I am trying to find movers to help move from Muskoka to Toronto. Can someone here recommend some professional movers?

 

I used Roadrunners to move my mom a few years ago. Went well.

https://www.runtheroad.ca/

 

Both aren't cheap, but they are very good and professional.

1. Polanski Moving in Etobicoke. Family owned and operated. You will always have someone from Tom's family as part of the crew and they will take really good care of your stuff. On the higher end of the price spectrum, and they book up fast (aim to book at least 1.5 months in advance - no joke.) I tried to book them but was too late. Several of my colleagues used them in the past and have been repeat customers.

2. Rawlinson Moving and Storage. Used through a recommendation from an employee of mine on his move from DT Toronto to Kitchener. A bit hard to get a hold of sometimes, and driver showed up at the wrong address so that set us back an hour. Overall, they were fast and efficient, and experienced. Also on the higher side of the price spectrum, but all in all, did a good job. The estimate was on point, so no weird inflated times or upsell.

 

I have used Tippett Richardson with excellent results.

 

? ask your real estate agent?

 

Rawlinson. The difference between a good mover and a bad mover is whether they stand by if something goes wrong. Rawlings on does that, but they aren’t cheap. I also found their actual cost came in above quote. But I had piece of mind.

apparently, bronte is also good but not sure if they’d do muskoka.

there are a lot of ****ty moving companies. Be careful.

 

Decades ago I hired high end movers. Slow as molasses. Next move 19 years ago, they must have been called junkie movers. Fast and no damage. Moving in the next couple of months. Luckily, taking very little with us since our current house is traditional and new house is modern contemporary so nothing matches.

I am going to take my chance with kijij movers considering all I am moving is mattresses, sectional and other couches. Wife and I are going to move boxes since we will have 90 days with both homes. Less work to pack the car drive to new home (10 minutes away) unpack the items and reuse the boxes.

garage is going to be painful but the boys are going to come over with trailers and pickups to do it one shot. Lift stays with house. Need to order new lift for new house.

 

We used them for our last move as well. Not a single issue.

 

Careful with Kijjiji movers. There were lots of stories like this; they negotiate with you and maybe have you sign something (different from negotiation) then load the truck then take long time to get to your location (stop for food) (charge by hour) then show up at new location and jack price by a lot and won't unload until paid. They may even call police because they either have a signed contract (different from you negotiated) or their word against you and they are in business. ALso probably don't have insurance. I wouldn't do it.
Moving sucks. Once I moved my office and home in the same month...really stupid move

 

Haha this is such a common scam. My friend sold his house and this happened to the new owners. He was handing over the keys/ walk through and I was just there as a friend. Anyways new owner show up we chat etc. Younger couple, first place etc. The moving van rolls up and the driver gets out, opens the door and says "there is an unloading fee of 400$ and 200$ extra fee for being above the 3rd floor" I'm like ummmm I'm not the owner, Im sitting in my car chilling. I text my friend and tell him what's up. Driver is continuing to say if he doesn't get 600$ in cash he will take the items to storage for 200$ a day.

Long story short a giant shouting match erupted on street. Like proper yelling. The new owner daughter dad is a former cop in the area, calls it in to the station , not 911. Cops defuse the situation and basically say if they take off with the stuff it's theft but they also can't do much about the extra charge as they don't know the terms of the contract and that's a civil matter. The owners coughed up 300$ extra in cash. Cops stuck around until it was unloaded as did we. The second the final box was gone the cops turn around and tell the driver they are towing the truck for expired tags/ overdue inspection. The movers **** a brick then ask us if we can drive them to the metro station lol. I'm like yea sure for 300$ lol

My wife and I moved into our new house and the movers we went with weren't the cheapest but the reviews were solid and other people we knew had used them . It was overall a good experience. They were happy that I had orginzed everything properly and had the doors etc off ready for them.

I gave them coffee and donuts after the job was done and 50$ each at the end. 3 guys. They estimated 6 hours but were done in 5. Nothing was smashed or scratched.

 

Thanks all. I’m getting quotes from Rawlinson and Polanski.

 

just an FYI, when movers quote, they generally do it before tax, and say there is a certain contingency on top of the quote that they “may” use. When comparing, I’d add the contingency in, because they always seem to use it. Basically, get an all in max quote.

 

Ditto on the contingency. For me, there was a one-hour contingency based on the estimate and we did end up using it due to elevator delays.

A sales rep from Rawlinson had actually come to my condo to look a look at everything that was being moved and also explained what they won't move (house plants, combustibles and chemicals such as paint, brake fluid, windshield washer fluid etc.) So make sure you also ask those questions and plan for that as well. Also, depending on the size of your move, they may just do a fixed fee, and not an hourly rate.

I went through the same process as Polanski, except they didn't come to my place as I took too long to book them and to commit to an appointment, and by then, they were already fully booked, so woe is me. Even without the in-home visit, their estimate was maybe $200 off from Rawlinson, so all in all, they were on par. I got some quotes from cheaper movers but nothing was included, and they only worked on an hourly rate. It wasn't very reassuring so I passed on that and went with Rawlinson.

 

When I used Road Runners, it was super easy and they did a good job. I was worried because of all the horror stories you hear about moving companies, even though this was just a condo move. There is a T&C that states estimate is non-binding to customer (if it takes less time you get money back, if it takes longer it cannot be by more than 10% by law). They do state they could charge more than 10% is some conditions, they are listed. Basically all to do with you the customer and stuff out of their control. I didn't look up what the law actually is and whether this is within it.

Ultimately as with most things, need to do whatever makes you feel most comfortable.