Moving Companies

By Laura Morris

The Toronto area is one that boasts many movers so it's important to take steps that will ensure your move goes according to plan. To do this, you need to know howto look for a mover and what questions to ask.

"Visit the moving company's premises," suggests Pierre Frappier, vice-president of AMJ Campbell Van Lines in Mississauga. "That is key."

Since some customers will need to have their merchandise stored for a certain period, Frappier recommends knowing this information as well: "Where are your goods going to be held? Do they have a clean, secured, alarmed, monitored facility?" he says.

And it's crucial you understand the type of insurance being offered. "One of the biggest things often overlooked from a consumer point of view is what the mover is actually covering," says Frappier.

Ask the company if they have insurance and find out the name of the insurance company. Remember that insurance might only cover a portion of the cost for damaged goods, so it's a wise idea to obtain full replacement coverage. The customer must personally purchase this insurance, then if for whatever reason, something breaks the homeowner is fully covered. It's worth looking into your home insurance, that policy might make some provisions for a local move.

One thing a homeowner must consider is the difference between a mover and a professional mover. It might seem subtle but it's not. Just because an individual has a van does not mean they are a mover. Think carefully about your possessions, how much you've spent on them and ask if you want someone who is not a professional to move that expensive flat-screen television. Movers need to have experience says Glenda Staddon, co-owner and operator of Phillips Moving & Storage in Toronto.

Professional movers have specific skills for handling furniture, one needs to be spatially aware and that instinct helps them to work cooperatively with another mover. "We don't hire anyone who doesn't have at least two years experience," says Staddon.

Coming up against fly-by-night operations that can undercut more reputable companies is always a challenge. Consumers can be tempted to select the company that offers the lowest price, but this can end up costing more in the long run. If your television gets broken, the mover may not have the insurance to replace it. And seeing as a reputable moving company will have to pay for expenses like vehicle maintenance and insurance there's a good chance the more reputable one will cost a little more, but can save you in the long run. Worst of all if a mover doesn't have insurance, Staddon says the homeowner is at risk: "If somebody gets injured on your property you can be liable."

When spending money on a new home, it's important to keep track of all your expenses, and getting a firm quote from any potential mover will help you to do this. "People get promised one price and then the person won't deliver the goods unless he gets his new price," says Scott Hickling, chair of The Canadian Association of Movers. and owner of Calgary-based, Aurora Moving and Storage. "That's the most common call I get from people across the country."

To help ensure these mishaps don't happen, one thing you should do is always request an estimate. A representative will come to your home and evaluate how much the move will cost, within a 10 per cent margin. Then-and this is very important-get the estimate in writing. If an issue comes up later, you'll have the agreement.

Choosing a moving company that is a member of the Canadian Association of Movers will significantly improve your odds at a good move. Go to the CAM website (www.mover.net) to see if your preferred mover is listed by the organization.

"Companies have to apply to become a member. There's a lot of requirements that they need," says Hickling adding that criteria can include things like vehicle maintenance and insurance requirements. "If you're a member of this association you're operating the business by the book." Homeowners are also encouraged to ask for references from the Canadian Better Business Bureau (BBB) or from the company itself.

Accept that the act of moving is extremely stressful and professional movers are there to alleviate much of that anxiety. "We can offer different types of services like packing, crating, and storage," says Frappier. Movers can inquire about such details as making sure the truck fits into the driveway, if the condominium requires a smaller truck for loading, or whether an elevator reservation is required. When it comes to moving day, it's important that a good mover take out as many surprises as possible.