How To Pack Porcelain Items When Moving

When you move, you’re taking a risk and hoping that your cherished belongings will make it safely from Point A to Point B. This is especially true of porcelain objects such as figurines and fine china. 

Porcelain items aren’t just incredibly fragile. They’re also often incredibly expensive. But if you want to make sure they arrive safely to your new home, you need to make sure you follow these guidelines to protect your porcelain items. 

Here are steps you can take to protect your valuable porcelain possessions:

 

  1. Let the professionals do it for you — Probably the best tip we can give you is don’t pack your porcelain items yourself. Professional movers have years of experience at handling the most fragile items such as your porcelain and fine china. 

The reality is that you have a lot of other things to worry about when you’re getting ready to move into a new home. You don’t want to compound this by having to pack your delicate things safely and then worrying whether you did it correctly. 

Instead, professional movers have the experience, the tools and can quickly get your personal valuables moved without harm.

  1.  Make a list — If you’re going to pack yourself, the first thing you need to do is create a complete list of all the items you plan to pack. When you get to the end of the packing and find one extra item, you don’t want to cram that into a box with anything else. Know exactly what you must pack before you do anything else.

  2. Assemble your supplies — Once you have an idea of how much you must pack, be sure to assemble a good supply of high-quality packing materials. This isn’t the time to skimp on packing boxes and try to get by with banana boxes or left overs from the back of the package shop.  Instead, buy high quality, reinforced packing boxes. By the same token, be sure to get bubble wrap, or something similar, to cushion the porcelain items so they don’t crack in transit. Also, when you’re putting together the boxes, be sure to use heavy duty packing tape that won’t tear or split open leaving all your breakables to fall out of the box’s bottom.
  3. Pack properly — Start the actual packing by separating your items into two groups. The most fragile and delicate of your porcelain items should be put aside and packed separately. Also, when you are packing these, make sure you are standing on a soft surface like a heavily carpeted area (or packing on a cushiony bed). The last thing you want is to lose your grip and accidentally drop an item on a tile or hardwood floor. 

If you’re packing plates or bowls, stack them inside of each other (or on top of each other) with a layer of bubble wrap separating them. This way, they will take up less space, but they will also be properly protected in the boxes.

Precious Porcelain Items Need Extra Attention and Care

Porcelain objects can be among some of the most beautiful and delicate pieces of art and craftsmanship in the world. However, that delicacy also makes them incredibly fragile and not something you want to just toss into a box during your next move. Instead, the care and respect they deserve is important so that they can make it safely to your new home, whether it’s across the street or across the country. 

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.

Best Canadian Cities for Start-Ups

For the past two decades, hundreds of thousands of people a year have immigrated from different countries to Canada. That doesn’t even include those who move from one province to another. Many of those making these moves are doing so with the hopes of starting a business or taking advantage of the economic boom, particularly in the tech industry. 

Let’s take a look at which Canadian cities are the best cities for a new start-up:

Vancouver

When you think of technology start-ups, you might look towards Silicon Valley, California (home of Apple) and Seattle, Washington (home of Microsoft). But Vancouver has attracted multiple tech businesses including Amazon. (They have even lured Microsoft up to Canada with a second headquarters.) 

If you’re looking for a place to network with the elites of the tech world, then Vancouver is becoming the place to be. The city boasts over 100,000 technology professionals who can meet your staffing resource needs and the tech sector generates $23 billion a year in revenue. For those who want to create a new start-up, it would be worth it to relocate your business to this beautiful city. 

Toronto

This is another major technology centre with an incredibly diverse population. Many of whom have immigrated to Canada specifically to bring their expertise to a variety of industries including finance and healthcare. 

In fact, 40% of Toronto technology workers are from outside of Canada. If you’re looking to create a start-up that can draw a lot of young, eager tech employees excited about being part of something great from the beginning, then Toronto might be for you.

Calgary

Coming in at #3 on our list is Calgary. This city, the largest in Alberta, is known for several industries including aerospace, agriculture, and energy as well as film and media. Calgary is already home to 450 start-ups and was on its way to setting records for investment in the province, prior to the start of the pandemic. 

Montreal

In 2018, Montreal was named one of the top global cities for startups. That same year, the city had $1.7 billion in venture capital financing and was named the second best city in the Americas for millennials. If you are looking to launch a start-up in pharmaceuticals, software, or telecommunications, then Montreal may be the best choice for your business.

Canada’s Top Start-Ups Need Experienced, Local Movers

Since the start of the new century, Canada has been poised as a global leader in different aspects of the world’s economy. This is especially true for technology-based businesses with you entrepreneurs flocking to the area to find economic success. 

If you’re looking to relocate to one of these areas, it’s a good idea to hire a professional moving company who can handle all of your personal and professional moving needs. This way, your mind can focus more on the logistics of your business and not worrying about packing things up carefully and getting them moved in safely.

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.

Saying Goodbye to Your Home: How to Make Your New House a Home

It’s a bit of a cliché that a house is not necessarily a home. But once you’ve spent a long time in your home, you connect memories (both good and bad) to experiences you’ve had there that make your home such a special place. 

That’s why it can be so hard to motivate yourself to get your house ready to sell and to put it on the market. There is an attachment to your current home built around these memories that hold connect you to a house even when it no longer meets your needs. 

Here are steps you can take to say goodbye to your home and get yourself ready to start the next stage of your life:

  1. Create a Scrapbook — Our memories have a strange way of warping over time. What we thought was true in our brain may not actually be the reality. One way to preserve the true memories of your old home is to create a scrapbook. You can save images digitally or you can print out the pictures professionally and then place them in a physical scrapbook. As you prepare to leave this home, make sure to document the move itself in pictures and record the empty rooms before you finally leave.

  2. Have a Going Away Party — Many people who move into a new home will have a house-warming party. But a better idea might be to have a party to say good-bye to the old house. You can sit around with your friends and reminisce about your memories in the old house. This is a great chance to have one last bash before you leave.

  3. Take a Memento — You can always take something with you when you leave. This doesn’t have to be anything major. But if you have a special doorknob to your bedroom (or your children’s room), then take that with you. (Be sure to replace it with a new one for the new owners.) Another idea might be to take a plant (or a trimming) from the backyard or garden so that you can transplant a piece of your old home into your new one.

  4. Leave Your Mark — This one isn’t something you can take with you, but it is more about something you can leave behind. One way to do this is to find an obscure corner of the house and sign your name or have your children leave a handprint as a reminder that you were there. Another idea might be to write a letter to the new owners of your home. Share your personal story of life in that home and wish them the same kind of happiness you’ve had prior to your move.

Moving Can Bring Up a Mix of Emotions. Honour Your Feelings.

Moving out of a home, especially one you have spent years in, can be a very emotional time. So, if you are planning a move, don’t ignore those emotions. Say good-bye to your old home with a proper farewell so that you can start the next stage of life in your new home.

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.

Long-Distance Move Challenges in Canada

A move across town might seem like a major undertaking, especially with everything going on in the world. But what if you’re planning to move long-distance to another province all the way across the country? That can be incredibly intimidating, and many people don’t even know where to get started. 

Here are tips on how to overcome challenges as you move long distances in Canada:

Start Budgeting and Get a Quote — The first thing you want to do is number crunching. Determine exactly what your budget will be so you can know from the start how much you have on hand to spend. As part of this process, you’ll want to get multiple quotes from different moving companies so you can make the call as to which company to go with.

Read the Reviews — As part of the process of getting a quote, research everything you can about long-distance moving companies in your area. These are the people you’ll be trusting to carry your prized possessions, so you want to make sure they’re deserving of that trust. Look at reviews to see if there have been any major problems for other people who used them to move. 

Here are questions you should be asking a potential long-distance moving company: 

  • Are they licensed and bonded? 
  • Are they insured? 
  • How long have they been in the moving business? 
  • Do they offer extra insurance for your especially expensive items? 

All these questions need to be answered to your satisfaction before you make your decision. Also, be sure to check their standing with your local Better Business Bureau and movers’ associations to see if they are a legitimate company or a group of scammers looking to take you for a ride.

Research the New Area — Another major step you need to take is to learn as much as you can about your new home. Many of us take for granted knowing neighbourhoods, stores, and other essentials in our hometown because we’ve always had it around us. 

When you move, you need to know simple things such as: Where’s the closest grocery store? What are the best restaurants/cafes? Who should you choose as your new personal doctor? Is there a public transportation system in the area or are you going to need to keep your car? Make as many of these decisions as possible and learn as much as you can about your new area.

Transfer Your Documents and Services — Once you’ve set up your move and are ready, transfer your documentation and services. Be sure to update your new address with your bank and creditors. 

Also, schedule time to get a new driver’s license/ID card with your new address. Finally, make sure once you have chosen a new doctor’s office to set up an initial appointment and have all of your current prescriptions transferred to a local pharmacy so you don’t run out.

Planning Ahead Will Save You Trouble When Moving Long Distance in Canada

When you’re planning any kind of a move, you should plan ahead and do your research. But if you’re doing a long-distance move, these are so much more important. Taking the time to plan and compare moving companies will protect your belongings before your next long move.

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.

A 2021 Roundup of The Best Moving Tips

If you’re like us, you probably couldn’t be happier to say good bye to 2021! This year, we’ve been busy providing you with tips and our best advice based on over forty years’ experience to help you navigate problems during a move, especially during a pandemic. 

In case you haven’t seen all of them, we’d like to give you a run-down of our top blogs. We work hard to ensure you have as much information as you want so you can make the most educated decisions when it comes to your move within Canada.

Here’s the best of Crescent Mover’s blog in 2021:

Moving Tips

  • Complete Moving Checklist  – If you’re looking to move in the New Year, this blog is the place to start. It provides you with a handy rundown of each step and includes an easy checklist to get you organized and started.
  • What to Look for in a Moving Company – One of the biggest decisions you’ll make (aside from where to live) is what company to trust with your belongings. Too often, people choose the first one they see or the one with the best reviews. But here are a few things to look for in addition to those basics.
  • What to Ask a Moving Company — Another important part of your decision should be made based on talking to the moving company to find out key information. Of course, if you’ve never done this before, you might not be sure exactly what to ask them. This blog will give you a list of some of the common questions that you need answers to.
  • Combining Households When Moving – If you’re moving in with a new spouse or significant other, then it can be tough to know how to combine your two households. This post will give you tips on how to make sure the combination is easy so you can start your new life together on the right footing.
  • Preparing Small Children for a New Home — For small kids, a move to a new home can be an adventure, but it can also be traumatic. Here are great ideas on how to get them ready for the new home.
  • Moving with a Roommate — Here’s another specialized set of tips for those of you who might be planning on moving in with a roommate (or moving out on your own). College students may find this blog especially helpful.
  • Across Town Moving Checklist — This is a checklist for those who are planning just a short-range move across town (as opposed to a new town or part of the country).  Don’t forget anything when using this list!
  • Speedy Packing — If you’re a procrastinator and you wait until the last minute to do your packing, then you’ll need some help getting everything ready. Be sure to read this blog for tips on how to pack quickly and keep everything protected.
  • Moving During the Holidays — Moving during the holidays can be insane. But it doesn’t have to be. This blog will help you with the special problems of moving during the most wonderful time of the year

“How To” Guides

  • Guide for Seniors Downsizing After Retirement — If you’re a senior citizen looking to move into a smaller home, then this guide is for you. It will give you tips on what to do with all the stuff you’ve accumulated over the years and how to move safely and efficiently.
  • Guide to What Your Movers Want You to Know — Professional movers are just like any other company in that they have their own guidelines that they work by. It’s their job to know what you need. But this guide will help you understand exactly what they can (and can’t) do and how you can help make their job easier (and keep your bill down in the process).
  • How to Prepare and Pack Your Outdoor Furniture — Not all furniture is the same. If you have a lot of patio furniture or accessories, this guide will help you with the particulars of how to get this ready for moving day.
  • How to Spot Red Flags When Considering Moving Companies — Not all moving companies are the same either. And the problem here is that there are some companies that will try to scam you out of your money. Here is a list of what to look for to prevent being cheated.
  • How to Estimate Your Moving Costs — One of the biggest questions we get is how much it will cost to move. This guide will explain how you can estimate your moving expenses so that you can budget better.
  • Guide to Moving to a New Province — In Canada, moving from one province to another brings its own set of headaches. Here are tips on how to make this move easier and make sure that all the governmental agencies are updated about the change.
  • Guide to Creating a Floorplan for Your New Move — This is a great tool for setting up your new home. That is a floor plan. Here are tips for creating a floor plan that your movers can use to get you set up efficiently in your new home.

Educational

If you’re planning your next move, then we’ve got you covered. Check out these informational blogs to learn everything you need to get moved in safely and easily.

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.

 

4 Tips for Helping Your Elderly Parents Move

One of the hardest parts of life is watching your parents get older and less able to care for themselves. As the years go on, we are made to watch those vibrant people from our childhood and youth lose their health and relocate either to a smaller home or an assisted living facility. 

The move itself can also be problematic and stressful, just as a regular move can be. But this time, it’s compounded by having to navigate your parents’ emotional state as they must leave the home they’ve probably lived in for years. 

Here are tips for how to help your elderly parents move into their new home:

1-Downsize carefully — One of the toughest aspects of the move for your parents will be trying to downsize their home. Most seniors have kept their home “just so” for years and are emotionally attached to the things they see each day. 

Many also keep mementos of the past and of their loved ones. But it may not be practical to get rid of everything just as it may not be practical to take it all to the new home. 

So, give yourself plenty of time to sit with your parents and reflect on each item deciding what to keep and what to do away with. Also, consider getting a storage unit so that your parents don’t have to feel like they are throwing all their cherished belongings away.

2-Hire a team of professional movers — Another thing that will go a long way to easing the move is hiring a team of professional movers. Obviously, your parents may not be able to handle moving any of the boxes or belongings that are going to their new home. But, it’s also important that they trust whoever is moving them. Hire experienced professional movers with an inscrutable reputation that can be trusted to move the belongings without breaking or scuffing them.

3-Handle the medical side before the move — Obviously, health and medical concerns are of utmost importance with your elderly parents. Before they move, you need to help make sure that their health needs have been cared for. 

To that end, make sure that you have updated their new address with their insurance company and all their doctors. Have their prescriptions updated to go to a pharmacy closer to the new home? 

You may also want to see if you can have these filled so that they don’t have to worry about refills during the move itself. Give them some time to get acclimated to their new home without worrying about tasks like that. Also, make sure you have found them a new doctor in their area (especially if they are changing cities)

4-Make the new house feel like home — The best thing you can do is make this transition a smooth one. Your parents may be going into their first new home in decades. If possible, don’t let them move in until you have had time to set everything up. 

Plan out where they want things to go and then have the movers place these exactly as they wish. When they move in, have personal pictures and mementos placed around the home to remind them as much as possible of the old home. Also, as you set up furniture, make sure the locations are safe with plenty of wide spaces to prevent trips and falls.

Helping Your Parents Move Can Make All the Difference

If your elderly parents are preparing to move, then it’s essential that you help them get ready for this. Preparation means a lot more than just packing up the boxes. It also goes toward preparing them emotionally for the changes they will experience.

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.

 

Steps to Prepare for a Move in 2022

Moving a home is a challenge whether you’ve been living it for a year or a decade. And it goes without saying that moving during 2020 and 2021 presented special problems and considerations that no one saw coming. COVID-19 certainly changed a lot of the “normal” practices for moving and other industries. 

While there are still COVID precautions that need to be taken, there are other things to keep in mind when planning any type of a move, regardless of the date. 

Here are steps, along with our best tips, to get you ready for a move in 2022:

Use your apps — It’s 2022, so be sure to take advantage of all the technology that you can. Be sure to ask if your realtor/real estate agent can offer online tours of the property. This is great if you’re moving long distance and it’s not practical to visit in-person or if you’re concerned about touring in-person because of COVID. 

Also, take advantage of any apps that help you track your boxes so that you can keep a digital list of all your packed items, making it easier to find items later.

Research your options — Speaking of the Internet and technology, now is the best time to start looking at researching your moving company. Look online to check out if a potential moving company has this list of red flags that might show you that a company isn’t the one for you

Also, make sure to read reviews closely to find the best movers in your area. Finally, be sure to ask your potential moving companies what precautions they are taking with regards to sanitation and COVID prevention.

Create your budget — Next, you need to figure out exactly how much money you can afford on the move and budget accordingly. A big part of this is to find out the best times to move. 

It’s generally cheaper if you move during the winter and during the week as opposed to the weekend. You can also check out more tips on how to properly budget for your move from one of our previous blogs titled How To Estimate Your Moving Costs.

Make your checklist — Another very important thing to do is to create a checklist for each step along the way. This would include supplies you need to buy, how to best pack your boxes, how to label everything so you can find it easier later, and what you need to do to get your utilities switched over. Make sure to include cleaning both your old home before you turn in the keys and your new home before you get everything set up where you want it.

Sit back and let the pros handle everything — One of the things we’ve found over the years is how awkward some people are having others come in to move them. Many customers aren’t sure what they should be doing while the movers are packing their items. 

The reality is that the pros are here to take care of your move. Just give them room to move  and be ready to answer questions as they may occur. Basically, you can just sit back and let your movers handle everything.

 

Use The Tips to Prepare for a Smooth Move in 2022

If you’re planning to move during the coming year, it’s important (as always) that you do your homework and prepare before you pack up. There’s been a lot of chaos in the world, so in 2022 you can put order into your own personal environment and create an organized moving experience.

 

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.

 

Should You Create a Floorplan for Your Move? A Guide to Creating Floorplans

A question that has come up recently is if floorplans are a good idea for preparing to move. Let’s look at how to use this tool to your advantage.

Creating a floorplan for your move can be an important step in the process. After all, when you’re moving into a new home, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by how much work there is ahead of you. Understanding what needs to happen and where everything goes will keep things organized and running smoothly on move-in day. 

By knowing exactly where each piece of furniture belongs, you won’t have to worry about putting something away in the wrong place or having a bunch of empty boxes left over after your big day. That being said, creating a floor plan doesn’t need to take up too much time or effort if you know what steps are necessary from the beginning! 

What advantages can floorplans provide during a move? 

First, let’s talk about what a floorplan is and how it can help you. A floorplan is a map of your new home’s rooms which allows you to map out where each piece of furniture should be placed. 

Completing one of these early on can be a huge help. As your professional movers are bringing in your furniture, you can give them a detailed description of where you want the furniture placed. Too often, clients vaguely say “Put it over there and we’ll move it later.” 

But then, when it comes time to set up your room, you must break your back moving the furniture across the room. Having a plan upfront can make moving in go smoother and easier because you can have your movers place the furniture exactly where it needs to go.

How can you make a floorplan? 

In the past, floorplans were created using graph paper, a ruler, and a pencil. But now, technology has made this process even easier. These apps allow you to create an accurate map of your room with proper dimensions so that you can lay out exactly where everything should go. 

Three of our favorite floorplan apps include:

Any of these can give you a quick (and highly accurate) floorplan you can use to plan your room’s layout.

More tips and tricks for creating a floorplan for your move

One of the biggest things you need to do is ensure you have accurate measurements for every aspect of your floorplan. If you plan to place a couch along one wall, make sure you measure not only the wall but also the couch itself. 

Use these measurements to put together your room like a set of building blocks. But you should also be willing to change things up on the fly if you realize something doesn’t look right once you place it. 

Look for other aspects other than space. For instance, if you plan to place a big screen TV along one wall, you’ll certainly need to know the dimensions. But, you will also need to know if there is a window along any of the other walls that may let in light that will cast a glare on the TV. This can be fixed with blinds or curtains, but it is something you need to take into consideration. Also, don’t feel that you have to use the same furniture set-up in your new home as you had at the old house. Some pieces may work better in a different room. Have the flexibility to look at all your options.

Including a floorplan as part of your move prep is worth your time

A floorplan of your new home is a great way to plan out your house’s floorplan and where you plan on putting everything. It can also save you a lot of time and energy. There’s already so much to do during a move, you will thank yourself for planning ahead and saving yourself another hassle.

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.

In-Town Moving Tips: Moving Across Town Checklist

Whether you’re moving a block away or across town, there’s still a lot of preparation and planning necessary to make a move go smoothly. One of the best ways to organize yourself is with a moving checklist. 

Not only will it give you an idea of “what’s next” when you feel overwhelmed, but it will also help you to feel a sense of accomplishment as you check off your “To Do” items. 

Here are items you need to have on your checklist if you plan to move across town:

  1. Clean out the house — First, start by cleaning your house and getting everything organized. Throw out anything you don’t need or donate it to a local charity. But the idea here is to not only clean but also reduce the amount of stuff you must move. The less you move, the cheaper and easier your move will be. 
  2. Set your budget — Once you’ve got things as cleared out as possible, begin to estimate your budget. Remember that large items (like a piano or oversized furniture) will cost you more to move.
  3. Research the moving companies — Don’t try to throw out your back or stress yourself out with moving yourself. A professional company can really make the difference between a good move and a nightmare. Instead, spend some time researching your options. Get quotes from multiple companies with a long history of moving with a good reputation and compare their price points and options.
  4. Schedule your move — Now that you’ve got your moving company picked out, be sure to schedule the date of your move. Once you have this information, begin the countdown until moving day.
  5. Get your supplies — Check with your moving company to get supplies for the packing process. You will want to store up on heavy-duty boxes and packing tape as well as paddings such as bubble wrap or Styrofoam “peanuts.” If you’re having them pack, you can “forget about it”!
  6. Begin packing — If you’re planning to pack your own belongings for the move and just have the movers relocate them, then now is the time to start packing and labeling boxes. Make sure you label them like this “Kitchen 1 of _____.” Then, when you finish packing, count your boxes and write that total on each box so you can quickly count and make sure that everything arrives at your new home.
  7. Label your electronic connectors — Take pictures and clearly label all your electronics and their accompanying cords and cables. That will make it easier to set them all up when you unpack them in your new home.
  8. Plan out your new home — Plan on where you want to put all your belongings when you move into your new home. Layout in your mind where each piece of furniture should be placed so you can quickly inform the movers when they arrive. The longer you keep them moving around your furniture and other items, the more your bill is likely to be.
  9. Switch over the utilities — Get the power and water (and cable/internet) shut down in your old home and switched over to your new home.

A Checklist Brings Order to the Chaos During a Move

Taking time to plan out your move is one of the surest ways to make the move go smoothly. Be sure to go through this checklist and use it and other tools such as a moving calculator to make the best choices for your budget.

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 families 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.

How to Spot Red Flags When Considering Moving Companies

As anyone who has dealt with a company can attest, there is a big difference between those who claim to be “professional” and those who are. The same is true for professional moving companies. 

Most of these businesses are qualified movers who take their work seriously and are in this to help customers with their expertise. However, there are some who will ruin the reputation of the field for everyone else with their unprofessional behavior. 

Crooked Movers
How to Spot Red Flags When Considering Moving Companies

Here are red flags you need to be on the lookout for when determining if the company you are considering is a group of qualified professionals or a fly-by-night operation that will take you for a ride.

  1. They just give you a number over the phone — Be very careful of a company that just offers a “flat rate” for all moves. Any good moving company will tell you that each move is different with its own special considerations. To accommodate this, a truly professional company will insist on a site inspection/evaluation before they give you a quote on how much it will cost to move you. If a company doesn’t want to know what you are asking them to move, then the alarm bells should start going off.

  2. They don’t have a professional office — Not only should the movers come to inspect your home, but you should also be able to visit their offices. If all you have is a PO Box and a phone number, you have no way of finding them if something happens to your belongings. Many fly-by-night businesses are just a couple of guys with a pickup truck operating out of their home. Don’t trust them.

  3. They give you a blank contract (or no contract at all) — Another thing you need when you are hiring a moving company is a comprehensive contract that covers as much detail as possible. A good contract should cover the costs, mover’s responsibilities, customer’s responsibilities, and the anticipated time frame for the move. If a company doesn’t offer you something like that (or if the contract they give you doesn’t have specifics), then you have no legal recourse if they try to change the terms of the move. (This would include trying to jack up the price when the movers arrive.)

  4. They won’t give you information about their insurance — A big issue with “bad” movers is that they don’t carry the required insurance that will help replace your belongings if they are lost or damaged by the company. If a moving company doesn’t give you a copy of the insurance paperwork, then you can bet that your valuables aren’t covered. Don’t just take their word for it.

  5. They don’t have their own professional vehicles — As we’ve said, sometimes an unprofessional moving company will just show up with a pickup truck and say they are there to move you. Other times, they may arrive in a rental van from another company. In this case, they have literally rented a van for your move! Instead, you want to find a company with its own fleet of branded vehicles so that you know exactly who is moving you. A reputable business will have special moving vans equipped to carefully move your items.

Don’t Get Swindled. Choose Movers You Can Trust.

No one wants to trust their precious valuables to just anyone. This is not only your furniture or clothes—it’s also family heirlooms and breakables that can’t be replaced. Because of this, you should only work with a reputable moving company and not trust your stuff to those who set off these warning signals.

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.