How to find a reliable moving company in Canada or USA
Do you dread moving? There are few things more stressful than having to uproot your entire family and the life you've created for yourself and starting fresh in a new space. Unfortunately much of that stress and worry is tied to the process itself which usually creates a large disruption to your life. There are, however, ways to minimize that stress and worry and the biggest step is finding a reliable company that will do a professional and efficient job when the big day rolls around. If you've landed on this site you've made a great start!
The biggest question people ask when hiring a company is "can I trust them?" Trust is a big issue in our industry and a large part of the relationship we build with each of our clients starts with a foundation of trust. Our industry abounds with scammers and companies who operate outside of the law; the local newspapers are usually full of horror stories from people who have had the entire contents of their home held hostage, or sometimes even worse damaged and poorly treated. The most valuable marketing tool we use as a company is our reputation within our community, one which we work hard to protect.
The first thing you should do when searching for a moving company to hire is a little market research. A common pitfall for most families is looking for the company that will give them the best price. While everyone has a budget they need to work within, moving truly is a service where you get what you pay for. If you have taken the time to contact a few companies you will likely get a wide range of hourly prices and the companies on the lower end of the scale should be approached with caution. The most common practice of dishonest moving companies is to advertise a low price which quickly balloons with additional costs and hidden charges that are not disclosed until moving day. Make sure when you contact any company you get a quote in writing (email will suffice) that clearly lists all charges. When a company has a laundry list of add-on fees such as a staircase fee, elevator surcharge, fuel surcharge, heavy item fee, etc. make sure they've given you a full picture of what you can expect to pay on moving day. This is one of the reasons our prices are all-inclusive; a simple pricing structure takes the mystery and anxiety out of booking a move.
If you are comparing quotes from several moving companies it is also important to find out what level of service they provide. Along with a wide disparity in pricing within the moving industry, services offered vary widely as well. We are a "full-service" moving company, which means every item we move gets shrink-wrapped inside of your home and blanket wrapped inside our truck. We provide wardrobe boxes, brand new mattress covers, and full disassembly/reassembly of furniture at no extra charge. If you are comparing companies make sure they are providing these services as well to get an accurate comparison of pricing.
If you live in a big city or large urban centre you will likely have access to many movers. This competition can help to keep the prices of moving services lower, which means if you are living in a less populated area you are sometimes at a disadvantage. If you are living in a small town or area with only 1 or 2 local moving companies and you are planning a move to a larger city it is a good idea to search for companies operating in your destination city. You can also look for national chains or larger companies who operate in multiple areas. We service the majority of southern Ontario using our own trucks and employees so if you are anywhere in rural Ontario we will be happy to provide a price quote for your move. If you are outside of the province we are still able to provide competitive pricing by working with select partners in our industry.
Of course "word-of-mouth" referrals are the best way to find a great moving company. The problem arises when no one you know is able to recommend a reliable moving company and you are left to search for a moving company on your own. If you have access to the internet search for a company that has a strong on-line presence and plenty of customer reviews. Usually you can find bad reviews of moving companies offering poor service and of course these are to be avoided. If the company has great reviews, make sure they are on a reliable web site such as yelp.ca or our own page at www.viktoria.homestars.com, which is independantly operated and audited for authenticity.
Overall it is important to deal with a moving company that is responsive and offers excellent customer service. When dealing with professional movers you will experience their commitment to their clients from your first telephone/email interaction, to your in-home estimate, and right on through to moving day. If a company takes the time to clearly explain their pricing and services, answers all of your questions, and treats you well during the entire process you are likely in good hands.
Finding a mover can be a lengthy process on its own, though in the end it is definitely worth the effort. Remember to follow the advice we've laid out and above all avoid moving companies that seem in any way un-professional or dishonest. If a price is too good to be true, remember that it usually is! If you follow our advice and trust your instincts, you will be sure to make the right decision for your moving day.
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©2006 NorthMOVE
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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