/ By Tibor / residential moving/ 0 Comments

Tips for Your Toronto Home Downsizing

At first it may seem like there is less to do when downsizing a Toronto home because you have less items to pack and move, thus the moving costs should be lower. On the contrary, the moving process during downsizing is actually longer than it is on a regular house-to-house or apartment-to-apartment move.

And we prepared some tips below to help you downsize your Toronto home in the most efficient way.

How to Prepare for Downsizing

Downsizing your Toronto home can be quite a challenge if you don’t know where to start from, and here’s the list to guide you step by step through this process.

  1. De-clutter. Begin downsizing your home by removing all the clutter and garbage that you may have inside the house. Throw away all the obviously unnecessary items like broken electronics, tools which are no longer working, old fashioned clothes you’re never going to wear again, broken hose in the garden, etc.
  2. Clear your attic, basement, garage, garden. The easiest way to continue downsizing is going through the least used rooms and premises in your home. In such areas of the house it is easy to store things you don’t want or need in the moment and then forget about them. But they are still there and will not clean themselves up.
  3. Clean up your car. If you have the habit of hoarding things, you may have been leaving stuff in your car as well. Remember to check under the seats and the trunk.

Steps to Downsizing Your Toronto Home

How to actually decide what is worth taking to your new home and why? These ideas will help you make a decision.

  1. Can you use it at all? There may be items in your home that are broken, torn, or worn out and are no longer serving you. So, how about just tossing them away? When downsizing from a house to an apartment this is the easiest decision to make – throwing away what is actually useless.
  2. Is it old fashioned? If you really care about fashion then this is an important decision to make. Do you have items that are out of fashion like clothes, shoes and accessories? Be honest with yourself. If you haven’t used it for the last two years, chances are you may never do it again. Things that you don’t want in your home and those that are outdated could go away.
  3. Is it of emotional value to you? There are items that are dear to us which hold an emotional value like gifts from people we love. Those could be souvenirs as well as practical items like clothes. Either way, if you really care about those items, pack them up and take them to your new home.
  4. Do you really need it? There are some things that we actually need and some – that only fill in the space in the shelves, drawers and racks in our home and collect dust. You don’t need to pay Toronto movers to move all that!
    Also, think if you have room for it. It is important to take measures of your future home and decide what will and what will not fit in it. Why would you pay to move your sofa if there is not enough space in the room for it? Make a floor plan of your next home in order to make the estimations right.
  5. What do you do with the items that are in good condition and can be used but you have decided not to take with you? You can organize a moving sale and sell whatever you can. Or, you can separate kids’ clothes and shoes and toys, and donate them to an orphanage.

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.

/ By Tibor / residential moving/ 0 Comments

Some Tips for Moving Musical Instruments Safely in Toronto

So in this blog post we will provide some general tips and best practices which can help you move your instruments without damaging them, when moving to or from Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada.

An instrument’s tone and functionality can be greatly affected by the smallest change in shape or structure, so it’s worth investing your time into protecting them while moving. Every instrument is different in size, material and handling, and it can be difficult to provide specific guidance when each instrument requires its own set of guidelines for moving safely.

Pack Your Instruments In Proper Moving Boxes or Cases

If you kept the original boxes your instrument came in, then this will go a long way in making sure they are packed and secured safely for the big move. If you no longer have your original boxes, try your local instrument stores – you may be able to purchase boxes from there (or if you’re lucky, they might just give them to you for free!).

In some cases, especially for percussion instruments, it might be worth investing in some properly sized hard cases, to transport your instruments in the future without damage.

Add a Good Amount of Padding

Add as much padding as possible around the edges of your instrument, as it will prevent any scratches or dents should they accidentally get moved around during the process.

Make sure to put an emphasis on the sharper edges or corners of your instrument as this is where breakage usually occurs during the moving process. The good thing about instruments is that they are almost always hollow in parts, so there are often spaces where you can stuff more padding (you can use clothes, pillowcases or any other soft material).

Proper Flight Etiquette

If you are moving your instruments by airlines, contact your airline company first and find out about their services for moving instruments. Some airlines are more accommodating than others, but be prepared to pay extra to bring your instruments with you in your carry-on luggage.

If you are flying with a stringed instrument, make sure that all of the strings are loosened before flight, as changes in temperature and air pressure can tighten the strings and cause the ‘headstock’ of stringed instruments to occasionally break off because of tightness.

And when you arrive at your destination with the instrument, try to refrain from playing it within 24 hours, this way you can let it acclimatize to the new atmosphere and temperature of your new home. This is especially true if you have been transporting the instrument on a plane.

Planning Is Key!

Research Toronto moving companies and their policies for moving instruments, as some moving companies might offer services that specifically cater to moving instruments. Planning to move your musical instrument can be quite stressful, but one of the best parts about planning for this event is that you become aware of all the necessary protocol.

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.

How to choose moving company - Movers Toronto
/ By Tibor / residential moving/ 0 Comments

Tips for Choosing The Right Toronto Movers

Toronto moving companies offer different services in different locations for different types of clients. This is unfortunate as moving time is already quite stressful for most people, and it takes a lot of trust to put your belongings in the hands of strangers. We prepared some tips to help you choose the right Toronto movers for your relocation to or from Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Toronto.

1. Does a Toronto moving company serve the area of your relocation?

First, you’ll need to ask is whether a Toronto moving company serves the area you are moving to.

If it only serves the area around a certain city and you intend to move long distance across the country or out of the country, then this obviously won’t work for you.

2. Does a Toronto moving company use good quality moving boxes?

Many Toronto moving companies use regular moving boxes that often collapse under heavy weight, don’t stack effectively, can get soaked and have to be thrown out after a single use. Companies such as Frogbox provide plastic, reusable moving boxes that stackable and waterproof, extremely useful for the moving process, and also environmentally friendly. If you want to ensure that your items are moved safely, it is worth considering a moving service that provides better quality moving boxes.

3. Do they offer a ‘full moving service’?

If you, like many other people, have a family with multiple school and work obligations, it can be difficult to coordinate all aspects of a move.

One of the best ways to ensure that the whole process is taken care of is to to hire ‘full service’ Toronto movers. Make sure that the company you are hiring offers full service moving before you confirm your booking with them.

4. Do they have a good reputation and testimonials?

As a client, you should never use Toronto movers that have a reputation for poor quality of service. Depending on your location, you are going to want to consider your options and choose the moving company that’s right for your unique situation. Good reputable Toronto movers will accommodate whatever your situation is.

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.

House Inspection Tips - Movers Toronto
/ By Tibor / residential moving/ 0 Comments

How to Conduct a Proper House Inspection Yourself

Hiring a professional house inspector is a wise decision, considering the size of one’s investment when buying a house. However, it won’t hurt to try and do some of the work yourself. With the correct preparation, you can conduct your own house inspection and make an informed decision on your big purchase.

We prepared some useful tips below to help you.

Check for Roof Problems

One of the most important areas of an official house inspection is the roof. Roof condition can affect many other parts of the house, and can cause leaks which can be an endless money-pit. Make sure to get up-to-date information on the roof maintenance from the seller in order to make an educated decision.

Inspect the Plumbing

Test all of the taps and faucets, considering water pressure and keeping a sharp eye out for stains on the walls. Often liquid stains on walls mean a leaky pipe, and this can cost you a lot of time and money to repair.

Check for Hazards

Make sure when you walk around a prospective home that you take note of any potential dangers or hazards.

Hazards can come in many forms, so make sure to check for any and all kinds. Examples of potential hazards might be: broken branches on old trees, or large single pane windows on the upper levels of the house. These checks are of extra importance, especially if a child will be living in the house.

Check for Rotting Wood

This is a fairly common thing and can be found in most older houses. This is an easier part of house inspection by potential buyers as you don’t have to be trained to spot the rotting. Be aware though that many sellers will freshly coat rotting wood with paint, so make sure to be thorough in your assessment.

Check Mobile and Internet Connectivity

A way to test the signal in your prospective house is to make calls and visit some websites using your phone. If the signal is non existent, and you are a tech-savvy family, it might be worth reconsidering the location of your new home.

These tips were designed to be a starter guide for any house buyers that don’t have the expertise to conduct an official inspection, and can not replace an official house inspection from a trained professional.

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 office moving and storage needs in the GTA and Metro Toronto area.

Pet Moving Tips - Pet Movers Toronto
/ By Tibor / residential moving/ 0 Comments

Tips for Preparing Your Pet For a Long Distance Move in Canada

Moving a live animal long distances to or from Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada can present a number of challenges, and in this blog post we’ll go over a number of tips to help you prepare for moving your pets safely and comfortably.

Microchipping your pet

Make sure to arrange to microchip your pet at least 2 weeks before your move so there’s plenty of time to register a second contact, as this could make the difference in keeping track of your beloved pet. This is a great way to track your pets should they go missing for any reason during your travels; and you can also add a second contact.

Familiarize your pet with its crate.

It is important that you purchase a crate that is sturdy and has enough space for your pet to be comfortable during the journey. In fact, for most pets travelling by airlines, a properly sized crate will be mandatory.

An extra way to help your pet’s feel better during the move is to allow them to spend time in the crate prior to moving day. We recommend doing this well in advance so that your pet has enough time to adapt to their new environment. Another good way to make them feel comfortable is to associate their new crate with some reward i.e. let them eat and sleep in the crate.

Exercise

Another way to make sure that your pet feels comfortable in their crate is to provide them with a sufficient amount of exercise before your moving date. Start increasing the length of your pet’s walks from the usual time prior to the move so that they feel quite tired during the move. Not only will this prevent your pet from getting antsy and wanting to escape, it will also significantly reduce their stress levels during the moving process.

Pack all the necessary supplies

Depending on what kind of transport your pet will be taken by to your new home, there will be different amounts of pet accessories you are allowed to take. However, it’s always important to pack as much as you can, as well as extras of everything your pet may need during the move, including any medication they may need to take, food, toys to keep them entertained, litter bags, leashes and grooming equipment.

Preparing your pet for a move is always going to be a challenging process, but if you do your research, take every precaution you can, then there won’t be a reason why your pet won’t reach your new home safely and happily.

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.