Websites for movers.

Local moves are an hourly rate for the crew and truck, from arrival to the last item off, plus a set travel charge. Long-distance moves are priced by weight and distance from a scale ticket, with the estimate in writing before we load. Under Ontario's Consumer Protection Act a mover cannot bill more than 10 percent over a written estimate unless you agreed to added work, and we will tell you on the day if the hours are running long, not on the invoice.

Every mover in Canada includes basic carrier liability, which is 60 cents per pound per item, so a 40 pound television is covered for 24 dollars. That is not insurance in any useful sense. We offer replacement value protection for a fee, and many home insurance policies cover goods in transit, so it is worth a call to your broker before the move. Either way, tell us about the fragile and valuable pieces beforehand so they are wrapped and loaded accordingly.

Two to four weeks for a local move is comfortable, longer for long-distance. The last few days of the month, Saturdays, and June through September book up first because that is when most closings and leases land. A mid-month weekday is easier to get and usually cheaper, if you have any say in the date.

For a local move, dressers can usually stay full of clothes as long as nothing heavy or breakable is inside, and we wrap them shut. Fridges and freezers should be emptied and defrosted the day before. We cannot carry propane tanks, paint, aerosols, fuel or anything else flammable, and on long-distance moves plants and perishable food stay behind. Jewellery, documents and medication should ride with you, not on the truck.

Most of the time, yes. An upright piano goes up a straight residential staircase on a board with three movers; a baby grand or a gun safe over about 700 pounds may need a stair-climbing dolly, an extra pair of hands, or a look at the turn on the landing before we commit. Send us the make and model and a photo of the stairs and we will tell you before the day whether it goes, and what it will cost.

In a condo or apartment, book the elevator with property management as soon as you have a date, and ask whether they need a certificate of insurance from us, since most in Ontario do. On a street with parking restrictions, the city can issue a temporary no-parking permit for the truck; Toronto and several other municipalities do this online. We will remind you of both when we confirm the booking.