Moving with Friends: How to Actually Make It Work

Organizing Your Moving Crew

The number-one rule of moving with friends: have everything packed and ready before they arrive. Nothing kills morale faster than showing up to help and spending the first two hours watching you wrap dishes. Have boxes sealed, furniture disassembled, and a clear game plan for what goes in the truck first.

Recruit 3-4 friends for a typical 4½ move. More than that and people get in each other's way in Montreal's tight stairwells. Assign roles: two people carry heavy items, one person loads the truck strategically, and one person handles boxes and fragile items. Text everyone the start time, both addresses, and where to park the night before.

Keeping Everyone Safe and Injury-Free

Your friends aren't professional movers. Show them proper lifting technique — bend at the knees, keep the back straight, and never twist while carrying. Provide work gloves (a $10 pack from Canadian Tire saves fingers). Clear the path of tripping hazards: shoes, rugs, and random boxes in the hallway.

If you're in a third-floor walk-up in the Plateau or Rosemont, the stair carries are the dangerous part. Take breaks every 30 minutes, hydrate constantly, and never rush. One friend with a pulled back is not worth the $400 you saved on movers — and you'll owe them a lot more than pizza.

The Unwritten Rules: Food, Drinks & Reciprocity

The universal currency for friend-movers is pizza and beer — but go beyond the minimum. Order food early so it's ready when energy dips around noon. Have cold water, energy drinks, and snacks available throughout. If you're moving in summer, ice-cold Gatorade is worth its weight in gold.

After the move, a genuine thank-you goes a long way. Offer to return the favour when they move, or take them out for dinner at a local spot on Saint-Laurent or Mont-Royal. If a friend took a day off work to help, acknowledge that sacrifice. The goodwill of a well-organized move-day keeps friendships strong.