Inner City Moving

When it comes to moving, choosing the right boxes and supplies can make a big difference in how smoothly the process goes. With so many different options available, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.

Here are some tips for choosing the right moving boxes and supplies:

• Consider the size and weight of your items

Before choosing moving boxes, consider the size and weight of your items. Larger items, such as appliances, will require larger boxes. Smaller, heavier items like books will require smaller boxes. It’s important to choose boxes that can support the weight of your items to avoid damage during the move.

• Choose sturdy, high-quality boxes

When it comes to moving boxes, it’s important to choose high-quality boxes that can withstand the weight and pressure of your items. Avoid using boxes that are damaged, thin or weak. Look for sturdy boxes made from thick cardboard or plastic.

• Use specialty boxes for delicate items

Specialty boxes are designed to protect delicate or fragile items during the move. Consider using boxes with dividers for dishes or wine bottles, or wardrobe boxes for clothing items. These boxes are designed to keep your items secure and prevent damage during transportation.

• Invest in packing materials

In addition to boxes, packing materials are essential for protecting your items during the move. Use bubble wrap, packing paper, or foam peanuts to cushion fragile items. Use packing tape to secure boxes and prevent them from opening during transport.

• Don’t forget about labelling and organizing

Once you have your boxes and packing materials, it’s important to label and organize everything. Label each box with its contents and the room it belongs in. This will make it easier to unpack and stay organized during the move. Use colour-coded stickers or labels to make it easy to identify boxes from each room.

Choosing the right moving boxes and supplies can help make your move easier and less stressful. Consider the size and weight of your items, choose sturdy boxes, use specialty boxes for delicate items, invest in packing materials, and label and organize everything. With the right boxes and supplies, your move will be a success.

Move with ease and efficiency with the right boxes and packing supplies. Get Inner City Moving & Storage to help you today! Call us at 416-656-892.

Moving an office can be a daunting task, but with the right supplies, it can be made as easy and efficient as possible. Here are 5 essential supplies for an office move:

1. Moving Boxes

Moving boxes are essential for packing and transporting office items. It’s important to choose high-quality, sturdy boxes that can support the weight of your items. Different size boxes will be needed for different items. Use smaller boxes for heavier items like books and larger boxes for items like office equipment and files.

2. Packing Materials

In addition to moving boxes, you will need packing materials to cushion and protect your office items during transportation. Use bubble wrap, packing paper or foam peanuts to provide extra padding for fragile items. Make sure to secure everything with packing tape to prevent items from shifting during transport.

3. Moving Dollies

Moving dollies are a must-have for an office move, especially if you have large or heavy items like desks, chairs, or file cabinets. A moving dolly makes it easier to move heavy items and reduces the risk of injury to you or your employees.

4. Labels and Markers

Remember to clearly label all your boxes and furniture with their contents and their destination in the new office. This will help with organization and make unpacking much easier. Use coloured stickers or markers to easily identify boxes from each room.

5. Furniture Covers

It is important to protect your office furniture during the move. Invest in furniture covers to protect your desks, chairs, and other items from scratches and other damage. This is especially important if your office furniture is expensive or high-end.

Moving an office requires careful planning and the right supplies. Make sure to have high-quality moving boxes, packing materials, moving dollies, labels and markers, and furniture covers to make your office move as smooth and efficient as possible. With these essential supplies, you’ll be able to move your office with ease and minimize downtime for your business.

Need help moving or securing the right packing supplies? Turn to Inner City Moving & Storage today! Call us at 416-656-892.

When it comes to moving, choosing the right boxes can make all the difference in protecting your belongings during the move. With so many different types of moving boxes available, it can be overwhelming to know which ones to choose for different items.

Here is a guide to moving boxes and the types of boxes to use for different items:

• Small Boxes

Small boxes are great for packing heavy items, such as books, DVDs, and other small items. These boxes are typically 16″ x 12″ x 12″ and can hold up to 65 pounds. It’s important not to overload small boxes as they can become too heavy to move safely.

• Medium Boxes

Medium boxes are the most versatile and can be used for a variety of items. These boxes are typically 18″ x 18″ x 16″ and can hold up to 65 pounds. Use medium boxes for items like kitchen appliances, clothes, and office supplies.

• Large Boxes

Large boxes are great for lightweight, bulky items like comforters, pillows, and lampshades. These boxes are typically 18″ x 18″ x 24″ and can hold up to 65 pounds. It’s important not to overload large boxes as they can become too bulky to move safely.

• Wardrobe Boxes

Wardrobe boxes are designed for clothing items and are equipped with a metal bar for hanging clothes. These boxes are typically 24″ x 24″ x 40″ and can hold up to 100 pounds. Use wardrobe boxes for hanging clothes, curtains, and drapes.

• Dish Boxes

Dish boxes are designed to protect delicate items such as dishes, glasses, and other fragile kitchen items. These boxes are typically 18″ x 18″ x 28″ and have cell dividers inside to cushion and protect each item. Use dish boxes for packing delicate kitchen items and other fragile items.

• Electronics Boxes

Electronics boxes are designed to protect electronics such as TVs, computers, and speakers. These boxes come in different sizes and shapes and are typically made with heavy-duty cardboard or foam. Use electronics boxes for packing TVs, computers, speakers, and other electronics.

Choosing the right moving boxes is important for protecting your belongings during the move. Use small boxes for heavy items, medium boxes for versatile items, large boxes for lightweight bulky items, wardrobe boxes for clothing, dish boxes for fragile kitchen items, and electronics boxes for electronics. By using the right boxes for each item, you’ll ensure that your belongings arrive at your new home or office safely and in one piece.

Get the right boxes you need and some much-needed professional help at  Inner City Moving & Storage! Call us at 416-656-892.

Moving can be an adventure. You’ve found a great new place, but it may be bittersweet leaving your old home. Many find packing to be a tedious and overwhelming part of the process because you have to decide what to do with all of your precious belongings, especially the expensive ones. We’ve all heard horror stories about people who lost irreplaceable items during a move. No one wants to get to the other house and unpack a whole bunch of broken items, especially if those items are very expensive. I don’t want that to happen to you. Here are some tips to help you pack your more expensive items and make sure they arrive in one, undamaged, piece.

Be Careful When Packing

Do not pack fragile items together. They should be separated into individual boxes and labeled. The more expensive something is, the more susceptible it damage that can erase its value. Be wary of certain types of items because they are more likely to get damaged during a move. If you are packing jewelry or watches, do not put them in a bag with other fragile items. Remove any small light bulbs or silverware from drawers or keep them in their boxes so they won’t break.

Wrap Items in Bubble Wrap

It’s easy to roll a small item into a ball and tape the opening shut. The same goes for picture frames and other fragile objects. Wrap the items in bubble wrap to ensure nothing goes astray. Make sure you use enough to completely cover the object. Packing tape is important for sealing the bubble wrap around the fragile objects.

Pack Fragile Items First

Fragile items should be packed first because they can be broken if you do not pack them carefully and make a plan for how they will be stored until moving day then loaded into the moving truck. When you’re ready to pack the bubble wrapped items, you can even cover the tops of the boxes with packing peanuts, which will add another level of safety to fragile items.

Pack Items in the Right Container

In the simplest terms, the most important thing you need to do to properly pack expensive items is to pack them in a container that allows for air circulation. Some people also place their things in plastic storage containers with foam, tape or other materials to keep them from moving around. A move can be stressful on the most basic levels. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, if you don’t properly pack your items, you could be left smash to pieces while you get to the new place.

Hiring A Professional Packing Team

The next time you’re moving, don’t try to pack it all in a few days and if you feel overwhelmed, consider asking us to do this packing for you. But certainly, you don’t want to leave packing more expensive belongings to the last minute as you’ll have less opportunity to make the decisions that will keep them safe.

Consider your previous moves. Have you ever moved and had a problem moving expensive items? What was your experience? Tell us when you book the move, and we’ll offer you our packing services and/or the correct packing materials and storage containers to make moving your more precious items go smoothly.

For a trouble-free move, call the professionals at Innercity Moving and Storage

Today, on this International Women’s Day, I am counting my blessings. I am the father of three beautiful young women. My eldest daughter is a newly qualified nurse. She graduated last year, in the midst of this pandemic and is out there, on the front-lines, serving the community by doing COVID tests and now she is working with the elderly in a long-term home that was devastated by an outbreak last year. My two younger daughters are still in high school. I want a great future for them and that is why I want them to know how proud I am. There are many ways we can show our daughters that they are our heroes.

1.   Saying “I love you”

I want to be able to tell them every day that they are my heroes. My eldest daughter does great things for others as a nurse and that I am so happy she has completed her schooling and that I helped her to do this. My younger daughters have aspirations that will make them community leaders. One wants to become a psychiatrist, the other wants to work in social justice as a lawyer. You may not be able to give your children the world, but you can tell them how much you love them and the things you love about them. Texting her is a quick way to let your daughter know that you love her. Tell her to have a great day and you are thinking about her.

2.   Encourage them to pursue their interests

We cannot always be there to guide and direct them but we can encourage them to discover their talents and explore them. Encourage them to try many educational fields and do not try to limit them due to gender prejudices. Give them a clear definition of success. A girl or woman who is goal-oriented is a woman who is on the right path. Having goals means that you have a direction.

3.   Be a good example

We don’t have to be superheroes to be true heroes. Take the time to be an example. You do not have to cure cancer or be Spiderman. We can be strong in our faith, show faithfulness to our families, and by being loving to those in their lives including by showing love for our neighbors, just as we show love and appreciation for their moms. Be a role model. We want our daughters to learn by example, but that doesn’t mean we should allow them to become the worst version of us. Let them see that failures can create better understanding and that they show that someone is trying, so they are not afraid to make mistakes. We can model for them what we hope for them. Be patient with them, give them time and love them unconditionally. Teach them by example to show appreciation to the people in their life. I have learned from my daughters that not every girl gets a fair chance.

4.   Celebrate their successes

One of the best ways to show our daughters that they are our heroes is to provide the best for them. This is not a parental or economic responsibility. It’s our responsibility. Raising a family and having children is an exciting and positive time. Our daughter should never know that it is anything less.

Watch their successes and show you notice by praising them and giving them what you can to help them improve and grow. When one daughter showed a proficiency in languages, I listened and supported her as she learned Japanese. When another showed a love of art and music, I encouraged her in violin lessons and purchased art supplies.

When my daughter graduated from nursing school, we could not celebrate it with the type of party I wanted to, but I look forward to doing that when we are able to gather. My second daughter graduates from high school this year and I cannot wait to celebrate that and reward them In order to show our daughters that they are our heroes, we need to teach them that there is great value in living life in a way that honors their creator and that recognizes the value of a life well-lived.

5.   Be patient with them

It doesn’t matter if they are young or old, when you love someone, you are always patient and forgiving and try to be understanding when things don’t go as they should. They will turn out great if you take the time to listen to them, offer your advice and show that you are there for them. Remember that they are still children—even when they are 28! They will probably have their hard moments. And you will have your hard moments. But all in all, you will be proud of them and be patient when they make wrong turns. But love them and see the small steps that lead to larger steps. Be patient and loving. Always.

6.   Let them try new things

As a father, you are a primary caregiver for your child. You provide them with guidance, structure, and guiding light. What they learn from you will be irreplaceable but so is the confidence to try new things. You were not born with the knowledge to build a fire, so how do you teach her that? Do not be afraid to be a mentor to her and let her test herself in the most basic ways. Do not be afraid to tell her “no” if she wants to do something that will endanger her life or the life of another. Allow them to be who they are. If you grow up always trying to hide from risks, it will have a detrimental effect on your emotional and mental health. The choice for girls and boys, is to not be afraid to try new things as that is the only way to learn, develop confidence, and become leaders.

7.   Support them in difficult moments

Our daughters may face difficult moments in life. A lot of people do. But even when you are unable to show up for a sport or concert, write the cheque, or send the text, find a way to show your daughter that you are still in her corner and are there for her no matter what. My girls have overcome many difficulties, many of the times, all I could do was give them a hug and remind them they are loved. They have shown remarkable resilience. I have every confidence that they will overcome the challenges of today and tomorrow. I’m a lucky father to be a part of their story. I’m proud of all three of my daughters. Innercity Moving and Storage celebrates the International Day of the Woman. For your moving needs, contact us.

Moving a piano isn’t easy. Besides moving a house, it’s probably the toughest moving job there is. Pianos are heavy, costly, and cumbersome. They can also be quite fragile. Adorned with intricate woodwork and containing delicate internal mechanisms, a piano needs to be moved with care and caution—and with the skill of a specialist.

Hiring a professional piano mover is essential if you want the job done right. Sure, you could do it yourself. Sure, you could hire a regular moving company. You could. But is it worth the risk?

We say no. The fact is: When moving a piano, you need a professional piano moving company. Don’t settle for any old moving company. You need a specialist with plenty of piano-moving experience. Why? Here are 9 reasons to hire a professional piano mover.

1. Pianos Are Heavy

Pianos can weigh anywhere from 400 to over 1000 pounds. For comparison’s sake, your average refrigerator tops out at just 300 lbs, give or take. Pianos are one of the heaviest pieces of furniture a person can have, making it extremely difficult for someone to move on their own. Even upright pianos—which are typically smaller than horizontal pianos—can weigh as much as 800 pounds. If you think you can lift your piano out of your house with a couple of friends, think again.

2. Pianos Are Bulky

The problem with pianos isn’t just the weight. It’s also the size. Tall, wide, and often oblong, they’re a nightmare to move if you don’t know what you’re doing. Worse still if you have to pass through tight, confined spaces like hallways or staircases.

A professional piano mover will have the tools and equipment to move pianos through such spaces safely. At Inner City Moving & Storage, we use a range of safety equipment to move all types of pianos. For upright pianos, we use a piano dolly to secure the piano and load it up safely toward its destination. For grand and baby grand pianos, we use a piano skid board and thick coverings to keep your most prized possession safe. By using professional harnesses and safety equipment, we’re able to move every piano without the risk of damage—even if it’s through a tightly confined space.

3. Pianos Are Costly

A piano is one of the most valuable pieces of furniture you can own. They don’t come cheap. Even an upright piano can cost upwards of several thousand dollars—and a baby grand can be triple that.

Hiring a professional moving company will help you protect that costly investment. Why risk damaging your piano when you can spend a little bit more to keep it safe and secure? Your future self will thank you.

4. Less Stress, Fewer Risks

Moving’s stressful enough, even without a piano in the mix. Hiring a professional can make the whole job easier. It can ensure your items are protected and that the move will go smoothly, giving you the complete peace of mind you want.

Here at Inner City Moving & Storage, we work closely with our clients to make their moves as stress-free as possible. We follow rigorous safety protocols to mitigate risk and manage the job with ease and efficiency. We practice particular caution with pianos, making sure we transport them with the utmost caution. Consistently, our clients mention how our safety standards make them feel more comfortable and less stressed. It’s just that extra level of care and concern that makes a professional piano moving company such a worthwhile investment.

5. Prevents Damage

Hiring a professional piano mover can prevent your piano from being damaged. Using all the tools and safety equipment at their disposal, piano movers can get a piano out of tight spots without scratching or denting it.

Pianos may be sturdy, but as acoustic instruments, they are susceptible to damage—particular so from impact trauma. Don’t let a bad bump ruin your piano. Keep it safe and secure with a pro piano mover.

6. Prevents Injuries

Damaging an object is one thing, but injuring someone is something else. Unfortunately, piano-moving injuries are more common than you’d think. An untrained mover can easily strain their back and sustain a long-term injury. If the piano has to go down four or more steps, the risks only multiply. For everyone’s safety, it’s best to leave it to the professionals—especially when stairs are involved.

7. Protected by Insurance

One of the best reasons to hire a professional moving company is because they’re insured. Piano moving companies will have insurance specifically to cover piano damage, ensuring that—worst-case scenario—you receive the compensation you deserve.

If you move a piano yourself, you’re liable for any damage inflicted. A professional company can give you an extra layer of protection so you don’t have to worry. You can feel at ease knowing your piano is in safe hands and covered by insurance.

8. Saves Time

Let’s face it. Moving is a time-consuming chore that no one ever has enough to do on their own without feeling stressed. Hiring a professional moving company can save you time so you can get on with your busy schedule and that’s even more true when you add a piano to the mix. Rather than spending hours finding a dolly, buying piano covers, fastening the piano, and taking countless measurements, you can hire someone else to do it for you. You can kick back, relax, and enjoy more time doing the things that really matter.

Looking for a Professional Piano Mover? Inner City Moving & Storage Has You Covered

Inner City Moving & Storage is a professional moving company that specializes in piano moving. Serving the Greater Toronto area for over 25 years, we’ve made a name as a trusted team of movers committed to customer satisfaction. If you’re in the Toronto area and you need to move a piano, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us to see what we can do for you. Request a quote, or call us at 647-308-0695 today to schedule a consultation.

“I love lockdown,” said no one ever, especially those living with young children and working in an open plan home.

The pandemic has shown many that living with a main floor with few separating walls between living room, dining room, kitchen, and office can make working from home a nightmare. The designers of the open plan never had to work while homeschooling their children. With the open plan design, the steady whir of the dishwasher mixed with the crinkling sounds of kids opening packages for snacks in the background ruin your concentration. And as you try to look calm on Zoom while making furtive hand gestures to quieten the kids and spouse, you can count on your dog to start barking just when you’ve unmuted to give your input on an important project.

Pandemic Changes Working Habitats

According to designers, the open-plan home is one of the trends that is making its way out. Around forty-two percent of Canadians are working from home due to the lockdown and it is likely that the remote working will continue long after the pandemic is a distant memory. When surveyed, Global News reported that eighty-six percent of respondents said they were getting used to working from home and liked it. Thirty-six percent also said, if they were ordered back to the office, they would look for another job. Thus, as we are living through the impracticality of open-plan floor plans, future home interior designs are likely to include some versions of privacy.

Forbes online magazine quoted a designer who remarked that closed layouts will become the standard. “It’s just because people want that privacy, they want that little bit of separation. And sometimes it’s good to have a door that you can close. Whether it’s for containing a mess or just giving yourself that physical and audio separation from other things that are going on in your home.”

Your Home Office

While, a carefully placed bookshelf can define your office space, it does not prevent your children from wandering over to ask you for a snack. You may also need to add strictly enforced rules with the family to prevent constant interruptions that can reduce your focus and productivity. Future designs will see a return of room dividers and walls and doors, if only to give remote workers the audio separation necessary for a peaceful boundary between work and home. Having a home office with a door is often a good way to lock away the workday as so many report that they work more hours when working from home than they logged when they worked in a corporate space. So, although the daily commute is gone, those hours are replaced by a longer working day and the design of your home may be at fault.

The Importance of Doors

And isn’t it distracting to be able to see the dishes in the sink or other little messes while you are trying to work? One client we moved from a modern apartment in Toronto to a larger country home ninety minutes away described the number of doors in his new home with the same type of pleasure I use when describing a medium-rare, juicy steak! The pandemic is causing changes to the way we live and work. It is no surprise that these are leading to changes in the way we use our space.

The Hassle-Free Move

Looking for a new place? Don’t forget to get a quote and book a move with Toronto’s best movers: trust the professionals at Inner City Moving & Storage. Telephone 416 656-8924 or email us at move@innercitymoving.ca

We all have things we no longer need – or things we purchased that we never really needed in the first place. The time before a move is an excellent opportunity to look around and decide what you would like to keep and what is just excess baggage. Think about it: through decluttering you will end up with less to clean, items you can sell, less things to pack for the move, a quicker unpack when you get to your new house, and according to many professional organizers—more joy.

Too much junk!

For example, how many food storage containers do you have in your cupboards? How many of these have lids? Do you also have clothing that no longer fits or clothing too unfashionable for you to ever wear again? Shoes you haven’t worn for years, tax files dating back to the mid-80s, a broken food processor and its useless accessories? Maybe you have an old computer you meant to sell via Kijiji or eBay or a chair that you’d planned to get re-upholstered one day? It is probably about now that you are realizing that the great deal from the garage sale may not have been worth the $5. It is going to costs so much more in time or money to dispose. And—what about those boxes that were never unpacked after your last move?

Don’t worry. This is a common first world problem with a long history. The following quote is from 1928:

“We buy things we don’t need with money we don’t have to impress people we don’t like.”

A study reported in the LA Times newspaper found that there are 300,000 items in the average American home. Imagine that—THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND THINGS! No one has bothered to count the number of things in Canadian homes, but I doubt there would be much difference if they did.

Because we have so many things, it’s not surprising it’s hard to keep track of the items we actually need amongst all that stuff. A UK newspaper, The Daily Mail, reported that over the course of our lifetime, we will spend a total of 3,680 hours or 153 days searching for misplaced items. The research found we lose up to nine items every day—or 198,743 things in a lifetime. Phones, keys, sunglasses, and paperwork top the list.

Declutter for Peace of Mind

And we move this stuff from apartment to apartment, house to house. But this time – decide not to do it! Why lug around boxes of material that clutter your house AND cost you extra money in moving costs to transport?

So before you move, take an inventory of your possessions. An inventory is a great tool for many reasons. It will make it obvious where you have duplications (like the old sofa that is covered with a blanket in your basement) plus it will be helpful for insuring your belongings. There are many apps that can help with this. To find some, click here. You’ll also find that spreadsheets, like Microsoft Excel and Numbers for the Apple crowd, include templates that will also help you log what you own.

Maybe it’s time to have a garage sale or just donate items that you don’t use to Value Village or to a charity. Someone else just might have use for your complete Seinfeld TV Series CD set now that you’ve memorized every scene. Recycle or sell whatever you can.

A decluttered place will bring you peace of mind, and it will be like a fresh start in your new home. Wouldn’t you love to have a place for everything that you need and use so that once you use something you can put it back in its own special place?

But Where Do You Start?

One of the hottest organizational experts right now is Japan’s Marie Kondo, whose 2014 book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizingled to a whole lifestyle of sparking joy through clearing up, has trained many professional organizers who can help you if you feel stuck. Should you want a referral to such an organizer, be sure to contact me. Kondo suggests, in her videos and through courses on her website that you declutter in this order.

1. Clothing
2. Books
3. Documents
4. Miscellaneous Items, including mementos

She also suggests you say “thank you” to each item as you send them on to their new home.

So first … STOP SHOPPING! If you are going to bring something new into your home, really question whether it will just be another thing to throw out in a couple of weeks or months or the next time you move.

And keep your receipts so you can take things back.

For more tips on decluttering and moving, please email your ICM professional mover at move@innercitymoving.ca or telephone number 647-308-0695. Please subscribe to our quarterly newsletter where we regularly provide tips on packing, moving day, and beyond.