Month: <span>October 2016</span>

Well, cardboard boxes may be cheap and useful, but they do little to help make your move more eco friendly, to or from Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada. That’s why most environmentally responsible Toronto moving companies are investing more and more in reusable plastic boxes for packing.

There are compelling practical reasons to do so:

• Reusable plastic boxes are made from recyclable high-density polyethylene, which means they are better for the environment.
• Various suppliers claim these boxes can be used for anything from 200 to 400 times. Cardboard boxes are used between 1 and 5 times before losing shape, strength and viability.
• They are much longer-lasting – between 5 and 10 years according to estimates.
• Plastic boxes are weather resistant, non-absorbing and more rigid than cardboard boxes.
• No need for box cutters, and zero chance of sharp objects breaking through from inside, which also means more safety.
• Greater convenience lowers labour time per trip, and a longer lifespan means a higher return on investment. So, all in all plastic moving boxes save costs for Toronto moving companies. In fact, if a plastic moving box was used 250 times, and initial investment was between 2 and 20 times the cost of a cardboard box, the reusable plastic box ends up costing 92% less than the alternative.

Does renting reusable plastic boxes from a residential Toronto moving company make sense? You can decide for yourself.

For more information, check out:

• A list of facts compiled by ID2 Communications
• EPA’s detailed pages on paper and pulp production
• Statistics Canada’s 2012 update on national waste management trends
• A Final Report on Life Cycle Inventory of 9 Plastic Resins for the ACA
• And Conservatree’s full white paper on paper recycling

About Viktoria Van Lines Toronto

Viktoria Van Lines Toronto is a professional Toronto moving and storage company, providing high quality local and long distance moving services throughout the GTA, Southern Ontario and across Canada. Thanks to our country-wide network we are also able to service our clients’ long distance moving needs throughout Canada.

Call Viktoria Van Lines Toronto (647) 344-1554 or Toll Free: 1 ( 877) 399-1315 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or commercial / office moving needs to and from Toronto, the GTA and across Canada.

While the most important Toronto moving checklist is your Moving Day Checklist, the runner-up is your Day Before Moving Checklist. Without it, you’re likely to wake up on your moving day already in panic with all that has to be done. But with a day-before list full of check marks, you’ll spring out of bed ready to take on your move! Ok, maybe you won’t be that enthusiastic, but you’ll be on top of things!

Prepare your Day Before Moving Checklist based on your move’s specifics and include anything you haven’t yet gotten around to. Also, consider these additions:

• Remove pictures, mirrors and wall hangings from the walls.
• Build your Do Not Pack pile, putting suitcases and things you’ll be taking with you, in a corner clearly marked for movers and packers to steer clear of.
• Create a folder or a binder to keep your household inventory, checklists (including this one), and all other important papers.
• Contact your Toronto moving company to check, double check and triple check that everyone is on schedule.
• Secure cash, jewelry and valuables and put it with your belongings you’ll be taking with you.
• Return any cable boxes, modems or other leased electronics equipment.
• Do last-minute banking. Get cash for movers’ tips and emergency needs.
• Return anything borrowed – including library books – and pick up anything left hanging out there – including dry cleaning.
• If someone is taking care of your children or pets during the move, check in with them and be sure all details are set.
• Back up your computer. Charge your laptop, phone and other devices. And while you’re at it, be sure your chargers don’t get packed.
• Dispose of all perishable food, opened containers, and anything that could leak. If you’re putting garbage out to the curb for pick-up, make arrangements for a neighbor to retrieve the cans.
• If you’re taking liquids with you, put them in tightly sealed plastic bags or containers.
• Remove light bulbs from lamps and lights that will be packed and moved.
• Drain hoses and anything that might be filled with water.

About Viktoria Van Lines Toronto

Viktoria Van Lines Toronto is a professional Toronto moving and storage company, providing high quality local and long distance moving services throughout the GTA, Southern Ontario and across Canada. Thanks to our country-wide network we are also able to service our clients’ long distance moving needs throughout Canada.

Call Viktoria Van Lines Toronto (647) 344-1554 or Toll Free: 1 ( 877) 399-1315 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or commercial / office moving needs to and from Toronto, the GTA and across Canada.

When it comes to assessing the value of Toronto moving company estimate (or Toronto moving quote), it’s important that you understand the significance the estimate has, which can also help you select the right Toronto movers for your needs and your budget.

1. How is an estimate calculated? – There are several aspects which affect how the moving estimate is calculated, so it’s important to know how a Toronto moving company is going to come to their figure. The aspects in question are:
   • Weight
   • Volume
   • Number of rooms
   • Degree of moving difficulty (large or heavy objects)
   • Time and labor required

   Watch out for estimates based on weight (usually for long distance moves). Objects – especially furniture – can be deceptively heavy which means the calculated weight provided in an estimate may fall short of the actual weight confirmed at the licensed weigh station. If so, you will have to pay the extra costs. Comparing the weights offered by competing movers is very important, with the lightest probably the least accurate.

2. Take telephone estimates with a grain of salt – How can a Toronto moving company’s estimate be accurate when no one from that Toronto moving company has seen what has to be moved? Yes, you can give a general idea of what the job entails over the phone, but when weight is a key factor in calculating cost, you are bound to be off. This means you can forget about an accurate estimate.
3. Site estimate is a key indicator – Toronto moving companies should send a representative (estimator) to take a look at what and how much needs to be moved. This is the best way for them to assess the weight, required manpower and, ultimately, likely cost. But it’s also a chance for you to meet the company and get an indication of the quality of work you would be paying for. Are they knowledgeable, friendly, and positive? Or, are they sketchy on details, distant and unfriendly, and do they speak badly of competitors. Also, did they arrive on time, or were they 30 minutes late and offer a variety of excuses? The estimate process can take about an hour, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to assess the assessor.
4. Get it in writing – As with estimates in most other sectors, getting a moving company estimate in writing is all-important. Once it is written (in the contract) and signed by you and the mover, the company cannot increase the price by any more than 10 per cent regardless of weight or other operational costs. Reputable Toronto movers will do so as a matter of procedure, and without hesitation. If I had to ask for one, I would then be very unimpressed.
5. It’s your money so quiz them – While you have them in your home, ask them to clarify some key issues. I’d recommend 6 questions in particular, though you may have more depending on your situation.
   • Is the estimate binding or non-binding?
   • How long is the estimate valid?
   • Are there additional surcharges? These can include parking problems, road access, street accessibility, delivery time restrictions or if there are any stairs or elevators involved.
   • What is the estimated delivery time and will the driver give you prior notice?
   • What would be the packing policy of the company if you decide to pack yourself?
   • What are the charges for additional weight?
6. Seek a binding estimate – It’s worthwhile getting a binding estimate, which means the price stated on the written estimate is the price you pay. The risk is if the calculated weight is too high, you’ll end up paying more. But if the calculation is too low, you save money. Refusing to agree to a binding price is a little suspicious, firstly because the actual difference paid is rarely very much, and secondly because it may mean they intend quoting a low weight to secure the contract, then only for the actual weight to push what you pay way up – which is actually fraud.

About Viktoria Van Lines Toronto

Viktoria Van Lines Toronto is a professional Toronto moving and storage company, providing high quality local and long distance moving services throughout the GTA, Southern Ontario and across Canada. Thanks to our country-wide network we are also able to service our clients’ long distance moving needs throughout Canada.

Call Viktoria Van Lines Toronto (647) 344-1554 or Toll Free: 1 ( 877) 399-1315 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or commercial / office moving needs to and from Toronto, the GTA and across Canada.

Going Green has become a buzz phrase in almost every sector, and that’s why commercial or residential Toronto moving companies offer eco-friendly moving options.

But let’s not forget our own role in the whole movement. With each of our moves we should make a concerted effort to reduce the amount of waste we create, and lower the carbon footprint we leave behind.

Clearly, if everyone that completed a commercial or residential move made the effort to go green, the difference could be huge.

5 Tips for a Green Move to or from Toronto

There are lots of decisions that can lessen your carbon footprint and help make your move greener. Here are just 5 of the most effective ones:

1. Consider Your Packing Materials –  The value to a green move is pretty obvious. It is reusable so creates no waste and with most typically made from recycled plastic resins, the carbon footprint in their manufacture is pretty low too. But the real value is in the dramatic reduction in waste materials after your move. The average residential moving project requires about 60 boxes for packing (estimated at about half a tonne of wood). If the average Canadian really does move 5 times in their lifetime, that’s 300 boxes and 2.5 tonnes of wood consumed. When you do use cardboard boxes, use second-hand ones. You can also reduce the amount of other packing materials that you use, like Styrofoam peanuts, bubble wrap and packing paper. Look for the biodegradable versions of these products.
2. Check Your Moving Company’s Policy – There are many aspects to consider when choosing your moving company. One of them should be their commitment to providing green moving services. Different movers have different levels of commitment, so ask these 5 questions to assess their worth:
   • Do they actively recycle?
   • Do their trucks use bio diesel?
   • Do they supply recyclable and reusable materials?
   • Do they sell used boxes?
   • Do have a buy-back policy?
3. Recycle Your Unwanted Electronics – It’s surprising how many electronic items you discover when packing that are of little or no use. Maybe they are out of date or broken, but your new microwave, computer, Smartphone and iPad ensure they are of no use anymore. Instead of throwing them out, bring them to an e-waste recycler. Electronics are extremely recyclable, and are taken in practically any condition, so don’t worry about it. You can do it a drop off location near you.
4. Donate Instead of Dumping – There are so many items you find that you know you’ll never need again. These can be clothes, books, kids toys, and even furniture, bicycles and tricycles. Instead of dumping them, find a charity to donate to and give them a new life. There are dozens of charity stores looking for all kinds of everything to sell, like Goodwill or St Vincent de Paul or Thrift Town.
5. Fuel Consumption Over Long Distances – If you’re facing a long distance moving project, then you may want to look into the actual carbon footprint all the travelling is going to create. The main culprit is fuel consumption, so it may be worthwhile checking out the fuel used by the mode of transport. For example, you can drive your car from Toronto to Vancouver or ship it via train, a mode of transport that is four-times more fuel efficient that the car itself. Also, according to EPA emissions calculations, a small moving truck can emit 6,500 lbs of CO2 over 3,000 miles, with a large truck emitting almost 12,000 lbs over the same distance. So, if you can reduce your stuff to fit one small truck that would make a big difference.

There is a lot more options to choose from that will help make your residential moving plan cleaner and greener for the environment.

About Viktoria Van Lines Toronto

Viktoria Van Lines Toronto is a professional Toronto moving and storage company, providing high quality local and long distance moving services throughout the GTA, Southern Ontario and across Canada. Thanks to our country-wide network we are also able to service our clients’ long distance moving needs throughout Canada.

Call Viktoria Van Lines Toronto (647) 344-1554 or Toll Free: 1 ( 877) 399-1315 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or commercial / office moving needs to and from Toronto, the GTA and across Canada.