Going Places

istock s u m m e r 2 0 1 5 | g o i n g p l a c e s 53 Home sweet Home Smooth Move how to relocate without a hitch – and save money by Janet Gyenes Ready to banish the moving-day blues? A well-orchestrated plan can reduce the stress and costs of relocating to a new home. 1 Plan ahead: Contact the movers, alarm company, insurance broker and other professionals as soon as possible. Lead time lets them iron out the logistics, and you have more opportunity to negotiate fees and time frames. 2 Go pro: Hire a moving company that's approved by the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM), says Denis Cordick, vice-president of mar- keting for AMJ Campbell. CAM-approved movers will pro- vide you with references and detailed agreements that out- line what is (and isn't) covered and explain what they (and you) are liable for in case your items are lost or damaged. Watch for red flags, such as movers who give price quotes by phone. A reputable business will do a walkthrough of your home to come up with a cost estimate, which means no surprises later. 3 Be flexible: Conserve some cash by choosing off-peak moving times, adds Cordick. "If at all possible, avoid mid or end of month. is will save on costs, and the workers will not be as busy or stressed." Another tip: Get rid of your junk beforehand, and move some of the smaller items yourself. 4 Cover your bases: You called your insurance broker to confirm that your policy will be in effect when your furniture arrives at your new home. But did you ask if your coverage includes cargo insurance to safe- guard your possessions while they're en route? And what about the stuff you stash in storage because your reno runs past deadline? Make a list of ques- tions before you call your broker to ensure your bases are covered. 5 Arm yourself: When you move, your alarm can move with you, says Randy Holyk, marketing and communications manager, ProTELEC Alarms. "If existing customers call us to move their current system into the new home, we offer them the benefit of a loyalty credit." at might include a period of free monitoring or a security system upgrade. Speaking of which, moving is a good time to take a second look at your security needs. For example, more win- dows might mean more vulnera- ble spots for potential break-ins, so you might consider installing glass-break sensors. If your new home already comes with an alarm system installed, your existing alarm company can make sure it's set up appropri- ately and give you a rundown on how to use it. 6 Pack smart: Box up items on a room-by-room basis or by con- tent type (e.g. linens, clothing) so there's less guesswork when you unpack. Label the boxes – on more than one side – using coloured markers so you have a visual refer- ence of what goes where. 7 Freshen up: Painting is a fast and affordable way to give your home that extra polish before you move in, especially since you don't need to worry about moving or protecting the furniture. Cloverdale Paint says to apply paint in a specific sequence – ceilings, walls, doors and windows – and use special tools to tackle tricky jobs. Paint pads are ideal for kitchen cabinets, while aerosol spray paints make quick work of ventilation covers and radiators. GP Save money and the environment when you use reusable plastic moving boxes from FrogBox. CAA members save 20%. www.frogbox.com/ winnipeg Members save with CAA Rewards partners AMJ Campbell, ProTELEC Alarms, Cloverdale Paint and FrogBox. Visit www.caarewards.com/ manitoba for details.

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