Moving a couple hundred miles across the country is a completely different experience than simply relocating within your current city. If you’ve never taken on a long-distance move before, it’s important to have an understanding of what’s involved and how to begin the process so you can stay organized and on track. Here are some key things to consider when planning a long-distance move, whether to or from Ottawa.

Make a Detailed Plan

A long-distance move is a big undertaking that requires a plan. Take some time to write out all of the tasks that you have to do and prioritize them. We recommend using a spreadsheet to keep everything organized and clearly outlined. Some basic tasks to include in your plan are creating a budget, scheduling in-home estimates from a few different moving companies, requesting time off from work, and talking to your kid’s teachers to make arrangements for their new school. 

Create a Schedule

Next up is having a schedule that you can stick to. Certain things are time sensitive during the moving process, like enrolling the kids in their new school and swapping out your utilities. With a detailed plan and schedule, you can stay on track and make sure you don’t forget any important dates. You can plug your schedule into your phone and set reminders so you won’t forget.

Be Extra Careful When Packing

Clearly label every box according to the room where it belongs. Mark off any fragile items on all sides of the box, and as an additional precaution, put your name on each box. 

Dejunk

Don’t keep anything that you don’t use nor really care about. Take advantage of this time to purge and let go of junk that just accumulates dust. By doing this now, you will make the packing and moving process easier and faster.

Find the Right Moving Company

When you’re moving everything that you own over a long-distance, you want the right moving team that you can depend on to keep everything safe, organized and as stress free as possible. Make sure to do your homework so you can choose the best movers to suit your needs. Look at online reviews and get a few in-house estimates before making your decision about long-distance residential movers.

Keep Important Documents Safe

It’s easy to misplace things during a big and hectic moving process. To avoid any headaches, keep all of your important and sensitive documents, such as your will, insurance papers, birth certificates, and passports in a safe and separate container so you can easily identify where they are. We also recommend using a sealed waterproof container to make sure they won’t get damaged by moisture at any point. 

If you’re moving long-distance, Ottawa Moving Logistics can assist you with the entire process, including packing and unpacking services. Contact us today to learn more about our services or to get a quote.

When hiring a professional mover, the costs can vary depending on the distance of your move, the volume of the load, and the moving company’s experience and pricing structure. To get a better understanding of how much moving costs and what you should expect, we’ve put together a quick guide to help you.

Local Moves

Most moving companies charge an hourly rate and estimate the cost based on the size of the truck, time required, and the number of movers needed. At Ottawa Moving Logistics, we do it differently to save you money. We charge a one-time, one-hour standard travel fee that covers the cost of travel for our crew. This includes moving anywhere within the city limits of Ottawa including Orleans, Kanata, Barrhaven, and more. 

Long-Distance Moving

Long-distance moves are priced differently than local trips. At Ottawa Moving Logistics, we charge by the kilometre for the travel portion and then hourly for the actual moving portion. Charges per kilometre will factor in the gas, number of crew, and the hotel accommodations if needed. By pricing ourselves this way we can save you thousands of dollars in fees compared to the other moving companies who charge a flat fee or by the weight of the goods, plus distance travelled and accessorial charges. Our pricing method also ensures that you have a good idea of how much you’ll be paying upfront instead of after the move has been completed. 

Commercial Moves

If you’re planning to move your office equipment, you’ll need a professional who specializes in commercial moving. At OML, we understand the special requirements of a commercial move and have the proper equipment and crew for the job. Because each project is unique, we price based on the type of services and equipment that will be required. A walkthrough is performed by our team to help get clarity and to assist you in planning the move. A quote will then be prepared based on our best rates.

The Extras

You should also budget for an extra couple hundred dollars if you plan to use packing services, short term storage solutions, or home delivery services offered by your mover. At OML our moving coordinator will help you plan accordingly and ensure you know how much you will need upfront to pay for any additional services during your move.

Insurance

Don’t forget about insurance. Some movers pass the cost on to you, others don’t have enough coverage to fully replace damaged items. Our team goes the extra step to make sure you have all the coverage you need.

Contact us today at OML for a free quote!

There are endless to-do tasks that come along with every move, and one important task to focus on first is choosing the right moving company. But it’s not always easy to know which one is the best option for you. To help you determine who to choose for your upcoming move, here are a few key things to look for in a moving company so you can get professional and reliable service that you can count on.

Look for Positive Reviews

When you’re considering who to hire, it’s a good idea to read reviews from previous clients. This gives you direct insight into how they have conducted themselves in the past, and whether they’re worth hiring. When searching online, make sure to look at both positive and negative reviews. This will give you a better scope instead of focusing on a few disgruntled clients that might overshadow a majority of positive experiences.

Good Recommendations 

One of the best ways to feel good about your moving company is by getting recommendations from someone you know. Start by asking around through your family, other relatives, friends, or even colleagues. They can tell you exactly how their experience was and whether you should book with the company or keep looking.

They’re Transparent

Moving companies can differ when it comes to how they provide a quote. For larger moves, they might send someone out to see exactly how much there is to move and then provide a quote. Many movers will also offer a base rate estimate over the phone depending on how many movers you will need and the time frame involved. However, there can always be additional fees added. Always inquire about extra costs and how those fees are calculated. The company should be open and upfront about this.

They Provide the Specific Services You Need

If you’re moving a large three-story house across the country or moving into a small apartment that’s only a few blocks away, your needs will vary. Take some time to fully understand what you need from your moving company and then write out questions to ask. This way, you can be sure that you’re hiring a company that’s the right fit and offers all the assistance you’re looking for.

Are They Licensed and Covered?

Finally, and most importantly, always make sure that the moving company is licensed and has adequate insurance coverage. This ensures they are legally responsible for your belongings and will give you peace of mind during the process.

Thinking about your Ottawa move? Contact us at Ottawa Moving Logistics for professional, dedicated moving services.

Wondering when you should start getting ready for your move? We suggest starting as early as you can. Like anything in life, the more time you have to prepare, the easier it will be. If you need help outlining and breaking down your planned move, here’s a general rule of thumb to follow.

Six Weeks Until Move

Book Movers

Once you’ve found your new home, it’s time to book your movers. Six weeks is usually a good amount of time to ensure you get the movers you want and aren’t competing for the date you need. If you’re planning to move in the busy season, any time between May and September, you might want to book even earlier. 

Dejunk

We recommend starting on the dejunk stage no later than six weeks from your moving date. At this point, you should be starting the process of going through your home and purging what you won’t be taking with you. It’s best to start in the areas that tend to accumulate the most amount of junk, like the closets, garage, basement, and attic. Keep separate bags or piles for items that you will be donating or discarding.

Four Weeks Until Move

Send Notices, Change Address, Change Utilities

Four weeks out is when you should begin notifying others about your move, such as your employer and kids’ school personnel. Also, notify your bank, insurance providers, accountants, etc. You’ll need to change your address and/or disconnect subscriptions and utilities such as gas, water, cable, internet and so forth. Collecting medical and dental records is recommended at this point too.

Three Weeks Until Move

Start Packing

Packing is the part of the moving process that most individuals dread, but it’s most important that you start this task early to avoid extra stress on moving day. If you’re not hiring movers to pack for you, give yourself plenty of time to get it done gradually. Start packing up the items that you don’t use daily. Make sure to have the majority of everything packed the week prior to moving.

One-Two Weeks Until Move

Finalize Packing and Clean

You’re at the home stretch which means most of your belongings should be packed with only a few things left to throw in a box. Don’t forget to leave out the broom, mop and cleaners so you can give your home a good cleaning before you move out.

Day Before Move

Prep for Movers

Finally, it’s the day before your move! At this point, the only thing left to do is prepare for the movers. Shovel the walkways and salt and have rugs or blankets ready to place down to protect your floors. 

Need professional and reliable movers to take care of your upcoming move? Ottawa Moving Logistics has you covered. Contact us today!

Those first few days after you’ve moved into your new place can come with a whirlwind of emotions. One minute you’re beaming with excitement and the next, you’re feeling flustered, overwhelmed and don’t know where to even start. If this sounds like you, we have some helpful tips for getting settled in your new home. These will help you focus, prioritize your tasks and feel excited about your new, fresh slate.

Transfer Utilities and Services

If you haven’t done this already, one of the first things you need to do before you can get settled into your new home is to transfer any of your utilities and services over to your new address. This will include gas, water, electricity, phone, internet and cable. If you can do this before you move, even better.

Clean Before Unpacking

Before you open any boxes, it’s a good idea to clean your new home. Even if it looks decent, chances are it’s not as clean you want it to be, and it will feel more like home once you’ve gone over everything yourself. We recommend wiping down the shelves and cupboards before you unpack as well! 

Get Unpacking Done ASAP

Unpacking can be tedious, but having boxes lying around for months after you’ve moved in will definitely prevent you from feeling settled in. Make a plan to get the unpacking done as soon as possible. To start, prioritize the boxes that are most important, like the kitchen and bathroom items. Then work your way through the rest of your belongings each day so you can chip away without feeling exhausted.

Check Safety Features

When you move into a new home, it’s a good time to check your smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. Take a few minutes to see if they work and have functioning batteries. And make sure your fire extinguisher isn’t expired. 

Explore Your New Neighbourhood

Moving to a new place is exciting! So get out to explore and learn more about your new hood. See what amenities are close by, where the closest park is, along with public transportation and other features that will be close to home.

Celebrate

Once you’ve endured and survived the moving process, make sure you take time to relax, celebrate and enjoy the feeling of being a new homeowner. You deserve it!

Ottawa Moving Logistics is here when you need professional moving services for a local or long-distance move. We offer competitive rates and professional movers that will take the best care of your belongings. Contact us today to book your move!

Are you planning to move in the coming months? With all of the new rules and restrictions in place because of COVID-19, it’s important to understand how moving has been impacted during the pandemic. Here’s the info you need when preparing for a move in the near future.

Is Moving Still Possible?

Yes, both moving and storage are considered “essential services” in Canada and many moving companies are still operating across the country. Some service providers, however, may have certain services restricted or might refuse new contracts, so it’s important to confirm availability and make any necessary arrangements. 

Is It Still Safe To Move?

While moving companies are taking all the necessary precautions to keep themselves and their customers safe, it’s important to review their COVID-19 policy before making a decision. You should only hire a moving company that has adequate protocols in place, including sanitization and social distancing. 

When Should I Consider Postponing?

If you or another family member is exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 or are in isolation, we recommend that you cancel or postpone your move to a later date. You should also consider postponing if you or a family member is in a high-risk group or if you’ve currently returned home from abroad. A new order has made it mandatory to self-isolate for 14 days if you have recently entered Canada.  

What Can I Do To Minimize My Exposure When Moving?

To avoid putting anyone at risk, we recommend that you limit the number of people who are present during your move. In Ontario, the current order limits gatherings to five people. If any of your helpers are feeling sick or are experiencing any symptoms, ask them to stay home. During the move, you should also protect yourself by wearing gloves and a face mask. Keep soap, sanitizer, and disinfectant available and clean your hands and any frequently touched surfaces as often as possible. When the movers arrive, give them space and let them do all the packing/unpacking and be patient as it may take longer to ensure everyone is kept safe. Before you arrive at your new home and after the movers have finished, give everything a thorough cleaning from top to bottom. When unpacking, use gloves and try to wait at least 24 hours before unpacking any non-essential boxes.

If you’re looking for a moving company that you can count on to move you safely during these extraordinary times, contact us at Ottawa Moving Logistics. Our drivers are following strict cleaning and sanitization protocols to reduce the risk to you and your family. They’re also cleaning the cab and paying attention to high touchpoints to reduce the chance of spread. To learn more about our COVID-19 policy, contact us today.

For most of us, decluttering isn’t something that happens very often, if at all. But one time when it should absolutely happen is prior to a big move. Sorting through your belongings and getting rid of what you don’t need or never use can make your entire moving process more efficient and save you a ton of time too. Plus, it can also save you money since there will be fewer boxes to move. If you’re still not convinced whether it’s really worth the effort, consider these 5 reasons why you should declutter before your move.

Minimize Stress When You Relocate

Multiple studies have shown a stark correlation between stress and mess. When we live in a messy environment with junk cluttering up closets, drawers and everything in between, it dramatically impacts our mental state, increasing feelings of anxiety, agitation, poor self-esteem, and more. So rather than bringing all of those negative emotions along with you, you can eliminate them instead by sorting through your items well ahead of time to clear out the mess so you can start fresh in your new home.

Save Time and Effort

The idea of packing up years’ worth of stuff can feel daunting and incredibly overwhelming for anyone. It’s always surprising how much stuff we can accumulate, even in a smaller home or apartment. But there’s no better time to start sifting through each room, bit by bit. We recommend recycling, tossing out or donating anything that you haven’t touched, seen or used in the past 2 years. If you start at least 3 months prior to your moving date, taking on one room at a time, you won’t get overwhelmed. And you’ll save a ton of time, energy and effort once it’s time to pack everything up.

Save Money on Moving Fees

Many moving companies charge by the hour. So if you’re planning to hire one for your move, you could even save on those moving fees since there will be fewer boxes to load up and transport, which means less time and less money wasted.

Looking for a reliable and honest moving company to handle your move in Ottawa? At Ottawa Moving Logistics, we are a family-owned company dedicated to making your moving day as expedited and hassle-free as possible. Our movers are professional, courteous, and here to provide the very best moving services to our customers. Contact us today to learn more about us or to get a quote.