From the Trucks to the Phones: How David Dagasso Keeps Victoria’s Moves on Track
When customers in Victoria, BC call Two Burley Men Moving, one of the first voices they hear is that of David Dagasso. As a sales representative, David helps people plan every detail of their move, from timing and logistics to making sure the right crew and truck show up on time. He’s a local who knows the city and the company inside out, because his journey with Two Burley Men started long before he ever picked up the phone.
“I was working at the A&W that was across the road from the Two Burley Men office,” David recalls. “I got poached from there. I mean, I sold them burgers and that’s about it.”
That unexpected meeting led to a long-running career in the moving industry. “I started with the company back in 2017,” David says. “I worked there until 2020, and then came back this past June. So all told, I’ve been here for about four years.”
Like many movers, David’s experience began with a hands-on introduction. “When I first started, I was put on a truck the same day I got hired,” he says. “It was a lot of learning by the seat of your pants.”
Starting on the trucks gave David a deep understanding of what moving in Victoria really takes. “I started on the trucks, worked my way into the office, and my position there was pretty similar to what I’m doing now,” he says. “A little bit of answering questions for customers on the phone, a little bit of handling dispatch duties.”
Now, as part of the company’s sales team, he helps hundreds of customers each year plan local and long-distance moves throughout Vancouver Island and across Western Canada. “I’m a sales rep,” he explains. “I man the phones, and for a little while I was helping a bit with dispatch duties. But right now, especially since we’ve just moved out of the office, I’m working from home and focusing entirely on sales calls.”
Even working remotely, the pace stays fast. “The day-to-day dispatch assistance has been much less of a focus than it was before,” David says. “For the past few days, I’ve been entirely taking calls and handling the sales side of things.”
Having spent years with Two Burley Men Moving, David has watched the company evolve and grow more structured over time. “It’s definitely become much more professional after being bought up by Edison,” he says. “There’s a lot more organization now.”
David’s expertise shows in how he explains the moving process to customers. “The rate is determined entirely on the day of the month,” he says. “If it’s between the 5th and the 25th, it’s $1.50 per hour. If it’s outside of that, the first or last five days of the month, it’s $1.75, and that’s for two guys.”
He knows every factor that affects a move. “If we need a third guy, that’s an extra $50 per hour. Four guys means two trucks, and that goes up to $300 or $450 depending on the setup,” he explains. “Then you factor in how long it’s going to take, which depends on the size of the house, stairs, elevators, and parking. The main thing that contributes to the length of a move is how many steps you need to take.”
Other costs include fuel, ferry crossings, and supplies. “We charge the customer exactly what we get billed by BC Ferries,” David says. “And then there’s fuel, which for most cities is about $50, or roughly $100 per hour of travel if it’s further out. It all adds up.”
While the calculations are important, what really keeps David interested are the stories that come with each move. “I remember moving an entire antique bedroom set, every piece around 200 pounds, down a spiral staircase with glass banisters,” he says. “That stands out as a unique challenge.”
He laughs recalling other unusual jobs. “We’ve done a couple of things that probably should have been done by a crating service rather than by us,” he says. “I remember moving a chandelier that was at least as wide as I am tall. And there was a statue covered in broken glass shards epoxied to the outside—it looked beautiful standing up, but trying to move it safely in a truck was something else.”
Most of David’s focus today is on booking local moves in Victoria, though he works closely with the long-haul team. “I’d say it’s an even mix of both,” he says. “But ultimately, if we were to stop doing long-haul moves tomorrow, I don’t think the business would continue. The local moves help us build reputation, while the long-hauls keep things running.”
After years in the moving industry, David has also noticed how things are changing. “It’s definitely moving more towards a luxury-type service,” he says. “Before, we’d see a lot of college kids who just wanted to hire movers instead of paying their friends with pizza. That’s no longer the case. Now it’s mostly folks who can easily afford it, or who have no other choice.”
Through it all, what keeps him motivated is the variety and teamwork that moving demands. “Every day is different,” David says. “There’s always a new challenge, a new kind of customer, a new logistical puzzle to figure out.”
For someone who started by serving burgers across the street, David Dagasso has built a career that’s all about keeping people moving. His story reflects the spirit of Two Burley Men Moving—hardworking, adaptable, and proud to serve the communities of Victoria and Vancouver Island with care and professionalism.