Moving FAQs

If you intend to engage professional movers, discuss your financial objectives during your initial phone call with a sales representative. Like airline and hotel prices, moving costs are often highest during the summer and on weekends. The beginning and end of each month are generally busy year-round, while off-peak days before the middle of the week tend to be Monday through Thursday. Along with your move date, you can decide whether to bridge the gap between leaving your old home and getting into your new one. Your real estate agent may also be able to suggest ways to reduce costs.

Yes. Moving with friends in a rented truck can be a cost-effective option, though damaged items may not be covered by insurance. Friends can help by packing boxes, clearing a path, and pitching in with preparation. On moving day, check with the professionals about the best way to work together. Trained movers are equipped to handle the heavy lifting, and having extra people working alongside the crew can sometimes slow things down when you are paying by the hour.

Moving businesses commonly calculate estimates for local moves using an hourly rate. The time may include travel from the moving company to your first home and the return trip to its base. Ask your representative what is included in the hourly estimate so you understand how travel time affects the total.

Labor accounts for most moving costs. You should also budget for supplies such as boxes, tape, bubble wrap, and pads. Moving companies may offer these items to clients at a lower price than retail outlets.

A breakdown in communication can lead to unexpected expenses. Talk through the details of your move with your salesperson. For example, consider whether you have remodeled your home since moving in, whether furnishings that originally fit through the doors will still come out easily, or whether any furniture was assembled inside the home.

Many moving companies provide a non-binding estimate when you schedule a move, so the final cost may differ from the estimate. Give your representative a detailed picture of your move so the crew arrives prepared with the right people, truck, and equipment. With hourly pricing, the final cost can be lower if the move takes less time than expected.

Tips are not standardized for movers, and there is no required amount. Some customers choose to tip based on the length and difficulty of the move and the service they received. You can decide what feels appropriate for your move and budget.

Clear communication with your crew, both at the old home and the new one, is important for a smooth move. Make a written list of the items you want moved and anything that should stay behind. This helps prevent important belongings from being forgotten or accidentally left behind.

Consider transporting jewelry, artwork, pictures, and other small valuables yourself. For larger items, include them on your valuables list and point them out to the crew. Tell your movers which belongings are especially important to you, whether for monetary or sentimental reasons, and ask how to document high-value items.

Generally, wait 2 to 3 hours before plugging in a refrigerator. If it was laid down, wait at least 5 to 6 hours. The required wait can depend on how it was positioned during transport, so check the manufacturer’s guidance for your specific appliance.

Keep essentials such as toiletries, medicine, cosmetics, a change of clothes, bed linens, towels, and toilet paper where you can access them. You can transport them yourself or clearly mark the boxes and tell the crew where to place them.

Your crew can place furniture where you direct them. Since rearranging furniture takes time, having a room layout in mind before the crew arrives can help keep the move efficient and reduce extra time.

Home closings and construction timelines can be delayed by unforeseen circumstances. When possible, leave a few days of flexibility and plan your move 5 to 7 days after your new home is expected to be available.

Sorting and letting go of items before moving takes time, but it can save money. Since movers are paid by the hour, moving belongings you later plan to discard may add unnecessary cost. It can also be frustrating for friends who are helping you move.

Focus on packing and getting your belongings organized rather than trying to carry everything yourself. Start by decluttering through sales, donations, or gifts; pack areas you use less often, such as basements, garages, and attics; and set aside small or especially sentimental items you would prefer to transport yourself, such as pets, plants, pictures, and collectibles.

Discuss your options with your salesperson. Storage may make sense if your new home is smaller, you expect to move again, or you want to keep valuable belongings. Consider how long you plan to keep the items and whether storing them is more cost-effective than selling or replacing them.

Disassembling beds and tables and carrying them up or down stairs can take time. Pack smaller belongings securely in boxes or containers and group them in an area where they can be loaded efficiently. Organizing boxes together can also make unloading easier.

Consider having the moving crew handle large furniture and appliances, such as dining room, living room, and bedroom pieces. Smaller items such as boxes, lamps, and plants may be easier for you to move yourself, depending on your circumstances.

Plants may be movable if packed properly, but professional movers may not insure live plants because weather and temperature can affect them. Live plants also cannot be placed in storage.

Choose a labeling system and use it consistently. You can use colors for different rooms or mark boxes with clear abbreviations such as DR for dining room and MBR for main bedroom. When possible, label boxes on three sides so the destination is easy to see.

Professional movers may not transport items such as propane tanks, firearms, and aerosols. Ask your moving company about restricted items before moving day, arrange to dispose of anything that cannot be moved, and empty gas-powered equipment before the move.

If you prefer, you can pack fragile belongings and heirlooms yourself. Moving crews are experienced in lifting heavy items, navigating stairs, and handling fragile pieces. Ask your mover how packing choices affect coverage and what to do if an item is damaged during the move.

Empty your dishwasher, microwave, and washing machine before moving day, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for preparing your refrigerator. Movers are not electricians or plumbers, so arrange for the appropriate professionals to disconnect appliances with water or electrical connections. Moving companies are not authorized to disconnect gas lines.

Not necessarily. Smaller belongings such as keepsakes, photos, books, clothing, and collections can take up more room than expected. Consider measuring your available storage space and planning where those items will go.

Late spring and early summer are typically the busiest moving seasons. Moving outside the summer months, especially around the middle of the month, may offer more date flexibility. Book early if you need to move during a busy period.

Disposal may be available for an additional charge. Ask your moving company what they can take and whether disposal-facility fees apply.

Yes. Riteway Movers offers partial and full packing services, along with moving boxes and supplies. Pre-move box kits are available based on your needs, with delivery within Alberta, Calgary, and Edmonton.

Professional movers can work in challenging conditions, including snowfall, using equipment and supplies to protect your belongings. Weather can affect the time required, so discuss the forecast and any concerns with your moving team.

Riteway Moving & Services has warehouse facilities in Calgary and Edmonton with a combined space of more than 16,000 square feet. The storage warehouses are climate-controlled, pest-controlled, sprinkler-equipped, and monitored, with individually partitioned storage areas.

The cost depends on factors such as where you are moving, the time of year, and the services you need. Local moves are commonly priced by the hour. Contact Riteway Movers with your move details for a quote based on your situation.

We recommend booking 2 to 4 weeks in advance for local Calgary moves, and 4 to 6 weeks for peak summer dates or long-distance moves.

Yes. Riteway Movers is fully licensed, bonded, and insured with offices in Calgary, operating as an authorized Allied Van Lines agent.

Yes, we offer full-service packing, fragile-only packing, and sell specialized moving supplies and custom wardrobe boxes.

We provide short- and long-term storage in temperature-regulated, 24/7 monitored facilities across Calgary and Edmonton.

We accept major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard), debit cards, certified cheques, and secure Interac e-transfers.