1. Distance
“The longer the move the harder it becomes, so we always recommend professionals for long-distance moves,” says David, CEO of Quick Movers. 
If you’re moving to a new city or Province, a lot can go wrong. If the truck is packed incorrectly, for example, you’ll have several risky Kilometers where your stuff could get damaged. That is, if you even get there.
“Rented trucks can break down, and that’s a hassle to deal with,” David says. “Moving companies have backup trucks that can come meet the broken-down truck without much time lost during the move.”


2. Time
If you’re moving locally, you should also evaluate how much time you have to spend moving.
If you’re pressed for time, professionals might make more sense.
“A move that could take a professional moving company two hours could easily take nonprofessionals all day to accomplish,” David says.
If you have a full day—or ideally a full weekend—to move, you can save some money and ask your friends for help. Sure, there are going to be arguments discussions about how to load the truck and your friends are probably going to take several breaks to complain chat, but in the end it might even be fun. (OK, at least cheaper.)

3. Skill sets
Moving isn’t just about carrying boxes. Take an honest look at what skills your friends are bringing to the table and see if they match your moving job.
For example, if you don’t have much furniture (or much furniture you care about), you might not need a pro. But if you do own a lot of furniture or complicated-to-assemble pieces, your friends (especially the good-hearted but clumsy ones) might not be the best choice to get the job done.
“Anytime you are dismantling and mantling furniture, it’s good to have a professional that does that kind of thing every day,” David says.
Also consider logistics. Will your friends be able to get your stuff out of your old place and into your new one?
“Stairs make a move a lot more challenging,” Reid says. “And so does large furniture, because a lot of nonprofessionals run into trouble when they have to get large furniture through difficult doorways.”

​When to compromise If you’re on a tight budget but also worried your friends will break everything, there may be a compromise. Rather than pay for a full-service move, hire a professional for the worst, most grueling part.
“Loading is really most difficult and important part of the move,” David says.
And many pros are willing to come out and help you load a rental truck for a modest fee. Maybe you’ll still want to tap your friends for the unloading part. After all, they’re still your friends, right? At least for one more move.

1. Bend at the knees and keep your back straight. Lift with your legs, not with your back.

2. Wear moving gloves with special grips to keep items from slipping out of your grasp.

3. Get help to lift and carry items that are large or unwieldy (even if they’re not heavy).

4. Clear a path free of tripping or slipping hazards.

5. Carry items close to your body/center of gravity.

6. Take your time, lifting and walking slowly.

7. Don’t carry more than one box or item at a time unless you using a moving trolley

8. Don’t rush, run, or carry items through areas that contain obstructions or tripping hazards.

9. Don’t attempt to carry items that feel too heavy for you.

10. Don’t carry items on your shoulders or head.

11. Don’t twist or stoop while carrying heavy items.

12. Always stretch before and after lifting and carrying.

13. Pay attention to your body and if something doesn’t feel right, stop immediately.

​14. Always make use of handles and grips when available, and repair or reinforce boxes that are damaged before attempting to move them.

Physical Address :
They should have a website. After all, this is the 21 century when technology makes things much easier. Besides, finding customers is easier when you are present on the internet. Why is this important? Usually scammers don’t have a website because they don’t want to be tracked down – they are simply looking for gullible people who pay cash.

Quality movers reviews.
Reading reviews to find out which companies are reliable – it goes without saying this is important. But no worries – this is how to recognize fake reviews. Reviews in reliable websites like Reviews.co.uk / Hellpeter.comare written by people like you who have moved so it is good to see some opinions of a mover before hiring it.Additional landmarks you could use.
You can check if the mover is a member of a Professional  Association. Usually this means that the company is striving to provide more quality by following higher standards of work. And this is good, right?
A quality mover will not just give you quote, but will also be ready to answer questions you may have before booking them.

The quote.
If all you’ve seen and read about a particular moving company is pleasing you, then it is time to proceed to getting a quote from them. You can use our form – of course, it is free. By getting a quote you will be able to compare quality movers and packers by their pricing. Remember that the cheapest mover may not offer best services and there may be some hidden charges that are legitimate but you are not being told about.

They will accept customers in their office.
If they have one. Quality moving and packing companies will not just have an office but if you want to see it and see the trucks they use, you will be welcome. It goes without saying that scammers will not have an address or if they give you one, there will be something different on this address like another company that has never heard of who you are looking for.They should be responsive. A quality moving company will be helpful, it will answer your questions and will provide you with necessary information. They should be able to explain how the moving process will go for you – what is the best way to pack things (if you have fragile items of high value they could offer crates), could they dismantle electronics, do they offer cleaning services as well, what is the liability they provide, etc. A mover should realize that you may have many questions regarding the organization of the relocation, which is typical for someone who has no or little experience with moving, and they should be ready to assist you.
It is important to distinguish quality movers - they will make your relocation smoother and easier.

Payment Methods.
Be careful when it comes to payments – quality movers and packers will accept means of payment different from cash. If they insist on being paid in cash only, then move on to the next company in your list. Another criteria to recognize quality movers is that they usually ask for a deposit that is about 50% of the total moving cost, so if the moving company asks you for a lot more than that as a deposit like 80% or the whole sum in cash, this should ring a bell that you may be dealing with moving scam.

It may sound like it is not necessary to make a quality check of your movers but we hope that now after you’ve read these useful tips, you have changed your mind for your own safety. It is good to be able to distinguish between moving companies that give their best for their customers – this is the kind of mover you should be looking for, and those companies that care about nothing other than getting paid. You my be thinking that there is no difference between those two types or that if there is, it is not a significant one, but if you have had one good and one bad moving experience, you will know you are on the right track with these tips.
As a last tip:
Remember to always ask question if you don’t understand something and always make sure you understand the answer. Any deviation from this rule could cost you a lot of money. Other than that, we can now wish you good luck in finding your quality mover for your relocation!

Size mattersWhen it comes to moving boxes, there is a perfect size—and it might not be what you think.
M. Irwin, relocation expert  recommends hoarding small boxes. Often called “book boxes,” these boxes come in at 1.5 cubic feet. Small boxes “are easy to carry and load,” says Irwin, noting that they’re especially helpful if you do most of your moves yourself. “If a box becomes too heavy, the items inside can tear it up.”
Typically, you can get rid of your largest boxes—including appliance boxes, wardrobe boxes, and commercial bin–size boxes.“It is almost impossible to carry and load those boxes,” Irwin says. And even when they’re flat as pancakes, those massive boxes are tough to store.
Put your needs firstOnce you’ve stowed away the small (and movable) boxes and tossed the biggest ones, you’ll be left with a mishmash of sizes and shapes. So, consider your needs. Not everything is going to fit in a small box. Like, um, your sea kayak. Or your TV. Or lighter, oddly shaped items such as lamps, large vases, and serving trays. For those smaller items, do a test run and see what can fit into your medium-size boxes, but keep this in mind: Don’t cram a million heavy small things into a large box if you want an easy move.
Let it go, let it goAs a society, we have a strange habit of holding on to the box something came in. From the giant flat-screen TV box to the boxes for all of our small appliances, you’re likely holding on to at least half the boxes—and all the packing materials—for everything you own.The thing is, those boxes will hold only one thing. And while your blender might feel very secure in its perfect egg carton shell and custom-fit box—if you go this route—you’ll be moving twice as many boxes as you need to.
Unless it’s something incredibly fragile or incredibly dear to your heart, do yourself (and your storage space) a favor and toss those boxes. If you can’t bring yourself to toss, at least chuck the packing material.
“It is so easy to find new packing material when you need it,” Irwin says.
Don’t want no scrubsFinally, take a hard look at your saved boxes. Your move might have been a battle—but if those boxes have battle scars, it’s time for the recycling bin. Bottom line: “If the box is torn, dirty, or crumpled, throw it away. You do not need it,” Irwin says. And don’t forget to give the inside a good whiff. Seriously. If you moved cleaning products, your spice cabinet, or your unwashed clothes, the cardboard might absorb the smell forever. And if it smells now, whatever you pack inside could end up smelling later. Once you’re playing for keeps, cut the tape on both sides, fold your boxes flat, and store them in a stack in a dry environment until next time.

Tips on Moving Back in With Parents

Set some rules for everyone. On the one hand, you may not be a little girl or a little boy any more, and your parents need to understand that. Ask them to knock on your door before entering and if there are other things which you need, make your requests. It will help your parents understand you. On the other hand, be considerate of your parents’ feelings, too. That is leaving your room a total mess and not helping out with the housework may not be very good ideas. Discuss with your parents what their expectations are for your stay at their house or apartment so everyone is clear and happy with them.

Be clear about who needs what.Since you are no longer a kid, talk about money with your parents. May be they cannot afford to pay off your car loan and need you to participate in the expenses that every home and family has. Don’t be shy to have this conversation with your parents as well. Being clear about everyone’s duties and responsibilities will help both you and them to feel comfortable. It is OK to be honest and upfront with your parents.Perhaps you won't feel like getting calls from your folks every five minutes, just because it's past midnight and you're not home yet. So, set some ground rules!

Set the clock. You need motivation to make a step into the direction that you want. That is be clear about why you are moving back home with your parents and how long you’re going to be staying there. Discuss this with them so they are clear with your goal and can be supportive. Do you just need some place to stay for a few months before university starts or do you want to stay until you find the right job for you?

Keep your life. Keep your friends, hobbies, interests, etc. – pretty much everything you liked doing before moving back to parents’ house. Most likely you’ve gotten out of the habit of living with your folks so sticking to things that you regularly do will help you gradually make the transition between living on your own/ in college/ with roommates/ etc. to living with mum and dad again. Perhaps your mum will be worried if you’re not back home by 3 a.m. Your parents may need time to get used to seeing the new you after you have lived away for a while, so give them some time to get to know your new way of life.

Get advantage of the opportunity.May be it is the way your mum can put stains off clothes or the way your dad uses his tools, but try to have fun and learn new things. Try to find some benefits of moving back with parents, especially if this is the last thing you wanted, and for sure you will spot many. If you had other plans, don’t be sad, make the best of where you are while working your way towards your goal.

Author Pamela Smith

How to Move a Fridge By Yourself

Moving a fridge by yourself could be a tough job, especially if the fridge is a big one. When considering the best way to move a refrigerator it is important to have in mind the safety for the people doing the work – whether that be yourself or someone else, and the protection of the item being prepared for a move and transported as well.

Prepare For the Move

Remove the food, cosmetics and medicine from the fridge before relocating it.
That is why the first thing to do is to get the fridge ready for what’s about to come next. Unplug the fridge and pack the cord in a plastic bag. Disconnect the water if you have an ice-maker. Surely you understand that all the content of your refrigerator must be taken out before you proceed with the move. There should be nothing in it since during the move it will surely shift while inside and may damage the fridge. Take out the food, ice, cosmetics, medicines and whatever else you may be keeping in the fridge. You can give away the food or make a plan how to consume all of it, plus the frozen items, before the move itself. Do you need to defrost your fridge? That could take some time as well, so plan it ahead. You can do it the night before the move and just clean it in the morning.

After you’re done with those things, remove the other items that belong to the fridge like trays and shelves. Do it even if you are moving a refrigerator short distance like in order to clean behind it. In this way there will be no risk of spilling drinks inside or breaking bottles or jars because of the move. If you will be moving long distance, wrap the removable items from your fridge with bubble wrap or towels to protect them, label them and put them together in one or two boxes, if possible, along with the power cord. In this way the process of unwrapping and setting up the refrigerator in your new home will be easier for you. You may not want to keep movable items within the refrigerator as there is still a risk for them to shift, even if you tape them – for example, the vibrations that come out as a result when the fridge is being transported could also cause glass to crack and you don’t want that. If you have time, clean the fridge and its removable parts before packing them. If not, you can do this after the move is over and before plugging in your fridge again.

Once you’re ready, it is time to secure the fridge doors. If there are handles, tie them together. Make sure the doors are well closed and use rope to secure them. Don’t over tighten the ropes or they could shift the doors. Tape is not a good idea – it is neither that strong, nor that a clean option as it could leave stains and residue on the finish of the fridge or even damage it. If the fridge will be out of use for a while or you want to store it, the doors should be left slightly ajar in order to prevent any mold from growing there.


Always use helpers for moving your fridge - even if it is a small one!


Always Move a Refrigerator Upright!

Get people to help you with the move – at least one person, besides yourself. In order to move a fridge short distance, use rollers, and for long distance – a dolly with straps. The right equipment may be tempting for you to try and do it yourself, but you risk your health and the safety of your fridge as well in this way. But once you have to maneuver around the hallway, stairs, through the door, etc. it is easier if you have a friend with you or you hire moving labor. It is not a good idea to move a fridge on its side or back because the coolant in it or the oil in the compressor could leak. Lift the fridge carefully from one of its sides and slowly slide it onto the dolly. If you really must place the fridge on its side, try to do it under an angle to prevent leakages because if they occur, the oil may not fully return to the compressor once the fridge is in upright position again and it may not be able to function normally any longer. If you have to go up or down the stairs, go one step at a time and definitely get a helper to assist you. Be very, very careful. When moving the fridge inside the truck or trailer, best thing would be if there is a ramp that you could use. If there is no ramp, there should be one person on the vehicle to pull up and two people down by the fridge to lift it simultaneously. You should secure the fridge once it is inside the truck with ropes so it won’t be able to move once the truck is on its way.

When you’ve shipped your fridge to your new home, use the same steps to bring it inside, unpack it and start using it again. Just wait for a few hours for the liquids in the fridge to go back to their place before plugging it. Allow for a couple of days for the refrigerator to return to its normal cooling abilities.

Author Pamela Smith

First Day In New Home Checklist

Thank the movers. If you are happy with their work, you can tip them. In addition, if you have some drinks and snacks for them to take a small break, they will surely be grateful to you and do even a better job when once full of more energy. If you want to have the job done faster, you can also help them unload. Unless of course you have requested a luxury move when the movers are paid to do everything that is part of your relocation up to setting up your new home.

Check if the appliances are working properly and if all switches are functioning. You don’t want to end up in a cold home because there’s something wrong with the heating and you didn’t check it when moving in. This is important because if there are appliances or anything else to fix you can include it in your to-do tasks and take care of it as soon as you can. Also change the locks.

Use the cleaning supplies you already have or run down to the closest supermarket to get the basic things you need. Depending on the condition of your new home, clean up the most obvious things like cobwebs, dust and the floor. You can go scrub the tiles of the bathroom and clean up the windows when you have more time. Now is the time to take care of a basic cleaning so you can start arranging the furniture and unpacking the boxes.
You can do the unpacking yourself or involve your kids as well. If they are too young, you can give them some toys to keep them busy while you are unpacking.

Take care of what you (and your family) needs. Heat the boiler, order some snacks, put the kettle on, etc. Don’t waste extra energy on cooking, if you don’t have the time to do it. If you are into a healthy diet you can get fresh fruits and veggies at the nearest market and some raw nuts. Salads are nutritious and easy to make which is precisely what you need right now.
The unpacking. Begin by setting the bed so that when you are tired and want some rest, you can get it right away and you won’t need to wonder where to get some extra energy from in order to prepare the bed. Next, open up the essentials box with basic things that you will need like a clean set of clothes, toiletries, etc. Keep it handy during the first day in our new place.

Keep the kids busy. You can give them some small tasks to do like bring you smaller boxes for unpacking or if they are very little, arrange for them a playground area in one of the rooms with toys to keep them entertained (and out of your way). You can give the teenagers the freedom to do some arrangements in their own room. Put the furniture in and together with them bring in the boxes. Let the children do the arrangement of their rooms the way they feel like! Involving them in the moving process will be beneficial for them as they will do some work and this will save you time and effort, too.

Meet the locals. When into the local supermarket ask around for things you need like a DIY store, for example, or a nice place for having dinner. Often times you can get useful info in this way. Of course, there is always the internet where you can look up things but the info from locals will be much more precise as they may be able to answer questions like which restaurant is more suitable for families with kids or for couples that want a romantic night out, for instance, depending on your preferences.

Celebrate! After doing all the work you did it is time to get a break and have some nice time. If you feel like you have the energy to do it, you can have an evening out with your family. Go to a nice, quiet place to have dinner and pop a bottle of champagne for the new beginning in your life. If you’re all exhausted, order some food and celebrate in the comfort of your new home. This is one of the must-do things on the first day in a new house – give yourself some positive emotions and experience because you deserve it!

These are the main things to do on first day in the new house or flat. It is a lot indeed, but these are really essentials that you need on the first day in a new house or apartment. What do you think? Do you have more tips to add to this checklist? Make a comment to share them with us and with our readers!

Author Pamela Smith