Family Moving

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6 Tips for a Last-Minute Move

As much as we love to have control over most aspects of our lives, the reality is things can and will come up suddenly that are beyond our control. Whether you’re being forced out of your current place in a hurry or have just procrastinated and need to hustle to get ready for moving day, follow these tips for a last-minute move to help you get organized quickly.

Start with a List

Feeling stressed or overwhelmed can have a paralyzing effect. If you’re finding yourself in this position, start by sitting down and making a to-do list. Focus first on the main priority, which for most moves, includes finding a reputable moving company. Whether you’re planning a DIY move or hiring movers, get a few quotes and then lock in your dates. Once you have this secured, cross it off your list and move on to the next thing – dejunking. 

Dejunk Before Packing

Next up is getting rid of any items you can’t or don’t want to take with you to your next place. This is an important step because it will lessen your moving load, making your packing easier and the moving process go faster. Plus, downsizing might be a necessity. Complete one room at a time and keep a bag or box for donation, garbage, and recycling.

Pack an Overnight Bag

You’ll likely need an overnight bag with the necessities to tie you over for a few days until you can dive into the unpacking process. So, determine what items to keep aside and pack in a bag. Make sure to include any medication, hygiene products, clothing, and supplies for your pet. Also, it’s a good idea to keep any sensitive documents aside and together so you can take them to keep them safe, such as passports.

Dive Into Packing

When you’re in a rush, you don’t have the liberty to think too much about your method of packing. So just start with what makes sense for you. To speed up the process, stick with one room at a time. However, it’s important to avoid overpacking the boxes, so they’re not too heavy to lift. Test them out as you go and combine heavy items on the bottom and lighter items on top. Use your bedding, towels and socks to wrap up delicate items and add extra padding in the boxes. It will help speed up your packing time too. Keep your marker handy and label the boxes as you go, and then place them in one corner.

Keep Your Clothing on Hangers

A fast and easy way to pack your clothing is to keep them on the hangers. Gather a bunch so you can tie a large rubber band around the top to secure them together. Then take a garbage bag, cut a hole in the bottom to place over the top of the hangers and drape it down over the clothing. This way, your clothing will stay protected, and it will be much easier to transport and hang up once you’re in your new place.

Ask for Help

There’s no shame in asking for help. If you’re feeling stressed and are running behind, reach out to friends or family for assistance. Offering to reciprocate the support and providing them with some food and beverages should be enough to coerce them to lend a hand.

When you need to move in a hurry, you can count on our team at Ottawa Moving Logistics to support you throughout the entire process. Contact us today to book in your moving date!

Posted on by Ottawa Moving Logistics

Helping Your Parents With Their MoveMoving can be a tedious process overall, which is why it can be extra challenging and even dangerous for our ageing parents. Aside from being physically demanding, moving can take an emotional toll on them as well. To make the process easier and safer, here are some simple ways to help your parents with their move.

Encourage Them to Start Early

There’s a lot to do when it comes to moving, so the earlier they can start, the easier it will be. Downsizing from a family home can also require more time since there are so many memories tied to the home, and your parents will likely need time to process it all as they move through the packing stage. Be there to offer your assistance and emotional support while also gently nudging them forward to get through everything in time for their moving date. 

Help Organize

With so much to sift through, it can be easy to get lost or overwhelmed by everything. Help them stay organized by making a to-do list and a light schedule to help keep them on track. You can start in one room at a time and keep a separate space for any items that will be donated, sold or discarded.

Book Movers Early

Have your parents booked their moving date? This should be done as soon as they know when they will be moving since certain seasons can get busy, which means movers can book up quickly. To ensure they get their preferred date, call to book the movers well in advance, so they don’t have to stress about it later. Hiring a professional, reputable company will make the process much easier, safer, and smoother for everyone involved.

Help Clean

When everything is packed up, one significant way to help out your parents is by cleaning. Sweep and mop the floors and tie up any loose ends that need it so that it’s left in a clean and presentable state for the new owners.

Pack an Overnight Bag

Your parents will need some essentials that they can easily access while the moving process is taking place. Help them pack up an overnight bag with clothing, medications, toiletries, and anything they will need for a few days while the boxes are being unpacked. 

When you’re ready to book professional and reputable movers that you can count on to take good care of during your parent’s move, contact our team at Ottawa Moving Logistics. 

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5 Reasons Why More People Are Moving To OrleansSince the advent of remote work and at-home learning, more people have moved out of the downtown core and towards the suburbs and countryside. An especially popular place to buy has been in Orleans, which has seen house prices soar over recent months as demand for homes in this area has skyrocketed. So why are more people moving to Orleans?

Big homes and backyards

Orleans has a mix of older and newer homes, which means house prices will vary. People moving from the downtown core will likely find themselves in a larger living space with a much larger backyard. This is a desirable quality in a home right now as multiple people work remotely and require their own workspace. Children who have been learning virtually also take up room and have to be accounted for. For people who typically travel in order to get away from the world, having a backyard that they can turn into a personal oasis has become appealing. The backyard is also a draw to people who have taken in pets in the last year. In addition, people with good credit have discovered that, with no place to travel, now is the time to invest in property. 

Wide outdoor spaces and walking paths

Orleans has a lot of walking paths woven into its many neighbourhoods. It’s a great opportunity for people to get out of their house and go for a walk, providing the mental stressbuster that many of us need after a full day working at a desk. There are also multiple enclosed dog parks in the area, giving your pup an opportunity to run off-leash and socialize and giving you a chance to meet other dog owners.

A good place to raise a family

Whether you have young children or teenagers, Orleans is a good place to raise your kids. Not only does it have a very low crime rate, but it has excellent schools, parks, and recreational facilities. There are plenty of after-school activities for children to participate in, as well as fairs and festivities.

Wide swath of entertainment choices

On the subject of festivities, Orleans is a prime choice if you’re looking for a place with entertainment. It has plenty of bars and restaurants that play live music, a bowling alley, several craft brewing companies, and the Shenkman Centre, where you can take up pottery, art, and theatre. Orleans is also huge on celebrating holidays. At Christmas, Taffy Lane becomes a tourist hot spot. 

Are you ready to move? Get a quote from Ottawa Moving Logistics to make your move easier.

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Need to pack up your bedroom but don’t know where to start? Certain areas of the home can feel more overwhelming to tackle than others, which can lead to procrastination and last-minute panic mode. To avoid this, here are some helpful tips on how to pack up your bedroom.

Start with Non-Essential Stuff

Like with any area of your home, it’s best to begin packing up things that are non-essential. So anything you don’t use on a daily basis is where you should focus first. This can include your desk, knick-knacks, old memorabilia from your college days, your bookshelf and seasonal clothing. 

Disperse Weight

When you’re packing up your bedroom items, make sure you’re dispersing them to avoid overstuffing and adding too much weight to the boxes. For example, only place a few books in a single box and combine them with other lighter items. Keep testing the boxes as you pack by lifting them to see whether they are getting too heavy and need to be balanced out. 

Declutter Clothing

Before you start packing up your clothing, spend some time sifting through your closets and dressers to dejunk any items you don’t wear or that no longer fit. Any items that are in good condition, place them into a bag so you can drop them off at a donation center. Anything that’s too worn, discard or upcycle into rags if possible. Also, if you’re moving during the summer, pack up your fall and winter gear since you won’t be needing those any time soon. When you’re sorting through your closet, leave clothing on the hangers. It’s easier and makes the unpacking process faster since you can just hang them up right away. Bonus tip – use your suitcases to transport some of your clothing.

Pack Mirrors in Original Box

If you kept a few old boxes for electronics or mirrors, use them to place them back in for moving day. If you didn’t keep them, try to find boxes that are strong and sturdy, and use extra wrapping to protect them from moving around.

Disassemble Your Bed and Wrap Up Mattress

When you’re removing your mattress, lean it upright and wrap it up well to protect it from dirt, damage and the weather. When you’re taking the bed frame apart, make sure you keep all of the screws and other bits safely together so you don’t lose them. It can be a nightmare when you get to your new place and can’t find the right pieces to put your bed back together.

Planning an upcoming move? Book your moving date with our professional moving team at Ottawa Moving Logistics today!

Posted on by Ottawa Moving Logistics

Even if you’re an organization expert, when it comes to moving your home and entire life’s worth of belongings, it can still be challenging and overwhelming. But as with many things in life, it has to be done. And with a little bit of planning, you can make it as easy as possible so you’re not stressing to get it all done the week before. Make your moving process a breeze with these packing tips from the moving pros.

Purge Unused Stuff

We all end up hoarding stuff over the years that just sits on a shelf collecting dust. If you want to shave down time and effort when moving, start by doing a massive purge. Before you start putting items into boxes, begin with one room at a time and separate anything you have not touched or used in the past two years. Then sell your items online or donate. 

Use Linens and Towles to Wrap Fragile Items

Instead of wasting a ton of paper and plastic bubble wrap, use your linens and towels to wrap any delicate items like dishes and cups, lamps, vases and other breakables. These are excellent for adding a good layer of protection when they’re being transported to your new home.

Put Small Items in Pots

Smart packing is all about strategizing. For example, you can also place small items in your pots rather than using additional boxes. The best part is you can pop the lid on and add some tape to seal them up.

Take Photos of Your Electronics

If you’re not a tech whizz and don’t want to spend an entire day trying to hook your electronics up, snap a few photos so you can refer back to them. This way, you can easily plug in the wires and enjoy your favourite show without having to stress at the end of your big moving day.

Don’t Forget to Label the Boxes

Make sure you properly label your boxes by room so you know exactly which areas to place and unpack the boxes. This simple step can save a lot of time and aggravation.

Pack a Day Bag

Unpacking is a process that takes time. So pack an overnight bag and include all of the essentials you’ll need for at least a few days, including toiletries, a change of clothes, medications and any important documents as well.

Ottawa Moving Logistics can assist with all of your moving-related needs. Contact us today to book your moving date!

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Do I Need Insurance for My Move?

Not sure if you’re adequately covered for your move? Find out everything you need to know about insurance here for when you use your own vehicle, rent a truck or use a professional moving company.

Using Your Own Vehicle

Do you plan to move your own stuff in a van, big truck, or trailer that you own? If so, it’s important to check your home insurance policy for content coverage before deciding to go this route. If your policy does not have enough coverage, you’ll want to ask your home insurance provider about adding on more. 

Renting A Truck

You should never assume that when you rent a truck, your home insurance policy will cover it or that it will automatically come with the necessary coverages. Always check with your own provider first to find out what is covered before taking additional coverage from the rental company. In the event that you need to purchase supplemental insurance from the rental company, it’s important to know exactly what you need and how much, otherwise you could end up paying more for certain coverages you don’t need.

Professional Movers

Not all moving companies have adequate coverage, so it’s important to ask about their policy. If they’re not covered at all, it’s a bad sign and you should avoid the company altogether. Otherwise, you could be on the hook for damages that they cause. If the moving company does offer insurance, make sure you know exactly how much liability insurance they offer and if they are including replacement protection.

Liability Insurance

When it comes to liability insurance, most offer base liability that will only cover up to a certain amount of damage of each item based on weight (and it’s not much). However, there are few companies that have comprehensive plans that provide much better coverage, so it’s important to ask before agreeing to work with the moving company. 

Replacement Insurance

By law, replacement protection is required to be listed separately. If it’s included in the coverage, they must show what it’s covered for and the client has the right to decline it. If the company does not offer replacement protection, they will list an alternative provider that you can contact to pay for your own. 

There’s a lot you need to know when it comes to moving your belongings. That’s why our team at OML makes sure our clients have all the information they need from beginning to end. We also have a quality insurance plan that gives you the most coverage for your needs. Don’t make the mistake of choosing an amateur moving company to take care of all your belongings, leave it to the pros. 

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3 Tips for Moving Your Kids Back from Schooll

With the cost of living being so high, it means many graduates end up moving back home after school until they can find a job and save up enough to afford a place on their own. This can often leave parents in a bit of a pickle, especially if they’ve moved or have already downsized. If you’re moving your kids back from school and aren’t sure what to do, here are 3 tips for a smooth transition.

Create a Space for Them

One of the most cost-effective options is to convert an empty basement into a secondary suite where they can stay for the time being. If that’s not possible, perhaps renovating the garage is. Putting on an addition might seem extreme but if you have an aging parent who plans to move in with you in a few years, now might be the best time to renovate and use it for your child until the time comes.

Make Storage Room

Your college grad will likely be moving home with a lot more stuff than they left with. It should be no surprise that they’ve acquired a lot of things that likely won’t fit in your home including furniture, appliances, and kitchen supplies. So be prepared to make room to store some of their stuff. Start by checking how much available storage room you have and then help them decide on what will fit and what will need to go. If you have limited space, renting a storage locker to house their belongings in might be a good idea until they can move out for good.

Determine How Much Stuff You Will Need To Move

Once they’ve settled on what items they’ll be moving home with, you can then decide on whether you’ll need to rent a van or hire a moving company. Your kid might think it’s best to rent their own truck and have their friends help pack it, but there are many reasons why this could be a bad idea. For one, if their friends break and damage something, it likely won’t be covered under your insurance. Your kid could also be held liable if one of their friends injures themselves during the move. Moving trucks are also difficult to navigate, especially if they’ve never driven one before which can put them and their belongings at risk. It’s always better to hire a moving company who can properly pack the cargo, safely drive the truck, and who will be covered by insurance if anything happens during transit. 

Don’t lose sleep if your kid is moving home after graduation. Call us at Ottawa Moving Logistics if you need to move them back from school. We can help take care of everything from the move to packing and storage. Contact us today to learn more about residential moving services.

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5 Tips for A Smooth Transition to A New Neighbourhood

Moving to a new home and neighbourhood is a big change. So, if you or your family feel a little nervous, it’s completely natural. But there are some ways that you can help to make that process easier and more seamless. Here are our tips for a smooth transition to a new neighbourhood and how to get settled faster.

Call and Set Up Your Services

First things first – call well ahead of your moving date to cancel your current services, like internet, cable, and utilities and set them up for your new address. It’s also a good idea to call a week or so before moving just to make sure that everything is set up correctly, so you won’t be left in the dark or without Wi-Fi once you arrive at your new place. Having these taken care of is a good way to ensure your transition to your new neighbourhood starts off on the right foot.

Scope Out the Area

Once you’ve gotten your basic items sorted, get out and take time to explore your new neighbourhood. Find out what amenities are nearby, what the best local establishments are, or if there are any parks in the area for your dog to run around in. Scope it all out to get familiarized and excited about your new neighbourhood. 

Meet the Neighbours

While you’re out getting to know the neighbourhood, stop and introduce yourself to the neighbours. Don’t be afraid to make the first move and knock on their door to say hello. Meeting new people can always feel intimidating, but it can make a world of difference when you have a community to engage and interact within a new area. 

Volunteer

If knocking on your neighbour’s door isn’t your thing, then consider joining a volunteer group, a local workshop or meetup group so you can meet new people and make new friends. This is also a great way to learn more about the area and where the best spots are to check out. 

Do Your Research

Also, don’t forget to take advantage of the Internet! Do some research about the neighbourhood, look for a local Facebook group to introduce yourself online or check out a private social network like nextdoor.com. Libraries and coffee shops are also great hotspots to meet locals and find bulletin boards with upcoming events.

Are you planning an upcoming move? Get professional and reliable services to keep your belongings safe with Ottawa Moving Logistics. Contact us today to get a quote and reserve your date!

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Why Families With Kids Love Living in Ottawa

Are you thinking of starting a family or already have kids and are thinking of relocating? The Nation’s Capital is the perfect location for families to settle down since it’s a great middle ground between the city hassle of Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Here is what Ottawa has to offer to families.  

 

High Quality Of Life

In North America, Ottawa has the second highest quality of life. If this statistic doesn’t impress you, this city is extremely family oriented, quiet and reserved. Healthcare in Ontario is very accessible as there are many walk-in clinics and great hospitals in every corner of the city. Another advantage that Ottawa has to offer is its low crime rate in comparison to Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Edmonton. Cleanliness is an important factor for the city, making it a high priority for the City of Ottawa. In a Mercer survey, Ottawa ranked as the third cleanest city worldwide and Canada’s second cleanest city. Ottawa continues to build a great reputation and strive for the highest quality of life that it can offer to its citizens. 

 

Education 

Thankfully Ottawa is a bilingual city giving you the option to enroll your kid in French or English education. There is also the option to decide whether your child will be attending public or Catholic school. These options are great for those that have religion and language preferences. Ottawa offers two reputable universities, The University of Ottawa and Carleton University. The capital’s workforce is highly educated, with half of the employees being graduates. It also has the largest concentration of scientists, engineers and Ph.D. recipients in Canada. 

 

Job Opportunities

Ottawa offers various job opportunities with one of its biggest employers being the Federal Government. In 2018, the average unemployment rate in Canada was 5.9%, Ottawa’s was the lowest with 4.4%. Different sectors in the capital city constantly seek new employees such as schools, tourism, hospitals, universities. High-tech companies have settled in Ottawa, and the capital often gets referred to as being the Silicon Valley North. With the plentiful construction and remodelling of Ottawa, construction jobs will be expanded and created. 

 

Culture

You will always find something to do in Ottawa. You can expand your historical knowledge by visiting the various museums, participating in festivals and getting involved in sports. The city is extremely laid back, but there are still ways to find like-minded individuals to partake in any activity you’d like. 

 

If you’re looking to move to the nation’s capital, contact us at Ottawa Moving Logistics. We will provide a safe and reliable service for all your family moving needs. 

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Preparing Your Parents For A Move

Are your parents thinking of downsizing from their family home or moving to a retirement home? These changes might be for financial or health reasons, either way making it a challenge to live in their current home. In old age, it can become increasingly difficult to move physically, and it can be equally mentally draining to have to move from a lifelong family home. There are many factors to prepare your parents for a move; here are some important tips for handling this move with grace. 

 

Having A Conversation

Having your parents downsize from a childhood home can be devasting as there are years of memories build into it. When all the kids have moved out, and there is no longer a need for a large house, consider having a conversation with your parents about their future living situation. Your parents will be thankful that you have approached them to discuss their emotional and physical wellbeing. This might be a difficult conversation to have, but it is necessary. 

 

Location, Location, Location!

Location is one of the most important components in deciding where to move. Especially in old age, it is important to live close to family members, friends and essential amenities and services: grocery stores, restaurants, hospitals. When it becomes harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle, your neighbourhood can be a great way to stay active. If your area has walking trails, parks, or a community center, you will want to enjoy the surroundings, and you’ll want to make the most out of what your area has to offer. 

 

Only Pack The Essentials

There are many factors that need to be considered if your parents are planning on downsizing. Ensuring that what is being brought to the new house are only the essentials as there won’t be space for the “extras.” If items don’t have a sentimental value explain to your parents that these aren’t essentials and can be sold or can be passed down to family members. Making long-term solutions is crucial to avoid the hassle of remodelling or relocating. There are many ways to make your transition smoother such as redecorating. As this can be an emotional experience, put up picture frames to ensure that memories are being preserved and are accessible. 

 

Downsizing is a very challenging experience for both parents and children. If your parents have decided that this is the best option for them, contact us at Ottawa Moving Logistics. We provide the highest quality and packing services for both residential and commercial clients. Book your move today!