Vetting a Moving Company in Canada: Exact Questions to Ask Before You Sign
Canada’s moving industry has comparatively light regulation, which is exactly why the vetting burden falls on the customer. Here’s a specific list of questions to ask, and what a bad answer to each one signals.
“Are you licensed and insured, and can I see proof?”
A legitimate mover should provide this without hesitation, including cargo insurance details. Membership in the Canadian Association of Movers is a reasonable additional signal, since the association maintains its own standards and consumer complaint process members are subject to.
“Will someone assess my belongings in person or by video before quoting?”
A mover willing to quote sight-unseen over the phone, especially at an unusually low price, is the single most common precursor to a bait-and-switch: a low initial quote followed by a much higher demand on moving day, once your belongings are already loaded and you have far less leverage.
“What’s your liability coverage, and what does ‘full value protection’ actually cost?”
Basic carrier liability in Canada is typically weight-based (often around $0.60 per pound) rather than replacement value — which sounds reasonable until you realize a damaged 15-lb laptop would be covered for roughly $9. Ask specifically what additional valuation coverage costs and what it actually covers before assuming your belongings are meaningfully insured by default.
“Can I see the bill of lading before moving day, not just on it?”
The bill of lading is the actual contract governing your move — reviewing it only when the truck arrives is far too late to negotiate unfavourable terms. A mover reluctant to share this in advance is a signal worth taking seriously.
“What’s your cancellation and deposit policy?”
A large, non-refundable cash deposit demanded well in advance, especially disproportionate to the total quote, is a recognized red flag according to consumer-protection guidance from Canada’s Office of Consumer Affairs. Reasonable deposits exist, but they should be modest relative to the total job and via a traceable payment method, not cash.
Get multiple quotes and compare on more than price
The cheapest quote is disproportionately likely to be either wildly optimistic or a lure — a mid-range quote from a company that answered every question above satisfactorily is usually the safer bet. A reputable regional moving company should be comfortable with every question on this list; hesitation or vague answers on more than one of them is reason enough to keep shopping.
If something does go wrong on moving day
Document any damage with photos immediately, before the crew leaves, and note it on the bill of lading before signing — a damage claim filed after the fact, without contemporaneous documentation and a noted exception on the paperwork, is far harder to pursue successfully. Most provinces’ consumer protection offices can assist with a formal complaint if a mover refuses a legitimate claim, and small claims court remains an option for disputes within its monetary limit.
Reviews are useful, but read them a specific way
Look specifically for patterns in negative reviews (repeated mentions of price increases on moving day, damaged items, or no-shows) rather than dismissing a company over a single bad review, which can happen to reputable companies too. A company with dozens of reviews and a small handful of the same specific complaint repeated is a much stronger signal than one or two isolated negative reviews.
Sources & Further Reading
- Canadian Association of Movers — consumer alerts
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada — moving advice
