Tips for hiring the right movers
Checking credentials a vital first step
Hiring a reputable moving company can make the difference between a successful move and a disastrous one. Matt Guest, owner of First Rate Movers Inc., has heard of illegitimate moving companies being hours late, not showing up at all or, worse, stealing people’s belongings.
It’s important, he says, to make sure your moving company is trustworthy. He offers the following tips: Check credentials: “Most people have heard of the Better Business Bureau,” he says, “but the better thing to check for is whether (the company is) a Certified Canadian Mover.” Guest says that becoming a member of the Canadian Association of Movers (Mover. net) is a much more detailed process, and that folks who are just looking to make a few bucks over the summer probably won’t bother with it.
“You can pretty much be guaranteed that a CAM mover is a real company,” he says. Compare prices: “It costs a fair amount to have real, legitimate movers out for a job for a few hours,” says Guest. Many moving companies are started by a few friends who have access to a truck and who are just looking to make some money on the side, but beware, he says. “With those companies, your belongings won’t be insured and so they aren’t going to care what happens to it.”
Legitimate moving companies must pay insurance for their workers, their trucks, and most will insure your belongings, and that raises the costs. Ask around: Word of mouth is one of the best ways to determine a company’s reputation, says Guest. If your friends have had good or bad experiences with a company, trust their word.
Above all, do your research — it can make the difference, come moving day, says Guest.