We know that your move is very important to you. You want to save on moving costs and at the same time, ensure that your moving company will keep your belongings safe and transport them without delay.

Here are some questions and responses regarding moving household goods in Montreal.

How will movers estimate the cost of my move?

If you are making a local move, your moving company will find out what household belongings you will transport (furniture, computers, appliances, personal items, books, etc). They can also estimate the cost based on the size of your home. Local moves are charged hourly rates and your mover can estimate the number of hours it will take to complete your move.

For long distance moves, movers will want to see what your home looks like through photos, video, and estimate the weight. The actual cost of your move will be calculated when everything is loaded onto the truck. 

Movers are experienced in calculating the weight of your cargo and how long it will take them to complete your move. Every estimate can change on the actual moving day but reputable movers will not charge you more than 10% of their moving quote.

What paperwork should I get from my moving company?

Professional movers provide a Work Order or Bill of Lading with your name and contact numbers as well as the details for the job (address, date and time of the move, destination, etc.)  

Don’t risk hiring a mover to load your belongings to a truck and then disappear. This can happen if you don’t bother to get the right paperwork.

For local moves, the work order should state the hourly rate and agreed upon price, additional charges, the replacement value for your household goods, and the contact person in case you have questions about your belongings.

For long distance moves, the bill of lading should indicate the estimated weight of your goods, the estimated cost of your move, the replacement value for your goods, estimated arrival of your goods and the contact person if you have questions regarding your belongings.

Is it a standard practice for moving companies to ask for advance payment?

Reputable companies will not ask for upfront payment for a move. Many of them will ask for a deposit to reserve the moving date. The industry standard is to get the payment when the goods are delivered to your home.

What does delivery spread mean for a long distance move?

When you book your long distance move, your moving company will establish a maximum and minimum number of days to deliver your goods.  Companies consider the distance, driver rest time required, weather delays, etc. 

Moving companies will do their best to meet the maximum date stated in your moving contract. The company will also contact you before the arrival of your goods to make sure you are ready to receive your goods and prepare the payment.

We are now in an unprecedented time when drivers and moving trucks are subject to restrictions due to COVID-19 which may vary across provinces. There are likely to be delays but the company should keep you updated on the status of your goods. 

Do I need moving insurance?

It is important to know what the moving company’s liability is for damage or loss of your goods. Ask questions from the moving company.  You should also check with your insurance company for coverage of your goods under your homeowners’ insurance.

Movers provide released value protection which is the basic insurance coverage for household goods. The moving company compensates only $0.60 per 1.32 kilogram of your goods as required by provincial regulations. Thus, any compensation is limited in value to the weight of your goods.

You also have the option to purchase additional moving insurance.

Are moving expenses tax-deductible?

You may be able to file your moving expenses as a tax deduction. For more information, you can check moving expenses allowed for tax deduction courtesy of the Canadian Association of Movers.

When should I start contacting moving companies?

For a long distance move, it is ideal to start looking for a mover 6-8 weeks ahead of your moving date.  For a local move, you can start looking for a moving company 4-6 weeks before your desired date. This is important if your move coincides with peak moving times (June-July) as movers can be fully booked.

If your move is during off-peak season, it is much easier to book a moving company and you can shorten this time frame. Some moving companies can even do last-minute moving but we don’t recommend you to wait until the last minute.

How do I pay the moving company?

Many movers may ask for a deposit when you book your moving date. This will not be a substantial amount, usually about 10% the cost of your move. Payments can be by cash, check, money order, or credit card. The balance of your moving bill is paid when your goods arrive and before they are unloaded.

Where can I file a complaint against a moving company?

We recommend that any issues be resolved with the moving company. In case you are not satisfied with the way the company handled or resolved your issue, you can file a complaint about a move or moving company with the Canadian Association of Movers. You can also make a report with the Better Business Bureau.