Thanks to on-the-job training and years of experience, a professional mover is less likely to injure themselves picking up a box or a sofa incorrectly. Professional movers can also help make the day run smoothly, which is key to staying on budget. Movers can pack a truck more efficiently and safely than the average home owner, and you won’t need to worry about renting or driving a large vehicle, returning it on time, or dealing with a breakdown due to poor maintenance. Professional movers are also skilled at protecting your home and belongings from damage. They’ll bring floor runners, moving blankets and other equipment as needed, and they’re used to manoeuvring through doorways, on stairs and around corners.
One final reason, according to Irvine: your sanity. Moving can be incredibly stressful, and the process involves a lot of moving parts. “With professional movers, you can let them worry about the details of driving your belongings so you can deal with children, spouses, family, pets and a thousand other details.”
How to choose the right moving company
There could be dozens of moving companies in your region, and it’s up to you to find one that’s reasonably priced, trustworthy and reputable (no pressure). You’ll also want to make sure they’re certified—an online tool from the Canadian Association of Movers can help. It also offers a referral service.
Ideally, you’ll have a solid understanding of your moving needs before making any calls, as this allows you to get the most accurate estimates. Make a list that includes your moving date, your new address, the size of your current home, type of services you’ll require, and roughly how many boxes and pieces of furniture you expect to move. Don’t forget about your belongings inside cupboards, cabinets and closets. Tell the movers if you have a children’s play structure that’s coming along with you, or a boat in the garage that needs moving. Don’t underestimate or downplay the number of belongings you have, Irvine urges, as this will only result in an inaccurate estimate.
How to avoid moving scams
Unfortunately, there are a lot of fraudulent or low-quality moving companies out there. Irvine recommends using this checklist to ask the right questions and weed out any scammers.
In addition, check out online reviews—and not just the first page, Irvine notes, as fake reviews can be purchased. “You may notice a pattern that there are a lot of one-liner, five-star reviews around the same date and then gaps before the next review,” she advises. “Generally, that means they could be purchased reviews, or they had friends and family comment.” Irvine also recommends looking at how the business responds to negative reviews, as that demonstrates their integrity (or lack thereof). You can also ask for references.
“There are so many fake movers online that have boatloads of money to spend on search engine optimization, fake reviews and other ways to direct you to them first,” Irvine explains, noting that it’s easy to make a website. “It’s very hard to tell real movers from shady ones. It’s so critical to check with the Canadian Association of Movers and/or with the Better Business Bureau to find out their reputation.”
Before you sign a contract, make sure a few important documents are in place. “It’s really important that you find out if they have cargo insurance, workers’ compensation and a commercial office,” Irvine says. “If something goes wrong, are you going to be able to find them, and are they going to be able to deal with loss or worker injury, or will it fall on you?”
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