The sooner, the better. Arrange for a pre-move survey from your moving company well in advance of your anticipated moving date.
Your moving consultant will explain every step of the moving process, review your personal requirements, and answer all your questions.
A pre-move survey is an in-home interview led by your moving consultant to plan your move. The survey, scheduled at your convenience, generally takes about an hour. Your consultant will do the following:
Be sure to show the moving consultant everything that has to be moved, including items in storage sheds, attics, basements, garages, and items stored at other locations.
Long-distance moving charges are based on a combination of weight and distance. Your moving consultant will use a per-hundredweight charge for your shipment from the published tariff schedule of rates.
In some cases, a city or other service surcharge may be assessed on a per-hundredweight basis.
Packing charges (the cost of packing materials and the labour for both packing and unpacking) are calculated either on a per-unit basis or on a per-hundredweight basis. Specialty services, such as crating, appliance servicing, automobile transport, pet or plant transport, and replacement cost protection, are charged separately.
The basic mover's standard liability is included in the cost of the move. It is limited to 60 cents per pound and per article.
Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover goods in transit. For customers who would like additional protection, Atlas offers a full replacement protection plan at a reasonable premium cost. This plan provides a minimum coverage of $5 per pound times the weight of your shipment. You can, however, declare a higher value if you feel it is necessary. A good rule of thumb in today's market is coverage in the range of $8 to $9 per pound. Ask your insurance broker for guidance on the value you should place on your goods.
Items of exceptional value should be declared separately. Have a current, written appraisal to substantiate any claims for loss or damage.
A separate declaration should be made for motorized vehicles being transported. Protection coverage on automobiles, snowmobiles, boats, motorcycles, and other vehicles is limited to the current market value at origin on date of shipment. Movers generally refer to the Canadian Used Car Valuation book or similar publications to assign a value in case of loss or damage.
The best way to reduce moving costs is to lighten the load. Do you really need to take everything from your house with you? Have a garage sale. Give things away or donate them to charity (and get a tax receipt too). The less you move, the less it costs (and the less you'll need to unpack in your new home).
If you are on a very tight budget, consider packing non-breakables such as books, linens and clothing. However, it is usually best to have professional movers pack your china, crystal and other breakables to ensure they arrive at your new home in perfect condition.
There are a number of things that cannot be moved for safety reasons, including aerosols, flammables, cleaning agents, combustibles, perishables, plants, ammunition, and paints. Your consultant can give you a complete list.
Items such as jewellery, coin and stamp collections, stock certificates, rare items, currency, and important documents are not covered under a mover's transit protection. For your own protection and peace of mind, either take these items with you to your new home or make separate shipping arrangements.
Airline tickets, papers for school enrolment, home closing information, keys, and other items you need with you should be set aside in a special carton and marked "Do Not Load."
Some items, such as washers, dryers, refrigerators with ice makers, grandfather clocks, and pool tables, need special servicing before they can be moved. Your moving consultant can make these arrangements for you.
Movers disassemble beds and bed frames (other than waterbeds, which require special servicing) and any other items that need to be taken apart for safe transportation. The mover will reassemble these items at the destination.
Anything you disassemble will be your responsibility to reassemble at your new home. Because of the possibility of property damage, movers will not remove items fixed to walls or ceilings, such as drapery tracks or mirrors.
If possible, do not put items into storage that you may need to access. Your goods will be stored in an Atlas agent's warehouse and are not readily accessible. If you do need to access your storage vaults, you will be charged a warehouse labour fee.
If you do your own packing, all items must be packed in a carton.
Empty all dressers, chests and drawers before they are stored.
Make sure items to be delivered to a temporary residence are clearly marked and separated from those going into storage.
Unless other arrangements have been made, you must collect your car when your household goods are delivered to storage. Movers are not permitted to store automobiles inside their warehouses for safety reasons. You will need to find a commercial garage for storage.
Atlas Van Lines' policy is to wrap all items in a clean moving pad. Light-coloured, upholstered furniture is shrink-wrapped in plastic for added protection. Mattresses and box springs are put in plastic bags or specially designed cartons.
Your moving consultant will give you a delivery spread period based on the weight of your shipment and the mileage from origin to destination. You are responsible for being available during the entire delivery spread period.
Your driver will contact you 24 hours before your household shipment arrives at the destination, so it is important to provide a number where you can be reached. If you cannot be located, the mover may have to store your shipment at the nearest Atlas agent's warehouse at an additional charge.
The mover will unpack all the cartons that it originally packed, place these items on a flat, visible surface such as a table or countertop, and remove the empty boxes. Cartons packed by the customer will not be unpacked.
Unpacking does not include putting dishes in cupboards, books on bookshelves, or hanging clothes in closets. These are maid services and can be arranged at an additional cost.
If you are moving a distance of 40 kilometres or more to start a new job, start a business, or attend school, and if you are paying for the move yourself, the moving costs are tax-deductible.
Contact the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) at 1 (800) 959-2221 and ask for the Moving Expenses Claims form, or visit the CRA website.
Your Atlas moving consultant will be happy to answer all your questions and provide you with helpful booklets on moving-related topics. For more information, contact Atlas Van Lines at rlp@atlasvanlines.ca or 1 (800) 268-5051, and an assigned consultant will get back to you as quickly as possible.
To get a free copy of the Atlas Van Lines residential moving guide, or to arrange for a free no-obligation moving estimate, contact Atlas Van Lines at rlp@atlasvanlines.ca or 1 (800) 268 5051.
courtesy of: http://www.royallepage.ca/en/realestateguide/moving/tips/faq.aspx
