanical in their actions and pack without really spending time determining if something has sentimental value or if it is just trash. They also will not pause to do a lot of labeling. They will simply put the name of the room on the box with no other indications of what is in the box. If you want something more specific labeled, you’re welcome to do that. Talk with the movers to let them know you plan to label boxes so they’ll be sure not to load the boxes on the truck before you can label them.

Do I need to do anything before the movers arrive? 

If you wish to expedite the process, then you might want to take out the items you need packed, such as the clothes in your closet and the like. But the biggest help that you can give your movers is to clean out items that don’t need to be packed. Go through each room and separate items into three stacks—to pack, to trash, and to donate. If you don’t need or want the item, then there’s no need to pack it up and have it moved. The movers will not differentiate between these items so get rid of the trash and donate stacks and just leave only the items you want packed.

Will they unpack the items? 

Again, this is up to you, but you can have them unpack as well. At the least, the movers will bring all of your items off the truck and place them into whatever rooms you wish. They will also set up items such as furniture by putting things back together that have been taken apart for the move. (For instance, they will reassemble your bed frames and set it up with the box-frame and mattress.) But they will also unpack the boxes if you want and set up whatever you ask for.

Do I have to be there for the packing? 

Yes, you need to be present to oversee all of the packing. This way, you can answer any questions the movers may have and be present if something unfortunate happens like an accidental breaking of an item. (Although they are professionals and damage is limited, they are still human and accidents can happen.) But you should be the only one present to keep the distractions limited. This means send your kids to a sitter’s house during the packing and keep your pets locked away so they aren’t getting in the way. 

Do I provide anything for the movers? 

As a rule, no you don’t need to provide anything as the packing supplies are brought by the movers. Some people like to be hospitable and offer donuts and coffee for the movers. While this is definitely appreciated, it is not required. Also, most people leave a tip for the movers for a job well done. Again, this is appreciated, but is not mandatory.

Moves Are Stressful Enough, Let the Pros Move Your Belongings

If you have never gone through a move with professional movers, then you may have a lot of questions about what the process will be like. But, once you see how easy they make the whole move, you will never want to go back to trying to do it yourself!

Are you ready to find a BBB-accredited and certified moving company in Canada? 

Crescent Moving & Storage has been in business for over 40 years providing reliable, timely and safe moving services for businesses and homeowners in the Vancouver area. Find out why so many trust Crescent Moving to care for their most valuable assets. Contact us for a FREE , no-obligation moving quote.

One of the biggest pains when it comes to moving your household items are those objects that are oversized. What makes them so difficult isn’t necessarily that they are too heavy; it’s just that they are so cumbersome and oversized, they make it awkward to pack and move. These include those pieces of furniture you dread having to move as well as many other cumbersome personal items. 

Here, then, are back-saving tips that can save you a lot of physical pain and mental anguish when it comes to executing your next move:

 

• Don’t move it yourself — The easiest way to handle moving oversized objects is to simply not do it. By hiring an experienced, professional moving company, you’re saving yourself a lot of grief, as well as your back. Ask yourself how much it’s worth not to worry about all the things that go into actually moving your heavy items. Consider there are tools to help move the items, there’s the physical exertion to get the heavy objects onto the tools to move and there’s the risk that the items aren’t properly wrapped for your move.

 

The advantage of not having to deal with the move outweighs the cost. Professional movers are trained in how to move these oversized items. Also, they have the equipment to make the move easier that you may not have access to at any cost.

 

• Slide your oversized furniture — If you decide to move your own items, one of the best ways to protect yourself is to avoid picking up large, bulky items such as couches or chairs. Instead, try sliding these items across the floor and only pick up when you have to go over the bump in a doorway or hallway entry. 

 

If your items don’t have wheels or are difficult to slide, there are items you can buy called sliders. Simply place these underneath the legs of the couch and it will make it easier to slide across the floor and into the truck. Just remember that at some point, you will have to pick it up and move it.

 

• Get the right equipment — Save the wear and tear on your back with the right equipment. Make sure that you have plenty of ropes and moving straps/bungee cords as well as a dolly/hand-truck and stair rollers. These items can really save you a ton of hassle.

 

• Disassemble — If you’re dealing with a large item such as a desk that can be taken apart and moved in pieces, then do that. Just be sure that you keep all the screws and parts labeled and together. We suggest putting the small pieces in a Ziploc bag that you can label and tape to the item itself when you are moving. But taking it apart and putting it back together again may be a better solution than hurting yourself trying to move it.

 

• Getting through the door — Another big issue isn’t just moving the items themselves but getting these oversized items through your doors. Anyone who has seen the episode of Friends where Ross yells at everyone to “Pivot” as they move his couch, can attest to how tricky it can be to move in tight quarters. 

 

One suggestion is to actually remove the doors themselves. If your doors have a hinge bolt that can easily be popped out and back in again, you might want to remove them so  you can gain those extra couple of inches that will help your items move through the doorway. But also, measure everything out ahead of time so you will know if you might run into any unexpected problems.

Moving Large Items with Experienced Movers Saves Time, Money and Your Back!

Moving is never a fun experience. But with the abundance of oversized and heavy items in your home, this activity can be downright painful. In order to ensure that your move is peaceful and successful, seriously consider hiring professional movers who can (literally) take the load off of you. Trust us when we say that your back and knees will thank you later on.

Save Your Back By Using Experienced, Professional Movers for Your Canadian Move

Relax and know you and all your items are safe during your move within Canada. Contact BBB-accredited Crescent Moving and Storage. By filling out a form on our website, we can give you a virtual moving quote. Moving consultations can be done over the phone or through an online video conferencing program. This limits the face-to-face contact between our staff and your family. We can provide an accurate and no-obligation estimate without coming to your house.