Plan Ahead

Pets can get stressed during a move, but extra care and consideration can make the transition easier.

Unfortunately, moving is one of the most common reasons a pet is given to an animal shelter and the No. 1 reason why a dog is given away. The lack of knowledge about pet care and relocation often leads to people to leave their pet behind.

The experts at TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® offer a few tips to make the move easier for pet owners:

Before the move:

• Remember to update pet’s tags and information with the new address and contact information as soon as possible.
• Visit the veterinarian to get a physical and a copy of the pet’s medical history.
• Keep pets contained when movers are present and while traveling to prevent injuries or runaway animals.

Cats:

• Before and after the move, surround the cat with familiar objects ? feeding and water bowls, toys, blanket or bed.
• Gradually introduce them to the new home by restricting them to one or two rooms at first.

Dogs:

• Slowly introduced to the new surroundings – dogs should be leashed outside until comfortable with the area.
• Consider arranging a friend or pet sitter to come over for a couple hours a day to ease the dog’s anxiety if you are unable to stay home the first few days.

Fish:

• Traveling is the most difficult part of the moving process for fish. Place in bags with a mix of new water and clean water from their aquarium – the less the fish are crowded the better. Put rubber bands around the top and place the bags inside a dark, insulated cooler.
• Let the filter run for a few hours before putting fish back in the tank. Try to limit time away from the normal habitat to less than 48 hours.

Birds:

• Make sure to use appropriate sized carriers for birds. Cover the bottom with litter. Secure the door with a clip from the outside. Keep cool and protected from the sun.
• Bring a supply of old food and water – gradually switching from old to new supplies.

Each year one in five families move to a new home.

Leaving the familiar can be tough on the psyche for anyone, but for a child it can be traumatic. The only bedroom they’ve ever known might be what they are letting go, so identifying ways to ensure your child’s experience is a positive one is easier than you might expect.

TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® movers are encouraged to meet the child at his or her level. Once a kid feels comfortable with the people who are hired to move the entire contents of his life, the anxiety is diffused and the child is more apt to join in the adventure. Here are five key thoughts to consider if you’re moving with small ones:

1) Harness the good in change, and frame the move as a grand adventure. Plan a fun event after the move is complete. Make a favorite meal or buy a new piece of furniture you know they’ll love, like a bean bag, canopy netting for the bed, an inexpensive tent for the new room or a wall decal of their favorite cartoon character.

2) Remove the unknown by planning ahead. Keep the move a daily topic, especially as the move nears. You’ll pick up on anxiety triggers allowing you to head off potential issues.

3) Pack special toys and lovies in a carry-on that never leaves the child’s side. Keeping their favorite things close is a sure-fire way to curry comfort and reduce anxiety.

4) Make introductions to strangers on move day. Our movers care about pets and kids, and there are countless stories of our teams going above and beyond for our clients’ loved ones. While moving can be stress-filled, professional movers know they are hired to minimize this to any degree they’re able.

5) Take advantage of opportunities to be inclusive with your children. Many kids just want to have place in the process. There are opportunities abound that give them a role while keeping them out of the fray. Ensure their special tasks are safe but rewarding.

If you and your chosen movers handle your children’s experience with TLC, your move will be memorable for all the right reasons.

1. Make your reservations for movers two to four weeks before your move day.
2. Avoid mixing items from different rooms in the same box.
3. Use wardrobe boxes to make closets easier to pack. Clothes in drawers can be placed in suitcases.
4. Use only small boxes for books & heavy items.
5. For large appliances, be sure to check your owner’s manuals to see if there are special instructions for moving.
6. Never use newsprint to wrap fine china.
7. Always stack dishes upward when packing.
8. Pack important and sentimental documents separately for easy access, including: children’s health records, passports, family records, insurance information and photo albums.
9. Remember: the heavier the item, the smaller the box.
10. Use new boxes. You never know what little critter is hiding in boxes you get at the local store – or if the box will be strong enough to support your possessions.
11. Always tape boxes. Don’t interlock the tops.
12. Use packing tape.
13. Clearly label all boxes on the top and side.
14. As you take apart furniture and other items, make sure to tape all parts to the main base.
15. Try to pack all electronic equipment, like stereos, in their original boxes. Otherwise use bubble wrap when packing these items.
16. Start packing items you will not need ahead of time.
17. Plan to move hazardous materials on your own such as gasoline, bottled gases and other flammables, ammunition and explosives.
18. Pack a box of essential items that you will need immediately after the move and make sure it’s the last thing added to the truck.
19. Always pack and unpack breakables over a padded surface.
20. Clean out closets, the attic and locker and the basement as soon as you decide it’s time to move.
21. Two weeks before the move don’t forget to arrange to transfer school records.
22. Make a “survival kit” of things for the last cleanup before you move out – broom, dust cloth, dust pan, mop.
23. Remember to get snacks for move day.
24. Schedule disconnect times for about a week before your move day — you don’t want to have to pay for cable, phone and utilities when you aren’t even there!
25. Cancel newspapers, cable, pest control, cleaning help, lawn services about a week before the move.
26. Mail in your change of address forms about week before your move date.
27. Clean your stove before you move out.
28. The day before your move, defrost the fridge.
29. Make sure to get enough cash to get you through move day.
30. Take time to say goodbye to friends and neighbours before your busy move day.
31. If you are depending on friends and family to help you move, have a back-up plan if they don’t show.
32. Don’t use boxes without tops. No tops make it impossible to stack properly in the truck.
33. Use custom-designed boxes when packing fine china and clothing.
34. When interviewing moving companies, make sure to ask if they are insured and bonded.
35. When interviewing moving company, make sure to ask if they charge extra for large items such as pianos and big screen TVs.
36. When interviewing a possible moving company, remember to ask what kind of training their movers and drivers go through before servicing customers.
37. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if there is a cancellation policy.
38. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they will have a contact person on site or provide a contact number for the day of the move.
39. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they move nights and weekends, and if they charge extra for that service.
40. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask what type of payment options they offer.
41. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask what their customer referral rate is.
42. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they use full-time employees or temps and day labour. (Be cautious of those who use temps and day labour because they may not have proper insurance.)
43. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they offer free moving quotes.
44. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they charge for travel time from their office to your location.
45. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they have suggestions on how to make your move easier.
46. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they offer packing and unpacking services.
47. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if your items will be insured during the move.
48. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they have a minimum charge.
49. When interviewing possible moving companies, remember to ask if they charge by the piece or by the hour.

Selecting a moving company is an important decision. Make sure you understand the services and rates the mover offers. These questions can help you compare moving companies and make an informed decision.

Q. Are you insured and bonded?

A. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Barrie & Central Onatio is insured and its employees bonded.  We also protect customers by carrying WSIB insurance.

Q. Are you providing a written estimate of the cost of your move?

A. Always get a written estimate on company letterhead, and make sure it states the name, telephone number and address of the moving company.

The estimate should provide the number of hours the move will take to complete. Make sure the estimate is dated and includes the date of the move.

Beware of movers who offer to skip the Tax (HST) or who will only take payment in cash. These are often indicators of an unscrupulous mover and one who is unlikely to pay claims or even deliver your goods.

Q. Can I call a local office with questions?

A. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Barrie & Central Ontario values customer interaction. That’s why our team provides a local point of contact throughout the move. Companies that operate using a dispatch service are less likely to have a local office or provide local support for customers. This is especially common for companies that hire or provide subcontracted services.

Q. Do you hire temporary labour or outsource to sub-contractors?

A. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Barrie & Central Ontario movers are trained professionals and our franchisees never utilize day labour or third party contractors.  Our franchisees perform bachground checks and check references on every employee hired. Unfortunately, that is not always true for other moving companies. It is important to ask for details on hiring standards.

Q. What forms of payment are accepted?

A. TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Barrie & Central Ontario accepts all major credit cards, cash, or certified cheque.  It is a red flag if a moving company only accepts cash. When paying cash there is no way to track payments made. Be sure to ask what forms of payment are accepted.

Q. Where can I get a copy of “Good Practice Guidelines for Canadian Movers” and other helpful consumer information?

A. For the Good Practice Guidelines for Canadian Movers, visit Industry Canada’s website.  We also provide our own Consumer’s Bill of Rights which you can view here.

Q. Where can I find out whether a mover is registered with CAM?

A. Visit the Canadian Association of Movers website.

Q. Where may I file a complaint against a mover?

A. You can contact the Canadian Association of Movers.  If you have a problem with a TWO MEN AND A TRUCK move, please contact our customer service department.

Q. How can I learn more about movers and transportation of household goods?

A. Visit the Office of Consumer Affairs (OCA) website.

This week’s High Five goes to Richie from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Barrie & Central Ontario. Richie’s boss Dan Brohm, Owner and General Manager of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Barrie, had this to say:

“We would like to congratulate Richie Price on his Customer Referral Rating of 98.1 % for the year of 2013. This was based on well over 100 reply cards and Richie had highest of all of our movers and drivers.”

Here’s what customers are saying:

“Richie and Steve were exceptional, they were polite, experienced, helpful, friendly and went above and beyond what was expected. We would definitely refer this company.”

– Russ from Washago

“The movers (Richie, Aaron and Ron) were awesome. They worked none stop to get our move done quickly and safely.”

– Dave from Barrie

“Richie & Andrew were excellent. They moved everything that was part of the quote plus extra things and did it all for less than the original estimate. Terrific workers!”

– Bruce from Barrie

Each week we give a High Five to an exceptional employee who is out there turning an experience that can be pretty stressful, into something pretty special. Each and every day our customers tell us amazing stories about the members of our Two Men And A Truck family. From our customer service representatives and move estimators to our movers and drivers, we pride ourselves on having the best people in the business.

Our people make TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® a different kind of moving company. Our people make us the “Movers Who Care.”

This week’s High Five Friday goes to Stephen from TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Barrie. We asked Stephen’s boss Dan Brohm, Owner and General Manager of TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® Barrie to tell us a little bit about Stephen. Here’s what he had to say:

“Stephen is a man with a “Never Give Up Attitude”. Not only does Stephen have an absolute focus on “Customer Service” but take great pride in the quality of work on his moves. Our Customers know that he is taking great care of their belongings. Hats off to Stephen!”

Here’s what our customers are saying:

“Chris and Steve were beyond excellent. They were polite and well spoken. They represented your company in the most positive way. I would hire these gentlemen again in a flash. in fact we will probably be calling you regarding a move from Brantford to Meaford. I was so impressed with Chris and Steve and their work ethic that my wife and i will be calling you to get a quote for Brantford to Meaford on Dec. 2nd As to the company itself our move was last minute and you helped us out and your quote every accurate.”
– Gerry & Denise from Barrie

“We were referred to two men and a truck by our parents, we wanted a professional company and were very happy with the price quoted. Richie and Steve were exceptional, they were polite, experienced, helpful, friendly and went above and beyond what was expected. We would definitely refer this company.”
– Russ from Washago

“When Ritchie, Steve and JP came on moving day they put us at ease and treated us and our belongings with such great care… these guys are amazing and did not stop until the job was done.”
– Rob and Carol from Collingwood

Stephen, we greatly appreciate all the hard work you do every day! Congratulations and High Five!

Each week we give a High Five to an exceptional employee who is out there turning an experience that can be pretty stressful, into something pretty special. Each and every day our customers tell us amazing stories about the members of our Two Men And A Truck family. From our customer service representatives and move estimators to our movers and drivers, we pride ourselves on having the best people in the business.

Our people make TWO MEN AND A TRUCK a different kind of moving company. Our people make us the “Movers Who Care.”