Highland Moving & Storage Blog

Avoiding A Moving Scam

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 21:03:00 +0200

The most important thing to keep in mind about avoiding a moving scam is that if it sounds to good to be true, chances are it is. Rest assured your well reputable professionals here at Highland will take good care of you. However, if you are just beginning your research to find a moving company you want to evaluate the following:

Reputation. Reputation is everything. You want to do your due diligence. Start by checking references and experience. If you are in Canada or the US, check with professional organizations like your local Better Business Bureau (BBB). If you are in the United States, check the American Moving and Storage Association (AMSA) and get the MC number of the company. This will allow you to check the Department of Transportation website ProtectYourMove.gov. and it will give you a great deal of helpful information on the company.
Online presence. You want to assess their on-line presence. See if they have one and if so, what is the feedback they are getting from customers. You want to evaluate their professional reputation, community and professional involvement and their ability to meet your moving needs.
Get Several Quotes. You want to get at least three quotes. This will allow you to get a clear comparison and enable you to assess the true cost of your move. This will also serve as a litmus test because it will allow you to evaluate the bids that you are getting to make sure they are reasonable. A great online resource for this is ClickandMove. ClickandMove allows you to take your inventory at your convenience and submit it online. Movers will return estimates based on your information.
Cost is not everything. I know you are all on a budget but I want to caution you. If you put all of your emphasis on the lowest bid, it may end up costing you in the long run. If the bids are within a reasonable range, you should be in good shape. However, if one is significantly lower than the others, chances are you may be dealing with someone questionable. Unfortunately, there are scammers out there who will give you a very low estimate but then charge you additional fees or claim a greater total weight before you take delivery. Therefore, they will hold your items ‘hostage’ until you pay them the difference. So, just be careful when you receive a bid that is significantly less than the rest.

Taking the time to do your research will be worth it in the long run. Feel free to contact us anytime if you have questions or concerns. We will be happy to help you.

Getting Your Family Settled After a Move

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:33:00 +0200

After a move, it is so important to take the right steps to ensure your family feels settled. Once you have unpacked the boxes, the next item on your list should be to find activities you and your family enjoy and pursue them. Expose your children to your new area by exploring. Do your research online to find out where to go. If your children are into sports, look into the sport activities available in your new area. If your child is into dance or gymnastics, look into the organizational structure and see if you can get reviews and referrals. The great news is that most of this information is available on line. This makes it so convenient to find the information you need to make a decision. As for your child’s school, take a tour before he or she starts. This will help alleviate some anxiety on the first day of school. Get involved with your children’s new school. This is invaluable for making contacts and understanding the academic environment for your children.

Take a car ride and get a feel for the area. Visit the parks and community facilities. Having a navigation system is a great tool to use when you first move. It takes some time to get an understanding of where things are and having access to a navigation system is a huge time saver. This will help you get the lay of the land quickly. It will help you navigate your new area, which in turn will make you feel comfortable in your new surroundings.

It is amazing how everything does fall into place and before you know it, you will know where the milk is in the grocery store and you will know how to get there without the help of your navigation system. This is when you know you are settled.

Purchasing Real Estate in Canada

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:25:00 +0200

Purchasing real estate in Canada is a relatively easy process. However, there are some regulations governing the sale of property that you should be familiar with before you begin your search. Non-residents, those who are planning to live within Canada for a period of time of six months or less in a calendar year, are able to purchase property and open bank accounts without applying for immigrant status. However, if you are planning on living within Canada for an extended period time, which is longer than six months in a calendar year, you will have to apply for immigrant status. Further, if you are planning on working within the country, you will have to file the appropriate paperwork with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).

It is important to note that each province has its own rules and regulations governing the sale of property to residents and non-residents. Therefore, it is important to familiarize yourself with them once you have decided where you want to buy.

When looking to finance, keep in mind that as a Canadian resident, typically you will be able to finance approximately 75% of the value of the property. However, if you are a non-resident that percentage typically drops to approximately 65%.

Whether you become a resident or not, you should seriously consider the help of a professional realtor. He or she will be able to help guide you through the process and educate you on what is common practice within Canada.

If are seriously considering purchasing a property in Canada, make sure to familiarize yourself with the additional taxes and fees that come with a purchase. This is important because it will impact your budget.

Taxes

Clearance Certificate. This fee is paid by the seller and ranges from approximately $300 to $1000 and it is dependent on the transaction.

Goods and Services Tax (GST). This tax applies to new construction and is typically 5% of the total value and is included in the purchase price.

Harmonized Sales Tax (HST). This is collected by the Canadian Revenue Agency and is distributed among participating provinces.

Property Tax. This is an annual tax collected by the local units of governments and it ranges from approximately .5% to 2.5% of the value of the property.

Property Transfer Tax/Land Transfer Fees. These fees range from approximately .5% to 2% of the total property value. However, they apply differently in various parts of the country.

Provincial Sales Tax (PST). This tax varies greatly in price by location. It can range from 0 to 10% and is included in the price of the home.

Fees

If you are planning to purchase property, you will also have to consider the fees that go along with the purchase. These may include but are not limited to realtor fees, appraisal fees, survey fees, inspection fees, attorney fees, property insurance, home owner associations and/or condominium fees. Therefore, get clarification ahead of time to prevent confusion.

It is important to note that if you are on a corporate relocation, you will have to consult your company’s policies and procedures. Some companies prefer you not purchase while on assignment. Therefore, it is important that you clarify this ahead of time to prevent any misunderstanding in the future.

Tips to Make Your Corporate Relocation Easier

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:18:00 +0200

Corporate relocations often offer you a great opportunity to experience a new place, culture and way of life. However, most corporate relocations happen quickly, so you will have to prepare yourself for the pace of the move. Further, you must learn and educate yourself on the relocation policies and procedures of your employer. This will enable you to understand what will be covered by your employer and what will be your responsibility. It will also allow you to best prepare yourself for the move by understanding what you need to do and when you need to do it. Some companies offer a great deal of services, including concierge services with your own dedicated associate to help coordinate your moving tasks. However, most companies now offer a budgeted amount and you are responsible to work within that figure. Either way, knowing what your company prefers and offers will help better prepare you and your family. This also helps to manage expectations.

As with any move, the key to a successful corporate relocation is organization. No matter what is available to you, you definitely want to have one central location for all of your important paperwork. Whether it be a binder, folder or notebook, keeping all of your paperwork in one place helps prevent you from misplacing it.

The good news is that most professional moving companies, like Highland have dedicated services for those on corporate relocations. They understand the nature of your move and the time constraints involved. Therefore, they will do their best to help you make your move easier. For further information, please refer to Highland's Corporate Relocation Information.

Consider Cost of Living When You Move

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:23:00 +0200

When moving to a new area, keep in mind the cost of living of your new location. Cost of living has a direct impact on your budget and your way of life in your new home. Therefore, doing a bit of research will help prepare you for any impacts. There are many different tools online to assess the impact of the change. Various cost of living calculators will help you determine whether or not your new location will have a significant impacts on you and your family.

If you are moving to Canada from the US or from the US to Canada, Numbeo.com has a fantastic cost of living calculator that will allow you to compare the cost of living between a Canadian City and an American City, which will give you a good barometer of what to expect. Numbeo.com will also help you compare the cost of living between cities within Canada and the US. Doing this research ahead of time will help you assess the financial impact on your family prior to the relocation, so that you are better prepared and can make the necessary adjustments to your budget ahead of time.

Movers in the News - Moving Scams

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:22:00 +0200

They say you should never trash the competition however, as a 70 year old moving company, we believe we have a responsibility to consumers to make them aware of “movers in the news. Perfect customer service is difficult in the moving industry and no moving company is immune from moves that, for one reason or another, give rise to consumer complaints. Most moving companies make an enormous effort to please their customers and create a long term positive image for their company. Others build a track record of consumer complaints and lawsuits.

Here is a list of moving companies that have the most consumer complaints with the Better Business Bureau.

"The B.C. Better Business Bureau compiled a list of the most complained about moving companies in 2011, as received by BBB offices across Canada. These companies are at the top of the list:

1. Two Small Men With Big Hearts Moving, Winnipeg, Man.
2. Logan Moving and Storage, North York, Ont.
3. Noble Moving Services, Toronto, Ont.
4. Across Canada Van Lines, Calgary, Alta.
5. Vega Line Moving & Storage Services, Richmond, B.C.
6. Qwest Haven Relocation Services, Edmonton, Alta"

For the full story see the article on the CBC website here:

http://www.jdpower.com/homes/articles/2009-Full-Service-Moving-Company-Customer-Satisfaction-Study/

Deducting moving expenses

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 19:55:00 +0200

Moving closer to work? You may be able to deduct your moving expenses, even if your move is not for a new job. A recent tax case clarified the rules for deductibility. Read the full story here.

http://business.financialpost.com/2012/01/07/tax-case-affects-eligibility-to-write-off-moving-expenses/

What to Expect on the Day of the Move?

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 14:59:00 +0200

All of your preparation has come to fruition, so what can you expect on the day of the move? First, get up early. I mean early. Your crew leader will arrive early. Therefore, you want to be up and ready for their arrival. You want to have the time to get ready, have a bite to eat and put the things that you are taking with you in your car. Second, your crew leader will introduce himself or herself to you and discuss with you the plan of action. If you have any questions or concerns, this would be the ideal time to mention it. This way they can prepare or get an answer for you. Your professionals here at Highland will do their best to accommodate your request. Third, your crew will also arrive and begin the tasks at hand. If you have decided to pack yourself, they will begin to load the truck and prepare your furniture for the trek. If you have hired them to pack, chances are you should expect a larger crew and more time to move. Fourth, if this is your first professional move be prepared for the flurry of activity. The best tip is once you have given direction, find a place to camp. It is best to not get in the way of the professionals for your own safety. Have a book, computer or games to keep you occupied. It is important that if you are working on your computer and need internet access, mention this to your crew leader. Ask them to pack your router last so that you can continue to have access to the internet until the move is almost complete. Another item that will be packed last is your vacuum cleaner. This will allow you to vacuum your home prior to leaving. After everything is loaded, take one more look around and then sign the paperwork. For further information, please refer to these helpful moving tips.

When moving, don't forget the garage.

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 18:30:00 +0200

When you are moving, don’t forget the garage. Often times, your garage contains many types chemicals and flammable materials. Therefore, in preparation for your move go through your garage carefully. Assess what you have and the contents of each item. It is important for you to know that professional movers cannot transport dangerous material such as flammable goods and contents under pressure. Therefore, you want to know what you have ahead of time and whether it can be moved or not.

It is best to address these items ahead of time. In the flurry of activity on the day of the move, you don’t want to be trying to get rid of these items, especially since some of these items cannot be merely thrown away. Items like propane tanks, gas tanks, fertilizers and aerosol cans can’t be transported. Items that you may not think pose a problem may be indeed problematic. Therefore, take your time and set these items aside as you prepare for the move. If you prepare early, you will have the time to find the best way to get rid of the item. If you have any question about what you can or can’t move, your professionals here at Highland are here to help. An extensive list has been prepared for your reference.

When Should You Consider Extra Moving Services?

Mon, 02 Jan 2012 21:24:00 +0200

There are a plethora of moving services offered by your professionals here at Highland for you to choose from at your convenience. From concierge services to third party contractors, it is available to you. However, the important thing to keep in mind is to plan based on what is in your budget and what will help you make your move easier. There are some additional services that may be more of a necessity to you rather than an option.

If you are pressed for time or moving abroad, being able to use the concierge services are extremely helpful. If you are moving appliances, art work or flat screen televisions, having a professional disconnect and prepare the item for moving by packing or crating it is very important. For example, if you have a front-end washing machine you should have the drum bolted down during transport. If you have a flat screen television or art work, having it crated to protect it during the move is definitely worth the investment.

Further, if you are on a corporate relocation, many of these extra services may be included in your relocation benefits. Definitely take the time to familiarize yourself with your corporate policies and procedures regarding relocations. It will help you understand what you will or will not be responsible for when you are relocating.