Author: Julie Copithorne

Moving is an event that everyone can relate to. Whether you are moving to your first home, upsizing, downsizing, or even relocating for work, we all go through the process at some point in our lives.

There is a lot that goes into making a move successful and the process is time consuming to say the least. As professional movers we’ve shared some of our best tips on how to save money on a move, pack like a pro, and even settle in to a new city. But we wanted to hear first hand from you what tips and tricks you’ve learnt from your own experiences to make moving easier.

We ran a social media contest asking the public to submit their best moving tips for the chance to win a gift card to Home Depot and have their tip featured here in an Atlas Canada blog.

We were amazed by all the different tips we received and after much deliberation, narrowed it down to our 3 winners. Each tip was chosen for practicality and the ability to think outside of the box. Keep reading to see what our winners had to say and don’t forget to check the Atlas Canada Facebook page for more monthly contests!

Tip 1: Keep track of everything

Have a notebook for keeping track of all the things you have to do. Utilities to terminate and new accounts to open. All the persons and companies you have to notify of your address change. The dates completed, persons you speak with and confirmation numbers will all be in one place.”
– Susan H.

When it comes to staying organized while moving, it’s easy to lose track of what needs to be done. Having a notebook to write down your progress and to do list can put your mind at ease as well as help you stay focused during a busy time.

Tip 2: Use detail when labeling boxes

“When I label my moving boxes, I go into more detail than just writing “Bathroom” or “Bedroom.” I’ll list some of the main contents so that I can easily find items when I’m unpacking or when I’m trying to survive those first few days of having my life in boxes. So instead of just “Kitchen”, for example, my label will be “Kitchen: mixing bowls, strainers, cutting boards”. It is a little extra work up front but saves so much time in the end!”
– Alison G.

Labelling boxes is very important when moving because it allows you and the movers to know exactly where everything goes. This tip alone will speed up the moving process drastically. But taking it one step further and writing down specific items within the box will make finding whatever you need, when you need it, that much easier.

Tip 3: Use coloured tape or labels

“Use different colored tape to seal the boxes for each room you pack. Then when you arrive at your new home you can easily stick the coloured tape on each room’s wall and everyone will know which box goes where.”
– Monica L.

Coloured tape is a creative and effective way of showing which room each box should go in when unloading your belongings. For example, all the kitchen boxes could have blue tape on them and the kitchen door itself could have a blue sticky note to direct all helpers. Colours are easily seen from a distance making the unloading process much quicker and more efficient.

If you have the luxury of choice, consider moving during non-peak season when the demand for movers isn’t as high.

This season usually falls between the months of fall and winter when temperatures start to drop. As long as you properly prepare for the weather, moving during these months can save you money and time. Here are a few advantages to moving during non-peak season.

Lower Moving Costs

The number one advantage to moving during non-peak season is lower prices. Moving can be costly, especially if you are travelling long distance across Canada or the United States. The good news about moving in the slower season is that credible movers will lower their costs to attract more customers. If you have a strict moving budget, consider arranging your move during this time to save yourself a ton of money!

Flexibility on Dates

It is always a good idea to book your move as soon as possible regardless of the time of year. However, throughout non-peak season movers have much more flexibility in their calendars to accommodate your preferred dates. Unforeseen delays or changes do happen in the buying, selling and moving process. Knowing your mover has the flexibility to adjust and work with you will give you additional peace of mind during what can be a stressful time. In peak moving season which falls in the spring and summer, your mover should be arranged at least 6-8 weeks prior to your move to ensure you get your required date.

More Time to Settle in

People typically spend a lot more time bundled up indoors come winter. Especially if you have children, the outdoor activities and events start to wind down and shift inside. During this quieter season there is a lot more time to plan and settle in after a move. Unpacking, decorating and organizing your belongings are much easier when you aren’t juggling your time with outdoor activities and day camps. Find some time to scout out your new area and discover all the nearby attractions and amenities as well.

June, July and August are the busiest months for moving.

If you plan to move during peak season, start looking for your mover as soon as possible. It is recommended that you book your move 4-6 weeks in advance to make sure the date you want is available. Once your date is determined you can start to prepare for the big day. Below are some great tips to help you beat the heat and stay organized during your summer move.

Set Up Utilities

With everything going on during a move, arranging for the utilities to be set up in your new home may be one of the last things on your mind. But this is an essential step in the pre-move process. During peak moving season, it can take up to 2-3 weeks to schedule a date for these arrangements. The last thing you want to worry about is moving in without lights, air conditioning or running water! Make sure to give your local utilities provider a call well in advance to avoid these conditions.

Schedule to Start Early Morning

One of our best tips to combat the summer heat during your move is to start as early in the day as possible. The hottest time of day is usually around early to mid-afternoon which can fluctuate depending on where you live. It can be very challenging to move in such high temperatures as your body exhausts more energy than usual. Talk to your movers to arrange for an early morning start; that way you can get ahead of the heat. If you don’t have a lot to move, starting later in the afternoon may be a good option as well.

Prepare Yourself for the Heat

Being outdoors on a hot summer day requires some preparation regardless of whether you are lounging or being active. Moving is an exhausting task on its own not to mention adding heat to the mixture. One of the best heat safety tips to stay protected during hot weather is to drink lots of fluids. Carry a water bottle with you or have a case of water nearby to consistently hydrate your body throughout the day. Another important tip when moving in the summer is to wear light fabrics. Avoid dark colours that easily absorb heat and make sure you are comfortable in loose fitting clothes. Last but not least, wear your sunscreen! Even if you are not directly in the sun all day, your skin will still likely be exposed at some point.

Preparing for your summer move with the tips above will help you beat the heat, stay organized, and set your move up for success.

Even with the best of intentions many people tend to throw away a lot of useful items when they move, especially food. Lack of time and convenience often overrule when deciding whether to make a trip to the local food bank, and as a result a lot of good, sustainable food goes to waste. We understand finding extra time is difficult during the busy weeks and days leading up to a move. But with a little bit of planning and some help from our Atlas Agents, minimizing food waste doesn’t have to be a burden. Here are some tips on how to use or donate the food left in your home before moving day.

Plan Your Meals

Meal prepping is a great technique to effectively clear out your pantry. Start by making a list of everything you have in your fridge, freezer and cupboards. Knowing what you have will help you plan better meals and use up more food. Focus on using all your perishable, freezer and opened foods first as these items will spoil quicker and can’t be donated. If you decide to go grocery shopping, stick with just the essentials and avoid buying in bulk. Remember, any leftover non-perishable items make for great donations!

Donate Your Non-Perishable

Atlas and many of our Atlas Agents have partnered with nonprofit group Move For Hunger to help make it easier on you to donate non-perishable food items when you move with Atlas. Simply gather all the non-perishable, long lasting food in your pantry and place them in a donation box. Our partnering Agents will pick up your donations at the time of your move and drop them off at the local food bank. Contact your local Atlas Agent to find out if they participate in our partnership or visit Food Banks Canada to find a donation center near you.

The rise of Canadian real estate has been a hot topic this past year. With many Canadian’s unable to buy on their own, they’re led to invest with others for the additional support or rent if that’s not an option.

Today, the notion of living with a roommate has become very common not just for those in their early 20s but for adults and families as well. Sharing a space whether it’s with your friend, partner or a stranger can be challenging. We made a list of some important questions to address before moving in with a roommate.

What’s your day-to-day schedule like?

Get a better idea of who the person is and what type of routine they have. Their routine will tell you how often they are home and what they do professionally and recreationally.

Are you a night owl or an early bird?

Finding out what time a person generally goes to bed and wakes up will give you a lot of insight. If you have conflicting sleep patterns, be cautious of your noise level during these hours.

What is your favourite way to spend a Saturday night?

If you are a homebody who likes to spend most Saturday nights curled up with a cozy blanket and a good movie, searching for a low-key roommate would be a better fit.

Do you have pets?

There are additional factors to consider when adding pets into the mix. Depending on the size, type and personality of the pet, there might be responsibilities not just for the owner but for the roommate as well. Make sure allergies aren’t an issue!

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

When living in close proximities with someone, you will discover what makes them tick sooner or later. Be open, honest and realistic about your expectations.

Are you neat or messy?

When it comes to cleaning, pulling your weight is important when living with a roommate. Make a cleaning/chore schedule to prevent miscommunication and confrontations in the future.

Do you like to cook at home?

This is a great follow up question that will open the dialogue to groceries and whether you will be sharing anything such as condiments or kitchen appliances. It will also indicate how often there will be dishes at which point you can clarify cleaning responsibilities.

How do you prefer to communicate and resolve conflict?

Some people prefer to communicate face to face and others via text or email. Perhaps a combination of sending a quick text letting your roommate know what the issue is and then discussing in person later will lead to a more productive outcome.

How do you plan on making rent/bill payments?

This question is very straightforward and necessary to discuss. Ensure your assets are protected by confirming who is in charge of what, how the payments will be made and what will be done if a payment cannot be made by one party.

These questions will lead to some great discussions between you and your potential roommate. After all, there are certain things you should know about each other before deciding whether to live together. There’s nothing worse than realizing after the fact you aren’t the right fit.

There is more to moving then just the move itself. Factor in as many variables as you can when creating your budget as it’s better to be over prepared than under.

Although you can never completely anticipate all the unexpected costs of moving, sticking to a budget and leaving extra room for last minute add-ons will make the process less stressful. Here are 4 things to help you prepare for the unexpected on your local or long distance move:

Temporary Accommodations

Sometimes there can be lag between moving out of your old home and into your new one. Whether the delay is planned or unexpected it can cause a rift in your plans. An over-night stay may be all you need but sometimes a long-term rental is necessary. There are affordable options available such as extended hotel stays, bed and breakfasts, Airbnb, or even renting an apartment or house. Planning for this type of expense as early as possible will help eliminate any surprises in terms of cost.

Storage

If your home isn’t ready for occupancy or you’re downsizing into a smaller space, you may find yourself in need of short or long term storage for your belongings. If you decide to hire a mover, full service moving companies often have storage options available. For longer-term storage needs, ask your mover what options they recommend or if a third party facility might be more cost effective.

Babysitter

Don’t forget to plan for the little ones! Arranging for a babysitter may cost extra but it will definitely save you time in the long run. Consider hiring a sitter not just for moving day, but for the days leading up to the move as well as you will be doing the majority of the packing and organizing then. You will have your hands full with the move; the last thing you need to worry about are what the kids are doing!

Replacing Old Items

One of the advantages of moving is being able to sort through your belongings as you pack. You can finally get rid of the old set of pots and pans you’ve been meaning to for decades and toss, sell or donate other dated items! Although purging feels great, make sure to consider the cost of replacing the old items with the new ones. Set aside a reasonable budget for this. If you are downsizing or upsizing, you may need to buy new furniture and appliances to fit your updated space.

Have you ever uttered the words, I won’t forget or I’ll write it down later? If there’s one piece of advice we can provide you when planning a move, it’s to stay organized.

There’s a lot to think about in the weeks and days leading up to a move that you don’t want to worry about whether or not you’ve forgotten something. Keeping everything as organized as possible will help lower your stress levels and make the process much easier. One of the best ways to prioritize and organize your time is with a moving a calendar. Here are 3 reasons why a calendar will help you and your family have a successful move:

Accomplish Your Objectives

There is a lot to think about and accomplish during the moving process from finding a mover, packing, setting up new accounts, etc. Even for highly organized people it can be overwhelming to stay on top of it all. Creating a moving calendar will allow you to see the big picture. You can spread out your tasks over time and plan out realistic deadlines and goals. Give yourself extra time to accomplish each task as things always take longer than expected!

Schedule in Other Activities

The more organized you are, the more time you’ll have to schedule in miscellaneous activities or much needed down time. Writing everything in a calendar will allow you to see where you can be flexible and fit in non-move related days. Making the time for fun activities and important people will help you destress and buckle down when necessary.

Countdown

Start a moving day countdown! If you have small children, a calendar countdown is a great way to get them involved. Creating a timeline of events will eliminate surprises and allow you and your children to prepare and adjust to all the changes. Not to mention it feels amazing getting to knock off all the accomplished tasks along the way!

Ultimately, a moving calendar will help you meet your deadlines and stay productive during a high stress time. A digital calendar is also a great option to consider as they often give you the opportunity to link to your phone or email and create reminders and alarms. You can even print off a copy to put on your fridge!

To make it easy for you, we’ve created a free personalized moving checklist and calendar right on our website. Visit our Moving Tips page and simply type your move date and family name to get your day by day guide. The moving calendar includes important tasks and timelines you may not have thought of and is a great tool to use when planning your move.

Corporate relocations are a frequent occurrence within global companies as 80% surveyed by Atlas Canada relocated employees between countries.

Making a move for your career can be a scary adjustment; picking up everything you own and moving somewhere you’ve never been. That being said, it can also be a great opportunity and a fresh change in your life. You may be asked to relocate across town, across the country or even overseas. The distance will all depend on the needs of your particular company. When deciding on whether relocating is for you, be sure to do as much research as you can before making the decision, and use all the resources available. Here are a couple ways to discover if a corporate relocation is for you.

Use Your Connections

When preparing for a move, there are many ways you can get ready just by using what you already have around you. One of the easiest resources available to you is reaching out to your coworkers that have relocated before, for tips on how to prepare for the moving process and what to expect. Maybe someone in your workspace has worked in the location you are relocating to and knows the office culture. Another great way to use your connections is by reaching out to people outside of work that might have lived in or visited the city before. This way you can get an outside look at the social atmosphere of the location.

Explore the City

Feel free to go check out the location as looking on the internet and word of mouth can only tell you so much. Take a trip out to the city and get a real look and feel of the area. There’s no better way to know if you will suit the city other than seeing it for yourself. Also, visit the office and the expected neighbourhood you will be living in; take a look at the commute and the social atmosphere. Maybe you’re into fitness for example. Take a look at the gyms or trails in the closest proximity of your new potential home. Don’t be afraid to also try something new. Perhaps you are moving somewhere up north and you’ve never lived in a colder climate before and always wanted to try skiing. Try to look at the move as an opportunity rather than a challenge. Taking a trip out to visit is the best way for you to know if the location suits you and/or your family.

Managing all your expenses can be one of the biggest challenges when moving to a new home.

The best way to control costs and stay in budget is make a list of all your potential expenses. This will allow you to see which areas are essential to spend in and which areas you can cut down. Below are 4 surefire ways you can cut costs and save money on your move without compromising on quality.

Hire a Credible Moving Company

If you are planning to hire a mover it’s important to be extra cautious in your research to make sure you choose a credible company. When searching the internet today, there are just as many rogue movers as there are legitimate ones. Rogue movers are attracting customers by creating slick websites, offering low ball prices, setting unrealistic service expectations and then holding a shipment hostage for more money. You will end up spending way more than you bargained for to get your belongings back and quite often items will be lost or damaged. Hiring a credible moving company from the beginning will ensure your belongings are in good hands. There are steps you can take to ensure the mover you hire is a credible company. Take a look at our “How to Choose a Mover” video for more information.

Sell Old Furniture and Knickknacks

Moving is a great opportunity to go through your belongings and discard of any old, unwanted items. Instead of tossing these items, consider selling them. A garage sale is one of the easiest ways to dispose of old junk and make some money while doing it. Just like the expression goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”! If you don’t have the time for a garage sale, try selling your items online instead. There are many free, user-friendly forums where you can buy and sell directly from your computer. If you prefer to donate, a local charity is a great option for any non-perishable items. The more you donate the more money you will end up saving in moving expenses.

Do Your Own Packing

Although many movers offer professional packing and unpacking services, the additional cost may be out of your budget. A great way to save some extra money during a move is to do some or all of your own packing. Ask family and friends to lend a helping hand; it can make the process much quicker. Remember to give yourself lots of time! Rushing through the packing can result in damages to your belongings. Ask your Atlas Agent for helpful brochures and visit our Packing Tips page for some great advice.

Collect Your Own Packing Supplies

Before purchasing any boxes, bubble wrap, packing paper, tape, etc. take a look around your house to see what packing supplies you have. The earlier you do this step, the more time you will have to start saving and collecting supplies. Give your local dollar store or liquor store a call to see if they have any spare boxes. Your workplace could also be a great option for extra materials. It never hurts to ask!

About one-quarter of Canada’s population are millennials; those born between the early 1980s to the early 2000s. With most of them finished or on the verge of finishing school, many are now taking a more active interest in home ownership. Already we are seeing trends in the way millennials are purchasing real estate and the location they are choosing. These young Canadians are paying close attention to the market and areas where they see growth in employment and affordable real estate. The majority of millennials are looking to purchase a home in the very near future, also taking in the investment opportunity that comes with purchasing real estate.

Purchasing

Today more millennials are expressing their confidence in purchasing a home, with the buying intentions increased by the economy, job security, and their parents. Young Canadians are saving and planning their finances for their future, especially for home buying. Millennials are watching the housing market closely with interest rates rising and the price of homes going up and down. Along with student debt on their backs, millennials are showing an interest in home buying as a top financial concern, with just over a quarter of them putting money toward this goal and saving for a down payment. On top of saving, many millennials are looking to their parents for some assistance in home buying. Most of their parents at the perfect age to start downsizing and give their kids a step up on the property ladder.

Location

Millennials are all about modernization and convenience; they are migrating to cities that are adapting to a new more modern way of living. When looking for real estate millennials are showing a trend in looking for multi-purpose rooms and unique interior designs such as ceilings. Millennials are looking at large urban centers such as Toronto and Vancouver (expected to expand into Ottawa and Montreal), for condos as they are more affordable and in their budget. These cities offer a large social atmosphere and an expanding work on public transit to make it easier to get around. In the larger cities, they also look at where job growth is happening and become more pulled to looking at real estate in these areas. If you’re looking for more information, on these large urban cities be sure to check out our City Guides page.