Category: Moving

Moving Across the Border? 3 Tips to Make Cross Border Transfers Stress-Free

At Firemen Movers, our international movers have overseen virtually countless transfers from Canada to the US and vice versa. No matter how small or big the move is, each individual household comes with its own set of unique limitations and requirements. If you want to avoid unnecessary delays at the border, then ultimately, hiring professional international movers will ensure a positive experience. Nonetheless, here are a few considerations to take into account when planning your upcoming relocation.

Paperwork

As overwhelming as it sounds, cross border transfers all involve paperwork. This is an especially essential aspect because if you’re lacking the right documentation, you’re simply going to run into roadblocks. Whether you’re a Canadian citizen moving to the US, a US citizen moving to Canada or a Landed Immigrant moving to one of these countries, you’ll need the correct documentation to be filled out.

Prohibited Goods

Although some people may know very well what they can and cannot bring across the border, others may not have a clear picture. Certainly, many things have changed over the years, but basically prohibited goods are:

• Ammunition
• Explosives
• Fireworks
• Goods made from endangered species
• Protected wildlife

Packing

Ultimately, you’ll need to keep in mind that, even with all your paperwork in place, you may still be required to pull over for an inspection. In fact, you should always plan for it, just in case. Therefore, when packing up your belongings, ensure every single item has a clearly marked label on it, indicating the contents of the container. Also, mark fragile items accordingly, in case they need to be moved or searched. In the event of an inspection, keep plenty of packing tape handy to close the boxes up again.

Hire Professional International Movers

In the end, the best choice is to place your cargo in the hands of industry experts. A reputable company, like Firemen Movers, provides experienced, knowledgeable cross-border international movers that will be with you every step of the way. Why attempt such a stressful, exhausting relocation on your own when you don’t need to? With specialized services available to oversee packing, loading, shipping, and set-up upon arrival, you can start planning your upcoming cross-border move with a smile!

Call our experts at Firemen Movers for a free, no-hassle quote and to get more information on our various transfer packages and services.

At Firemen Movers, we know all too well how difficult it can be to move to a new province. However, when you take the time to truly plan and prepare for the relocation in advance, it can not only ensure things run smoothly but also relive a lot of the pressure you’re feeling. Our professional team would like to help you out with your big move by highlighting a few considerations you should keep in mind.

3 Things to Consider When Moving to a Different Province

1. Complete Your Paperwork

Before the big day, it is of utmost importance to complete all the change of address and residency forms well ahead of time. Notify the following organizations once you have your new address:

• Canada Post
• Canada Revenue Agency
• Elections Canada (to ensure you’re still properly registered to vote)
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Transportation (to update your driver’s license, license plates, and vehicle registration)
• Service Canada

Of course, it may be hard to remember every single organization to contact. As such, creating a checklist and sticking to it will save you tons of time, aggravation, and even costs down the road.

2. Register for Health Care Coverage

Each province has its own type of healthcare. So, when you move to a new one, figuring out what to do can be confusing. Usually, depending on how temporary or permanent your relocation is, things can get even more confusing. Ultimately, you’ll need to register for coverage once you arrive at your destination. Though, ideally, you should contact the provincial health institution that oversees health care before your move. Make sure you’re not left without any health coverage at all by opting for private insurance, even if it’s temporary until benefits kick in.

3. Get Peace-of-Mind with Professionals

As you’ve likely imagined, the most intense part of a transfer is physical labor. While you want to treat your belongings with the utmost care, whether they’re valuable or otherwise, as the move progresses things can get out of hand. Luckily, at Firemen Movers, our industry specialists can take care of every detail of your relocation, from beginning to end, with services like:

• Appliance Servicing
• Customs and document assistance
• Fine Arts Services
• Packing
• Pet Relocation
• Vehicle Transportation

When you hire a professional team, you gain skilled, qualified movers that greatly reduce your stress. While they oversee the physical aspect of your transfer, you can focus on starting your next adventure and getting settled in your new home.

We can help you with your big day, starting with a free, no-hassle quote. Call us today at Firemen Movers to get started!

The fact of the matter is there are simply no moving protocols to revert to during times of pandemic crisis. Currently, the industry is coming up with new guidelines to keep both movers and clients safe. At Firemen Movers, we prefer to keep up-to-date with the latest recommendations given by Health Canada and the WHO. As such, we’ve set in place many necessary restrictions that ensure a smooth relocation during the current global situation. If your seniors or college kids need assistance moving home, then you can use the following suggestions to keep your loved ones safe during these times.

Staying Safe While Moving During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Be Transparent About Symptoms

Above all else, it is of the utmost importance to be transparent about your symptoms with your movers. Remember, we’re all in this together. So, to keep everyone involved safe, it’s essential to provide us with all the details. In doing so, we’ll use additional protocols that allow you to self-isolate while we carry-out the transfer without others on-site.

Provide Hygiene Products

Help your movers keep further sanitized by providing them with hygiene products. While they typically keep hand sanitizer with them, it can further assure cleanliness to allow them access to a sink and soap, along with paper towels as well. If you’re worried you won’t have enough supplies, then let your team know so they can bring along extras.

Avoid Using Recycled Boxes

As the leading packing company in Toronto, we often highlight the importance of using new materials during the coronavirus pandemic. As the virus lives on surfaces like cardboard or plastic for some time, it is crucial to ensure you do not use anything that’s been used by other people. Of course, it’s safe to use containers you already have in the home. Feel free to contact our packing company in Toronto if you need extra supplies delivered.

Postpone Your Move If You Can

If it’s at all possible, then postpone your move, especially if you’re in a high-risk group. Do this as early as you can, so as to provide your movers with the information, which will allow them to cancel preparations on their end without too many problems.

Stay Safe with Firemen Movers

At Firemen Movers, our goal is to help you stay safe. Call us today for more information on our various services or to schedule a free moving estimate. As a trusted moving and packing company in Toronto, you’re assured excellent support for a positive move.

6 Tips to Stay Cool While Moving in Summer

Come summertime, there’ll be plenty of people moving under the hot, blazing sun. But doing all that hard work under scalding heat can really ignite your stress levels. Whether you’ve gathered your friends for some moving assistance or you’re helping your professional movers with some finishing touches, you’ll want to be extra careful not to overexert yourself. Check out the following 6 tips to stay cool during your move.

1. Start early

If you can, then start your move super early in the morning to avoid doing most of the hard work under peak-hour sun, which is from around 11 a.m. to about 4 p.m. If you’ve enlisted one of the moving companies in Mississauga, then try calling them at least a few weeks in advance to see if you can set your move time to early morning.

2. Wear lightweight clothing and use sunscreen

Loose-fitting, light-weight clothing in lighter colors will make you feel less hot. Don’t forget sunscreen so you avoid getting a sunburn.

3. Wear safe footwear

On moving day, skip the flip flops and sandals. What you need is protective footwear to keep your feet safe. Sneakers not only cover your entire foot and provide ample protection, they’re also very comfortable – something you’ll surely need on your big day!

4. Stay hydrated

Make sure that you and your chosen team stays hydrated. Though moving companies in Mississauga oblige their crew to wear proper protective gear, they don’t necessarily provide their movers with the correct amount of water before their shift. It’s always a nice gesture to keep extra water on hand for them too.

5. Keep snacks on hand

Although the summer heat tends to make most people lose their appetite, it’s still essential to snack throughout the day to maintain your energy. Sweating excessively causes the body to lose salt, so eat a healthy snack and replenish your body with electrolytes to replace what’s lost.

6. Mark boxes that are heat-sensitive

Artwork, computer equipment, and electronics are just a few items that are sensitive to heat. Make sure to clearly mark their containers to ensure they’re well-protected and not left in the sun accidentally for a long period of time.

Moving Companies in Mississauga

Looking for reliable, professional moving companies in Mississauga for your next relocation? Call on the industry experts at Firemen Movers! Experienced, knowledgeable specialists who go the distance to give you the best move possible.

Dealing with Professional Movers? 6 Signs You’ve Hired Experts!

​Need to organize your upcoming relocation but worried about which professional movers to hire? Don’t worry, our Firemen Movers will help guide you through this stressful decision! Here are 6 signs you’ve hired an expert transfer team.

1. Industry-Recognised Company

Aside from selling moving boxes and supplies, industry-recognized movers typically have a familiar brand name. That’s not to say the professionals you’ve hired aren’t good because they run a smaller set-up. Rather, regardless of how big or small their company is, experts normally have a long-lasting, positive reputation.

2. Customer Ratings and Reviews

Positive feedback, be it word of mouth or online reviews, hold great value. Excellent ratings usually signify you’re dealing with an experienced, knowledgeable team. If people are happy to give you their contact information along with a good story about their move, then chances are you’re in the right hands.

3. Flexible Pricing and Payment Options

Movers with a solid reputation more often than not will offer pricing that’s competitive. As well as providing their clients with friendly advice, various services, moving boxes, and supplies, they also make it easy for you to choose different payment options.

4. Free, On-Site Assessment

For the most part, professional movers have no issues giving a free, on-site assessment. Don’t place your trust in an online quote, because those are often calculated loosely with many factors left out. What you want is a clearly detailed evaluation to give you a good idea of end costs.

5. Documentation

What separates the pros from potential scammers? Ask for documentation! Proof of certification and insurance is a sign you’re speaking to real movers – not just some people who sell moving boxes and supplies and offer moving services on the sly.

6. Brick and Mortar Business

Lastly, what you want to see is an actual, physical location of their business. Don’t just take Google’s word that they exist somewhere on the internet. Take the time to go and visit them, not just drive by their space to see what it looks like. If they run their company out of an actual brick and mortar location, then you’re most likely dealing with experts.

Contact Firemen Movers

Call Firemen Movers for reliable, experienced moving services. Contact us by phone or via our inquiry page and schedule a free, no-obligation quote. We’d be happy to meet with you to discuss your upcoming relocation and help you figure out what types of options you’d need.

As a renter in an apartment unit, you’re likely limited as to how much you can decorate. While some places restrict what you can actually do to decorate your space, some folks may simply not want to spend too much money bettering someone else’s property. Regardless of your particular situation and reasons, our local movers in Toronto have the following 5 tips to spruce up your space without spending too much money.

1. Fill your unit with beautiful artwork.

There are plenty of places to find inexpensive artwork like framed prints, professional photographs, and paintings. Also, it’s relatively simple to affix them to the walls yourself – a simple YouTube video will help! However, if you’d rather not leave holes in your walls, sturdy adhesive hangers provide you with a means to hang up your art without damaging anything.

2. Add new light fixtures to rooms.

Adding new light fixtures is a great way to change the look of a home, so long as you hang onto the original ones and reinstall them before moving out. Light fixtures are an affordable upgrade that really does wonders for a room.

3. Change up the hardware in the kitchen.

Freshen up the kitchen by swapping the knobs on cupboards and handles on drawers with something new. You can also do this in the bathroom too for a shockingly low-cost makeover. Again, like the light fixtures, hang onto the old hardware and put them back on once you decide to leave the apartment.

4. Try wall decals as an alternative to painting.

Make to work just like giant stickers, wall decals will certainly make decorating your unit a whole lot easier. Forget about painting your place, then repainting it back to the original color before moving out. Instead, wall decals offer a peel-and-stick option that adheres easily and peels off just as quickly. The best part is they don’t leave behind a sticky residue!

5. Decorate with furniture you love!

Since you’re renting an apartment, you’re not stuck paying home insurance or saving up for that emergency fund in case something bad happens. So, why not invest in some lovely, unique pieces that will stay with you forever? Choose furniture and décor that’s versatile and long-lasting to give your apartment a high-style, elegant appearance.

For Local Movers in Toronto, Call Firemen Movers

Your apartment can look absolutely amazing, you just need to get creative, use your imagination, and come up with ideas to make your apartment your own! Give your local movers in Toronto a call at Firemen Movers for quality services, friendly support, and cost-effective pricing.

Overwhelmed by All the Clutter? Make Packing Less Stressful with our Pro Advice

If you’ve lived in the same place for many years, then chances are you’ve accumulated a significant number of things. While some folks might keep their home ultra-organized, the reality is most of us don’t – living in a messy clutter that’s simply become the norm. As such, the idea of packing may give you a giant headache. Where should you start? How will you get through it all?

Before you begin to feel completely in a tizzy, we have the following advice to simplify the whole moving process. As one of the leading moving companies in Ontario, Firemen Movers are here when you need us!

Expert Moving Companies in Ontario Share Advice on De-Cluttering Before Your Move

Start with a Serious Organizational Shakeup

Before you begin packing, try to organize all your items. This is an essential step since the last thing you need is to pay extra to move things you don’t want or need. Create three piles in each room: Keep, Sell, and Donate. The things you wish to keep will be packed once you finish sorting through everything. The things you want to sell can be sold at a garage sale or via an online app like Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji. Gently used items can be given away or donated. Things that don’t fall within any of these categories because they’re too damaged or defective can be recycled or repurposed.

Separate your Essentials

Now, before you just go ahead and pack everything up after organizing your home, stop for a minute! It’s important to separate the items you’ll need right away on moving day once you’ve arrived at your new home. Basically, you’ll want to separate towels, bed linens, toiletries, a change of clothes, and a few dishes and cutlery, which will tide you over until you’re completely settled in.

Clearly Label Every Container

Speed up the move-in process astronomically with clearly detailed labels. Don’t just write which room the box goes in, but rather write out a list of everything that’s in the box, too. When you’re desperately searching for something the day after you transfer, you’ll be thanking us because it will take you minutes to find, thanks to the labels.

Use “To Do” Lists to Keep Everything in Order

Check out the relocation apps available for free nowadays. They’re excellent tools to help you stay organized when things get crazy. Plus, some of them give you “To Do” lists and other checklists to keep you on track.

Moving Companies in Ontario

Hopefully, you’ve found our advice helpful and use some of the pointers before the big day arrives. And, as usual, if you need dependable, experienced moving companies in Ontario for your upcoming transfer, give us a call at Firemen Movers!

So, you’ve just bought a new home – congratulations! But now, you’ll need professional GTA moving services to help you with your upcoming relocation. There’s a whole lot to do before your big day arrives, from organizing to packing to changing your contact information. Good thing our experts at Firemen Movers in Toronto, Ontario have put together these following 6 tips to make your transfer super simple.

Looking For GTA Moving Services? Firemen Movers Can Help!

Simplify your Upcoming Move with These 6 Pro Tips!

1. Go through everything and purge!

Whatever you do, don’t skip this essential step! Go through all your belongings and remove everything you no longer need. After separating them, you can decide if you want to sell them, give them away or recycle them at an appropriate facility. In doing so, you won’t be paying GTA moving services to transfer items you had no intention of keeping in the first place!

2. Hire a professional moving company.

By hiring a professional moving company, you’ll be taking a huge step towards making your relocation stress-free. A specialized team can oversee every aspect of your move, from start to finish, so you don’t have to organize, pack or even lift a finger!

3. Choose premium moving supplies.

While you may be tempted to use those free boxes you got at the grocery store, the truth is they’re likely structurally too weak to protect your belongings properly. Whether they were exposed to the elements or simply overused, you’re better off using new boxes that are specifically designated for moving.

4. Pack well-ahead of time.

Don’t wait until the last minute to pack your items, it’s too much to do when you’re down to the wire. Ideally, you should start boxing items a few months in advance – at the very least 8 weeks ahead of the big day. If you do a bit every day, then the task won’t seem so overwhelming.

5. Change your address before the move.

Believe it or not, many people leave this to the last minute or even forget to transfer utilities before the move. Give companies at least two weeks in advance to transfer their services, although it would be best to give them a good two months to do so to avoid any hassles on your part or surcharges.

6. Label containers like a pro.

Speed up move-out and move-in time by adding detailed labels to all containers. This seemingly small action can save you a ton of time – and a whole lot of headaches!

Looking for professional GTA moving services to simplify your upcoming relocation? Give us a call at Firemen Movers to find out more about our transfer plans, or to book a free, no-obligation estimate.

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.