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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 Maybe they are out of date or broken, but your new microwave, computer, Smartphone and iPad ensure they are of no use anymore.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.

Moving with pets can add a wrinkle to your moving plans, as you can imagine. While we all become consumed with the usual chores of wrapping and packing our possessions, and organizing a workable moving schedule, a similar level of preparation is needed to transfer a pet from its familiar surrounds to a new home in Toronto, ON or elsewhere in Canada.

And this is not as simple as it sounds.

It’s easy to understand why you might overlook your pet during the planning process. After all, you probably consider your pet as a member of the family rather than another item to pack away, so you might assume that your dog, or cat, or rabbit or hamster are coming with every other family member. But there are specific considerations to be made when moving with pets.

Some Issues When Moving With Pets

Almost every kind of animal has a fear of new surroundings, and it causes them anxiety. For this reason alone, taking a proactive approach and properly preparing your pet for the move is important. Here are some of the core issues that you should address.

1. Prepare the Paperwork – This is particularly important when your residential move takes you to a new province or to a new country. Of course, you should always have your pet’s license, medical records and any other documents in proper order anyway. But be sure to check them and update if necessary before the move. If your dog is due for a rabies shot, get it done. And don’t forget to check the specific legal issues for the province, territory or country you are moving to. Overseas moves will require a Pet Passport for the animal, and there are set immigration laws when bringing animals into the US.
2. Purchase a Suitable Pet Carrier – It makes sense when traveling long distances by public transport (train or plane) to put your dog, cat or other small animal into a pet carrier. But there is sometimes a temptation to ignore such things when traveling in your family car. That could be a big mistake, with animals often getting restless and distressed during long journeys. The distraction they might cause if free to move around your vehicle could be dangerous. So I recommend always placing your pet in a suitably sized carrier.Pet carriers must be large enough for the animal to comfortably lie down, turn around and stand in its natural position.
3. Prepare Your Pet – When moving with pets, it’s a good idea to prepare them for the ordeal by giving them a bit of practice. Generally speaking, if an animal is not used to travelling in an automobile, then they are likely to get very distressed. So, in the run up to your move, put your cat, puppy or hamster in its carrier and drive them around. You can pair it with family days to the local park, or to the mountains or local forests, but the important thing is that you show your pet that everything is okay.If your pet is to travel by plane or train, then consider that they will be stuck in their carrier for several hours from departure to arrival, with the carrier picked up and moved around by strangers. So, try to make their carrier homey, with their favourite toys and matted with their favourite blanket or pillow to keep them as comfortable as possible.
4. Show Them Love – Sometimes making a long journey in good time is the priority. In such cases, we can keep our stops to a minimum – but spare a thought for the animal you are bringing with you. Bring some food and water especially for them, and make regular stops where they can get out and stretch their legs. The recommended frequency is once every 2 hours or so.If you are sending your pet via train or an airline, chances are they will be traveling as cargo (though small animals may be permitted to travel with you). Make sure your pet is properly fed and watered before departure and attach a small, accessible water-bottle so your pet can drink when necessary.
5. Hire Professional Toronto Pet Movers – Finally, you may want to take the hassle out of the whole situation and hire professionals to move your pet for you. This can cost a bit but the investment is worth it if for nothing more than the peace of mind that you’ll have. Check out Worldwide Animal Travel for more details on their services.

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 often in the build up to moving we overlook the aspects most taken for granted, sometimes even deciding to ignore them. A perfect example is moving insurance. I moved four times and started to develop a system for myself. I spend weeks strategically packing things away (room-by-room), checking lists and colour-coding boxes, double checking vehicle availability to make sure the truck arrives on time, and triple checking things at my new abode.

Moving insurance was never high on my list of priorities, and for a few good reasons: it’s an extra expense; my Toronto moving company is insured; and, what are the chances anyway? Much like buying travel insurance when booking your flights for a vacation overseas, moving insurance seemed like an unnecessary expense.

The importance of getting proper moving insurance became apparent when an unexpected mishap caused damage to a family heirloom (a large living room mirror my grandmother bought in the 1950s) while in transit – and that was my lesson learned. I looked into the subject area and discovered some interesting facts below that I recommend keeping in mind.

• Many Toronto moving companies offer what’s known as “Valuation Coverage” (“Homeowner Insurance” only offers limited coverage on items in transit)
• DIY packing can make your coverage void since packing errors may be yours
• Moving Insurance policies offer the most complete protection

So, what does this mean? And what options are available to you if you want to play it safe and maximize protection of your things while moving. Well, here’s what I found out.

What is Valuation Coverage?

Whether offering local or international residential moving services, your chosen Toronto moving company is obliged to be insured. But Valuation Coverage essentially means they provide a predetermined limit of liability based on the perceived value of the loan being transported, and is detailed in your contract via your Bill of Lading. There are 3 ways that this limit of liability is calculated:

• Declared Value Protection – This is calculated by offering a specific money value per pound. So, let’s say the total weight of your possessions loaded on the truck is 10,000 lbs, and a rate of $6-$8/lb is set (a common standard), the moving company in Toronto is liable to a maximum coverage of $60,000-$80,000 in the event of any incident. The problem is that this coverage does not necessarily reflect the actual value of the items in transit, so an item that is light but expensive is covered to the same degree as a $5 paperweight.

• Assessed Value Protection – You can get around the light-but-valuable issue by purchasing coverage based on the value of the load being transported. It’s usually available at a per-$1,000 rate, so you will pay a premium of $5-$10 for every $1,000 of value, with a range of deductibles. It is vital that the agreement is stated in the Bill of Lading, otherwise your Toronto moving company is under no obligation to honour it.

• Complete Value Protection –  This is clearly the best of the three options, but also the least common to find. Many Toronto moving companies agrees liability to the full value of your possessions in transit, whether it is lost, damaged or completely destroyed, and even covers the cost of repairs or replacement. However, there are usually catches to the coverage too, so while a premium rate of $5 per $1,000 value on possessions with a combined value of $50,000 means paying an extra $250, minimum coverage limits and a range of deductibles.

All of the above means that you should fully understand the conditions and scope of coverage before signing any contract with Toronto moving company.

What Does Homeowner Insurance Cover?

The quick answer to this question is: not much. It depends on your insurance company and the terms of the home insurance policy you have. The best thing to do, therefore, is to call your insurance company and ask them.

In many cases, there is no coverage for possessions while in transit, though there is 30-days coverage provided once they arrive in your new home. In some coverage is provided at only a very small percentage – perhaps as small as 10%.

Moving Insurance Policies Worth Considering

If you are not satisfied with your moving company’s Valuation Coverage, and discover that your Homeowner Insurance policy offers completely inadequate protection then buying moving insurance may be the best thing to do.

But there are several issues to consider in that case too:

• Protected when loading the truck
• Protected during transit
• Protected when unloading the truck

Most Toronto moving companies are more than happy to sell you additional insurance. It’s always a good idea to consult your insurance broker separately to get a good overall assessment of the options on offer.

For the most part, the types of coverage that Toronto moving companies offer should be enough, but the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) recommends that you check out the details of the coverage offered. CAM produced a brief overview on the matter, which is worth reading.

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.

Culture shock is something that everyone who spends an extended period of time living overseas experiences. Unless you are prepared for it, it really has the potential to ruin the entire experience. Overseas moves may present very specific challenges that can sometimes catch you off guard.

And to help ease the transition for you, we created a shortlist of the 5 main culture shocks you are likely to face upon your arrival, and as you try to settle into your new environment.

5 Culture Shocks To Prepare For:

1. Language – This is an obvious place to start if you are making the move to a non-English speaking country. It’s not just about conversations. Everything from road signs to popular media to restaurant menus is going to be in a language unfamiliar to you. If you’ve got time to learn some of the basics before you leave, do it. Tourist phrase books are essential tools, while Fodor’s offers some worthwhile language aids to download. And of course, there’s the ever-popular Rosetta Stone.
2. Personal Interaction – How people interact can differ greatly between countries. For example, the English are often seen as being cold towards strangers, when in fact they’re simply exhibiting the famous “stiff upper lip.” In Japan, folding your arms while speaking to a senior colleague is about as rude as you can get. These subtle interactions are central to how a society works, so avoiding locals and clinging to fellow expats is probably the worst thing you can do. The only really way to learn is to interact – just be prepared to listen and learn.
3. Social Faux Pas – Every culture has its do’s and don’ts, and you’d be surprised with what are considered faux pas in different countries – especially at work. In Canada, blood boils when people jump lines, but in many Asian countries, lines are often completely ignored. The range is quite extensive, of course, and much depends on the regions within a country, but some cultural research will give you a good chance of successfully negotiating the minefield.
4. Connectivity – Different countries have different standards in Internet service, and have varying connection methods (wireless, broadband, DSL, ISDN and cable). Not only that, but costs, download speeds and service bureaucracy can all differ greatly too. It’s hard to understate the importance of an internet connection for keeping in touch with friends, family, employees and clients, but also for doing research on your new home and finding your way around.
   • Check out the internet services and costs in the country you’re moving to.
   • Set up an email address accessible from any computer (like Gmail).
   • Don’t change your cell phone immediately after your overseas move. See if you can configure it to the local system or use international roaming until you get sorted out.
   • Check the electrical voltage and outlet style in your new country, and get adaptors so you can charge your laptop or phone.
5. Banking System – You will need a working bank account as soon as possible. Your new employers may help you set an account up, but when it comes to everyday services, you may find things more difficult than expected. There are lots of banks operating internationally (like Citibank, HSBC). That can help to smooth over issues like transferring funds, but opening an account with a local bank gives you local ATM and credit cards, keeping fees low.

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.

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.