Get moving leads in Canada

A truck parked close to the door saves the crew time, which matters a great deal when a move is billed by the hour, but street space is regulated. In Montreal, for example, the city says a temporary permit to occupy the public domain is needed if you put up no-parking signs, move on a street with parking meters, block a sidewalk or bike path, move on a pedestrian street or hire a professional moving company; processing times vary by borough. Other cities have their own rules, so check with yours, and ask whether the mover takes care of the application.

In a condo or apartment tower, the elevator usually has to be reserved through property management, often with protective padding installed, set hours for moves and sometimes a damage deposit. Book it at both buildings, and tell the mover where the truck can load and what clearance the entrance allows.

Sources: Moving advice — Office of Consumer Affairs, Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada · Consumer alerts — Canadian Association of Movers · Consumer tips: before a move — Office de la protection du consommateur (in French) · Moving: damaged furniture — Office de la protection du consommateur · Moving on July 1 — Tribunal administratif du logement (in French) · Parking a moving truck — Ville de Montréal (in French) · Forward mail when you move or relocate — Canada Post · How to send your new address to the government when you move — Gouvernement du Québec