How to Choose the Right Moving Company
Make Sure That They Are Licensed and Experienced!
Common sense would tell you that the longer a business has been operating, the more experience they’ve acquired right? And if they’ve been running an operation for a lengthy period of time, chances are that they’re obviously doing something right, right? Well, so take that logical thought process and apply it to your search for a reputable and experienced moving company that provides services in and around Toronto or the GTA. And if they offer nationwide long distance moving services, they probably really know their stuff well. It’s not to say that movers that have been licensed and in operation for shorter time periods are bad (after all, you have to start somewhere), but most people will feel more comfortable if they have full confidence with a company that is essentially transporting and handling their livelihood in the form of belonging and items.
If you do come across movers from the west such as Mississauga, Etobicoke, and all the way out east towards Scarborough, and Pickering that have a shorter track record, give them a chance. They’ll probably offer you a very competitive rate (obviously because they want your business in order to grow), and so just make sure that they’re licensed and they provide you with referrals for recent moving jobs.
Get Customer Referrals!
One of the best ways to learn if a moving company is legitimate is if you talk with customers who received services from the company. Once you receive the referrals, contact the customers and let them know that you are trying to learn about the moving company they hired. Ask them if they were satisfied with the moving company and if not, why.
Lastly, a simple search using the moving company’s name will probably bring up some information of importance which will help you analyze and decide whether or not they’re good.
Watch Out for Possible Moving Scams!
Some movers are just dishonest and lack integrity- it’s a shame, but it’s the truth. Some of the red flags to look out for are:
1. If a mover demands cash upfront without giving an estimate or inspecting the items in your home,
2. No contact info (physical address) on the company’s website
3. If the mover does not give you a document that states your rights and responsibilities, or, if the mover does not clearly state the terms of the moving contract.
Cheap Can be Expensive!
“Cheaper” will generally persuade or influence the decision by an individual, but that can backfire on you in a flash causing you even more financial grief in the case with movers. A lot of folks will make the mistake of settling with the first “cheap” quote that they like or what they think is the lowest quote. This might be a bad idea because if a moving company is offering very low quotes for their services compared to quotes received by other movers, there’s a possibility that something could be fishy- perhaps you’ll end up paying higher “miscellaneous, transportation, hourly, etc.” fees for other service charges which you were not aware of. Thus, save yourself the headaches firsthand and obtain at least 5 moving quotations, compare, then make a decision.
If Your Moving Destination is Far, Inquire!
Some moving companies may not transport particular items to every destination, so be sure to ask before you hire them. Some of the smaller independent moving companies may only go to cities within a province, while others may go out of Ontario across provincial lines.
Hiring the right moving company in Toronto or GTA will take patience and good research skills. But if you do your due diligence, it’ll take the stress out of moving. Contact S & Sons Moving for a free consultation and quote.
