Selling a house is, arguably, one of the most stressful adult transitions we experience. There are so many requirements to keep in front of—from keeping the place clean and tidy for your realtor to parade prospective buyers through it, to upgrades, to coordinating movers when the time comes. Add the fact that half your belongings may need to be in storage during this “fun” time, it’s no wonder people, collectively, claim to hate selling/moving.

There’s some good new and there’s some bad news about the selling experience we want to share with you. The good news: this transition can’t go on forever (even if it feels like it’s going to). The bad news: you don’t necessarily know how long until moving day. For those of you left-brainer’s—this part is especially difficult.

Now, you may or may not have some time on your hands during this waiting game. As a long-time employee here at ABS Movers & Storage, I’d like to distract you for a few minutes so you can plan ahead, for when your Toronto, ON home sells. After all, looking ahead is the only way to keep your wits about you while you wait for the right buyer to come along!

1. Be ready to “jump”
   I know it’s hard to plan a move while you wait for your house to actually, sell, but trust me—you’ll be glad you did. Often times, buyers want to move in very quickly after they close. If you aren’t ready to move, you’ll find yourself scrambling to get out. And, as we all know, fast decisions are often the most expensive ones. So, do your research! If you plan to use movers, be sure to find professionals who offer the services you need, such as packing, loading, unloading, moving special items, hauling near/far distances, storage, last-minute moves, etc.
2. Estimate accurately
   Don’t underestimate how much stuff you have to move! When you’re dealing with preliminary quotes with moving companies, tell them exactly the size of your home, include any storage, whether you have extra-large furniture or not, and be honest about being a minimalist or a collector. Whenever possible, have an in-home estimate. The more accurate your estimate, the less your stress!
3. Remember that it’s worth it
   Do your best to remain positive. I know the selling and moving process is grueling, but hang in there. If you have to repeat to yourself over and over the reason why you put your house up for sale, then do it. This whole process is a necessary evil to get to where you want to go next.

The pros here Toronto, ON movers at ABS Movers & Storage want you to know that we’re here for you! We’re in the business of moving and keep stress to a bare minimum. Give us a call and let’s get some of the estimation and pre-planning out of the way—that way we’re ready to go when it sells! See you soon!

ABS Movers & Storage | 17 Dora Ave Toronto, ON M6H 1J5 | (416) 588-1499

You’re human. You’re going to make mistakes. The key is to learn from your own mistakes as well as those of others so you can avoid them in the future. Here at ABS Movers & Storage, our area of expertise is in professional moving and we want to help you avoid the twelve most common mistakes people make when they’re transitioning from one home to another. Check this out!

1. Moving at the “wrong time”
   Only you can answer if you’re choosing a good time to move, financially. Just be honest with yourself: have you saved enough money to cover all costs?
2. You fail to research moving companies
   Knowledge is power, right? Then, know your stuff! Check out three or four different companies to get a feel for what services are offered and compare them to what you need.
3. You assume all movers are bad
   Yes, there are deceitful companies out there that will try to scam you. But, there are also plenty of honest, reputable companies in Ontario. Check out their sites, testimonies, and ratings online.
4. You choose the lowest price point
   Cheap could literally mean Of course, you want to be able to afford your move, but you also want your belongings in good hands. Shoot for the mid-range.
5. You begin packing without a plan
   Packing is the worst. I know it, you know it, everyone knows it. If you choose not to pay for packing services with your chosen moving company (though, I would advise you spring for this added expense; it’s worth it), make a plan. Whether you commit to packing one box each night for a month or one room each weekend—be sure your timeline ends at least 3 days before the movers are to arrive.
6. You forget to label your boxes
   If you’ve made this mistake before, you’ll never do it again. This lengthens the unpacking process significantly.
7. Essentials aren’t set aside in their own box
   There are items you need Set this aside in a “go-bag” or small, easy-access tote. Essentials include:

• Prescriptions
• Toiletries
• A pillow for each family member
• Important documents
• Kitchen utensils
• An outfit or two for each family member
• Pajamas
• Toilet paper

8. Packing boxes halfway
   Less-than-full boxes will allow items to shift and break, and it will be more easily crushed in transit. Do not do this! Even if you have to fill the space with bubble wrap or hand towels—find something that will keep the items inside from moving.
9. You assume moving on your own is cheaper
   I don’t know why people believe this, but it’s just not often true. Remember: you are responsible for any damages you cause (i.e.: extra expense). Plus, if you’re moving far or with specialty items (have you ever moved a hot tub our piano yourself?)—you need the pros.

If you live in the moving company in Mississauga, ON area, give us a call to get a free estimate for your next move! We are happy to serve this community with integrity and professionalism every day!

ABS Movers & Storage | 17 Dora Ave Toronto, ON M6H 1J5 | (416) 588-1499

Soon you’re moving to a new home, you say? That’s so exciting! But, I bet you’re contemplating the same question all families preparing for a move do: should we hire a moving company? I get it—this is not an easy decision. For starters, hiring professional movers feels like an expensive luxury. Believe it or not, though, it usually saves you money (and stress) in the long run!

I know, I know. You think you are stuck in the biggest dilemma: to move without the pros or to move with the help of the pros? The truth is, you already know—deep down—that the better way to move is with the assistance of professional movers. Here’s why:

• They financially back any damages incurred while in their possession
• They take the workload off of you and place it on themselves
• You are given the gift of time, which means less time off work to pack and load
• They handle specialty items (pianos, hot tubs, and antique furniture)

The following six tips will help you traverse the rather overwhelming process of securing a reputable, quality moving company to handle your next move whether you live here in Mississauga, ON or elsewhere.

1. Know the moving costs
   You need to know what to expect before getting too deep into the moving process. We would hate for you to feel surprised by the cost and/or misunderstand your options. Remember, a moving price is estimated on a case-by-case basis. This includes:
   • Size of home
   • Number of rooms in the home
   • Packing services
   • Distance from current home to new home
   • Number of special items
   • Time worked
   • Difficult property nuances (steep hill, tight exits/limited access points)

Even though there is no way to know exactly what the final costs will be, the more accurate the estimate, the more mentally prepared you are for the bill. Get an in-home estimate.

2. Know the warning signs and red flags
   Unfortunately, not all moving companies deliver on their promises to give good service. Luckily, there are ways to “sniff out” these less-than-ideal movers. Here are the most telltale signs a moving company is no good:
   • They refuse an in-home cost estimation. If there is one way to spot deceit in a moving company, this is it. There’s no reason you should hire movers who can’t provide this preparatory service to you.
   • Their prices are too good to be true. If one of your quotes (yes, you should aim to obtain two to three different quotes) is way lower than the others, be on Dishonest movers use this tactic to lure unsuspecting potential customers into a bait-and-switch situation. There will likely be “additional costs” tacked-on somewhere.

Our team here at ABS Movers & Storage thinks there’s an easy way to come to a decision on this “dilemma” and that’s to ask yourself the right questions and seek out the right help for your move. Hopefully, these two key tips will serve you well! Give our courteous and honest movers in Mississauga, ON a call today!

ABS Movers & Storage | 17 Dora Ave Toronto, ON M6H 1J5 | (416) 588-1499

You may have read our previous entry about protecting your floors on Moving Day (if not, check out “Part 1” on the ABS Movers & Storage website under “Our Blog!”); it had a few really helpful tips regarding the heavier items we all have to deal with one way or another during a move.

Today, we want to talk to you about a few other ways to protect your floors from potential damage on moving. Of course, these are tried and true methods we employ here at ABS during all of our moving assignments—but, in case you have decided to handle all or part of your move without the assistance of a professional moving company, we want you to read this little guide!

USE WHAT YOU’VE GOT: Old rugs can come in handy
Any old area rugs you plan not to use in your new home can be used one last time for added protection in your soon-to-be previous home. Place these rugs at entries and exits in the home to help mitigate dirt and dust from being tracked indoors. These also provide extra cushion at pivotal points where accidents tend to happen…

DUAL PURPOSE: Cardboard is a friend of your flooring
Cardboard can do more for you than create boxes in which to place your belongings; it can also protect laminate, hardwood, and tile floors from dirt, rocks, and heavy furniture pieces on their way out. Break down and flatten any boxes you don’t intend to use for packing to create a “walkway” or a “crash site” for heavy furniture that may need to be set down repeatedly (due to weight) as it’s moved.

CLEAN CARPET NEEDS PROTECTION: Plastic film will do the trick
Plastic covering is perfect for rooms with carpeted floors. Moving can be a dirty job—especially in our Etobicoke, ON weather!—and you don’t need the added expense of an additional deep carpet cleaning! Assumedly, you had your carpets professionally cleaned prior to placing it on the market. Why do it a second time when protecting it is so easy?

KEEP IT SIMPLE: Hire a professional moving company
We can list another 5-10 ways you can help yourself avoid added stress and extra spending and protect your carpets and floors but why bother with all of this when there’s a reputable moving company right nearby? Trust the professionals to handle it for you! They know exactly what it takes to protect your home and they should have the insurance to cover any damages in the rare event something does happen. Experienced Toronto, ON movers like the ones here at ABS have various techniques and protocols to keep your flooring safe from dents, gouges, and scrapes!

The professionals at ABS Moers & Storage would love to assist you with your next move! We can handle everything from providing you the right materials to packing and moving everything for you. Give us a try and you’ll see how easy and stress-free your move can be!

ABS Movers & Storage | 17 Dora Ave Toronto, ON M6H 1J5 | (416) 588-1499

Protecting your carpets and floors during the moving process is very important—property damage is no joke. Seriously, there is nothing worse than having everything strategically planned and executed; everything is boxed and packaged with precision, the movers were booked in advance, and all the foreseeable hurdles have been pre-navigated… And then BAM: a gouge in the new hardwood floor you had installed to help get your home sold. An expense like that is not only infuriating, it is completely avoidable.

Oh, AND failure to protect your floors properly will do more than cost you extra money (if you handle your move yourself or if you enlist “free friend help” instead of professional movers); it will also cost you time. Anyone who’s made a big move will tell you there is no extra time on Moving Day—it always feels chaotic. Always. Extra time means extra stress and extra stress means a snowball of problems you do not want to deal with. The combined loss of time (to fix the problem) and money (to fix the problem) has inspired me to write this quick little How to Avoid Damaging Your Floors on Moving Day guide.

Here at ABS Movers & Storage, we know EXACTLY how to keep your floors and carpets safe from accidental damage—but you may not know. So, for those residents in Etobicoke, ON and the Toronto area planning a move sometime soon, keep reading!

HEAVY ITEM NO-NO: No Dragging!
Furniture should never be dragged across the floor; not even across the carpet. If you choose to do so, you are risking damage to the delicate flooring in the form of dents, scratches, torn carpet fibers, and broken tiles. Instead, get assistance! “Two-man carries” are necessary for big pieces like couches and love seats. Chairs and other pieces like dressers and side table can go on rubber-wheeled dollies.

FURNITURE PROTECTION: Use blankets!
Thick blankets like quilts and comforters (or, furniture blankets—we have them here at ABS!) are great for protecting the edges of couches, chairs, and the corners of your bookcases and other pieces. Of course, this will keep the edges and fabric of your pieces from being scratched and damaged, but it will also provide some additional padding if the piece is dropped on your vulnerable floor.

DON’T TRUST JUST ANY TAPE: Use extra and use quality!
Box reinforcement is something too few think about. Use quality tape (again, we have that here at ABS!) to reinforce the bottoms of all your packed boxes—just in case. You see, heavier boxes pose the threat of bursting from too much weight and too weak of tape. The spilled contents could cause a lot of damage to your floors. On that note, be sure your boxes aren’t overfilled.

For more tips like these or to get a free estimate for your next move with our help, give our  moving company in Etobicoke, ON professional team here at ABS Movers & Storage a call!

ABS Movers & Storage | 17 Dora Ave Toronto, ON M6H 1J5 | (416) 588-1499