To prepare for the day of moving to Montreal, finish packing, clear out the access points, and keep your keys, documents, and essential belongings with you. Also confirm the addresses and access conditions with the movers. This checklist accompanies you from the day before departure until the inspection of the goods upon arrival.
The day before: confirm the details and prepare the access
Read your booking confirmation again. Check the date, arrival time, full addresses and apartment numbers. If any information has changed since your request, please notify the company before the truck arrives.
In Montreal and Laval, exterior stairs, narrow aisles and the distance between the truck and the door can complicate handling. Notify the team rather than wait for them to discover the location.
- Check the instructions for your building regarding moving in and using the elevator.
- Confirm how to access the two apartments: keys, entry codes, and the person to contact.
- Locate the place where the truck can stop and report any difficulties in accessing it.
- Clear the corridors, stairs and doors. Avoid stacking the boxes there.
- Report any heavy, fragile or difficult-to-move furniture, as well as any that needs to be disassembled.
If you are moving with NordTrans in Montreal or Laval, Pictures and dimensions of bulky furniture can help prepare the work. To convey a modification before moving, use the contact details of our team.
In the morning: your checklist for the day of the move
Before the movers arrive, small items should be packed and the boxes closed. An open box that is too heavy or filled with items that are too large is less convenient to handle. Arrange the books and other heavy items in several small boxes.
- Write the destination item on each box, on the top and on one side.
- Identify the fragile boxes and explain their contents to the team.
- Empty the drawers, cabinets and other furniture that needs to be transported.
- Reassemble the parts and furniture fasteners that have already been disassembled into identified bags.
- Pack the bedding used during the night and the last bathroom items.
- Keep your phone charged and accessible to receive calls from the team.
For electrical appliances, follow the manufacturer's instructions for preparation and plan for any necessary electrical, gas or plumbing work. Do not assume that movers can handle electrical, gas or plumbing installations: NordTrans does not perform these types of work.
Also plan for who will take care of the children and animals during the trip. The animals travel with you in your vehicle, not in the moving truck.
What you should keep with you
Prepare a bag or box for the first few hours in your new home. Place it separately and clearly indicate that it should not be loaded into the truck. You will avoid having to look for your keys or charger among the boxes upon arrival.
- The keys to the two apartments and the access information.
- Your phone, its charger and useful contact details.
- Important documents and your confirmation of relocation.
- Your medicines and essential personal belongings.
- Water, snacks and some toiletries.
- Spare clothes and the necessary for the first night.
- The items necessary for children and animals, depending on your situation.
Whenever possible, keep your jewelry and cash with you. If you wish to entrust valuable items to NordTrans, declare them before packaging in order to discuss their transport and the applicable protection. A «fragile» label on a box does not replace this discussion.
Upon the arrival of the movers: take a tour together
Before loading, show the team what is leaving and what is remaining. Go through the accommodation, not forgetting the storage, the balcony and the common areas where you have left your belongings.
Indicate the furniture to be disassembled, particularly fragile items, and items that require careful attention. If some of the items already show signs of wear or damage, show them to the team. Photos taken before transport can serve as a reference.
Also specify the instructions for the destination: the entrance to be used, the floor and rooms where the furniture will be placed. If another person is receiving the movers, make sure they have this information and that they can contact you.
Maintain a clear path of travel during loading. Flammable products, including gasoline, propane, aerosols, and paint, must not be added to the goods entrusted to NordTrans. Plan to handle them separately.
Before leaving and at delivery: check the premises and the goods
When the loading is complete, take one last tour of the old residence. Open the cupboards and check behind the doors. Also look in the storage cabinet, in the basement and on the balcony, if you have one.
At the new address, show the items before unloading. Simple labels on the doors, corresponding to the names inscribed on the boxes, can make it easier to distribute them. Indicate the location of the large furniture while the team is present.
- Check that the expected furniture and boxes have been delivered.
- Inspect the property and immediately report any damage found during the move to the team.
- Take photos that clearly show the damage and send your report in writing to NordTrans.
- If an item is missing, notify the company promptly to allow for verification of the truck and facilities.
- Keep your contract and the exchange regarding the move.
Then start with the items needed to sleep, wash yourself, and prepare a simple meal. The less urgent items can wait: the goal is to make the essential items usable for the first night.
Frequently asked questions
Should you empty the drawers before moving?
Yes. Remove the furniture before the arrival of the team and pack its contents in closed and identifiable boxes.
Do I have to stay in place during the move?
Plan for your presence or that of someone who knows the procedures and can answer questions at both addresses. Confirm this arrangement with the company before moving.
What to do if a piece of furniture doesn’t fit in the staircase?
Report the difficulty before the move, with photos and dimensions. The team can examine the handling options and specify the applicable conditions.
What should I do if I notice damage during the move?
Show it immediately to the movers so that they can see it. Take clear photos and send a written report to [email protected], preferably in response to the email containing your contract.
