residential moving
A nightmare on moving day is definitely not what you want to be dealing with. There are countless stories people have shared online about moves gone wrong. As Toronto-based movers ourselves, we’ve also heard some of these stories while working for clients.
By sharing their stories, we’re able to reflect on how we can best avoid these problems during your move and plan accordingly! That said, we’re here to provide the best tips so that these nightmares don’t become your reality and you can avoid moving day problems.
Top Horror Stories From Around the GTA
Story #1: The Broken Glass Disaster in Mississauga
A resident in Mississauga shared how their glass dining table shattered because it wasn’t packed properly. The table had sentimental value, and seeing it in pieces was devastating for them. It seemed that the table had only a single layer of padding and was placed near the edge of the truck, allowing it to shift during transport.
How to Avoid This Moving Issue
Wrap fragile items in multiple layers of padding and clearly label boxes or packages as “fragile.” Our local moving company plan the packing order so that delicate pieces travel in secure spots where they won’t shift during transit to avoid moving day problems. Extra care can prevent heartbreak and damage!
The resident ended up buying a new table and learned to invest in heavy-duty padding for fragile items.
Story #2: Lost Boxes in a Hamilton High-Rise
We’ve heard stories of families moving out of Hamilton high-rises where several boxes were misplaced, leaving people scrambling for their most important and necessary items like dishes, clothes, and important documents. Searching for missing boxes caused unnecessary stress and delayed settling into the new home. This is likely caused by the fact that the boxes were unlabeled, and there was no checklist for tracking which boxes went where.
How to Avoid This Moving Issue
Number and label each box with both the contents and the room it belongs to. Keep an inventory list so that if a box gets temporarily misplaced, you know exactly what’s missing and where it should go.
Story #3: Furniture Stuck in the Stairwell in Vaughan
In an older Vaughan home, we heard a story about large furniture getting stuck halfway up narrow staircases, causing damage to the furniture and walls. Maneuvering these pieces without proper planning can turn a simple move into a stressful situation, which we don’t want. This could have been because measurements weren’t taken beforehand, and the sofa was too large for the staircase without partial disassembly. This is why consultations and quotes are so important!
How to Avoid This Moving Issue
Measure your furniture and doorways before the move. Consider disassembling larger pieces if possible, and plan the path of each item carefully. A little preparation can stop a lot of damage and save a lot of time!
In the end, the Vaughan homeowner had to carefully take apart their furniture and reassemble it in their new home. The experience taught them to always measure furniture and paths before a move.
Story #4: The Spilled Paint Catastrophe in Richmond Hill
We’ve heard from couples moving in Richmond Hill about cans of paint tipping over during transit, spilling on carpets and boxes of belongings. The smell lingered for weeks, and many items had to be discarded. The paint was often left unsecured or placed in unstable spots.
How to Avoid This Moving Issue
Secure all liquids in airtight containers, place them in a stable, low area, and separate them from other belongings. Double-check lids before lifting or loading. Taking these precautions keeps your new home safe and your belongings intact!
The couple had to throw away some boxes and hire a professional cleaner, which meant spending more money. Thinking in detail about small things like this can even save you a pretty penny!
Story #5: The Refrigerator Mishap in Toronto
A Toronto resident shared how a large fridge tipped at the wrong angle during their move, causing coolant to leak and minor floor damage. The repair cost and stress were completely avoidable had they kept the fridge upright.
How to Avoid This Moving Issue
Check appliance dimensions against doorways and layouts in advance – again, measure your home. Use sturdy dollies designed for heavy appliances and keep appliances upright to avoid moving day problems. Extra help in tight spaces prevents accidents and protects your home.
The resident had to hire appliance repair services and cover minor floor repairs.
Story #6: Broken Bedroom Furniture in Mississauga
Some people in Mississauga have reported bed frames collapsing during the move because they weren’t fully disassembled, or hardware was missing. This resulted in scratches and broken pieces, causing additional stress after an already hectic day.
How to Avoid This Moving Issue
Disassemble larger furniture completely before the move. Keep screws and small parts in labeled bags taped to the corresponding piece! This step makes assembly easier in the new home and avoids damage.
Moral Of The Story
These horror stories happen more often than you can imagine! There are little slip-ups that can turn into massive problems. Learn from these experiences and stories so that your move runs as smoothly as possible. We’ll also make sure to steer clear of these problems and find proactive solutions, so your move is smooth, safe, and stress-free – turning what could have been a nightmare into a fresh start!