Month: January 2020

There’s no doubt about it, one of life’s most exciting moments for any family is when they buy their first house. But, while there’s a lot of excitement surrounding this situation, there’s also a lot of things to prepare and do. From planning the upcoming move to hiring professional furniture movers in Toronto to organizing the various renovation projects for the new place, you’ll wish you had a checklist to help you along the way.

Moving from an Apartment to a House? Here’s a Concise Checklist From Our Furniture Movers in Toronto, ON!

Well, luckily, you will with this concise – yet incredibly invaluable – checklist, brought to you by our expert team at Firemen Movers.

1. Figure out what renovations need to be done.

First things first, figure out what needs to be fixed in your new home before your family moves in. Projects, like painting the walls, redoing the floors, and updating the bathroom, are always best done while the house is empty before your furniture movers in Toronto bring in your belongings.

2. Change the locks and make spare keys.

One thing that will make your family feel a lot safer is changing the locks. It’s also relatively inexpensive to do, plus you never know who has a copy of the original key anyway. Once the locks are changed, have a few extra keys cut so you have spares. You can give one to a friend or family member to hold onto in case you’re ever locked out.

3. Get to know the main water valve (and how to shut it off).

It’s essential to know where your main water valve is located– and definitely not something you want to figure out on your own in the middle of a flood. Ask the previous homeowner where it’s located, as well as the ins and outs of the other need-to-know features of your new home.

4. Set up an emergency fund.

When it comes down to it, homeownership comes with its fair share of expenses – many of while can be completely unexpected. Avoid having to borrow money (unless it’s a huge expense that requires it) by opening a savings account and designating it the emergency fund. That way when you need a new appliance or the garage door opener bit the dust, you’ve got it covered.

5. Get referrals for repair or reno experts.

Ideally, it’s always a good idea to make a list of experts to call in case you need their help with repairs or an upcoming renovation project. Ask family, friends, and neighbors for referrals since their positive experience likely ensures you’ll have one too. Jot down essential services like appliance repair, electricians, and plumbers, for instance.

6. Keep a record of upgrades.

At some point in time, you may consider selling your lovely home. Therefore, keep a record of all upgrades, as this will add more value to the house and increase its property value (and get you more money). Also, in case there’s a recall on an appliance or another item, the paperwork or receipts in your files will be helpful in getting the issue fixed.

Moving Soon? 6 Tips From The Best Moving Companies in Ontario!

If your move is down to the wire, then there’s definitely no time to spare. Whether you’re pulling a DIY job or considering enlisting one of the moving companies in Ontario, then stick to these following 6 invaluable tips to get you on your way faster!

1. Figure Out the Transportation Logistics First.

First things first, you need to figure out the logistics of your transport immediately. Will you be renting a truck and doing the loading and unloading on your own? Or will you be using professional movers instead? Whatever the case may be, iron out the details first – and quickly – so you know exactly what to do next.

2. Free Up your Home Before you Pack.

Before you succumb to the urge to just pack everything in your house, take the time to free up your closets. That means go through all your belongings and decide what stays and what goes. After piling up the items you no longer want, now you need to figure out what will be thrown away, what will be recycled, and what will be donated. This step will not only save you space on the truck, but it will also save you money as you’ll be packing fewer things.

3. Pack an Essentials Bag for the Move.

Gather and pack your essentials before you start packing. This bag should hold very important items like a change of clothes, toiletries, phone chargers, valuable documents, and medications, for example.

4. Don’t Overthink the Packing Process.

If you have all the time in the world, you would be able to carefully prepare things for packing according to items that need to remain together. Unfortunately, when it comes to a last-minute move, time is of the essence. So, don’t overthink the process and just pack! Place items where they fit in the boxes, ensuring they’re packed safely and properly. So, if that means filling your filing cabinet with the spare lightbulbs and board games, then taping it shut, so be it! Just make sure to label fragile items – don’t skip that step!

5. Call in the Troops!

Don’t hesitate to ask for help with your move. Be it family members or friends, the more hands-on deck then the faster the packing will be. Many moving companies in Ontario can also send packers to assist with this process.

6. Leave the Big Stuff to Professionals

There’s a huge perk to enlisting the services of expert moving companies in Ontario. They have experienced, knowledgeable movers that have the right equipment to transfer big, heavy items, so you don’t have to worry about how to relocate everything. This can be especially helpful with a last-minute move.

Call Firemen Movers Today!

Give us a call at Firemen Movers today to find out more about how we can help make your move stress-free and simple.

10 Fun Facts to Know Before Moving to Toronto

If moving to Toronto is in your near future, then you may be interested to know these 10 fun facts about one of Canada’s largest cities. An international hotspot and multicultural haven, it is home to world-famous landmarks like the CN Tower and the Hockey Hall of Fame. Curious for more about Lake Ontario’s north-western shore city? Get to know some juicy tidbits with our comprehensive guide, thanks to our team at Firemen Movers in Toronto, Ontario.

1. Canada’s Largest City.

With a population of over 3 million residents, Toronto is Canada’s largest city. Nicknamed “the city that never sleeps,” be prepared for Canada’s equivalent of New York City, with the constant hustle-bustle of people day and night, smells from international cuisine, lots of noise, and streets that are always busy.

2. A Pricey Housing Market.

There’s a shortage of available housing in Toronto currently, and because of this, you may have a difficult time finding affordable living accommodations. It’s very common for people to spend a chunk of their salary on rent or mortgage.

3. A Multilingual Haven.

While English and French are Canada’s official languages, you’ll hear a plethora of different languages in T.O. As a major multicultural hub, you’re bound to hear languages from all around the world. However, the vast majority of people from elsewhere speak English as a second language to be able to function in the city.

4. Easy Access to Public Transportation.

Public transportation is a popular, affordable way of getting around the city. Not only do many people rely on the subway, but there’s also taxis, busses, streetcars, the ferry for water transport, and a bikeshare program.

5. A Safe Place to Live.

The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Report conducts a “Livability Survey” each year, Toronto was ranked 4^th safest out of 60 major Canadian cities. As such, it’s an extremely popular place for families to move to.

6. A Mecca for Art and Culture.

Toronto is well-known for being a Canadian mecca for art and culture. Throughout the year, they have about 80 film festivals in the city. Toronto is also the headquarters of approximately 200 performing arts organizations and sees about 66% more artists than any other city in the country.

7. Green, Green All Around!

Although the city has numerous skyscrapers and condo developments as far as the eye can see, you’ll also spy plenty of green spaces throughout Toronto. With over 1,600 parks, plus several hundreds of KMs of trails for walking, running, and cycling, it’s chock-full of greenery to enjoy outdoors.

8. Lots of Neighborhoods to Check Out.

If you’re movers in Toronto, Ontario already, then you’ve probably found the perfect home for your family in the city. However, if you haven’t already, there are over 140 neighborhoods to check out and see which one would suit you best.

9. Bars and Pubs Close at 2AM.

In case the city nightlife interests you and you plan on checking out the local bars and pubs, these places normally close up shop at 2AM.

10. Brunch Central.

Toronto is also known for having lots of great brunch places, like Aunties & Uncles, Emma’s Country Kitchen, and Lady Marmalade. For those that love late breakfasts, there are lots of tasty eateries to try.

Call Firemen Movers in Toronto, Ontario for help with your upcoming relocation. Contact us today to find out more about our industry competitive rates and experienced, knowledgeable crew.