Verify the business behind the quote
Check the business identity, contact details and written agreement. Read recent reviews for patterns such as communication, handling and resolution of problems rather than relying on a single star average. Ask who performs the transport and who is accountable if another carrier is involved.
Ask questions that produce usable answers
A yes/no answer to “are you insured?” does not describe the coverage of your furniture. Request relevant written terms and confirm special items before accepting the quote.
- What inventory and access assumptions does this price use?
- How are travel time, minimums and additional work billed?
- Who handles packing, disassembly and building protection?
- What coverage, exclusions, deductibles and reporting deadlines apply?
- What happens if the date or destination access changes?
Recognize unresolved scope
An unusually brief quote can leave packing, stairs or waiting unpriced. Ask for clarification rather than assuming the omission means free service. Retain the version you accept and every agreed amendment. A provider unwilling to put material terms in writing leaves you without a dependable basis for comparison.
Look for answers about your actual property
A useful provider asks follow-up questions when the access is unclear. Describe the tight landing, the distant curb or the building’s limited receiving slot and ask how it will be assessed. “We do everything” is less useful than a clear description of what the quoted crew will handle and what needs separate preparation. Compare the specificity of the answers, not just confidence or speed on the phone.
Read reviews as operational evidence
Look for details: was the quote scope explained, did the customer know the schedule, how were difficult items handled, and what happened when a problem arose? A single extreme review is not a complete picture, but repeated comments about the same issue deserve a question. Verify where reviews are published. Do not accept screenshots or unattributed testimonials as equivalent to a traceable review history.
Evaluate a provider with evidence
Specific answers about your property are more useful than generic claims or unattributed testimonials.
Use a structured shortlist
Request comparable written scopes from a manageable shortlist. Ask each the same questions and record unanswered items. Give providers a chance to correct inventory or access assumptions before comparing totals. Keep the booking with the company that can explain the agreed work and conditions, rather than splitting instructions among several unconnected contacts. If another carrier or specialist is involved, identify who is responsible at each handover.
Before paying a booking deposit
Check that you have the business identity, the accepted service scope, the date or window, the amount paid and the applicable cancellation/change terms. Use the payment method agreed in the written booking and retain the receipt. Do not assume a web enquiry, a verbal opening in the calendar or an unanswered email confirms a crew. Ask for an explicit written booking confirmation.
Compare the work you would otherwise manage yourself
Choosing professional movers is a decision about the work and responsibility you want to coordinate. Compare the inventory assessment, packing, furniture preparation, loading, transport and unloading with the tasks you would manage independently. Include vehicle arrangements, permitted loading access, help at both properties and any storage gap. If stairs or unusually heavy items are involved, ask for an appropriate assessment rather than assuming a larger group of friends resolves the problem. Professional support should still have a clear scope: packing, specialist installation and disposal are not automatically included in every moving offer. Identify the work you will retain and the work you want quoted. This gives you a meaningful comparison between service arrangements instead of a broad claim that one option is always cheaper or easier for every household.
Check the provider and the written proposal
Confirm the company’s identity, contact details and the written service arrangement. Ask which people or organisations will handle the work, how delivery is organised and what protection terms apply to the shipment. Compare the same inventory and access information across proposals. Read limitations, excluded services, payment terms and the process for a change or complaint. Reviews can help you understand reported experiences, but they do not replace checking the offer for your own move. Be cautious about a price that cannot be connected to an inventory or scope. Ask questions until the practical arrangement is clear enough to compare. The OPC’s consumer guidance is a useful starting point for evaluating a moving contract in Quebec; the company’s actual agreement remains the document you must understand before booking.
Choosing the right level of help
Compare your available resources with the tasks in the move.
| Task to assess | Your available resources | Question for a mover |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy furniture | Item dimensions and helpers’ physical limits. | What crew and equipment suit these pieces? |
| Narrow access | Door widths, stair turns and route photos. | Is an advance access assessment needed? |
| Fragile objects | Suitable cartons and time to prepare them. | Who packs them and with which materials? |
| Furniture assembly | Tools, instructions and identifiable hardware. | Which disassembly and reassembly tasks are included? |
| Fixed building window | People available during the reserved slot. | How will the work fit that window? |
| Driving and loading | Driver, truck size and loading experience. | How are load placement and transport organised? |
| Scheduling | Packing progress and availability of helpers. | Can partial packing support be added? |
| Written service scope | Tasks you will handle and tasks delegated. | Can each responsibility appear in the quote? |