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Moving is one of the life’s most stressful experiences. And no matter how many times you’ve done it, there’s a couple things you’ll need: a good, reputable Toronto moving company and as much help and advice as you can get your hands on.

Here are twenty tried-and-true Toronto moving tips, tricks and hacks that really do work.
They can make your residential relocation smooth and efficient.

1. Take photos of the rear hookup panels of your electronics before you disconnect them. Getting reconnected in your new home will be a snap, with a photo of what cord goes where.
2. Use clothing and linens as wrap for breakables. A t-shirt wrapped around a glass dish works as well as costly packing materials. You can also kill two birds with one stone by putting a pair of rolled up socks inside glassware. Towels and sheets can also be used as pads in boxes of breakables.
3. Use Saran Wrap and Glad Press ‘n Seal for keeping tiny things intact and in their original trays, drawers and display stands. This works particularly well with jewelry!
4. Place a styrofoam disposable plate between breakable plates, stack ’em up and box ’em.
5. Fill every container, basket, box and anything with open space. Put your containers to work for you! Fill them with smaller items to conserve on space in moving boxes. Don’t forget about your reusable fabric shopping bags with handles. Filling them before packing will help to keep your moving boxes organized.
6. Use suitcases for heavy items such as books. Luggage can be your best moving box. Large suitcases with wheels are particularly helpful for moving heavy items like books.
7. If you’re DIYing the packing, color code your boxes with brightly colored duct tape. Pink for kitchen, Blue for bedroom, Green for bathroom, etc. Specific contents can be written directly on the tape.
8. And no matter how you color code, label boxes on at least two sides (not the top) so that when they’re stacked, you can see the label.
9. If you’re moving yourself, keep boxes small. You can get free photocopy paper boxes from office supply stores. They have built-in handles and are perfect for small heavy items like books.
10. Put a cotton ball or cotton pad in your powder or compact cosmetics, such as powder and blush, to keep them from breaking.
11. Cover the openings of liquid toiletries with Saran Wrap. Take the cap off, cover with the plastic wrap, then put the cap back on. If the lid accidentally pops open during the move, the plastic wrap will prevent spills.
12. Keep cords from being a big tangled mess by first filling a box with toilet paper tubes, upright. Put each cord into its own tube.
13. Keep hardware together with the disassembled furniture it goes with by putting it in a snack size Ziploc bag and taping it to the largest pieced. Tape remotes to the TVs that they belong to.
14. If you have more than one bed of the same size, color code your mattress and box springs if you want to keep them in the same bedrooms they had been in before. You won’t be able to tell them apart when they’re brought into your new home.
15. Save partially full containers of basic cleaning supplies for your moving day cleaning kit. Keep them in a bucket that you don’t mind tossing. After the moving crew leaves, you can clean your house top to bottom and throw away the empty or near empty cleaners.
16. Unpack the bedroom and your personal bathroom items first. At the end of a long moving day, you’ll want to shower and hit the sack without any further heavy lifting!
17. Make the local library your first stop in your new town. Libraries are a valuable resource for newcomers. Find the community calendar, and the rack of fliers and brochures for classes and programs offered. And don’t forget to get your new library cards!
18. Stop buying liquids and flammables well before your move date. Most Toronto moving companies won’t take anything flammable and some won’t take any liquids that have been opened. So don’t buy the value sized bottle of cooking oil unless you know you’ll use most of it by moving day.
19. Don’t cheat. Your Toronto moving company has rules for a reason. Don’t sneak something into a box that you know is forbidden. If there’s a mishap, you’ll be responsible for the damages.
20. Don’t move everything. In particular, outside trash cans, some indoor trash cans, toilet brushes, cleaning rags, and other items that are just unpleasantly “used up” should be tossed and replaced with shiny, brand new items for your new home.

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.

If you are moving within a city, in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada, moving your car is hardly going to be an issue. But when it comes to long distance moving in Canada, the situation is very different. While a local or short distance move presents a no-brainer ‘drive-it-yourself’ solution, a move that takes you hundreds or thousands of miles away is a bit more complicated. But you’ve got some options.

We’ve developed a short list of the best answers and here is a shortlist of 5 of them.

5 Options To Consider When Moving Your Car:

1. Drive it Yourself – For most people, this is exactly how they do it, combining a move across country with a fun road trip. It’s ideal when your new location is not very far away and you can make the journey in a day or two. But crossing the continent can take several days, and you may not have the time to do it. So, think hard about the pros and cons, but there is little doubt that driving your car yourself is the option with the least hassle involved.
2. Turn to a Driveaway Service – It’s arguably the least commonly considered option, but it is a practical one. You give your car to a driveaway service, tell them where and when you want it delivered, and they match it with an individual looking for transportation to the same city. It’s kind of like a car rental company where you donate the car! Don’t worry, your vehicle is covered by the company’s insurance, and with drivers leaving a fairly heavy deposit as well as ID, you’ve got a good margin of safety built-in.
3. Let Your Moving Company Move It – This depends on the size of your car, but you may be able to load your car onto the moving truck you’re already using. It’s a viable option when you need more than one truck, with the second not completely full. Just keep in mind the cost since your long distance moving service is charged by weight and distance, rather than by the hour. Ask your moving coordinator how they can accommodate you.
4. Hire a Professional Vehicle Moving Service – There are car shippers around that will load your vehicle on a carrier, along with several others, and drive them to your new city. In some cases, they load it onto a freight train, minimizing the time needed. Obviously, moving your car this way is going to cost a good few extra dollars, but there are some positives:
   • You car is covered by the transportation company’s insurance, at least while in transit (check the particulars first)
   • You can rest easy your car will be delivered without a scratch
   • Your car’s mileage doesn’t increase
   • Wear and tear is avoided

   If you do choose this option, get a quote and check the details before committing yourself. They will need to know the drop-off point, but not all will deliver to your door. You may have to pick your vehicle up at a designated lot, and a storage fee may be charged if there’s a number of days between arriving and you picking it up.

5. Don’t Move It, Just Sell It – Finally, sell your car instead of moving your car. Bear in mind that not all provinces in Canada share the same vehicle emissions testing laws, so a vehicle that’s deemed be fine in New Brunswick might not be okay in British Columbia. The same issues need to be considered when moving to the US, making selling up and buying a new car a logical decision. Check out the different laws in the AAA/CAA website.

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.

Thinking about moving from your house to a condo in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada? Even after condo fees, you’ll probably come out ahead financially due to savings on utilities, property taxes and other maintenance costs.

Of course, thoughts of going through a lifetime of treasures may be your biggest challenge and may cause you headache and stress before it all begins but don’t fear. Here are some planning tips to consider to make the process of your your residential move a little easier:

1. Start with a List – Make a list of all the belongings that you can’t live without, i.e.: bed, couch, side table, lamps, TV etc. You probably have doubles of most things hiding in the basement like DVD player, TV, couches. This will make parting with the other items easier and will help with the purge.
2. Fit to Measure – Will your furniture fit in your new place? Make sure to get a copy of the floor plan and take measurements of your furniture in advance. What fits in your home now might be an eyesore in your new unit.
3. Declutter – Remember less is more! This will be a fairly time consuming project, and an emotional one at that. Don’t overwhelm yourself and plan a few months in advance. Choose a room per day/week and make it your priority to go through every nook and cranny. Don’t forget the attic and that hidden room in the basement!
4. Purge – How much should you purge? If you use it regularly then it is a keeper. Ask yourself these questions as you go through the process:
   • Do I really need this?
   • Is this sentimental to me?
   • How many of these do I have?
   • Have I used/worn this in the past six months or a year?
   • Am I keeping this for someone else?

   Give yourself a quota – you’re allowed to keep only so many sentimental items, the rest must be donated or given away. This forces you to be more disciplined when going through your belongings and puts a limit on how fast you accumulate “stuff” over the long term.

   This would also be a great time to call the children and let them know it is time for them to claim their old keepsakes from their rooms.

5. Recycle, Sell or Donate – Don’t throw it away, think about the environment and what you will be saving from our dumps. Clothing, books, sheets and blankets are always accepted at most Shelters or Good Will. Furniture, tools or accessories are accepted at most Habitat Centers. The garage will have lots that you can purge. Garden tools, ladder, lawn mower, rakes, and shovels can be sold or donated.Make separate boxes for Recycle, Sell and Donate, you might be surprised how much you can clear out. Challenge yourself, once placed in the box you are not allowed to pull back out. Your trash might be someone else’s treasure.
6. Label EVERYTHING!  Once you have decided what is for keeps, you can start packing it away. When packing up boxes months before a move, you will never remember where you put that favourite vase that aunt Martha bought you. Write detailed item lists on the boxes and colour code the boxes for each room. Trust me, this will save you time and frustration.
7. Storage Space – After packing it all up, you realize you still have more than you thought. It isn’t easy to let go of sentimental items and memories that are attached to them. You might want to consider renting a Toronto storage unit. Whether is it short or long-term, think of a storage unit as a temporary off site extension of your home.

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.

The most logical way of avoiding the pitfalls that could arise during a Toronto office relocation is to use professional office moving services. And our company just happens to provide exactly that! This article, however, is for those who are more prone to DIY.

So, how and when should you get started? Well, we have broken the process down to 8 key periods to help make your Toronto office move get properly organized and run more smoothly.

Drawing Up Your 8-Point Toronto Office Moving Plan

1. Six Months Before
   This is the ideal time to start getting the wheels in motion, with plenty of time before moving day to sort out complicated issues. The key steps at this initial stage are:
   • Establish a Moving Committee – You can’t do it all (don’t even try), so select a small number of staff to oversee the various aspects of the move. A small number is best because it reduces the chances of confusion over responsibilities, but the actual number can depend on the size of your operation. Usually 2 people is enough, but you may need 3-5 people.
   • Select a space planner and interior designer – A space planner can organize the layout of the new office space in advance so the movers already know where every desk, chair and filing cabinet is going. An interior designer can assess design aspects. It may not seem important, but everything that affects the space available needs to be considered together.
   • Consult your IT staff – You want to make sure communications systems, including internet connectivity, suffer a minimum disruption in the build-up to, during and immediately after the move. So you need to discuss how best to achieve this. Keep in mind the need for both ‘exit’ and ‘entry’ strategies.
   • Request cost estimates – Get the Moving Committee to start looking for the best-value professional Toronto office moving services. Keep in mind that low cost can sometimes translate to low standards, so don’t make a decision on cost alone. Check Yelp and Homestars to review potential candidates. Even if you haven’t decided on using professional Toronto movers, we recommend getting a couple of quotes anyways. You can weigh the quotes against the cost of paying your employees plus the potential for lost productivity.
   • Identify initial layout of computer facilities – One of the most important elements of any office moving plan is identifying the best computer set-up infrastructure. Ensure power points are close to desks and computer cables can be tucked away neatly.
2. Three Months Before – Get the Moving Committee again to get updates on how things are progressing. Each member should have a complete report on their specific area of responsibility. Some of these areas include choosing the new telecommunications system, necessary office design changes identified and an adequate computer infrastructure designed.
3. Two Months Before – With 60 days to go before the move, it’s time to nail things down. So, you need to have supply, telecommunication and floor plans confirmed, like the telephone service, stationery supplies, copier service, and plant service. Now’s also a good time to make a final decision on a moving company.
4. One Month Before – This is when the nuts and bolts of the moving day plan needs to be decided, like the packing procedure and prioritizing items for unpacking and re-assembling. It’s also when you start to brief the staff on what is happening and their responsibilities (packing their own desk items). You should also notify customers of the impending move. Appoint a customer liaison officer they can contact with any queries.
5. Two to Three Weeks Before – Time to check on the status of parking spaces, that security is fully briefed and that all of the relevant keys are available. Also, meet with your selected Toronto office moving services provider should be fully aware of the floor plan layout and furniture removal strategy.
6. One Week Before – With D-Day (M-Day?) around the corner, update your staff on the events of moving day and their roles to play. It’s a good idea to provide them with guides on good packing techniques, and to timetable the packing process. You can also start to label furniture and double-check floor plans.
7. Day Before – The final packing and labeling should be done, but at the new premises make sure the phones are up and running. Post floor plans up on the walls so staff can check out where their new desks and workstations are located.
8. Moving Day – Keep non-essential personnel away on moving day, so only moving teams and members of the Moving Committee should be on-site. IT staff should be there too to make sure that the computer systems are set up and are running. Everything should be unpacked and in their proper place in time for the first day’s operation in the new Toronto office.

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.

In many people’s eyes, the concepts of storage and moving homes are quite separate. One is all about keeping things together in one place, while the other one is all about transporting things to another place.

In fact, frequently they are both essential components in the overall moving project – especially long distance moving projects.

For many homeowners looking to move from one city to another there can be some tough decisions involved. For example, not everything can be moved at the same time. And even when they can, the distance that needs to be covered can be too far for a non-stop journey to be practical.

A lot, therefore, depends on your destination and the schedule you have. There’s a lot of aspects that need attention when moving, and storage offers a little flexibility when the move is over long distances taking more than a day.

So what situations could come up that necessitate the use of storage facilities as part of your move? As some of the top movers in Canada, we happen to have experience in this area!

Reasons You’ll Need Storage Services

Storage can sometimes be a useful option for local moves in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada, but when moving very long distances in Canada, it becomes necessary because of the health and safety regulations that prevent drivers from staying on the road too long. Still, the 3 most common reasons for using Toronto storage facilities during a move are:

1. Store to Wait – Generally speaking, whatever you pack will be unpacked at your new home. But there may be some question marks over the space available until you see it for yourself. Your new home may be smaller, so you’re not sure if there will be room for your extensive personal library. Or maybe permanent fixtures in your living room mean the interior dimensions will not accommodate your present suite of furniture. You may even have purchased or received items a day or two before your move date, and need to store them somewhere before including them in your consignment.In these cases, you may want to store some of your possessions away until you know for sure, and have found a place for them. Once that’s worked out, you can send for them.
2. Store to Declutter – Sometimes you already know what items are not coming with you on your move, but you have not made a decision yet on how to dispose of them. Perhaps a family member wants your couch, but can’t collect it for a few days. Or maybe you want to sell off your old golf clubs, gym machines and other hobby related items, but it may be necessary to keep them in storage for a day or two before getting rid of them in a weekend market or yard sale. Often, homeowners looking to sell will store some possessions to ensure their home is uncluttered and more attractive to buyers. The storage period can range from a couple of days while the property is open for viewings, or it can be for several weeks if the seller prefers. Whatever the cost, however, it can be a minor outlay for a successful sale.
3. Overnight Storage – The most common reason for requiring Toronto storage services is that the long-haul journey is going to take several days. This is pretty logical when you consider the timetable adhered to by long distance moving services in Canada. While you might opt to make your own way (whether by car, train or plane), with Toronto moving company taking your possessions independently, long hours on the road means that at least one overnight stop is needed. Having your possessions locked away in a storage facility is a lot better than parking overnight on the street or a truck rest, as getting your things to their new home safely is the priority.

Usually, because these stop-overs are agreed in advance as part of the transportation itinerary, the cost of overnight Toronto storage facilities is included in the fees for the move. But it’s important to always ask about this and not to simply assume it.

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.

So what exactly do you expect to get when you look for a residential moving service in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada? Your shortlist is certain to include having a Toronto moving company that will turn up on time, a crew of professional Toronto movers that know what they’re doing, and a truck (or two) that will not break down and delay the whole process.

But another aspect that has become standard is the availability of quality packing materials. It’s understandable, especially when you consider packing your possessions safely depends greatly on the quality of the materials used, and that finding such materials independently can take a bit of searching and a significant investment of time.

Here’s a general guide to give you an idea as to what you’ll need.

What You Need

The list of items typically needed when moving homes is pretty straightforward. You need practical wrapping materials to protect items from scratches, vibrations and the impact from bumps and falls, boxes to put items in, and other items for packing, and sealing.

In general, residential moving service providers will have a set list of items, but experienced Toronto movers should be able to identify special materials when necessary, and what materials you can do without. This, of course, all depends on what the items being packed are.

The basic list runs something like this:

• cardboard boxes
• specialty boxes, like wardrobe boxes, mirror boxes, lamp boxes, dish boxes, flat screen TV boxes
• packing peanuts
• tissue paper or unprinted newspaper
• bubble wrap
• packing tape
• moving blankets for furniture

Box sizes range from small to extra large, and are usually measured by cubic feet. Some frequently used special boxes are dish pack and wardrobe boxes, but mirror, picture and even mattress boxes are also available.

• small box (1.5-2 cu. ft.) – for books, magazines, newspaper, DVDs, small general items like small sculptures, kitchen pantry
• medium box (3-4 cu. ft.) – for clothes, linnen, slightly larger items, or for larger general items
• large box (5-6 cu. ft) – for pillows, bulky items, larger item, lamps, toys
• dish pack box (5.1 cu. ft.) – designed with double extra thick walls perfect for dishes, glasses, vases, lamps, breakables
• wardrobe box (14 cu. ft.) – contains a cross rung so clothes can be hung just as in a wardrobe

How Much You Need

This is the grey area, with precise numbers hard to calculate. A lot depends on the amount you want to move, some of which may not be very common. For example, if you have a library of books, then you’ll need a larger number of small sized boxes.

A good residential moving service in Toronto should be able to handle any kind of move, whether the client is moving from a small apartment or a large family home. The number of bedrooms may vary, and extra spaces like a guest room and home office will change things.

As a guide, however, the average family home has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, as well as a kitchen, living room and dining room. Using this as a model, a Toronto moving company should offer between 90 and 100 boxes, the vast majority of which would be made up of small, medium and large packing boxes. The per-room breakdown reads something like this:

• Kitchen – 20 boxes: 4 small, 6 medium, 4 large, 6 dish pack (for bulky kitchen appliances)
• Living Room – 14 boxes: 4 small, 4 medium, 4 large, 2 dish pack boxes
• Dining Room – 6 boxes: 2 medium, 4 dish pack boxes
• Bedroom – 14 boxes: 2 small, 5 medium, 5 large, 2 wardrobe boxes
• Master Bedroom – 23 boxes: 3 small, 6 medium, 8 large, 6 wardrobe boxes
• Bathroom – 4 boxes: 2 small, 2 large

When it comes to other packing materials, like packing paper, bubble wrap and tape, then there are also general amounts issued by a residential moving service in Toronto.

For example, 1 roll of tape is usually enough for every 10 boxes (so 9-10 tape), while 25 lbs of packing paper is usually enough for every 10 cubic feet of packing. That’s enough for 5 small, 2.5 medium, 1.5 large and 2 dish pack boxes. An average of about 1 ft of bubble wrap is needed per box too, so about 9 rolls of 12 feet-long sheets is necessary.

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.

The importance of preparing in advance is even more obvious with long distance moving projects.

When it comes to moving between provinces in Canada, some factors come into play that don’t feature when moving between neighbourhoods within one city.

Other than wrapping and packing, what issues may come with moving long distances? We’ve put together a brief list of tips that can help to get your moving strategy right.

1. Redistribute The Hoard – We all like to hold onto things, usually because of the memories they evoke. That old cardigan that kept you warm in your college dorm a lifetime ago but you never wear now. Or your first set of golf clubs, which has lain in the closet for the past decade long usurped by a newer and luckier set. Do you really need these? Consider these 3 simple questions:
   • Do I use it? – If you have not used it in the last 12 months, let it go.
   • Do I need it? – See above, though there may be special circumstances worth considering.
   • Will I wear it? – You’ll hardly need 2 or 3 heavy coats if you’re moving to a warmer climate.

   Remember, long distance moves are usually charged by weight more so than by hour, so shedding the load will save money. Give to charity. Have a yard sale. Even bring items a recycling company.

2. Get At Least 3 In-Home Estimates – It’s tempting to get an estimate from one moving company and go with it. But it’s wise to have options. It can happen, for example, that your chosen moving company has to pull out, leaving you stranded. Without adequate time for your replacement company to carry out an in-home estimate, they’ll ask you to fill out an inventory form, which means an inaccurate assessment, and most probably a nasty surprise at the weighing. Getting in-house estimates from several companies helps you avoid this nightmare.
3. Home Inspections – Don’t forget to have your new home inspected for any issues. That last thing you need is to arrive at your new home only to find a raft of defects making moving in difficult. This needs to be done about 4 to 6 weeks in advance of the move, to give ample time for problems to be resolved. For more on home inspections, check out CanNACHI, CAHPI, or ASHI.
4. Know Your Floor Plans – Properties are advertised in square footage, but that does not necessarily reflect the actual space because it doesn’t take into account built-in features. So, a large kitchen might take from the size of a living room, which ultimately means less space for furniture. Study the floor plans of your new home well in advance of you long distance moving date. That way, you can work out if there is any furniture that can’t fit and you should sell.
5. Arrange Utilities Early – Okay, so you’ll still need your phone, electricity and water services until moving day, but with long distance moves you need to give yourself plenty of time, and make sure the utilities are working a day or two before you arrive. The phone company might need 3 or 4 weeks to set up working phone lines, while other utilities will need a few weeks notice before swapping the service into your name. In all cases, you may need to pay a deposit before anything happens.

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.

Planning for residential moving to or from Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada can be a challenge. After all, there is so much involved.

There’s the wrapping, packing and moving, and then almost just as much to do when reaching your new home and beginning unpacking. But one way to help things move more smoothly is to use colour coding. The idea is pretty straightforward: different colours communicate information about the items contained in certain boxes, such as their type, their location or how fragile they might be. During any move, communicating this information is pretty important, but unlike written labels, colours are easily seen and never misread.

There is many ways to apply a colour-code system. The most commonly used during residential moves in is to match items with the rooms they are destined to be placed in so everything can be transported directly from room to room. For example, if Mary’s room is coded yellow, then Mary’s possessions are placed into yellow-labeled boxes which can then be taken directly to Mary’s new room at her new home.

It’s not hard to find colour stickers, and at Viktoria Van Lines Toronto we’re happy to provide them on request. It’s best to keep the large stickers for the boxes themselves, and use small stickers for individual items so they can be identified for packing in specified boxes.

5 Benefits of Colour Coding For Residential Moving

1. Visualizing The Move – With everything that needs to be done during a typical residential move in Toronto, ON or across Canada, ticking off a list may not be enough to ensure accuracy. Having a colour-coded plan of your home, means you can have something visual to refer to, revealing clearly what packing has been done, and not been done.
2. Strategic Packing – The general advice is to start packing several weeks before your moving day to lessen the pressure of the project. With a colour code, you can strategically divide the packing work over the available time. So, when residential moving, red items might be packed the first night, blue the second night, yellow over the first weekend etc.
3. Clearer Labeling – Written labels are perfectly fine, but we all know that we recognize a colour much more easily than the written word. Having items form a specific room, or of a specific type, identified by a colour makes it easier for people to find, organize and check the packing done. It’s also important when identifying fragile items, with the bright red sticker perfect for letting movers know immediately.
4. Better Prioritizing – This is loosely related to strategic packing, but it refers mainly to identifying specific boxes for priority attention. When residential moving, it means that items which need to unpacked and set up first can be easily located. For example, practical things like a coffee machine, some cutlery, bowls and cups, flashlights etc.
5. Faster Unpacking – Just as the packing can be a long process, unpacking requires some time and effort too. With a colour code system, boxes can be easily linked with specific rooms and locations. So, the items can be taken to the right place immediately, with no need for searching.

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.

The cost of moving long distances either across Canada or into the US falls outside the classification of a ‘local’ move. Your possessions are going to be in transit for several days, and in some rare cases – even weeks. But the good news is that there are ways to ease the cost of long distance moving, from Toronto, ON to anywhere else in North America, and we prepared some tips for you below.

Tips to Cutting Long Distance Moving Cost

1. Cut The Movers’ Burden – There are associated charges that relate to extra work moving teams have to do, like setting up and operating hoists for heavy items or shuttling up and down an elevator. Bringing boxes to the ground floor yourself can reduce labour and, therefore, these charges significantly. Although some heavy items should be left to professional Toronto movers.
2. Lower The Weight – Long distance moving costs are based on weight and cubic feet rather than hours of labour. Thus, lowering the weight of your consignment will save you money. Sell unwanted furniture, give items away to charity and have a yard sale to clear what is not needed.
3. Timetable the Move Appropriately – An accurate timetable is essential. On long distance journeys, your consignment will have to be stored overnight, especially if truck-swaps are required. These should be detailed in the quote, but any extra days in a storage facility will be charged independently. So, be at the destination address on arrival day to avoid extra storage charges.
4. Drive Your Car Or Sell It – If you don’t like driving long distances, you may be contemplating shipping your car on separately – but is this really necessary? When the move is very long distance – like moving from Toronto to Vancouver or anywhere else in Canada or the US – you can expect to pay thousands of dollars more. Save this cash by driving yourself, or selling the car and getting a new one in your new city.
5. Speak To Your Coordinator – A reputable Toronto moving company will have a moving coordinator that works closely with you to ensure that everything runs smoothly. Speak to the coordinator about what other things can be done to lower the overall costs. At Viktoria Van Lines Toronto, our team members are happy to help you.
6. Check Out Available Tax Breaks – You can claim back as much as half your long distance moving costs when completing your tax returns. There are conditions, of course, not least that the purpose of the move is for work, to establish a business or to study at university. Among the expenses that can be claimed back on are travelling expenses (fuel, meals and accommodation), storage costs, and property-related legal fees. For more details, check out what the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has to say.

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.

We prepared some useful tips to help you pack your belongings, and particularly those fragile or highly valuable ones to guard against in-transit accidents. At Viktoria Van Lines Toronto, our Toronto residential moving services can include full-service packing and packing supplies, but you can still opt to do most of the packing yourself.

1. Extra Padding – Even a relatively short distance residential moving in Toronto has its share of risks, thanks to bumpy roads and sudden stops. So feel free to be liberal with the padding! Bubble wrap and newspaper are long established favourites, but don’t forget unconventional alternatives, like sweaters, scarves, blankets and even socks.
2. Plates and Dishes – It’s not unheard of after a residential move to begin unpacking and discover a few broken plates and saucers – it’s usually due to truck vibrations. The secret is to pack them individually on their sides, just like in a dishwasher! Make sure their edges are securely wrapped with bubble wrap with little room to move around.
3. Fragile Objects – We’ve touched on plates and dishes, but keep in mind that jugs, glasses, china cups and the like should be packed separately with their cavities filled. Socks are excellent for this! Be sure to pack them in large boxes with pillows or blankets to absorb the vibrations.
4. Lamps – A tricky item, but it might just fit in the drawers in the dresser! Wrap the base in a towel, and disassemble if possible. The furniture is stable, and the towel provides great buffering going around tight corners. The shades can be boxed.
5. Electronics – most residential movers in Toronto usually advise electronics be packed in their original boxes – but chances are they’ve been thrown out long ago! Instead, wrap each component separately, then secure the main item (DVD player etc) in bubble wrap, set it into the centre of a box walled by a blanket. Add the smaller components on top, wrapped in extra padding.
6. Mirrors and Paintings – It’s best to get a frame box for any large mirrors or valuable paintings. Most residential moving companies in Toronto will offer them, but be sure to fill the space between the mirror and the box walls. Again, a blanket or sweater is ideal for this.
7. Antique Furniture – To protect valuable antique furniture, you can wrap a thick winter blanket around the main body. The material won’t tear during transit, but be sure to wipe surfaces clean first so no small particles can cause damage under the padding. Smaller kitchen towels and sweaters can be used around the legs.

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.