Condo Moving near you

In most condo buildings, the move is booked with the property manager or the concierge desk, not by the mover. The building reserves one elevator, often a service elevator that can be locked for your exclusive use, and the loading dock for a set block of time. Book as soon as your date is firm, and do it at both buildings: two confirmed bookings that line up give the crew time to load, drive and unload without rushing.

Move rules aren't set by the mover or the city; they come from the condo itself. In Ontario, the Condominium Authority of Ontario explains that a corporation's governing documents are the declaration, the by-laws and the rules. Rules are made by the board to prevent unreasonable interference with the use and enjoyment of units, common elements and the corporation's assets, and they must be reasonable and consistent with the Condominium Act, the declaration and the by-laws. Move hours, elevator bookings and deposits are the kind of detail usually set there, so ask the manager for the current version.

In Quebec, a divided co-ownership is run by a syndicate of co-owners, and moving rules usually appear in the building's by-laws, which the board of directors and the property manager apply. Whatever the province, building rules generally apply to everyone living there, tenants included, so if you rent a condo unit, get a copy of the rules from the owner before you book the mover.

Many condo and apartment buildings ask the moving company for a certificate of insurance before they confirm the booking, sometimes naming the corporation or syndicate, and the property manager, as additional insured. The certificate shows that the mover carries liability insurance in case the crew damages the elevator, a door or the lobby. Ask the building exactly what it wants on the certificate and pass those details to the mover early: a certificate that arrives the morning of the move can hold up the whole day.

Some buildings also collect a refundable damage deposit or a move fee set by the corporation or syndicate. A walk-through with the manager before and after the move, with photos of the elevator, hallways and entrance, gives you a record if damage is disputed. Keep in mind that the building's requirements protect the common areas, not your belongings: the Office of Consumer Affairs notes that basic mover liability is calculated by weight, so check what your home insurance covers during the move.

To limit disruption for residents, buildings usually allow moves only in set blocks of time, and many restrict evenings, Sundays or holidays. The block you're given is firm: if the crew arrives late, the next resident's booking starts anyway. Choose a mover that commits in writing to an arrival time within your window, and ask what happens if the job can't be finished in time.

In Quebec, the rush around July 1 hits towers hard, because many units change occupants on the same day. The Tribunal administratif du logement notes that a new tenant's right to occupy the dwelling begins on the first day of the lease and that the outgoing tenant has no grace day, so in a rental building the elevator schedule for that day fills quickly. Reserve the elevator the moment the lease is signed; if your two leases leave any room, a quieter day is much easier to book.

The best spot is the building's own loading dock, close to the service elevator. Underground garages rarely work for a moving truck because of their low ceilings, although a cargo van may fit. When there's no dock, or it's too small or already booked, the truck parks on the street and the city's rules apply.

In Montreal, the city requires a temporary permit to occupy the public domain in several situations, including when you hire a professional moving company or block a sidewalk or bike path, and processing times vary by borough. Elsewhere, check your city's rules and ask whether the mover takes care of the application. A long carry from the curb to the elevator adds time, and on an hourly move that shows up on the bill.

On an hourly move, the building's layout often matters more than the distance between addresses. Every load travels down a hallway, into an elevator that's shared or reserved for a limited time, across a lobby or garage and out to the truck. Waiting for the elevator, a long walk to the dock and furniture that won't fit in the cab and has to be taken apart or carried down the stairs all add time.

Describe both buildings when you ask for an estimate: the floor, the elevator size, the distance from the dock and the booking hours. A video survey that shows the hallway and the elevator helps the mover choose the right crew size and number of carts, and shows whether a smaller truck or a second trip is needed.