Choosing a reliable moving company is one of the most important decisions you will make. Everything you own and work hard for will be left in their hands; make sure they are reliable and professional. And remember, you get what you pay for; the cheapest price is not always the best value.
There are many horror stories in the media about bad moves. Rogue movers are in the Canadian marketplace; they will give you a lowball price to get your money and then either will not show up at all, or they don’t live up to their commitments.
There are ways to avoid hiring a rogue mover. Find a reliable moving company by getting referrals from family or friends and contact the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) to ensure your mover is a member. The association pre-vets movers and ensures they abide by a professional code of conduct.
When to Contact Reliable Movers
Contact moving companies at least 4-8 weeks before your moving date, especially if you are moving during the summer months. We recommend you drive by the mover’s location to ensure they have an office, warehouse, trucks, and signage on the building.
In-Home Survey
For a long-distance move, the moving company should be prepared to send one of their representatives to your home to look at the items that will be moves. The only exception is if you live in a remote area or only have a few boxes to move. Be cautious about a mover who refuses to do so.
Detailed Move Quote
Moving costs are based on several factors. On a long-distance move, the distance travelled between your current home and your new home and the scaled weight of your shipment are used to calculate the charges. On a local move (under 150 miles/244 km), it is an hourly rate based on the number of crew and the required truck size.
Extra Charges
Packing all your household items or the breakables, shipping a vehicle, and replacement coverage protection are extra costs. Get a detailed quote that shows any additional service listed separately. Taxes are applied to a move; the percentage will be based on the province you are moving from.
Guarantees
If the mover offers you a price guarantee, insist they put it in writing. Reliable and credible moving companies always put guarantees in writing.
Liability Coverage
A moving company is required to have insurance coverage on its vehicles and storage facilities. In the event of a vehicle accident or a truck fire, you want to make sure they are fully covered. The second area is property damage during the move. Ask the mover to confirm they have the proper insurance in place.
Cargo Protection Coverage
Ask the mover to provide details on the types of cargo coverage they offer. Most homeowner policies do not cover move-related damage. It is best to purchase full replacement cargo protection from the mover.
Late Delivery
Ask the mover what compensation is available if they do not deliver your shipment within the agreed delivery schedule. Please note that delays due to weather or other circumstances are outside their control.
Comparing Estimates
If you get a much lower quote than the others, ask the mover to explain the difference. If all the movers have looked at the same items being moved, their quotes should be based on a similar weight for a long-distance move or a similar number of hours for a local move.
Quality and Training
Ask the mover how they train their employees who handle the physical move. Also, ask if criminal background checks are done on them and how you can verify this.
Finding a reliable moving company requires time and effort; having a good move will be well worth it. For more information, contact Premiere Van Lines toll-free at 1-877-671-6683.