How to Find A Reliable Mover in Edmonton

Moving is a significant undertaking and finding the right company to help with your move is not something to leave to chance. When you stop to think about it, you entrust nearly everything you own to a moving company, so ensuring that they are reliable and professional is paramount. Of course, no one wants to spend more money than necessary, but as with most things, the lowest price is not always the best value. The old saying goes, “you get what you pay for.”

Those who take the time to research companies before hiring know that the media and internet have many horror stories about moves gone wrong. The problems encountered are usually caused by companies that do not have the equipment, personnel, and other resources to handle a move correctly.

Some of the most common problems reported by people using these rogue movers are:

The final charges exceed what was estimated (sometimes even doubling the cost)
The client’s shipment was held hostage until the customer agreed to pay excessive charges
The client’s shipment was not delivered as per schedule (sometimes weeks late)
Any claims for damaged or lost items were not honoured

It would be best if you didn’t fall prey to these rogue movers. On the positive side, with some due diligence, it is possible to find a professional, reliable and affordable mover. A proven method for choosing the right moving company to deliver on its promises starts with getting referrals from family or friends and knowing what questions to ask.

Professional moving companies like Funk’s Moving & Storage in Edmonton take great pride in their customer satisfaction ratings and are always happy to provide potential customers with testimonials. Funk’s also works closely with local realtors, senior complexes, associations, and other community organizations who will vouch for our service and competitive pricing based on their first-hand experiences.

To help with this process, we put together a list of 10 tips that will help you find a reliable and affordable moving company:

Get in contact with the moving company well ahead of the planned move

Start gathering referrals and reach out to recommended moving companies at least 4-6 weeks before your moving date. We suggest contacting the moving companies with even more notice if you are moving during the busy summer months.

Insist on an in-home estimate

Unless you’re only moving a few things, or live in a remote area, most moving companies that you contact should be able to send one of their representatives to your home to view what is to be moved and discuss the services you require. Be cautious about a mover who refuses to do so.

Ensure that you receive a detailed cost estimate

- Movers base their costs on several different factors. For a long-distance move, the scaled weight of the shipment combined with the distance between the starting point and the destination determines transportation costs. For a local move, the price is calculated based on the number of hours and the number of moving staff required to complete the move. There can be additional charges for services such as packing, automobile transport, pet relocation, etc. Movers should itemize these services on your estimate. A professional moving company will prepare a detailed, written estimate with all listed charges (including taxes). Beware of a mover who won’t show you how they calculate the price.

Get any guarantees in writing

- If the mover offers you a price guarantee, insist they put it in writing.

Ask about liability coverage

- When it comes to liability, two issues can arise.
  - First off, a moving company must carry comprehensive insurance coverage on all their vehicles and storage facilities. In a vehicle accident or truck fire, the moving company must be fully covered for loss or damage to the vehicle and customer contents. The same applies to items stored in a warehouse.
  - Secondly, there must be coverage for any potential property damage or damage to a customer’s goods while moving in or out of a house or business. Ask the potential mover to confirm they have the proper insurance.

Claims coverage

- It is essential to ask any potential mover to provide details on what coverage is available. Most homeowner policies do not cover move-related damage. It is wise to purchase complete replacement cargo protection from the mover and ask that the cost of the premium be included in your written estimate. Request a written copy of any exceptions to coverage.

Claims process

- Ask a potential mover to explain how you would file a claim for any loss or damage and to confirm what their experience has been for the average length of time to settle a claim.

Compensation for late delivery

- There are obvious situations such as bad weather or other circumstances outside of the moving company’s control that can cause a delay with your delivery. Before your move, ask the mover what compensation is available if they do not deliver your shipment within the agreed delivery schedule.

Comparing estimates

- When looking to compare estimates, it is vital to make sure it is an “apples to apples” scenario. If you receive three estimates, and one is significantly lower than the others, ask the mover to explain the variance. If all the companies have seen the same goods, they should be quoting on a similar weight for a long-distance move or an equal number of hours and workforce for a local move. If the hourly rate for a local move is much lower than one of the estimates, this may be a sign that the mover is using unskilled crew members.

Training for crews

- Ask the prospective mover how they train their employees who handle the physical move. It is also critical to ensure the employer has conducted appropriate criminal record checks.