Moving and Maintenance Tips

Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences in life. Getting yourself and your family organized will take the stress out of the day and allow you to focus on the fun stuff - like the fact that you're moving into a great new home!

Here are a few quick pointers for an easier move:

• Create a timetable and checklist. You'll feel a comforting sense of accomplishment as items are checked off.
• Give everyone in the family their own responsibilities, including your kids. It's a great way to make sure everyone feels involved.
• If you can afford to, use a moving service. Having professionals do the work for you is a huge way to simplify a move. Plus, if anything is lost or damaged, their insurance should cover it.
• Use your agent as a resource. He or she is full of great suggestions for moving companies, cleaning services, decorators and more.
• Give yourself a "time cushion." If possible, don't move in the same day the previous owners are moving out. If you have some extra time, you can also go into the empty house and clean or paint.

• Co-ordinate your move a\to avoid storage or delays. Give mover plenty of notice to secure desired date and time. Move on a weekday if possible- when banks, etc….. are open.
• Notify the mover as soon as possible if packing is required.
• If storage is required: plan for extra supplies such as mattress covers, shrink wrap, sofa bags… If possible inspect storage facilities (climate controlled preferable) before storing.
• Unless otherwise arranged with movers, all goods should be packed and ready on moving day.
• Should you be moving in or out of an apartment, it is the customer’s responsibility to book the elevator. (Keep in mind that loading time is longer than unloading time.)
• Notify your mover upon booking if there are parking (loading/unloading) restrictions at either location.
• Prepare floor plan of new premises to speed up unloading at destination.
• By putting all you boxes in a room close to the loading area, you can speed up moving time. However, avoid blocking a hall of access to furniture for packing (truck) reasons.
• Send out furniture for cleaning, repairing or refinishing.
• Valuable Grandfather Clocks should be prepared for shipping by a jeweler.
• Do not move without transit insurance. Moving companies can arrange good coverage during transit. Remember, movers will not accept responsibility for items of unusual or extraordinary value.
• Have electrical appliances disconnected and emptied. Put plastic bags around the hoses of your washing machine and secure them with rubber bands to prevent leakage in transit.
• Contact service company for disconnection of electrical fixtures.
• Set aside all items you will need until the last minute (Bedding, dishes, clothing…) Label cartons you will need upon arrival.
• Attach “DO NOT MOVE” tags to articles you intend to leave behind or move yourself.
• Dispose of any unwanted items.
• Empty fuel from lawn mowers, power tools, kerosene lamps and barbecues. Do not take paints, bleach, lighter fluids, matches, ammunition or any type of combustible products. Movers cannot transport flammable materials or livestock (birds, fish…).
• It is a good idea to have children and pets occupied on moving day.
• Movers can transport plants at owner’s risk.
• Should it be required, beds and mirrors on dressers can be dismantled by movers. Should you choose to do this yourself, put all nuts, bolts and screws in a small zip-lock bag taped to the furniture.
• The freezer has to be unpacked so as to not rip the lining. This is a great time to defrost and clean those appliances!
• Tie mops, curtains rods and broom handles together. Shrink wrap is great for this task!
• Double check your home with your van foreman for forgotten items.
• Do not forget to turn off lights, check furnace and windows.
• If you are moving in cold weather conditions, allow your electronics to acclimatize before plugging them in.
• Recycle paper and moving boxes.
• Whether you are moving yourself, moving out of town or just need some help with the bigger items, we can help make your move an easier one. Just give us a call!

• Use good quality, closed top boxes and seal them with good quality packing tape.
• Wrap items in Unprinted-newsprint. Newspaper can ruin the items you wish to protect.
• Make sure to fill the top and the bottom of your boxes with unprinted paper or foam chips. Boxes should be packed all the way to the top to prevent them from getting crushed in traffic. However, give fragile items room to breathe.
• Unless otherwise arranged, all items must be packed and ready to go on moving day.
• Wrap non-breakable items in paper before packing in a box. Make sure to put the heavier items on the bottom of the box.
• Pack toiletries separately, secure caps and corks. Have carton’s contents stated in case of emergency.
• Record albums should be packed in 1.5 cubes on the edge to prevent warping. Books should be packed horizontally in 1.5 cubes.
• Identify contents of each carton packed for easy unpacking. For your convenience, we now sell Tag-A-Room labels.
• It is essential to have spare boxes on moving day for last minute packing.
• Spread your linens around; use them as fillers to protect other items.
• Dresser drawers do not have to be unpacked, however, remove breakables, spillables, heavy items or valuables.
• Clearly state on the box if it is fragile.
• Do not pack heavy and bulky items in the same box as china. Bulky, heavy items such as small kitchen appliances should be packed separately in a larger box.
• Use smaller boxes for heavy items and larger boxes for lighter bulky items.
• When packing with bubble wrap. Pack with the bubble side out.
• Cartons should not weigh more than 50 to 60 pounds with the exception of heavy duty boxes.
• Table lamps should be put in a carton. Remove bulbs and pack lamp shades separately with clean, non-printed paper.
• Plates should always be packed on edge (like in the dishwasher). Drinking glasses should be packed upside down.
• Do not use garbage bags for packing. The contents of these can easily be mistaken and result in loss.
• If storing goods, remove all contents from dresser drawers, wrap mattresses, box springs, couches and chairs in plastic bags and make sure not to store any food or flammable items.
• Pack your hanging clothes straight from your closet into a wardrobe container. Unpacking virtually wrinkle free clothes will be a treat.
• When unpacking, spread paper out. This will prevent the loss of small items.
• Tape an ‘X’ of masking tape across mirrors and paintings framed with glass. Wrap each item in bubble wrap and place in a mirror carton. Or let the movers pack them for safe/insured transfer.
• Do not move suitcases and trunks etc. empty. Use them to pack clothing, linens….

Keep warm and save energy with these tips

Dealing With Dampness in Your Home

• Limit moisture during humid weather by keeping windows and doors closed.
• Use an air conditioner and/or dehumidifier to keep humidity below 60%.
• Ensure all vent fans are clear and connected directly outdoors and not to the attic.
• Use exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathrooms to control humidity.
• When possible, consider limiting the boiling time of water, covering saucepans when cooking, and discontinuing use of portable gas heaters.
• Position the downspout runoff so it’s directed away from the foundation of your home.
• Increasing or improving the insulation of your home and around pipes.