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From the mouths of the experts

You can admit it: it’s exciting to travel a long distance. That excitement is particularly true when it comes to moving from home to another or one office to another using one of the best long distance moving companies.

Along with that excitement comes stress. There are so many questions, some unique to the families or businesses involved, some are expressed in general by a majority of movers. You know there will be a lot of short-term and long-term planning; look for information and materials here and there. 

You are smart enough to recognize bad advice, but what is some good advice, some better advice, and even the best advice for you? This article will lay out some good ideas, some even better ideas than one’s you may have heard, and some of the best tried-and-true advice out there.  So, from the mouths of some of the experts, and the skilled professionals at Paramount Moving, what do you need to know about your upcoming long distance move? 

What follows are some essential things we want to be sure you know before you even pick up the phone to call or search the web to find our contact information. 

1. Know the time you have…but be flexible.

Before you consider searching through pages of long distance moving companies, this is the first piece of advice to keep in mind. Find a calendar, look at it carefully,  and physically circle several dates that are good days for you to move. After that, write out several times when you need to arrive at your new home or office.

Be careful to avoid making this move at the last minute. Life, however, may require you to make a last-minute move, but for long distance moving companies, the more time you give them, the better the move will be for both them and you.

You know that moving across the street or across the city is going to require much less planning than moving across part of the country or even from one side to the other. Here are some points to think about:

• drive times: trucks getting to your home or business, traveling for a long distance, and then arriving at your new location
• packing times: purchasing or finding materials for packing all your belongings, the time needed to wrap, take apart furniture or equipment, secure all items into sturdy boxes or bins, and then unwrap, put together items and relocate your belongings in your new home or business location.
• weather and special conditions affecting your move: 
• you may need to move in the chill of winter or the heat of summer
• staircases may be long and narrow or twisty and old
• there may be restrictions as to when you may begin or must end the noise of moving,
• legal and other special challenges that may slow down the time of your move or affect your budget.

These are but a few of the situations you may need to think about carefully when you want to create your unique moving timeline, but above all: be flexible and clear.

2. Create a realistic budget

Any kind of move will require some kind of expense, even if you carry out the largest percentage of the move yourself. If something needs to happen, you may need money for it. You need to know how much you have budgeted for your move.

Think about these things:

• fuel costs
• truck rental fees
• delivery charges, 
• short-term storage 
• moving materials needed, including packing and protecting your belongings 
• use of special moving equipment

At Paramount moving, we have skilled staff who can walk you through a Moving Day and isolate the various expenses that may occur. They may be big or small, but we will help you to make your move on the budget.

3. Know what needs to go…and stay 

From our point of view, it is best to include all those items you believe are important to go with you when you move. There are different levels of moving from just a few boxes to moving a large household. Well before the time comes to move, sit down and assess which items should be taken or be left behind in some form, whether given away or sold. Some may need to be left behind simply because they cannot be transported economically. Some items may not even be able to fit in the new location. If a new item needs to be bought at the new location, that too should be put into your moving budget.

4. Know the right techniques

One other important piece of advice is to know how to pack up things well. Here are some ideas:

• pack heavier things on the bottom of boxes and then put lighter items on top.
• use labels and stickers correctly:
  • Fragile items need to be labeled,
  • extra-heavy boxes need to be labeled,
  • places, where the boxes should go, should be labeled.
• taping the bottoms of boxes should be a priority, making sure that they can handle being moved and carried safely.
• take the time to pack things securely; avoid trying to find shortcuts–they can be costly.
• Don’t take shortcuts when packing. Packing light may seem like a good idea at first. Keep note, you need to ensure that your belongings are packed correctly and safely. Moreover, your truck or van should not be overloaded, to prevent damage or problems during transport.
• Avoid making multiple trips from your old home to the new one. 

The best advice of all

Take the time to research the best professional movers in your area, and prepare a list of your questions that will help you pick the most reputable, long-distance moving company possible. Be sure to look around to find online comments, reviews, and recommendations or warnings, looking into their insurance coverage, their previous experiences and how well they did, as well as their own tips on how to pack your items with confidence and care.

Consider Paramount Moving as one of the most reliable long-distance moving companies in the Greater Calgary area. We will be glad to work with you, whether you need to move from your home or office area.

We will do all we can to lift some of the stress away from you about this long-distance journey, and we will be sure to treat your precious belongings as though they were our own, not matter how far they need to travel in Canada.  Visit our website today and get ready for a great experience with your long-distance move.

How to Have a Great Move – Safety tips from Safety-Consious Moving Company

It has been often said: “Life is full of risks.” A safety-conscious moving company knows this and competent movers know the challenges of any move regardless of its difficulty. It’s hard work moving heavy things. They can be awkward, fragile, and even a bit dangerous to move around. Paramount Movers wants your move to be as safe and stress-free as possible. We have sat down with our professional staff and come up with some things to keep in mind about moving safely. We believe these tips will reduce the risks both during and even after this pandemic.

1. Move Things with Others, not Alone

You look at that bed or treadmill or even a set of dressers and sigh, “How will I ever move that thing?” That’s when you need to think: I need more help, professional help. All too frequently, failed attempts to move heavy objects may be costly. Those costs may come from injuries caused by trying to move those heavy things or from damage that may result if things go wrong. All of these could go well above the cost of investing in hiring safety-conscious movers. You are investing in professionals who are trained to safely move all your belongings, whether it’s a collection of wine bottles or a set of lamps.

2. Keep drinking water with added minerals

Not only does moving require lots of energy, but also lots of water. You will feel both tired and thirsty. Every moving company concerned with safety knows this: Drinking water will help, but replace certain minerals, too. A sports drink with the minerals you need will help you. You may simply want to add a little bit of iodized salt to your water. The key: keep drinking water, but don’t forget to add minerals, as well.

3. Wear enough comfortable clothes

Competent movers in Calgary know this: “Always wear layers.” For Calgary winters, this is very important, but it’s also important for the summertime, too. As the day goes on, you can take off or put on your different layers and stay comfortable. Choose safe and comfortable footwear: open-toed sandals are comfortable, but not all that safe. We do not advise wearing baggy clothing. Parts of these overly-loose clothes can catch on corners and trip you up or be ripped. If you’re not sure what’s appropriate–ask us. We’ll be glad to help you.

4. Keep Walkways Clear

Paramount Moving is a safety-conscious moving company, so we sometimes see things that others may overlook. Take special care to be sure that all the walkways you are using are clutter-free. The stray toy or the misplaced coffee mug on the floor can cause all kinds of trouble if tripped over. That simple stumble may be more than a bother — it could be dangerous.

5. Prepare and Keep and First Aid Kit Near You

While you are making your moving plans, take time to prepare a first-aid kit. Check online to find out what you can put together to prepare for your move. The Red Cross can also provide a booklet on quick first aid to include with your special kit.

6. Keep Boxes Reasonably Packed

You may want to pack a box as much as you can. Keep this phrase in mind: “Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.” As competent movers, we advise that you keep your items in your box balanced and that the boxes themselves are of a reasonable weight. This way you avoid the frustration and the danger of a box breaking open as you are moving it.

7. Give Movers Room to Move

While it is true that “many hands make light work”, this is not a regular “family chore.” This is a time when a safety-conscious moving company needs to take over. You have made careful preparations. You made sure everyone helped get ready for moving day. Now? It’s our turn. You can enjoy a stress-free day. Go to a park, have a picnic, relax, knowing that your move is in the hands of people who care about your belongings, both as they leave one place and arrive at another.

8. Refresh the Air, Improve the Safety

Because we are a moving company concerned with the safety of our clients, we know about many other aspects of moving safely. For example, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) strongly recommends that indoor air be replaced regularly with outdoor air. This not only means that windows and doors remain open for fresh air to flow into your home, but that fans can be wisely placed and used to circulate fresh air to help enhance keeping the air clean as we help you move.

Above All: Trust the Pros

At Paramount Moving, a safety-conscious moving company in Calgary, you will find that moving with us is more efficient, economical, and stress-free. We work with you so that Moving Day will be a great day! Planning that big move? Call Paramount Moving…today!

We may have heard this advice before: the cheapest isn’t always the best. This is especially true with different kinds of services from carpet cleaning to moving. If you are planning a move, it is a challenge to balance cost with quality. So, if you are going to get a moving quote sometime soon for the greater Calgary area, here are some tips to help you. 

1. Save up for quality

• Moving is a kind of investment…you are investing in the skills of strangers to move your belongings.
• The more you can trust those strangers, and the more you see how professional and skilled they are, the better your move will be.
• Save to get the best you can afford.

2. Look for satisfied customers

• Get moving estimates from:
  • reliable family members,
  • trusted friends
  • people who had a great experience that you can contact
• Rely on the good experiences of others to help you choose…they have good reasons for their great experiences.

3. Look for Quality Trucks and Moving Materials

• Consider the moving company’s perspective:
  • A competitive price offsets the cost of keeping professional movers and providing quality supplies, from boxes to moving blankets.
  • The inside and outside of the moving trucks are also important: belongings being moved are well-protected inside the truck, and the mechanical quality of the truck is taken care of, too.

This Could Happen:

Before your moving day, and even on your moving day, it is not unusual for a moving company to cancel your move completely. Why? It’s because they could take a better-paying job. If the trucks or equipment are only able to handle one move safely, then the less expensive one –yours– could be canceled at the last minute. You are left with all those packed boxes and have no one to move them for you when you need them to be moved.

4. Beware of Hidden Fees

You think, “What a great low-cost quote!”  Our advice? Beware of hidden fees!

• Various items could raise the price of your move…and you have no choice! Here are some examples:
  • Needing to provide Certificates of Insurance to building management and costs associated with processing them…charged to you.
  • Insurance costs associated with moving particularly valuable items.
  • Parking tickets or special traveling costs… added to your moving bill.
  • Undiscussed services such as unforeseen furniture disassembly, packing and unpacking, removing or moving around unusually heavy or difficult-to-move items may affect your final price tag.

What You Can Do

1. From the very beginning of your conference with your moving company, make sure you ask about who is paying for the different kinds of packing materials. Remember: no concern is too small. Ask…it may save you money and stress.
2. Make sure to choose a company that listens respectfully to your questions and may even ask a few of their own, taking all these aspects into account before giving you a quote…

5. Watch Out for the “Lowball Quote”

We are familiar with a very common and nasty sales tactic: the lowball quote, this baseball term means being “tossed an offer” of something lower, tempting you to “swing” at it, but the offer doesn’t help you as much as you had hoped.

• You may be given a quote for moving that looks surprisingly lower than what you may have seen from several other companies. This is a “lowball price” to get your business. The price will increase on the day of your move by adding:
• “necessary” numerous fees
• hidden charges
• extra costs 

What Can You Do? Ask about…

• Furniture that needs to be taken apart and then put back together.
• Heavier, bulky, or especially fragile items.
• Stairs, doorways, and access areas at either location that weren’t initially mentioned could result in a much higher quote than what was previously estimated.
• Assessments at both places to get an agreed-upon, guaranteed price you can save toward, rather than receiving a rough estimate that could easily change.  

 6. Do Some research: Check into the Credentials

No matter which company you look at, learn more about each one. Ask about these important topics:

• Is the company legally registered?
  • If a moving company needs to be registered with the government, find out what that registration looks like and how often that company needs to be registered.
• Does the company have a professional website?
  • A moving company with a professionally created website with many topics to help each mover, along with having a high approval rating are two of many critical aspects to check on with a potential moving company.
• Does the company have a physical location?
  • It is wise to conclude that movers who only create a website to operate online to cut costs will likely choose to cut costs in other ways as well, putting you, the mover, at risk.

 7. Think it through: Put all the pieces together

• Yes, there will always be much cheaper movers, but …they come with great risks.
• Yes, you may hire movers working for less than minimum wage, who are receiving few if any benefits, and who have minimal moving skills, but … you run the risk that your belongings may be poorly handled.
• Yes, those cheaper movers may have minimal skills to communicate, but … you may also have to deal with their minimal skills to work with you as their customer.

Choose these when getting your moving estimate:

• Movers who are well taken care of
• Quality equipment and trucks
• Professionalism you can observe and check on
• A company that is transparent about everything possible  

So… when you get a quote from the best movers in Calgary you want to hire, start saving for quality, start looking for satisfied customers, and start preparing to invest your time and money to get yourself on the right road for an excellent experience of moving on into a brighter future.

We are located in Calgary, but we are ready to offer:

• Crossfield moving services,
• Turner Valley moving services,
• Drumheller moving services,
• Airdrie moving services,
• Banff moving services,
• Canmore moving services.

Check the full list of locations where we work on the site.

The news has come: you need to move…and time is not on your side. What will you do? Take a deep breath, relax, and then look for “last-minute movers,” such as Paramount Moving in Calgary. We’ll make every second you need to plan work well for you. Yes, you need to move in a hurry, and we have some tips to help you…now.

You can try the move yourself, but it is easier to hire last minute movers

If you choose to move yourself in Calgary, keep these things in mind:

• Look at your schedule: list out what needs to be done and when.
• Gather packing supplies: moving blankets, many boxes of different sizes, lots of tape, cord and even rope, markers, and labels
• Contact people to help you: you may long-term helpers, others only short-term, so you will need to coordinate these various schedules
• Hire or find reliable vehicles to move your belongings.
• Deal with the stress and complications when things don’t go according to plan Now, if all this is possible for you to do, great. You can start planning and packing. However, this may not work for you. What do we recommend?

Call professional last minute movers, then set the date

Often those needing last-minute movers are already busy with a full-time job, with little to no time off to move right now. What’s the first step? Consider getting professional help. Hire movers last minute with a moving company that often deals with this stress. We will work with your budget to give you the best value for each dollar you need to spend. Everything will be discussed beforehand, so there will be no surprises. So, what else do you need to do? Let us help you set the date you need to move.

Next steps for a great move Cleaning up, cleaning out

• The date has been set, so focus on packing.
• If you are planning to have your mover pack for you: Start cleaning out things you no longer need from closets, cupboards, and storage areas.
• If you are planning to pack things yourself: A helpful guideline: get rid of things that haven’t been used for a year. Next: Get rid of things that you will not need in your new location. For anything, you are not sure about, whether to give it away or recycle it, just pack it. Take care of it when you are settled in at your new location.

 

Pack a “take-along” bag

Set aside a bag with items you need to keep close to you on your moving day:

• changes of clothes, including safe and comfortable footwear.
• toiletries, medications, important essentials.
• special documents, copies of cards, or ID, especially for COVID clearance.

Be systematic: pack room by room:

Choose a room, one you use the least, and start packing.

• Go from the lowest activity area to the highest activity area.
• Keep the items from each room together.
• Pack less-breakable items underneath more fragile items:
  • For breakable things, wrap them in towels, socks, or t-shirts
• Choose bigger boxes for lighter items: clothes, sheets, pillow-cases
• Choose smaller boxes for heavier belongings: shoes, books, games

Note: Avoid over-packing boxes. If you can’t carry it yourself, then repack it so it is a little lighter.

If helpers come, then cooperate with the pros:

The move may be a short one, and it’s always great to have friends or family help you pack. However, rely on the professional advice of the last-minute movers you have hired to help you.  Many hands may make work go faster, but too many leaders confuse the followers.  Instead, if you have concerns, follow the expert advice of the moving company. Then this last-minute move will be less stressful.  

A quick review…

• Call the last-minute movers to discuss your situation
• Set the date
• Follow the advice of the moving company to stay organized
• Gather recommended moving supplies,
• Start decluttering
• Then, start packing
• Finally…take a deep breath and relax…we’ve got the rest!

You’ve worked hard to build your business. It’s growing well, so well, in fact, that you need more space. You realize you need to move. Yes, it is challenging, and yes, it will take a lot of planning, but Paramount Moving Services, will be there for you. We make it our business to make sure your move will go well and that your business will get up and running smoothly in your new location. Check our office moving services near you on our website.

So the questions are raised: “How do I find a company I can rely on? What should I think about?” Here are some suggestions for you to consider: 

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS:              

1. Think through your own schedule. Decide what time of year, days, and time of day works best for your moving plans. Clarifying this ahead of time will help our commercial moving company, Paramount Moving, to work best with you.               
2. Next, it’s also good to find out the times and seasons when we can best serve… you. We are all busy, and our professional movers are just the same. We have our peak hours and days and our less-busy hours and days. Knowing that ahead of time can help you plan better.              
3. Check into how experienced this commercial moving company is before considering making a contract with them. We are well-experienced with commercial moves, but it’s good to look into this when shopping around for reputable commercial moving companies. In addition, ask for references from your commercial mover. You may want to go to the company’s website and look for references related to commercial moves and how the team has taken care of these office-to-office moves.
4. Representatives of the moving company should be willing to spend face-to-face time with you, or at least on a Zoom call. If the representatives of Paramount Moving can see the layout of your commercial space, they can get a better idea of what will be needed for the most efficient move.
5. Check around to find out about the reliability of the commercial movers. Take the time to find out if the moving company representatives are easy to contact when you need them.
6. It’s good to know what kind of insurance policies your movers have. Ask about the kind of protection you have to cover the packing, transport, and unpacking of your vital equipment. Walkthrough your office, and ask yourself: “What if this was lost or broken? Is there coverage for it? What am I liable for in this case?”
7. Review your moving budget and find out what specific movers will charge you for
   • packing your items,
   • self-packing your items,
   • transporting the equipment, and then,
   • installing that equipment in your new location.

SPECIFIC INFORMATION REGARDING THE MOVE              

1. Know your building. Find out what you are allowed to do. Here are some things to consider:
   • Can you reserve the elevator?
   • Can our movers actually enter your building? There may be special union rules in place that only allow union employees to move equipment in and out of your buildings.
   • Check to look at legal documents, such as the license, which shows what the movers are allowed to do and how you are both legally protected.
   • Is there a  loading or unloading dock at your present and future location Building managers may be allowed to let your movers use this dock for easy loading.
   • Know the time it takes to move something from the office to the loading dock, and then from the loading dock to the new office location at the destination.   Knowing these things ahead of time will help us to know the best way to help you, following these unique guidelines.
2.  Good movers have good moving plans. Find out what that plan is and how your property will be handled and safeguarded against damage or loss. If the plan is in an itemized form, all the better. Be careful of vague promises and unspecified ways of describing how things will get from point A to point B. You may hear: “Oh, don’t worry! We’ll take care of it!” Worry! Get specifics…and reduce your stress.            
3. Find out if the moving offers storage and packing services. Be sure to decide ahead of time if you need any of these services.          
4. Discuss with the moving company representative team how the moving company will protect your fragile equipment. Ask about the use of:
   • bubble wrap or packing peanuts,
   • moving blankets
   • items that may require more insulation or special protection
   • separate boxes or storage materials needed for certain valuable or fragile items
5.  Ask about how a commercial mover can assist you, and if that company has the experience, in installing your office equipment at your new location. Some movers may help you with the installation of various communications systems you may need in your new location. without harming your equipment.                                      
6.  Give the movers a chance to look over your present commercial location and your future location to decide if wiring or furniture items need to be disassembled and reassembled. Some movers may ask for outside help from a carpenter or a service technician to care for the move…and charge you for that.
7.  Here are some other specific items around the move itself:
   • Label the desk for each person in your present location. Take the time to encourage your workers to keep belongings as close to each desk as possible.
   • On the day of the move, ask that the movers use plastic bins when packing away your items. After they are carefully packed, double-check that the movers have labeled each bin to ensure that each worker can distinguish between personal and office equipment and items.

Ready to choose the most suitable movers?

We have found that these tips will help you decide on the one of best commercial moving companies. We understand how important all your commercial property is for you in order to take care of your business well. As one of Calgary’s best moving companies, we make it our business to be sure you have found a high-quality, professional moving service. We look forward to helping you be sure that your commercial move is a great experience for you all.

Our team of reliable movers is eager to help you, and you can help them, too. How? On the day of the move, make sure they have all the information they need. That is just one of a few things you can do to help your team out on moving day. Here are some more things to think about:

1: LAST BOX IN, FIRST BOX OUT

Label, but also tell our team, which boxes you will need first at your new location and we will be sure to load it in the best spot for quick unloading. Together, we can be sure we won’t have to use up precious time trying to find your important items.

2: MOVING DAY: READY TO ROLL

Remember, try to have everything ready to go when our moving team arrives. We understand that life happens, and we will work with you, but try, as much as possible to be ready to load everything into the truck in one day.

3: VALUABLE THINGS NEED EXTRA CARE

Valuable things, such as cash and jewelry, or items of critical need, such as prescription medications and certain documents, such as passports, need to be kept with you. Even though you may not need to access them on moving day, you can reduce your stress about these things by being sure they are kept with you. This will also help the movers concentrate on their other responsibilities.

4: DECIDING ON DETAILS

Before the move, think ahead about where our reliable movers can park the truck. You may need to reserve a spot ahead of time or get a special permit. You should also think through how our movers can have the best access to your residence:

1. Is there an elevator that needs to be reserved?
2. Is there a weight limit on any elevator that the movers need to know about?
3. Are there any time limitations on parking or on moving hours, for example, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m or 6 a.m. to 9 p.m?

5: DOUBLE-CHECK YOUR FURNITURE

If you have made arrangements to have certain items packed by our professionals, you can help them by removing all heavy and breakable items are from dressers and desks, so they’re easier to lift and pack. It will also help us if you are able to disassemble bedroom sets to save time on your moving day. If none of this is possible, please be sure to give us enough notice and time to help you with this special need for moving.

*If you have any other questions or concerns, please give us a call. Our reliable movers in Calgary are always happy to help. Check out what is included in our residential moving services.