10 Questions to Ask when Hiring a Moving Company

Choosing a new place of residence is always an exciting event, but it’s just a part of the moving journey. The most important task lies ahead: selecting the right moving company.

Hiring professional movers can significantly ease the moving process and take the load off your shoulders — both literally and figuratively. But how to find a needle in a haystack and select a truly experienced company among all the options? We have compiled a list of the top ten questions you should be asking a moving company before taking the final step — to sign the contract.

Does the company have relevant experience in handling your type of move?

All moves are divided into two categories for the distance between the two destinations. It can be a local move, if you need to transport your belongings within the same city or province, or a long-distance move, which includes moving from one city to another or even internationally. Each type of move requires different skills and knowledge of traffic specifics in particular regions.

Local moves require a different set of logistics compared to long-distance or international relocations. For local moves, companies may be more familiar with the regulations and neighbourhood specifics of your area. In contrast, long-distance moves involve complex planning and coordination across multiple locations. The company should have a proven track record of managing cross-city or international logistics, including customs regulations and documentation for the long-distance moves.

Make sure to ask potential movers about their experience with your type of relocation and any unique challenges they have successfully overcome in the past. This information can provide confidence that your belongings will be in capable hands throughout the moving process.

Is your company licensed?

How to know that you are not dealing with a fraudster? The solution is one — you need to ask the company about their licensing. A manager of a reliable company won't hide information about their license from the relevant authorities.

If the company is a member of the Canadian Association of Movers, this will be an extra bonus for you. In that case, you can be sure that you are dealing with a service provider that operates legally and follows safety rules when transporting goods, regardless of their type.

What types of insurance coverage are available?

If you aim to save money and reduce the overall cost of moving, cargo insurance might seem like an unnecessary expense. However, look at it from another perspective: statistics show that damage to goods occurs in 1 out of 10 moves, and usually basic insurance doesn’t cover the financial loss.

It's better to request additional insurance to avoid unpleasant surprises. The type of insurance you choose will depend on your preferences and what the moving company can offer:

• Basic liability coverage. This is the most basic level of protection, which is required by law to be provided by carriers at no additional cost. It’s based on the total weight of all items.
• Complete value protection. This type of insurance is also provided by law, but requires additional payment. It compensates the full current value of the cargo in case of its damage or loss. If your company offers such insurance, verify the valuation of each item calculated by your provider to ensure it matches its actual value.
• Assessed value protection. When calculating the insurance cost, the value of the item is considered without regard to its weight. This is an ideal option, if most of your belongings consist of lightweight, but expensive items.
• Declared value protection. It’s calculated by multiplying the weight of the cargo by a fixed amount of Canadian dollars per pound. If items are damaged during the move, the compensation amount is based on how much each item has depreciated.

Be aware that some items may not be covered by insurance. This list can be extensive (request it from the company in advance), but typically includes jewellery, televisions, laptops, securities, bills, and other valuables.

What services are included in the moving package?

Despite working in the same field, each company has a unique menu of services offered.

The service list may include:

1. Packing
2. Assembly and disassembly of furniture
3. Loading and unloading
4. Transportation for special cargo like pianos and pool tables
5. Personalized storage
6. Cleaning services

Always keep in mind that the moving company may not provide all the services you need. Prepare a list of the services you require in advance and confirm the details when communicating with managers.

Are there any items that the removalists will not move?

It may seem that professionals who are specialized in organizing and carrying out moves should be able to transport any type of item, but in reality it is not so.

Each company has policies against transporting certain items, such as flammable materials, houseplants, valuables, etc. Be sure to request a list of restricted items from the mover to be aware of any limitations.

What kind of documentation will I receive before the moving day?

The set of documents depends on the type of your move:

• For a local move, the standard documents include a contract, an inventory list, a personalized moving plan, and a final estimate.
• If you are planning an international move, additional documents will include customs forms, foreign regulations, and other important paperwork.

How much will my move cost?

The pricing policy of a moving company may be based on hourly rates or on the complexity of the move, including factors such as the season, the necessity of special tools, the number of items, and the distance. Before signing the contract, clarify what is included in the initial quote and which services are billed separately.

If your budget is limited, request a preliminary moving cost estimate. Our platform offers this service FOR FREE. This allows you to plan your budget more accurately and avoid unexpected expenses on the big day.

How much should I tip the movers?

Tips are a widely practised social custom, while not leaving a tip is a sign of a bad tone.

Tipping is a very personal matter and the decision how much to give is entirely yours. On average, the tip amount for a local move ranges from 10% to 20%. For a long-distance relocation, it’s typically 5-10% of the moving cost specified in the contract.

What are the payment methods of the company?

Always check with the moving company about the accepted payment methods and any specific requirements associated with them. The preferred payment method depends solely on the company's policies. Some only accept payment in cash, while others prefer checks or bank transfers.

Furthermore, it’s important to consider the following nuances:

• Be aware of any additional fees associated with different payment methods.
• Confirm whether a deposit is required and how it should be paid.
• Ensure you receive a receipt and confirmation of payment for your records.

What if I want to cancel my move?

No one is immune from changes in plans. It's perfectly normal, if you suddenly need to postpone or cancel your move. The only catch is that you might get stuck owing thousands for a failed relocation, if you don't know what to do in such a situation.

The only sane solution is to request the moving company’s cancellation policy in writing as well as the information on how a cancellation is processed. Specify the relevant deadlines and note down the contact information of the person which can be contacted in difficult cases. This way, you can avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and financial losses.