Moving FAQs

We’ve seen it all and done it all. Feel free to browse some of the more common questions we get asked. If you can’t find the answer you need below, just get in touch with us—we’re happy to help!

Local moves with Two Small Men come with a fixed hourly rate and estimated moving hours. Your hourly rate will depend on a few factors, including:

  • The city you are in
  • The time of month you are moving
  • The time of year you are moving

For example, a great time to move would be in the middle of the month in autumn. While a pricier time to move would be peak moving season (Summer) at the end of the month.

There are several variables that can impact what fees you’ll pay for your move. At Two Small Men, our Move Coordinators are trained to ask those questions and they’ll let you know what fees will apply to your moving day. One important factor is whether your move is local or long-distance. Heavy items such as a piano or a safe (anything over 300 lbs), may also result in a heavy item fee. Reach out to our move coordinators for more information!

There is preparation that goes into getting the truck safe and properly equipped for your move. We also incur driving time to get from our office to the pickup location, and back to our office again.

These costs are a flat rate, so you don’t have to worry about driving conditions, traffic etc. The rates are averaged out for every customer no matter where you live in the city. This is a generally accepted best practice in the industry.

You won’t be charged extra, but the further our crew is carrying an item, the longer your move may take. Moves are charged on an hourly basis, so be sure to let your Move Coordinator know if there are far walking distances they should account for in your estimate.

Our movers will never ask for tips from customers, but they can accept tips should customers feel inclined.

There is no commonly recommended amount or percentage of the bill when it comes to tipping your movers. We encourage you to tip whatever you feel is appropriate for the job that was completed, should you decide to.

Yes, we do ask that customers empty their drawers before we move dressers. We have wardrobe boxes available to keep all your clothes safe and neat for transport.

The short answer to this question is: no. Two Small Men is a fully Canadian company, and we’ve been operating since 1982. When it comes to bad weather, we’ve seen it all. We’ll be there on moving day come rain, snow, or more snow!

We do ask that when weather is inclement, you take precautions for the safety of our crew and for your belongings by clearing and salting walkways as needed.

Autumn and winter tend to be the most affordable times to move, whereas spring and summer are peak moving seasons. If you’re moving in the summer, we recommend a middle-of-the-month move when possible, as rates will likely be lower between the 5th and 23rd of the month.

We recommend keeping anything you think you’ll use, or need, on moving day or in the days immediately following your move. Some items customers hold onto are toilet paper and paper towels, your phone charger, snacks, toys and books for the kids, and easy to transport electronics such as laptops and tablets. You should also keep medication and any important documents with you, such as your medical records, passport, or your birth certificate. Many people often choose to keep extra special items of value or sentiment on them as well. We recommend designating one or two bags or boxes to important items and bringing them with you to your new home yourself.

Our Move Coordinators are experienced, and trained to provide you with an over-the-phone estimate. They’ll ask you several questions to help provide an accurate estimate for the length of your move.

There are three factors that are most likely to impact the accuracy of your estimate:

Preparation: When it comes to making a move efficient, preparation is key! It always helps save time if you can have everything packed and ready to go. Any item that can go in a box should. Also, moving boxes and items as close to the entrance/exit of your home as possible really helps.

Volume: It can be difficult to remember everything that needs to be moved when you’re filling out a form or discussing a quote. We recommend doing a walkthrough of your home beforehand so you can take notes on the number and variety of items you have. This will help your quote be as accurate as possible!

Accessibility: How long is the walk from your door to the entrance of the building? How close can we back the truck to that entrance? Is the snow and ice cleared from walks in the wintertime? How tall/wide are pathways, entrances, stairwells, etc.? Issues like this can have an impact on the length of your move and, therefore, your quote.

Not all movers are equipped to offer disassembly and reassembly and packing services. We are happy to say that at Two Small Men, we offer all those services and more!

We recommend starting the quoting process at least six weeks in advance of your move and booking one month before you move.

We do not recommend leaving light bulbs in your lamps while moving. Light bulbs are very delicate and can stop working even when “lightly” jostled. Broken glass is also a huge safety concern – we recommend unscrewing light bulbs, wrapping them in cloth, and taking them with you in the car on the way to your new home.

We can move your stuff just about anywhere within Canada! Two Small Men offers local and long distance moving. Ask your Move Coordinator for more details!

Yes, we can, if they will fit within the box area of the truck. Please keep in mind that we are not arborists – so if you have any concerns about temperature and how to properly transport these items, please consult your nearest greenhouse for suggestions and instructions and let us know prior to your move.

We’ll do everything we can to prevent a claim – but in the rare case damage occurs, you can rely on our dedicated After-Service & Claims Manager to help resolve any issues and address all your concerns.

Generally, there are not weight restrictions for items that we can move. Moves with heavier items (think 300 or more pounds) will normally require extra movers on the job. Be sure to let your Move Coordinator know about specific heavy items that you must move.

You can usually purchase packing supplies such as boxes, packing paper, and packing tape from the moving company you hire. You can also purchase these items at large hardware stores. When you pick up boxes, keep in mind that your vehicle size matters. Most unfolded medium and large boxes won’t fit in two-door or small four-door vehicles. Crushing the boxes to make them fit can damage their structural integrity.

The other option is to get used boxes, or reuse boxes you already have in your home. Used materials are a great way to save cash during your move, but the downside is that they come with the risk of damaging your belongings if the quality has degraded with time.  If you’re reusing old boxes or getting used boxes from a grocery or other retail store, you should make sure the boxes are clean and free of any damage that could cause them to give during your move. If they feel weak or unsteady, don’t use them!

There’s no single, perfect box size for moving. Different items are best suited to different boxes. Check out these common types of boxes and the best ways to use them to keep your items safe on moving day:

  • 2-cube (16.75 x 12.5 x 12.5″): This is the most “standard” sized box. It’s best for heavy items such as books, canned goods, shoes, etc. The heavier and denser the items, the smaller the box you’ll want to use.
  • 4-cube (18 x 18 x 20″): Best for light items such as linens and other clothes, or for oddly shaped items like kitchen appliances, lamps, etc.
  • TV box: You’ll use this to keep your TV safe and undamaged during the move.
  • Picture box: These are used for framed artwork, mirrors, and other thin, fragile items.
  • Dish barrels (and inserts): Used to pack dishes and other fragile kitchen items.
  • Wardrobe box: These are Two Small Men staff’s favourite way to move clothes: with a hanging bar included, you can simply transfer your clothes on hangers to the box, and easily move them into your new closet when you arrive at your new home.

Here are our tried and true tips for labeling your boxes:

  • First, decide what will go into the box. Knowing what will go in each box – and having similar items grouped together – will make labeling easier.
  • To avoid the post-move runaround, make sure every item in a box is going to the same room.
  • Label the top and sides of the box and include a quick list of what items are in the box.
  • Prominently label each box with the room it belongs in, so your movers know where to put it in your new home. This simple step will make unpacking much less of a headache for you at the end of a busy moving day.
  • Number each box and keep a list for yourself with the number of boxes and the room each box should be in (you can even list their contents).

No – moving fragile items under 300 lbs won’t cost you extra. But we strongly recommend moving smaller, fragile items yourself by car if possible. If that’s not an option, ensure that you pack the item with lots of extra padding and prominently mark the box as being fragile.

Our crew will come equipped with commercial-grade floor runners to ensure that no dirt is tracked through your home. They’ll also have high-quality moving blankets to wrap furniture in so that sharp corners aren’t a worry.

Our crew are professionals and are trained in safe furniture and box handling techniques. They’ll also come equipped with high-quality moving blankets, packing tape, and moving dollies.

Using a tape measure, measure the length and the width of the room – make sure there are no objects in the way to impact the accuracy of the measurement. To determine the square footage, multiply the length by the width.

We are pet lovers and we’ve written an entire blog about this very topic. Here are the six best tips we have for moving with your furry friend.

  • Get them used to carriers
  • Create a pet essentials kit
  • Keep them calm
  • Let them out in a quiet, isolated room in the house
  • Talk to your vet if your pet has special needs

Learn more about moving in with your pet

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

We are here to help you! If you don’t see your questions in our FAQ, you can always contact us and we will get back to you.

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Ready to book your affordable move?

If you’re planning a move, the best way to make sure it fits within your budget is to start with a free moving estimate. After you fill out our easy estimate form, you’ll be contacted by a friendly move coordinator who can tell you all about available discounts, and moving days with better rates.

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