Local move in Toronto suggestions?

December 28, 2008 8:16 PM

What's the best way to go about a one bedroom apartment move in Toronto? Recommendations for movers?

We're moving out of our one bedroom apartment only 1km away to another one bedroom apartment. We don't have much stuff and I'd rent a truck myself and move it, but my US license expired and I never bothered getting an Ontario license.

Besides movers, I've also considered hiring a truck and driver and loading up the stuff ourselves. I've seen tons of ads for movers on Craigslist but I'm worried about getting ripped off.

The move would be on extremely short notice - I'm hoping to do it before January 1st. How far in advance do you usually need to book?

Does anyone have any recommendations or personal experiences with movers/drivers in Toronto? Thanks!

posted by pravit to home & garden (13 comments total)

I've used El Cheapo for a one bedroom move in TO twice. No complaints.
posted by meerkatty at 8:20 PM on December 28, 2008

I'll recommend Dan the Mover (416) 822 - 7409. I used him twice and my sister used him twice and all moves were smooth. However, there are some catches:

- he has multiple people / trucks who work for him so when you call, you must say you want HIM (Dan), personally, to do the move. I forgot to tell a friend this and she ended up getting a slow bunch of helpers.

- I suggest you book the first slot of the day as otherwise his arrive time is iffy as he's coming from another move.

- He's usually late on arrival. Both times with me he was 45 minutes late getting there even though I was his first move of the day. However, he's very fast.

- He charges an extra $10/hr for a third mover (his default is 2 movers and a truck so I'm recommending getting the extra guy).

I found out about Dan through another MeFite who told me this story (paraphrasing):

"I moved twice in six months. Both times I moved exactly the same furniture. The first time, I used movers recommended by a friend. The movers were slow. The entire move took six and a half hours. They also charge an extra hour traveling time even though the drive was only 25 minutes. Worst part is that they couldn't get my sofa into the new apartment. I had them take it to a friend's place a few blocks away and I stored it in the garage and had to sell it. It was a $3000 custom couch. I couldn't store it that long in the garage as the friend needed it for his car. I ended up selling it for $600.

"When I was getting ready to move the second time, I hired the same couch designer to build me an identical couch which I again stored in the same garage for the week prior to the move. I had Dan and his two guys come to my house, pack everything into their truck, drive to my friend's place, and then move everything into the new place. Start to finish, including picking up the couch at the friend's, was two hours. TWO. For the exact same furniture. I paid them for three as they have the same hour traveling time thing."
posted by Manhasset at 8:56 PM on December 28, 2008

Oh, and I just read that you're talking about January 1. Dan probably won't be available but I'd still give him a shot and call. Of course, if you move Jan 2 or 3 instead, he'd be less booked.

As to your CL thingy... be wary. I have heard numerous complaints from people who fall into this scenario: hire a truck and driver and are given an hourly rate. Truck and driver arrive, load up the stuff, drive to the new place, and then demand payment before they're willing to unload. However, the price is now double.

If you're going to use a CL service, google and search CL for the listed phone number to see if anyone's posted complaints. I don't think that's foolproof but it's better than nothing.

I did once use a guy who posted on CL but unfortunately I no longer have the phone number. He was a nice guy and he had a kid, maybe 16 or so with him. I believe he lived in Newmarket or Aurora or Richmond Hill or something like that. He came on very short notice (hours) and was $60 I believe. I'm thinking Norman or something like that was his name. He definitely lived north of the city. Maybe there's an ad on CL that mentions one of those cities but does Toronto moves?
posted by Manhasset at 9:02 PM on December 28, 2008

Wow, I can't believe this. I still had the email from 2 years ago for that guy from CL. His name is Frank. I've MeMailed you his contact info. Not sure if he still does this business.
posted by Manhasset at 9:09 PM on December 28, 2008

I used Dan the Moving Man on very short notice (tried to book for the next day, said "are you available in half an hour?", and I was, and moved). Totally hassle-free.
posted by avocet at 9:10 PM on December 28, 2008

I used Tippet-Richardson for my last move (crowded two bedroom apartment, plus storage locker, to three bedroom townhouse). I did my own packing and just used them for transport. The job came in for slightly less than the formal estimate, and the moving team was prompt, careful and honest.

Their calculator says that just transport for a 1 bedroom apartment would be $400, but phone them and ask for a real estimate. Hiring a couple of guys and a truck may cost you slightly less, but this company is a known quantity with a really good reputation.
posted by maudlin at 9:27 PM on December 28, 2008

Carry on your bedding/bath stuff on your person.
After the movers go, take a shower, make your bed, and hit the sack. Deal with the boxes the next day.
posted by typewriter at 4:31 AM on December 29, 2008

Seconding El Cheapo. Used them a few weeks ago and besides being very affordable, they were very professional and quick. We only moved about 1-2km away from our previous 1 bdrm and it took about 2 hours from start to finish. Total cost was $180 before tip (they came with a truck and two movers).
posted by purephase at 9:31 AM on December 29, 2008

Thank you everyone for your suggestions! And thank you manhasset for forwarding me that e-mail address.

I have one more question: are "Dan the Mover" and "Dan the Moving Man" the same company? Their phone numbers seem to be different.
posted by pravit at 10:20 AM on December 29, 2008

I helped a friend move using El Cheapo, they were great. Very friendly and cooperative with us as we worked together to load/unload the truck. They were hard workers, but they did chose a pace that was a little slower than ours. This is understandable, they have to work all day, while we could safely burn ourselves out on the one job.
posted by Chuckles at 12:28 AM on December 30, 2008

pravit, I don't have an answer for that question. The Dan I used's number was given to me by my sister and I just punched it in my phone as Dan the Mover. I have no idea if that' actually his company name or if it's Dan the Moving Man or something else entirely. The number I posted is his personal cell number. Not sure if he's got an office line or something like that.

Did you email Frank? Is he still doing that kind of work?
posted by Manhasset at 10:17 AM on December 31, 2008

Followup:

I ended up going with El Cheapo. I called them on the 30th, and amazingly they were available for a move the very next day! Both guys were very friendly and efficient workers; we made the move in just under an hour and a half with us helping. It cost me only $160 before tips (plus I didn't need to pay any GST under their student discount). I'd definitely recommend them to anyone else moving in Toronto.

Manhasset, I did e-mail Frank but I didn't get any reply. Thanks for the recommendation though.
posted by pravit at 2:55 PM on January 2, 2009 [1 favorite]

Just wanting to thank posters for recommending El Cheapo -- on the basis of this thread, I used them, and am reporting that they are still as described -- friendly quick and cheap.
posted by girlpublisher at 8:13 AM on June 1, 2009