10 Essential Questions to Ask Movers Before Hiring Them
Relocating home, office, furniture, and vehicles is not easy for everyone. Moving companies do all they can to ensure your moving process and experience are unproblematic and easy. They provide important services like relocating and storing your business or individual property. Whenever you are relocating to a new home or your company is relocating to a new business site, movers and packers make the process uncomplicated, problem-free, and safe. They provide excellent handling and packing of moving items with caution and effective planning to ensure nothing gets misplaced or damaged. This avoids anxiety and trouble while shifting.
Do you know how to identify reliable movers in your area? If not, we have 10 questions to check professionalism and hire the right movers. Before that, you must know about movers and their work.
Types of Removals By Packers and Movers
Movers help individuals or businesses pack, transport, and unload their belongings during a relocation. They ensure the safe relocation of furniture, appliances, and personal items throughout the process. Removals vary by the distance of the move.
- Local Relocation: This tends to remain within the same town or city. The average distance is 0-50 km.
- Interstate Relocation: This is meant for relocation across state borders in the country. The average distance is 0-500 km.
- International Relocation: This is a little more complex, particularly with customs and shipping abroad. The average distance is 1000-10000 km.
Storage Options In Canada
Short-term vs. Long-term Storage
- Short-term storage is most suitable for short-term needs, including moving, renovation, or holidays. It usually has month-to-month leasing options.
- Long-term storage is more suitable for long-term situations like overseas work or long-term downsizing. It may offer lower rates for long-term contracts.
Climate-Controlled Storage:
- They are designed to control temperatures and humidity levels, preserving sensitive goods such as electronics, papers, antiques, and wood furnishings.
- Particularly useful in Canada's unstable climate, with hot winters and damp summers.
Portable Storage Units:
- Delivered to your door, loaded at your pace, and stored or moved to another location.
- Ideal for convenience, especially for relocations or renovations.
Self-Storage vs. Full-Service Storage:
- Self-storage allows customers to store their items themselves. It is less costly and convenient.
- Full-service storage comes with pick-up, inventory control, and delivery. Most suitable for those who would prefer an easy, trouble-free option. It comes at a higher cost.
These options provide flexibility in choosing storage considering cost, convenience, and duration.
Now, let us move to the 10 essential questions to ask a moving company.
1. Are You Licensed and Insured?
- Always ensure that a moving company is properly licensed to operate a legitimate business and meet industry standards.
- Insurance covers your moving items in case of damage, theft, or loss during the move.
- Verification of credentials keeps you from scams and guarantees responsibility in the event of any problems.
- Honest movers happily furnish proof of licensing. In Canada, movers must have a commercial vehicle operator’s registration (CVOR) and proper insurance coverage to operate legally. Some provinces also require additional permits or business licensing depending on the service area.
2. What Services Do You Provide?s
- Packing & Unpacking: Complete or partial packing and unpacking of goods to save time and ensure safety.
- Loading & Unloading: Careful lifting of heavy furniture, boxes, and appliances onto trucks.
- Storage Solutions: Short-term or long-term safe storage solutions for in-between moves.
- Specialty Item Handling: Specialized handling of pianos, antiques, artwork, or other delicate/valuable items.
- Disassembly & Reassembly: Items of furniture or equipment that must be broken down and assembled in the new home.
- Local & Long-Distance Moves: Solutions designed for intracity short moves or interstate moves.
Understand the options available to make sure you have a mover suitable for your budget and needs.
3. Can You Provide A Written Estimate?
It's better to understand the difference between binding and non-binding quotes. A binding quote commits the total cost in terms of estimated weight or services, so you pay exactly what you're quoted, whether the actual weight is higher. A non-binding quote, conversely, is an estimate subject to change based on the true weight or service rendered, meaning your end expense might be higher.
4. Are There Any Hidden Fees?
When analyzing estimates, find out if they have any unseen fees. Companies might charge other fees that don't appear well-defined initially. Typical hidden costs are fuel charges, long carry charges (for carrying goods a specific distance), stair charges (for more than one flight of stairs), or elevator charges. Packing materials might also incur fees, disassemble/reassemble charges, or storage if necessary. Ensure the quote includes all the possible costs and ask for an itemized written breakdown to preclude surprises during the move. Transparency is most important, and a legit mover will be more than willing to take you through every line item.
5. Do You Have Experience With My Type of Move?
- Request the moving company whether they have experience with local, long-distance, commercial, or residential moves, based on your requirements.
- Check their record of handling similar moves, e.g., office moves, apartment moves, or cross-country transports.
- Ask them about their equipment, logistics, and team size to check if they can handle your move effectively.
- Request information on any special handling experience (e.g., fragile items, pianos, or IT equipment).
- Ask for recent customer references with the same type of move, and contact those customers.
- Look at online sites such as Google, Yelp, Better Business Bureau, or social media for reviews.
- Look for trends in feedback, repeated compliments on being on time, professional, and careful are positive.
- Avoid companies with minimal reviews, extremely generic testimonials, or a record of complaints.
- Check reviews about insurance and licensing, which increases their credibility and accountability.
Assessing experience and credibility by asking direct questions and reading verified reviews ensures that you hire a competent, professional moving company that suits your unique requirements.
7. What Is Your Cancellation Policy?
Every company has a different cancellation policy. You can check the following things to recognise a reliable moving company.
- Flexible Cancellation: Flexible cancellation policies to suit changing schedules.
- Free Cancellation Window: Free cancellation of 24–48 hours before booking (and a minimum of 72 hours before the booked service) without penalty.
- Partial Refunds: A Partial refund is possible in case of cancellations within 72 hours of service, depending on the situation.
- Full Refund: Without notice, no-shows mean a full refund.
- Changes & Rescheduling: Based on availability, and may incur a small charge if done too near the scheduled time.
8. How Do You Handle Lost Or Damaged Items?
You can consider the following for the lost or damaged items policy.
- Claim Process: Customers have 48 hours from the completion of service to report lost or damaged items.
- Insurance Coverage: Basic insurance covers services; optional extended coverage is available for high-value items.
- Assessment: Assessment of the claim on an individual basis. The company might ask for documentation (photos, receipts, etc.).
- Resolution Time: Disputes are resolved normally within 7–10 business days.
- Customer Service: The company should be transparent, just, and communicative in its response to ensure customer satisfaction.
9. What Are Your Payment Options?
This makes it clear if they take cash, credit, debit, or e-transfers. Some businesses even finance or ask for a down payment. Make it clear if they want to be paid in advance of or after the move, and if there are any additional fees or penalties for cancellation. Inquiring as to how they take payments also assures you that you're using a reputable, professional business. Knowledge of their policy will enable you to budget more effectively and prevent surprises on moving day. Always get a written estimate and bill for clarity.
10. Do You Have A Physical Office/ Address?
This inquiry guarantees that the company is valid and gives you a tangible location to reach in the event of any difficulties or disagreements. Having a verifiable address also implies that the movers are reputable and not simply doing business from an untrustworthy or temporary establishment. It is important to your peace of mind to have it know that the business is traceable. If the business is unable to offer this data, then this could be a red flag and would need investigation before using their services.
How Much Does Professional Moving Cost In Canada?
The removal charges in Canada would differ based on the distance, item quantity, and time of the year. Very long-distance removals cost more, while local removals are on the cheaper side. The volume measures the charges, with more items worthy of bigger trucks or longer travels.
The summer season tends to be the peak, whereby prices skyrocket; conversely, wintry days bring about cheaper costs. The local moves usually range from $300 to $1,500; long-distance relocations cost between $2,000 and $5,000. You would want to be sure you have cash by calling around for a few quotes, packing as light as possible, and booking well ahead to avoid any last-minute add-ons.
Legal And Regulatory Considerations For Movers
Provincial Inter-Relocation: Permits and Insurance
- Interprovincial Operating Licence: Relocation firms are required to follow federal policies under the Canada Transportation Act if shipping products inter-provincially.
- Commercial Truck Registration: Commercial vehicles for moving must be registered to move inter-provincially and adhere to weight and safety rules.
- Goods Insurance: Inter-provincial shippers are statutorily bound to carry insurance to cover damages or loss of clients' possessions while in transit.
- Liability Insurance: General liability insurance covers potential claims for property damage or bodily injury.
- Worker Safety Compliance: Compliance with provincial workers' compensation and safety regulations (e.g., WSIB in Ontario) is required.
International Moves: Customs and Declarations
- Customs Documentation: Clients need to be assisted by movers in completing necessary forms (e.g., Canada Customs Form BSF186 for returning residents) and making proper declarations on all items.
- Prohibited and Restricted Items: Customers should be advised of items not permitted into the destination country (e.g., firearms, plants, perishables).
- Brokerage Services: Having a relationship with customs brokers is advisable to ease border crossings and avoid delays.
- Taxes and Duties: Certain items can be dutiable; movers should advise customers of possible charges.
- Data Privacy Compliance: Processing of personal data when shipping internationally needs to be compliant with privacy regulations (e.g., PIPEDA in Canada).
Common Challenges For Movers And How To Overcome Them
1. Delays in Transit
- Challenge: Delays are frequently caused by weather, traffic, or logistical problems.
- Solution: Schedule with buffer time. Keep track of weather and traffic, and have open communication with customers.
2. Damaged or Broken Items
- Challenge: Damage is caused by poor handling or poor packing.
- Solution: Employ high-quality packing materials and trained personnel. Provide insurance and pre-move inspections.
3. Missing Items or Inventory Errors
\
- Challenge: Delays due to poor tracking or misplacement during loading/unloading.
- Solution: Keep an accurate inventory checklist. Utilize barcode or electronic tracking systems to track all items.
4. Last-Minute Changes or Cancellations
- Challenge: Clients can change plans or cancel at short notice.
- Solution: Have a flexible yet transparent cancellation and rescheduling policy. Standby teams should remain ready for last-minute changes.
5. Communication Gaps
- Challenge: Miscommunications or failure to update can annoy clients.
- Solution: Give timely updates, have a specific coordinator assigned, and make customer support responsive.
6. Legal and Insurance Issues
- Challenge: The two sides may disagree on damages or delays.
- Solution: Be clear in the contracts and use liability clauses. Encourage the clients to pay for moving insurance.
Preemptive planning, openness, and professional practice aid movers in holding onto customers and providing quality services.
Last Note
Selecting good movers in Canada begins with the right questions. From insurance and licensing to transparency around price and experience, these basics protect you from surprise bills and a headache-filled move. Invest the time to thoroughly screen your choices; doing this can save you time, money, and hassle. With proper preparation, you'll secure a good moving company that will serve you well and bring you peace of mind.
