Moving day can be exciting, but there is a lot to coordinate before the first box ever reaches your new home. Between packing, changing your address, arranging utilities and keeping track of countless details, hiring professional movers can take a significant amount of work off your plate.
Choosing a moving company, however, should involve more than comparing prices and available dates. You are trusting a team with your furniture, personal belongings and, in many cases, some of the things that would be difficult or impossible to replace.
Before booking a mover, ask these five questions.
Are You Properly Insured?
Ask what insurance coverage the company carries and what protection applies to your belongings while they are being handled and transported.
It is also worth asking what happens if an item is damaged, lost or broken during the move. Find out how claims are handled, what documentation may be required and whether there are limits on coverage.
If you are moving between provinces or across the border, ask whether the company meets any licensing or regulatory requirements that apply to that particular move.
Will Your Own Team Handle the Entire Move?
The company you hire may not necessarily be the company that completes every part of your move.
Some movers use subcontractors or partner companies for certain services or longer-distance moves. That is not automatically a problem, but you should know about it before signing an agreement.
Ask who will pack, load, transport and unload your belongings, and whether anyone outside the company will be involved. Having a clear point of contact can also make it much easier to get answers if something changes on moving day.
How Much Experience Do You Have?
Experience can be particularly important when a move involves stairs, tight entrances, large furniture, long distances or valuable and fragile belongings.
Ask how long the company has been operating and whether its team regularly handles moves similar to yours. You can also ask how employees are trained and whether references are available.
Take some time to read recent online reviews as well. Rather than focusing only on the overall rating, look for patterns in comments about punctuality, communication, care of belongings and how the company responds when a problem occurs.
Are There Any Items You Cannot Move?
Do not assume everything in your home can go onto the moving truck.
Moving companies may have restrictions on hazardous materials, certain valuables, firearms, plants, unusually heavy objects or specialty items such as pianos. Policies vary, so ask for a list of anything the company will not transport.
Knowing the restrictions early gives you time to make separate arrangements rather than finding out on moving day that something has to be left behind.
What Equipment and Protection Do You Provide?
Professional movers should arrive prepared for the job.
Ask whether the crew brings equipment such as dollies, moving straps, furniture pads and protective blankets. If you have oversized, heavy or particularly fragile pieces, explain what they are in advance and ask how the company plans to handle them.
It is also worth finding out whether floor, doorway or stair protection is available, particularly if you want to reduce the risk of damage to either your current home or the one you are moving into.
A Few More Questions Worth Asking
Before making your final decision, get a written estimate and ask exactly what is included. Find out whether additional charges could apply for stairs, long carrying distances, travel time, packing materials, storage, oversized items or delays.
You should also ask about the cancellation or rescheduling policy. Moving dates sometimes change, particularly when a home purchase or sale is involved, and it helps to know your options beforehand.
Make Moving Day a Little Easier
A good moving company should be willing to explain its services, pricing and policies clearly. Asking questions before you book can help you compare companies based on more than price and reduce the chances of unexpected costs or complications later.
Once the movers are booked, you can turn your attention to the next task: getting settled into your new home.