Get insider advice on efficiently organizing, and packing, your belongings to streamline your relocation using a long-distance moving company across Canada. As the moving truck slowly pulled away, I glanced back at my Toronto house one last time.
My cross-country move to Vancouver was officially underway thanks to efficient packing strategies – but getting to this point had its hiccups.
Through poorly packed boxes, damaged furnishings, and many lessons learned, I devised a battle-tested approach to packing a smooth long-haul move.
Whether you’ve enlisted a professional moving company across Canada or you’re embarking on a DIY journey, these packing tips will save you money, migraines, and heartache over the 3000+ kilometers between your old life and your new one.
Paring Down Possessions
“Will I need this Vancouver?” Asking this question eliminates 50% of belongings right off the bat. Be ruthless.
I ditched half my shoes, donated unused kitchenware, and curbed scores of books. Gear up for even more purging directly after unpacking.
Packing pro tip: your goal should be to fill no more than half the moving truck. This leaves room for poor packing jobs requiring last-minute box shifting. A crammed truck multiplies fees and damages.
Procuring Moving Materials
Resist janky banana boxes from the grocery store – they quickly rip and spill contents. Invest in:
- Quality cardboard boxes in 3 standard sizes
- Premium stretch wrap for protecting furniture
- Color-coded labeling stickers to designate rooms
- Packing paper, bubble wrap, and foam peanuts
A month before moving day, gather ample materials or you’ll pay premium last-minute prices once chaos strikes.
Don’t forget essentials like mattress bags, hanging wardrobe boxes, and toolkits containing tape, utility knives, scissors, and permanent markers.
Pack Smart By Room
| Room | Packing Tips |
| Kitchen | Group wrap plates, and bowls. Pack the heaviest pots, and pans at the bottom. Label box contents in detail. |
| Bedrooms | Disassemble bed frames. Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes. Pack bedding last for easy access. |
| Bathrooms | Seal toiletries in labeled Ziploc bags. Wrap mirrors/glass in bubble paper. Drain hoses/clean appliances. |
| Living Spaces | Cover/wrap furniture in stretch wrap. Label boxes by contents for easy unpacking. |
Pack room-by-room with easy-to-unpack groupings: dishes together, books together. It makes setting up your new home much smoother.
Loading Logic
“Last in, first out” rules the loading order. Essentials needed immediately for your arrival go in last – think bedding, basic toiletries, chargers, medications, cleaning supplies, and a coffee maker!
Heavy furniture and boxes come next, aligned along walls evenly to prevent shifting. Light items like lamps and décor fill gaps to prevent rattling. For partial loads, distribute weight to avoid danger from imbalanced trucks.
Loading properly is a strategic endeavor. I once threw boxes in willy-nilly and arrived to find my glassware in shards – don’t repeat my mistakes!
Insurance and Inventory
Document valuables pre-move with photos and receipts. For items with high sentimental (not monetary) value, consider transporting yourself – movers work quickly and may unintentionally damage.
Confirm what recourse you have if items are lost or damaged, including compensation. Replacement value protection brings peace of mind.
While I can’t guarantee a stress-free relocation across our vast country, implementing these seasoned packing pointers lays a smooth foundation for transports between any Canadian province. Just make sure to build in days to detox from the dizzying pace of packing!
