If you are paying the movers by the hour then you should work your timing backwards. In other words, you should estimate that you will have the keys to your new home around 5: 00 p.m. If you estimate for 4 hours loading time, 1 hour travel time and a break for the movers then it would be appropriate for your movers to arrive at your existing residence at approximately 11 :00 or 12:00 a.m. If on the other hand the mover estimates that the loading time three hours then you should not arrange for the movers to arrive until 12: 00 or 1: 00 in the afternoon. It has been my experience that unless you arrange otherwise most movers like to arrive at your existence residence relatively early in the day to start loading the moving van. Unfortunately, this will result in the movers being ready to off-load your furniture and belongings at noon – a time at which it is unlikely that you will have your keys. If you are paying by the hour then you will be paying for the” down time” from, in this example, noon until 3:00, 4:00 or perhaps even 5:00 o’clock. On the other hand, if the mover is charging you a “flat rate fee” for the entire move regardless of the number of hours it takes, then the time at which the move begins becomes irrelevant. Remember, many movers charge more for moving you at the end of the month then they do at “off-times” during the month. A move on the 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, or 19th, 20th, through the 23rd of the month may be less costly than a move on the 15th, the middle Friday of the month, the last Friday of the month, the last day of the month, or the first day of a month. These latter dates are the most popular days for people to move in Ontario. Accordingly, the movers are likely to be more busy and can, therefore, charge a higher hourly rate. The careful choice of an appropriate closing date can save purchasers and sellers money.
Please remember that, if you are purchasing a condominium apartment, the use of elevators for moving may be restricted to certain hours of the day and that you may be required to make a reservation to use the elevators and/or you may be required to pay a security deposit. I therefore, recommend that you contact the Management Office as early as possible to make appropriate arrangements for the use of elevators for your move.