There are nearly 2,500 moving companies in business across Canada. That’s a lot of companies to choose from when planning a move.
British Columbia has only a percentage of those companies but even then, you’ll have a lot to choose from when picking a Vancouver mover.
Let’s look at 5 questions you should ask before making a decision.
1. Are You Licensed?
Anyone can put their name on the side of a truck, put an ad on the internet, and start offering moving services. But if they aren’t properly licensed, you could wind up with damaged belongings and unexpected costs.
Make sure the moving company is licensed to provide moving services as well as to do business in Vancouver. Both types of licenses are equally important.
2. Do You Have Experience With My Kind of Move?
Make sure the moving company you’re considering has experience with your type of move. If you’re looking for a commercial mover in Vancouver, BC, that has different requirements than a typical household move.
A mover might have impeccable references for moving families in Vancouver but if they’ve never moved office equipment, you should keep looking. The same goes for specialty equipment like technology or machinery that likely has to be handled carefully.
3. What Insurance Coverage Do You Carry?
When you hire a mover, you’re trusting them to take care of your belongings. But accidents can happen. Who covers any unexpected damage or loss during the move?
Make sure the mover carries liability insurance in case something happens during the move. Check whether the coverage is full value protection or released value protection as well.
Full value means the mover is liable for the value of anything damaged or lost while released value covers a certain amount per pound. Full value is the best option.
4. Can You Provide References?
Any moving company worth their salt should be able to provide references and reviews from happy customers. They might provide written references but most often they will be online reviews.
For example, Rainforest Moving and Storage links to HomeStars directly from their website. You can read reviews from many of their past customers there.
The odd bad review isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker. Things can go wrong for any company but if the majority of the reviews are bad, keep looking.
5. Is Your Quote Binding?
Some moving companies provide a low-ball quote up front to get your business but wind up adding extra fees on the final invoice.
Find out if the mover’s quote is binding or if they offer a not-to-exceed estimate. Your final invoice shouldn’t be any higher than what they quoted you ahead of time.
Make Sure You Do Your Homework When Choosing a Vancouver Mover
You have a lot of choices when picking a Vancouver mover. Do your homework ahead of time and make sure you’re satisfied with the answers you get to these questions.
The extra time you put in up front could save you a lot of time and money later on.
Was this post helpful? Be sure to check out the rest of our blog for more helpful advice about choosing the right business for your needs.
