One of the most important choices you are going to make when moving is which moving company you will hire. This decision will definitely affect your move, and that is why you should be very careful with your choice. Good research and screening will help you see farther than ads and find a reliable company that suits your needs. So before you choose some of Oakville movers, you will need to make sure they are as good as they say they are. And finally, once you read all the reviews and ask for recommendations, there is only one thing left to do. The best way to learn more about movers is to simply ask them. So here are the crucial questions to ask moving companies.
#1 How long have you been in the moving business?Â
You can start by asking about the history of your potential movers to get a sense of their service and experience. There are some moving companies that have been in business for over 100 years, can you imagine that? Although a long history is not a guarantee of high-quality service, it can be very helpful to evaluate e a moving company’s expertise.
#2 Do you have some references?
Every reputable moving company will happily provide you with references from past customers. If they do their job well, they might even initiate that themselves. Also, before the visit, make sure to search for references online. Look for reviews that have detailed examples of the user’s experience, whether positive or negative. Checking references can help you spot moving scams on time. And remember, take them all with a pinch of salt, because some of them could be fake.
#3 Do you have a license?
To avoid moving scams and shady movers, make sure to ask whether the moving company is properly licensed. Furthermore, all professional interstate moving companies should have a license number issued by the Canadian Department of Transportation. Once they provide it to you. you can check their license number and complaint history online.
#4 What kind of liability coverage can you provide?
This is one of the most important questions to ask moving companies. Most noteworthy, you need to make sure that the company you choose is insured and liable for the damage. This is one of the crucial things to check before signing a contract. Additionally, have in mind that the basic liability protection covers only part of the damage and sometimes even does not allow damage claims. Good idea is to ask for full value protection. This means that the movers will be liable for the replacement value of every damaged or missing item. For an extra fee, every moving company should be able to offer you this type of insurance. Or you can even choose to insure your valuables based on their cost, not on their weight.
It is really important to understand all the provisions and differences in the available insurance offers and state your choice clearly in the Bill of Lading. Or, you can get additional moving insurance from a third party if you prefer to.
#5 Do you have experience with my specific type of move?
You should definitely ask the moving company whether or not they have experience handling your specific type of move or the specific area. For instance, if you’re moving to a high-rise apartment building in Cambridge, you will be searching for moving companies Cambridge with experience in this type of move. Whether you are moving to a townhome with multiple stories and steps, or to a big city, you should inquire whether movers have experience with this specific type of relocation. Besides just handling your shipment, movers should be also well-prepared to handle anything coming their way. They need to be aware of the parking restrictions, steep stairs, no elevators, and small doorways.
#6 Do you have permanent employees or you hire people temporarily during the peak season?
This is a tricky one. If a company has only seasonal employees, it doesn’t mean that they are not doing a good job. But chances are that they are not as experienced or skilled as permanent ones. Plus, many companies are understaffed during the busy summer months and hire temporary employees. These employees are very often students or other transient workers who are not in the moving industry. In the worst case scenario, due to lack of experience, they can make mistakes or even get injured in the process. Hence, to be on a safe side, better request a professional moving crew for your relocation.
#7 Can you provide a binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate?
If you are not a fan of surprises and want to know the exact price of your move, you should ask for a binding estimate. For this reason, whether they offer a binding estimate is one of the most important questions to ask moving companies. The majority of moving companies offer non-binding estimates. This means that the estimated price of your move is subject to change, depending on actual costs. And for instance, if your move requires more man or hours or is heavier than originally estimated, you could end up paying more than the original estimate. Or if you are lucky you could end up paying less. But are you willing to risk?
If you prefer to know the exact price ahead of time, hiring a company that offers a binding estimate may be the better option. The main difference between binding and non-binding estimate is that a binding estimate ensures the cost of your move will not exceed the original cost estimate.
#8 Other important questions to ask moving companies:
- Do you have a cancellation policy and what would that be?
- What payment forms do you accept?
- Do you subcontract your moves and will my items be transferred to another party along the way?
- Approximately, how long will the move take?
- How can I get in touch with you and the driver during the move?
- Are there any additional charges I’m not already aware of?
- Are there any restrictions on what I pack and how I do it?
There are many more questions to ask moving companies, these are just the most important ones. Ask them all the things you can think of, and make a list of crucial questions before the meeting. The more information you have, the better the chances are that your move will be a rather positive experience!