Moving Tips From 25 Years on the Truck
Tarek has quoted, planned, and supervised moves since 1999. These are the habits his crews repeat on every job, and they work just as well in a rented van.
- Fixed all-inclusive quotes
- BBB A+ · 0 claims in 20 years
- Owner-run since 1999
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Tell us about the move. Tarek or the team replies the same day with a clear, all-inclusive quote.
Search for moving tips and you get the same recycled list, written by people who have never lifted a couch. This one is different. It comes from 15,000+ moves around Surrey, BC and Metro Vancouver since 1999. These are the things our crews actually do, in the order they do them.
Steal every tip here for your own move. Or call (604) 721-4555 and our crew will do it all for you, from the first roll of tape to the last box in the right room.
“The fixed price they quoted was the best quote we got. Tarek took full responsibility on the day. Including an upright piano.”
Chris A. · Google review“Moved our 6-bedroom house in just one day. True experts.”
Wilfredo M. · Google reviewWrap everything, even the ugly dresser
The biggest difference between a pro move and a rough one is wrapping. Our crews wrap every piece of furniture in padded blankets before it moves an inch. Not just the nice stuff. The ugly dresser scratches walls the same as the walnut one. Wrapping like this is a big part of why our BBB record shows zero claims in 20 years.
- Blankets first, then stretch wrap over top to hold them on.
- Wrap before you lift. Never carry bare wood through a doorway.
- Pull drawers out of heavy dressers to lighten them, or strap them shut.
- Tape goes on the blanket, never on wood or paint. Tape pulls finish off.
Label by room and colour, not by mystery
A box marked 'stuff' costs you ten minutes at the other end. Multiply that by 60 boxes. Label the side of every box, not the top, so you can still read it in a stack.
- Write the room and the three main contents on every box.
- Give each room a colour. A dot on the box, a matching sign on the door.
- Mark open-first boxes for the kitchen, the bathroom, and the beds.
- Number the boxes and keep a count, so you know when the truck is truly empty.
Heavy in small boxes, light in big ones
The most common DIY injury we see comes from a big box full of books. Books, tools, and canned goods go in small boxes only. Big boxes are for pillows, duvets, and lampshades.
And some pieces are past DIY tips entirely. A piano needs a board, straps, and a piano crew, not four brave friends.
- Books in small boxes, always. A big box of books is a back injury with handles.
- If you can't lift it comfortably, split it into two boxes.
- Fill empty space with towels so boxes don't crush in a stack.
- Tape bottoms with three strips. One strip is a gamble.
Take photos before you unplug anything
Cables are the quiet time-killer of moving week. Before anyone touches the TV, take a photo of the back. Same for the router, the sound bar, and the computer. Future you will be grateful.
- Photograph the cable setup on every device before unplugging.
- Bag the cables and remotes per device, label the bag, tape it to the device.
- Keep screws from disassembled furniture in a labelled bag taped to the piece.
- Photograph the empty old place too. It helps with damage deposits.
Pack a first-night box, and protect the house
Two habits close out every good move. First, a first-night box that rides in your car: bedding, chargers, toiletries, the kettle. Second, floor and doorway protection at both homes. Our crews lay runners and pad the door frames before anything moves. Renting a van? A cheap drop sheet does the same job.
If packing a whole house sounds like a lost weekend, our full-service packing crew can take it off your plate, or we fold it into a complete house move with one fixed quote.
- First-night box: bedding, towels, chargers, toiletries, snacks, kettle.
- Floor runners on carpet and hardwood at both places.
- Pad or cover door frames on tight hallways and stairwells.
- Keep walk paths clear. Boxes stack in rooms, not hallways.
What your neighbours say
“Two full five-ton trucks loaded and unloaded with no damage. Terek is the king of Tetris.”
Kevin, Cloverdale to Vancouver Island · Google review“They moved our stuff from Vancouver to Virginia and did an awesome job. Everything was on time.”
Evan N. · Google review“Tarek and his crews have moved us at least 5 times. All my precious items wrapped securely.”
Giulia · Google reviewCommon questions
What do movers wish customers knew?
Finish packing before the crew arrives. A move slows down most when boxes are still being filled while the truck is loading. Everything boxed, labelled, and stacked by room saves hours on moving day.
How do you label moving boxes so unpacking is easy?
Write the room and main contents on the side of the box, not just the top. Add one colour per room and put a matching mark on each door in the new home. The crew can then place every box without asking.
Should heavy items go in big or small boxes?
Small boxes, every time. Books, tools, and canned food get heavy fast, and a big heavy box fails at the bottom or hurts someone's back. Save the large boxes for light, bulky things like bedding and lampshades.
What should go in a first-night box?
Bedding, towels, toiletries, phone chargers, medications, snacks, and the kettle. Add pet food and a change of clothes for everyone. It rides in your car, so it never gets buried in the truck.
Rather hire the crew that wrote the tips?
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