A move can be relatively painless or an outright disaster, depending on who you hire. To help you avoid a moving-day mess, here are hints for hiring a good mover you can trust.
Why you should probably avoid hiring your friend’s self-employed neighbour
Your objective here is to avoid the dreaded moving-day nightmare. You don’t want to be busy cleaning your new home and have to keep waiting and waiting for your delivery. The worst thing you can do is to hire just anybody.
- Ask relatives if they know anyone who comes highly recommended (except the friend's neighbour). Also, ask about any bad moving experiences they have had and who to steer away from.
Shop around to compare services, prices and promotions—and don't get sucked in by the lowest price.
- Get a quote from at least three service providers. Gather all the information you need by phone and go on to the next company.
Before calling a mover
Note the number of rooms in the house to move, and any extra furniture you may have in each room. For example: if a room has two bedroom sets, it counts as two rooms.
- Note all fragile items to be moved, as well as especially heavy or oversized furniture, and mention it to the mover.
- You will need to give them the date of the move, your current address, and the exact address for the delivery. This information will determine the rate, which will also vary depending on the time of year.
Get the right information
Ask the same questions for all the three companies from whom you’re seeking quotes. This will allow you to properly compare the same services and rates (labour, transportation, number of boxes, custom packaging) and figure out which one is the best deal.
Among the questions to ask:
- Is the moving company affiliated with the Canadian Association of Movers?
- Do their services provide insurance, and if so, who is the insurer? Take the name of the insurance company as well their policy number.
- What are the limits of liability covering the company and its employees? (Make sure they employees are not subcontractors.) What is the claim policy regarding lost or damaged property?
- Lastly, what are the payment terms?
A word to the wise!
Do not sign any quote or contract that does not clearly stipulate and include the transaction date, the date of the move, the negotiated price, and any fees for extras. Make sure you get a copy. You should also know that a written estimate may also be as binding as a contract, so ask before you sign anything.
In general:
- Furniture retailers do not have the right to offer moving services.
- The classifieds are one of the worst places to find a mover.
- Beware of any company who claims to be a moving broker, as they are not movers.
- Avoid companies boasting the lowest prices or prices that are significantly lower than the rest. It may indicate something sketchy.
Armed with some references and a bit of asking around, plus these hints, you should have no problem hiring a reputable mover to get your belongings to your new home both safely and quickly.
