Planning, preparation, and reading this guide; these are the three things that will make long-distance moving in Toronto easier. Whether you are moving a house or a business, this can be a very stressful time, but it doesn’t have to be. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll tell you how you can prepare to move affordably and stress-free.
What Exactly is a Long-Distance Move?
Though there’s no exact definition for what constitutes a long-distance move, most long-distance moving services consider inter-city, inter-province, and transborder moves to classify as long-distance. For instance, moving from a Toronto condo to an Oakville home is not considered a long-distance move, since you are staying within the Greater Toronto Area, whereas a move from Toronto to Montreal is.
How Do You Calculate the Cost of a Long-Distance Move?
Long-distance moving services can cost anywhere from $1,000 to over $15,000, depending on the nature of your move. The final cost depends on how far you are going, how much space you need in the truck(s), and if there are any special requirements or additional services you need, such as storage or furniture disassembly/assembly.
Typically, commercial long-distance movers in Toronto cost more than residential movers because there’s more to transport. Moreover, businesses tend to have fragile equipment and sensitive paperwork that requires careful handling.
Unlike short distance moves, which are priced on an hourly basis, long-distance moves are predominantly priced on the weight of your items and the room needed in the truck. That being said, every long-distance mover in Toronto has a slightly different way of pricing moves, which is why comparing quotes is an essential step in this process.
Legal Requirements When You’re Moving Between Provinces
Whether you are moving commercial or household goods from one province to another, you will need a bill of lading. This is prepared by your movers to identify the goods being carried and the person to whom they are being delivered. The bill of lading also assigns a value to the goods being transported and highlights who is liable for them.
The second thing to consider is the Conditions of Carriage, as every province has its own. These conditions outline the laws relating to the carriage of goods, including any liability for them, tariffs, and more.
If you are moving business goods, such as equipment, furniture, inventory, or machinery, other laws may factor in as well. For example, Manitoba’s Liquor Control Act is important for moves to Manitoba.
Legal Requirements When You’re Moving Between Canada and the U.S.
Moving cross-border is fairly straightforward, but there are requirements to follow, in addition to the bill of lading and conditions of carriage. Customs and Immigration classified people as either ‘returning’ and ‘non-returning’ residents. Returning residents must fill out Form 3299, whereas non-returning residents must fill out Form 3299, plus documentation for any specialized articles being brought into the U.S. You may also need to fill out a gypsy moth declaration if you are moving from a quarantined area.
If you are a business moving between Canada and the U.S., you may be subject to customs and tariffs. Do your research beforehand to ensure your border crossing is a seamless experience.
To learn more about the specific requirements for you, speak to your long-distance movers. For instance, our team works closely with our clients to advise and guide them on entry requirements when moving to and from the U.S.
7 Tips from Long-Distance Movers
Moving long distance successfully requires time and planning. With the following seven tips, you will be covered on both counts.
- Give Yourself Plenty of Time to Pack
Start packing months before your intended move date. The more you pack early-on, the less you’ll have to worry about later, which will save any last-minute packing and reduce stress and/or injury.
- Donate, Discard, Dispose
Whether it’s old office furniture or items you’ve kept for too long, go through your home or office to determine which items are coming with you and which aren’t. Whether you dispose, donate, or discard these items is up to you, but make sure you’re not paying to haul unnecessary items around.
- Use Proper Packing Materials
The right packing materials can save so much time and effort. For instance, wardrobe boxes can save hours of folding clothes. Quality materials, such as double-walled cardboard boxes, will also protect your items better, especially if they are breakable.
- Label Boxes Clearly
Save hours of frustration or desperate searching during the unpacking process. Use a label maker or Sharpie to label every box neatly. Whether you indicate what the box contains or the space it’s meant for, this step will show how much of a moving pro you truly are.
- Prepare a Moving Bag
Long-distance moves can take days or weeks, so make sure you have a moving bag with all the essentials. This can include anything from baby formula and a change of clothes to passports and other necessary documentation.
- Consider Getting Moving Insurance
Your company for long-distance moving in Toronto will likely have insurance in case items are lost or damaged, but it may not cover the full value of all items. Consider getting supplementary moving insurance to fully protect your valuables and fragile items.
- Hire Professional Long-Distance Movers in Toronto
Make sure you shop around to find a trusted, professional team of movers that offer competitive moving quotes. Keep these questions in mind if you aren’t sure what to ask:
- How many moves have you completed?
- Are your movers trained and licensed?
- Do you include insurance for moves?
- How accurate are your quotes?
- Are your trucks equipped with GPS?
- What happens if the move is delayed?
- Do you provide packing supplies?
A little extra research goes a long way, too. Read reviews on platforms like HomeStars and Google to see how other peoples’ long-distance moving experiences have been.
Trust a Team That’s Completed Over 2,000 Moves Successfully
We hope this guide sets you on the right path for a successful move. Rent-a-Son is an award-winning mover in Toronto, bringing years of experience. We are 8-time winners of Best of HomeStars, voted Customer Choice by North American Van Lines, and maintain an A+ rating with the BBB, which is why you should choose us for your next move.
If you are looking to move your home, business, warehouse, or industrial facility long-distance, we are the long-distance movers for you. Speak to us to discuss your needs, or fill out a virtual inventory in minutes.