Know What Your Move Involves Before Asking for Quotes
A moving company can only price the work it understands. Start with a realistic description of what needs to leave the property, where it is going and which tasks you expect someone else to handle. The goal is not to produce a perfect inventory of every household object. It is to avoid leaving out information that changes the amount of labour, vehicle space or time needed.For each quote request, prepare the following:- Locations: pickup and delivery cities, addresses if known, and any extra stops.
- Dates: preferred departure date, possession time and any delivery restrictions.
- Property access: floor numbers, stairs, elevator requirements, loading areas, long carrying distances and building rules.
- Shipment size: approximate box count, major furniture, appliances and bulky or unusually heavy pieces.
- Special arrangements: packing, furniture disassembly, storage, disposal or services at a second location.
Research the Business, Not Just Its Advertisement
Begin with several moving companies that appear to serve your route and type of relocation. Compare their full legal or operating business names, business contact information, service descriptions and independent reviews. Look for detailed feedback that describes what actually happened during loading, delivery and the handling of problems. A high rating on its own tells you less than a consistent pattern of specific experiences.The Government of Canada’s Office of Consumer Affairs moving advice recommends collecting estimates from at least three reputable movers, checking references and learning whether the business is a carrier or a broker. You can also consult the Canadian Association of Movers’ consumer guidance when assessing your options.Do not treat an attractive website, a Canadian phone number or a familiar city name as proof that a company operates a local branch. If a local office matters to you, ask for its actual location and role in your move. Likewise, do not assume that an association membership, certification or specific insurance is held by a company unless you have verified it.In some provinces, official consumer resources can help with due diligence. For example, Ontario’s guidance on hiring a mover explains how to research a moving business, while Québec’s Office de la protection du consommateur explains how to review a merchant and its moving arrangements. Consumer rules differ by province and by the type of agreement, so check guidance for your own jurisdiction.12 Questions to Ask a Moving Company Before Booking
You do not need to interrogate a company, but you should come away with answers you can compare. These questions are especially useful before paying a deposit or agreeing to a moving date.1. Are you the company that will actually perform the move?
Some businesses provide the moving crew and transportation themselves. Others arrange moves through a broker or subcontractors. Ask who will arrive at the property, whose vehicle will be used, which business will issue the contract and who will address a claim if something goes wrong. Get the identity and responsibilities of any other involved company in writing.2. How will you assess the size of my shipment?
Ask whether the mover requires an inventory, photos, video survey or in-person assessment. A quote based only on the number of bedrooms can overlook a packed basement, a large collection of books or heavy equipment. Explain the actual contents rather than assuming the property description is enough.3. Is the quoted price hourly, fixed or based on another calculation?
Find out what determines the charge and which circumstances can change it. An hourly quote may be affected by the time spent loading, travelling and unloading, while a distance or shipment based estimate may involve different assumptions. Ask whether the number shown is an estimate or an agreed fixed price and how changes are authorized.4. What services are included in the quote?
Confirm whether the scope includes loading, transportation, unloading, placement of furniture, packing materials, disassembly and reassembly, or special protection. These should not be inferred from a general phrase such as full service moving. For example, packing services are a separate request if your quote only covers transportation.5. Which extra charges might apply?
Ask specifically about travel time, additional stops, long carries, stairs, waiting time, difficult access, storage, oversized items, fuel or distance charges, and applicable taxes. Not every mover uses the same pricing categories. A transparent estimate should explain charges relevant to your move rather than hide them until delivery.6. What protection applies if an item is lost or damaged?
Ask for the types and limits of coverage available, any exclusions, deductibles, conditions for customer-packed cartons, and how a claim is made. Business liability insurance and protection for the contents of a moving shipment are not necessarily the same thing. Contact your home or tenant insurer as well to determine whether your existing policy offers any relevant protection.7. What is the deposit, payment and cancellation policy?
Clarify whether a deposit is required, when the balance is due, which payment methods are accepted, and what happens if your possession date changes. Ask for written rules about cancellations, rescheduling and refunds. A company unwilling to explain these terms before taking payment is giving you reason to reconsider.8. What moving crew and vehicle are proposed?
Ask how many workers and what type of truck or other transportation arrangement are expected. You may not need a precise vehicle specification for an ordinary household move, but the company should be able to explain how the proposed resources match the size of your shipment and access conditions.9. How will fragile or unusual belongings be handled?
Identify items such as antiques, glass furniture, artwork, a piano, large safes or fragile electronics before receiving the final estimate. Ask which pieces are accepted under the normal service and whether special handling, packing or another provider is required. Never assume that specialist handling is included merely because the item is in your home.10. What happens if loading or delivery is delayed?
Ask what happens when a vehicle is delayed, a building elevator is unavailable, the destination cannot accept delivery or an unexpected access problem arises. The answer matters for same day local moves and even more for intercity relocations. Confirm whom you can contact and how schedule changes and associated charges will be communicated.11. Who handles storage if delivery cannot happen immediately?
If your dates do not line up, find out whether storage services are available, who operates the facility, what access is permitted and how long the contents can remain there. Ask about storage charges, protections and the process for arranging final delivery. Do not assume the transport quote includes storage.12. Can I review every agreed condition before I pay or sign?
A written estimate and agreement should identify the business, work, price basis, dates and payment terms. If someone makes a promise by phone, ask for it to be recorded in the documents. Keep copies of the quote, inventory, confirmations and written changes, even if your move is small.Compare Written Moving Estimates on the Same Basis
The lowest figure is not automatically the least expensive move. Imagine one estimate includes two workers, loading, transportation and unloading. A second estimate looks cheaper but excludes travel time, protective materials and furniture reassembly. Without checking what each covers, the comparison is misleading.Use a simple worksheet or table to compare the same questions for each company:| What to compare | What to look for in each estimate |
|---|---|
| Scope of work | Which rooms, items and services are included or excluded |
| Pricing method | Hourly rate, minimum hours, fixed price or other calculation |
| Transportation | Travel time, distance and any additional stops |
| Labour and handling | Proposed crew size, furniture work and access assumptions |
| Additional charges | Materials, stairs, waiting time, storage and taxes |
| Protection | Available coverage, limits, exclusions and claims process |
| Schedule | Pickup date, estimated delivery timing and delay procedures |
| Payment and changes | Deposit, final payment, cancellation and revised scope terms |
Understand Moving Insurance, Liability and Claims
The word insured is not a complete explanation of what happens if your belongings are damaged. Different policies can cover the company’s operations, damage to property, or loss and damage to goods under different conditions. Ask for documents or an explanation of the protection relevant to your particular shipment.The federal Office of Consumer Affairs recommends checking both your existing household insurance and the mover’s available protection, including the limits on the carrier’s liability. It also advises consumers to identify special care items and understand how a claim must be filed. Do not assume a mover’s general insurance certificate guarantees full replacement of every damaged possession.Before collection, make a record of significant furniture and valuable items, noting existing marks or damage. Keep receipts or valuations for items where value may matter. At delivery, compare the shipment against the inventory where one is used, inspect visible damage, photograph concerns and follow the stated claim procedure without delay. Claim deadlines and rights vary with the contract and applicable law.Read the Moving Contract, Not Just the Price
A booking confirmation should make it possible to answer practical questions: Who is providing the service? What are they moving? When and where will it happen? How is the price calculated? What happens if the customer changes something? A short written agreement with clear terms is more useful than pages of text that never identify the work.Read the cancellation, rescheduling, insurance, limitation of liability and payment provisions carefully. Check whether the estimate is incorporated into the agreement and how any additional work will be approved. If the final document contradicts something discussed by email or phone, resolve that conflict before agreeing to it.Canadian consumer law is not identical everywhere. Ontario’s consumer guidance on moving contracts describes rules for certain estimates and agreements. Québec’s consumer authority sets out different requirements, including rules for distance contracts. Do not rely on a universal cancellation period or price cap for every move in Canada. Check the province and contract type that apply to you.Moving Company Warning Signs to Take Seriously
One unusual detail does not prove that a moving business is dishonest, but several unanswered questions should slow down your decision. The following warning signs are worth investigating:- No identifiable business: you cannot establish which company will perform the move or how to contact it after booking.
- No written price or scope: the company makes verbal promises but avoids documenting the service.
- Unusually low quote with little information: the price is offered without a useful understanding of shipment size or access.
- Pressure to pay immediately: a large or unexplained advance payment is demanded before you can review the terms.
- Confusing company names: the website, estimate, payment recipient and actual carrier do not match, with no clear explanation.
- Unclear coverage: the company claims everything is covered but cannot explain what that means.
- Refusal to discuss changes or disputes: there is no understandable process for additional charges, damage or delayed delivery.
Adjust Your Questions for Local and Long Distance Moves
For a local move, pay particular attention to hourly charging methods, travel time, minimum hours, stairs, parking and building access. The pickup and destination may be close together, but access restrictions and handling requirements can still have a substantial impact on labour time.For a long distance move, the delivery process deserves additional attention. Ask whether your belongings will travel with other shipments, whether another carrier may be involved, how delivery timing is established, how the inventory is recorded, and what happens if delivery cannot occur on the expected date. If storage or multiple addresses are involved, confirm those arrangements separately.Commercial customers should also ask about workplace access, equipment restrictions, internal coordination and the scheduling needs of their business. A commercial move or office relocation may require a scope that differs from an ordinary household move.Final Checklist Before You Book Your Moving Company
Use this quick review once you have narrowed your options:- Confirm the business name and the company that will physically handle the move.
- Compare at least three written estimates where practical.
- Check that each estimate uses the correct addresses, dates and inventory.
- Confirm included services and any additional charges that may apply.
- Ask about insurance, liability limits, exclusions and claims procedures.
- Review payment, cancellation and rescheduling terms before paying.
- Request written confirmation of any specialist handling or storage.
- Keep copies of the estimate, contract, inventory and payment records.