Shared Container Moving from Montreal

What is a shared container move?

A shared container move puts your belongings in their own section of a container that other households going the same way also use. You pay for the space you take instead of paying for a whole truck.

AKA Moving picks up at your current address, loads your section and brings the container to your new address. You never bring anything to a terminal.

Are my things mixed with other people's belongings?

No. Each household has its own section, closed off from the next one, and your shipment is loaded and unloaded as one lot.

Every piece is also on your itemized list, so at delivery you can check off what arrives against what left.

What is the difference between a shared container and moving pods?

With a portable storage container, a box is dropped at your home and in most cases you pack and load it yourself. With Shared Container, our crew wraps every piece, loads it and delivers it.

You also pay differently. A portable container is rented whole, even if it is half empty. A shared container is priced on the part you actually use.

Can you use a shipping container to move?

Yes. A steel shipping container is one of the most common ways to move a household a long distance, because it is strong, weatherproof and stays closed from loading to delivery.

You do not need a whole one. With a shared container you take one section and other households take the rest.

How much space do I need in a shared container?

You do not have to work it out. Send photos of what you are moving and we calculate the space and the weight for you.

This is a real difference from a portable container, where you have to guess a size in advance and pay for the whole box even if you guessed too big.

Can I ship just a few pieces of furniture?

Yes. Shared Container works for a few pieces, a one bedroom apartment or a whole home, because the price follows the space you use. It suits furniture, appliances, electronics and boxed goods.

Is a shared container the cheapest way to move?

No. A shared container is not the lowest price. It usually costs more than Express Shipping, and it takes longer.

It can take weeks, and sometimes months, to find a container going your direction. It is the right choice when you have large or unusual pieces that would cost more to put on pallets.

How is the price of a shared container move worked out?

From your photos. We count what you are moving, list every piece with its weight and send you a written price before you book. No hidden fees.

If a company gives you a low number by phone without asking what you own, expect that number to change on delivery day.

How much does it cost to move across Canada?

The price of a move across Canada depends on four things: how much you are moving, how far it goes, the access at both addresses, and the extras you add, such as packing or delivery into your home.

That is why a serious price starts from a list of what you own. Send photos and AKA Moving emails you a written, itemized price. It is free and there is no obligation.

Is a shared container cheaper than pods or a moving company?

Not usually. A shared container costs more than Express Shipping, where your furniture travels on pallets with everyday cargo. Ask for an Express price first.

Compared with a portable container, look at the whole bill. The container rental does not include anyone to wrap, load or unload, and you pay for the full box even when it is half empty. Add those before you compare.

What is the cheapest way to move across Canada?

For a far destination, it is Express Shipping. Your furniture travels on pallets with everyday cargo, so you pay only for the space you use, and it is also the fastest. A shared container costs more and takes longer. It is for large or unusual pieces that would cost more to put on pallets. Inside Quebec, Ontario and the Maritimes, Direct Truck with our own crew is often the better value.

How long does a shared container move take?

It depends on the departure date. The container leaves when it is full, and it can take weeks, and sometimes months, to find a container going your direction.

Your pickup date and your delivery window are confirmed in writing with your quote. If you need a fast, firm timeline, Express Shipping delivers anywhere in Canada in 4 to 7 business days.

Can I choose my delivery date?

You choose your pickup date. Delivery is given as a window and not as a single day, because the container carries more than one household. This is true of every shared load in the industry, and it is the reason the price is lower.

What are the downsides of a shared container?

There are three. The wait can be long: it can take weeks or months to find a container going your direction. Delivery is given as a window, not a single day. And delivery to your door means the container comes to you, so the unloading is yours unless you add delivery into your home.

If any of those is a problem, Direct Truck or Express Shipping is the better choice.

Can I follow my shipment?

Yes. We send daily updates on the status and location of your shipment. GPS tracking is also available as an option. Ask for it when you book.

Is my furniture insured in a shared container?

Yes. In a shared container your belongings are covered at $2.00 per pound, with no deductible. AKA Moving has no deductible on any service.

For comparison, the standard carrier liability in the Canadian moving industry is $0.60 per pound per article. A destroyed 75 pound television pays $45 at that rate, and $150 at ours.

How is a shared container delivered?

The container arrives at your new address. That is delivery to your door. From there you have two choices: unload your section yourself, or add delivery into your home.

With delivery into your home, a team carries everything inside and places it in the rooms you choose. Assembly and anything extra is agreed with the team at your home on the day.

Do the movers unload the container for me?

Only if you add delivery into your home. Delivery to your door means the container comes to you and the unloading is yours. This is how most container and shared load services work, and it is the part people are most often surprised by.

If you will not have help waiting, add delivery into your home when you ask for your price, so it is written into your quote.

What should I do at delivery?

Check each piece against your itemized list as it comes off. If anything is missing or damaged, write it on the delivery paperwork before you sign, and take a photo. That note is what a claim is built on, with any mover.

Who is responsible for my belongings on the way?

AKA Moving. You book with us, you call us, and we answer for your belongings from pickup to delivery. What we never do is post your move to a load board and hand it to a random truck.