To prepare for your move to Montreal, start by setting your dates, making an inventory of your belongings, and verifying access to both addresses. Then, organize the packing and arrival at your new locations. This Montreal moving guide helps you prepare for these steps, whether you are leaving an apartment, a house, or an office.
Planning your move to Montreal
Note the date by which you must vacate the premises and the date you can move into the new address. Confirm the delivery of the keys and access hours before agreeing on a schedule with the movers. If the two dates do not coincide, plan for a storage solution.
Book as early as possible, especially if you are aiming for July 1st. Communicate your constraints from the very beginning of the request: accommodation to be vacated at a specific time, elevator available by reservation, or additional stops to retrieve furniture.
Prepare a simple calendar with the tasks to be completed before departure:
- Sort the items to be transported, given away or recycled.
- Alert the affected suppliers and arrange for your address changes.
- Check the access rules with the building managers.
- Prepare the boxes, labels and packaging materials.
- Confirm the expected services and the details of the reservation.
For one Residential move, Also consider the contents of the basement, balcony, and storage areas. These items should be included in your preparations, even if they are not located in the main rooms.
Prepare the inventory and information for submission
A specific request helps the company assess the work. List the furniture, appliances, and the approximate number of boxes. Add the dimensions of bulky items and photos when their shape or their passage through the stairs raises questions.
Describe the two addresses with the same care. An elevator at the beginning does not compensate for a narrow staircase at the end. Specifically specify:
- The floors and the presence of an elevator usable for transportation.
- The internal or external stairs, the turns and the narrow passages.
- The distance between the intended location of the truck and the door.
- Furniture that needs to be disassembled or prepared before being moved.
- Heavy, fragile or valuable objects.
- The intermediate stops and the possible need for storage.
At NordTrans, certain unusual or heavy items weighing 80 kg or more, a truck-to-door distance of 60 m or more, and handling through a window or balcony may incur additional fees. Please indicate these situations before booking and have the applicable conditions confirmed.
To prepare your budget, ask what the estimate includes: crew, truck, time spent, travel, and additional services. Specify the taxes, the minimum charge, and the deposit conditions. If your inventory changes, send the update before moving in.
Packing, identifying and preparing the furniture
Start with the items you use infrequently. Group the items by piece and use boxes suited to their contents. Distribute the heavy items in small boxes, protect fragile items, and fill in the gaps to limit their movement.
On each box, indicate the destination item and a brief description of the contents. Place the markings on a visible side when the boxes are stacked. A «fragile» label helps identify the contents, but does not replace appropriate packaging.
Remove the furniture before moving it. For disassembled items, group the screws and small parts in an identified bag. Take useful photos for the assembly and agree in advance on the tasks you want to entrust to the team.
For electrical appliances, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and have them prepared before transport. Do not wait for the truck to arrive to discover that a device needs to be disconnected, defrosted, or prepared in a particular way.
The NordTrans trucks are equipped with covers, mattress covers, carts and straps. Boxes and wardrobe boxes can also be ordered. Confirm your equipment needs before the scheduled day.
Declare fragile or valuable items before packing and check the conditions of the shipment.’insurance and protection. The material protection of an object and its coverage in the event of damage are two elements that must be checked separately.
Adapt the preparation to your situation
In an apartment or a plex, check the dimensions of the doors, the turns of the stairs and the passage of large furniture. In a condo, inquire about the reservation of the elevator and the authorized access. In winter, arrange for the clearance of the passages and check their condition before the arrival of the team.
For a house, go around the garage, the shed, and the outdoor areas. Separate the items that will remain on site and clearly mark those that must be removed. This check helps complete the inventory before the submission request is made.
For one office moving, Designate a person responsible for coordinating access and decisions. Identify the workstations, prepare a plan for the new premises, and agree with your IT team on backups, disconnections, and the return to service. Separate confirmation of the tasks entrusted to the movers.
If the new locations are not yet available, plan for one storage in Montreal. Please confirm the duration, access conditions to the property and the organization of transportation. Keep what you need with you during this period.
Organizing loading and arrival
Before the team arrives, close the boxes and clear the aisles. Show the items that require special attention and identify what should remain in place. Ensure that one person can answer questions both at the start and at the end of the session.
Prepare an accessible bag with your keys, important documents, your medications, chargers, and the essentials for the first night. Keep your jewelry and money with you. Pets travel with the family, not in the moving truck.
Also check the items that are being left behind: NordTrans does not transport flammable products, including gasoline, aerosols, and paint. Please report any items that you are unsure about before adding them to the shipment.
At the new address, indicate where to place the furniture and boxes. Keep the entrances clear during unloading. Before the team leaves, go through the rooms and report any questions about the delivered goods. Then unpack the essentials, and proceed piece by piece.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book my move to Montreal?
As soon as your dates are known, preferably around July 1st. First confirm the hours at which you will be able to leave your old home and move into your new one.
What should be sent to prepare a submission?
Addresses, desired date, floors, access, and an inventory of the property. Add photos of bulky furniture and difficult passages, as well as the services desired.
How to prepare for a move without an elevator?
Specify the floors at both addresses, the configuration of the stairs and the heavy objects. Photos of the turns and narrow passages will help assess the handling and the necessary team.
What to do if the new housing is not available on time?
Plan for temporary storage and have the dates of both transports confirmed. Keep your documents, medications, and essential belongings with you during the transition.
