There’s no question that moving is stressful. A professional mover can help make it easier on you and your family. When you choose a professional packing service, you can leave everything to them. They will carefully pack all your personal belongings and furniture, load them on the truck, and unload them at your new home.

Moving Tips:

One to two months before moving movingstoring.ca check list
 Call a Local Mover (see list on About page) for a free estimate.
 Have a garage sale.
 Fill out change of address forms.
 Make any necessary travel arrangements.
 Transfer memberships in churches, clubs and civic organizations.
 Obtain medical and dental records, x-rays and prescription histories.
 Ask doctor and dentist for referrals and transfer prescriptions.
 Decide how you are going pay for your move; credit card, cash, certified cheque.
 Check into the laws and requirements of your new city regarding homebased businesses, business licenses and any special laws that might be applicable to you.
 Take inventory of your belongings before they’re packed, in the event you need to make an insurance claim later.
 If possible, take pictures or video tape your belongings.
 Record serial numbers of electronic equipment.
 Make arrangements for transporting pets.
 Start using up food items, so that there is less left to pack and possibly spoil.

Two to four weeks before moving
 Switch utility services to new address.
 Inform electric, disposal, water, newspaper, magazine subscription, telephone and cable companies of your move.
 Arrange for help on moving day.
 Have another garage sale.
 Confirm travel reservations.
 Reserve elevator if moving from an apartment.
 Have appliances serviced for moving (speak to your Moving Consultant).
 Clean rugs and clothing and have them wrapped for moving.
 Plan ahead for special needs of infants.
 Collect valuables from safe-deposit box.
 Make copies of any important documents before mailing or hand carry them to your new address.
 Defrost freezer and refrigerator. Place deodorizer inside to control odours.
 Give a close friend or relative your travel route and schedule so you may be reached if needed.

Moving day
 Double check closets, shelves, attic and garage to be sure they are empty.
 Carry important documents, currency and jewellery yourself.
 Ensure movers have all your destination details; exchange phone numbers & email addresses etc.
 Before you leave town, contact the moving company and ask for the final “Weight & Charges”. After arriving at your new home
 Renew your driver’s license and auto registration.
 Contact the Destination Agent to get an update as to where the driver is and confirm delivery date.
 Shop around for new insurance policies, especially auto coverage.
 Revise your will and other legal papers to avoid longer probate and higher legal fees.
 Locate the hospitals, police stations, veterinarian and fire stations near your home.

Self Storage Tips:

1. Plan your storage unit. Make a plan of the unit prior to moving your goods into the unit. Put items that need to be accessed regularly in the front, close to the doorway. Put all electronic items to the rear of the unit.

2. Make packing for storage easier on yourself by planning ahead. Start by listing all the items you’re going to put into storage and their approximate sizes. Also, gather up plenty of sturdy, corrugated boxes, packing paper, bubble wrap, sealing tape and marker pens, along with any furniture covers or shelving you intend to use in your storage unit.

3. Line your packing boxes. Line the packing cartons and boxes with plastic or any other waterproof material. Also, never put cartons directly on the floor. Use a ledge or raised surface to stack your storage boxes to avoid absorption of dampness from the floor.

4. Pack as much as you can in the same size boxes. Fill boxes tightly, but take care to neither over pack nor under pack. (Bulging Boxes tip when stacked, while half full boxes tend to collapse). Use wadded up newsprint, bubble wrap, rags, towels, or blankets to fill in empty spaces.

5. Pack heavy items such as books and tools in small boxes.  For easier handling limit the weight of all boxes, regardless of size, to 30lbs. or less.

6. Label all boxes.  Clearly label boxes so you know their contents, and keep a list at your home or office for reference. Mark clearly all boxes containing fragile items.

7. Clean and dry appliances before storage. During transport tape all doors shut, but remember to wedge them open for storage.

8. Tape or tie bed rails together. Mark the pieces for easier assembly later. Place covers or plastic bags on mattresses to keep them clean during storage.

9. Pack books flat to protect their spines. Take special care when packing books. Also, use waterproof packing, containers or cardboard boxes to store your books.

10. Fill empty spaces in storage boxes Do not leave empty spaces in your packing boxes. Always fill empty spaces with packing paper, or some other kind of stuffing, like old towels or blankets.

11. Use drawers to store small, fragile items. Secure items in drawer by filling empty spaces with towels or packing paper.

12. Protect chair legs by wrapping them in packing paper. Leave slipcovers on upholstered chairs and cover them with plastic chair covers.

13. . Use lots of paper to pack dishes and glassware. Place a layer of packing paper inside the bottom and top of boxes. Wrap each dish and glass separately and cushion them with crumpled paper. Plates are best stacked on their edge.

14. Pack lamps and lampshades in individual boxes. Use plenty of clean paper or clothing for padding.

15. Pad mirrors and paintings with paper. Place them in special mirror packs or large boxes and mark them fragile boxes.

16. Padlock. Use a good quality lock. Locks are available from our reception.


Planning + Preparation + Smart Packing = Keeping your Belongings in Good Shape and Maximizing your Space

Planning:

  • Reserve your Self Storage Unit
  • Prepare an inventory of items that you will be storing. List them from largest to smallest. This process will help to ensure that you have reserved the right sized space.

Plan which items will go into your self storage unit first; usually the larger ones, items you won’t need access to and your valuables (for added security).

Preparation:

  • If you’re storing tables and other furniture, remove legs and disassemble them to conserve storage space.
  • Use shelving to take full advantage of the storage space.
  • Clean all the furniture, appliances and clothing to remove crumbs, stains or oils.
  • Cover upholstered and wood furniture with cloth not plastic.
  • Appliances must be clean and dry. Keep freezer and refrigerator doors slightly ajar (to avoid mildew) and use the space inside for additional storage. Remove vacuum cleaner bags and cover openings.
  • Have blankets, draperies, and out-of-season clothing clean and ready to be packed in a wardrobe box or on hangers.
  • Old photographs should be kept flat to avoid curling. Place them between two pieces of cardboard and tape them together.
  • Use rust protector on any metal objects that you’ll be placing in your self storage. Or you can wipe them down with an oily rag.
  • Drain gasoline and oil from lawn mowers and other items with small engines.

Smart Packing:

  • Use boxes that are close to the same size so you can stack them easily, (heavy ones on the bottom, light ones on top)
  • Ensure your boxes are filled to the top so that they will not collapse if anything is stored on them. Use crumpled paper or padding if necessary.
  • Don’t over pack boxes. Overfilled boxes will rupture and topple when stacked.
  • Label your boxes for easy access.
  • Books – pack them flat so you don’t damage the spines. Remember not to pack too many in one box, they’re heavy.
  • Mattresses and box springs should be stored on long edges, wrapped for protection and elevated off of the floor.
  • Store couches on end (except sofa beds).
  • Store each mirror and glass top in a sturdy crate on their edge, not flat.
  • Heat-sensitive goods such as photographs, videotapes, albums and wood furniture are best stored in a climate controlled storage unit.
  • Under no circumstances should you store anything flammable, hazardous, pressurized, toxic or combustible. No gasoline, oil, cleaning fluids or paint thinner.  Also avoid liquids and aerosols that may spill or burst in your self storage unit.
  • Do not store food, plants or any other items that may attract insects or pests.
  • Do not store soaps or aromatics.
  • Use old linens and fabrics, instead of plastic, to protect your stuff from dust.
  • To allow circulation within the unit, leave a space between your stuff and the unit’s wall. You can also lay plastic sheeting on the floor and stack your boxes on top of wooden pallets in order to prevent condensation damage.
  • Completely fill the self storage unit using the full height of the room. If you don’t need to retrieve your belongings don’t leave any wasted space.
  • Store any items you might need last so they are by the door.
  • If you will be accessing your self storage unit regularly, leave small walkways or create a centre aisle between the boxes and furniture so you can easily get to the items you want without having to move anything around.