MISSISSAUGA, ON--(Marketwired - June 09, 2016) - A family decides to move. That's the first of many decisions that have to be made. Should they try to move themselves? Should they hire a few local men with a truck to save money? Or should they contract a professional mover who may cost more?

The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) can assist consumers in finding a reputable mover who will provide professional moving services and alleviate the stress of such a significant life experience.

Now who should do the packing? Packing is a big part of a move -- gathering packing materials and packing the containers. And who will be responsible for damage that might result?

Customers can choose from a full-pack service where the mover brings the materials and does all the packing, a no-pack service where the customer does it all or a partial-pack service. Professional packing relieves the customer of all the work and relieves them from worry about damage that could result from their inexperience. The mover is not responsible for the condition of items in owner-packed containers. Customers should at least opt for a partial pack of their breakables, like china, artwork and mirrors.

Movers use special-purpose packing materials designed specifically to protect different types of articles.

Customers who decide to pack themselves should use:

• china barrels for breakables such as dishes, china settings and crystal
• wardrobe boxes for clothes
• 2-cubic-foot boxes for heavy items like books and canned goods
• 4-cubic-foot boxes for bulky items such as lamp shades or kitchen items
• 5- or 6-cubic-foot boxes for bedding and linens
• picture cartons for art and mirrors.

And they should apply the basic rules for good packing:

• large boxes should not contain heavy articles
• standard-size cartons should be used for easy stacking
• heavier items should be placed in the bottom of boxes, on their strongest side, with items separated by cushioning material
• boxes should be filled completely so they don't cave in
• cartons should be secured with tape and clearly marked.

Properly calculating the required packing materials is a challenge. Movers estimate a standard number of containers for a move then adjust for the customer, such as for doctors who often have a great quantity of books.

Special items -- statues, gun collections, crystal chandeliers -- may require custom-made containers and special packing.

Movers cannot transport inadmissible items like explosives, ammunition, aerosol cans and flammables like gasoline, paints or cleaning fluids.

Movers take no liability for losses of high-value items -- jewelry, medications, computer data, etc. Consumers must transport these irreplaceable valuables themselves to avoid the risk of loss.

Professional movers assist their customers to prepare for their moves -- advise on getting ready for moving day, suggest packing procedures, ensure goods are protected and do the jobs as agreed. It's important to book early to avoid using a rogue mover and eliminate the possibility of inflated prices, an unprofessional job, goods held for ransom, late delivery, refusal to settle claims and failure to respond to calls and emails after the move.

Consumers can contact CAM for assistance in hiring a reputable mover who will provide professional moving services -- a mover that subscribes to CAM's code of ethics, meets CAM's business standards and commits to mediation in the unlikely event of a dispute.

CAM works to remove rogues that are harming Canadian consumers and to assist consumers in finding reputable movers that won't cheat and abuse them. As part of its Reputable Mover Strategy, CAM is working to educate consumers about the pitfalls of using rogue businesses and about how to find a professional moving company. Good consumer relations and an industry with a positive reputation are in everyone's interest.

For further information: Contact the Canadian Association of Movers, Canada's moving industry trade association. CAM helps consumers by identifying good movers and monitoring movers' performance. Consumers should contact CAM at 1-866-860-0065; visit CAM's website, www.mover.net; fax enquiry to 905-756-1115; email to admin@mover.net; mail to PO Box 26004, RPO Churchill, Mississauga, ON, Canada L5L 5W7.