Making a move to Calgary? This article covers the top 10 questions to ask moving and storage Calgary pros before trusting anyone with your belongings.
Moving stirs up enough stress without adding damaged possessions or undisclosed fees. Save sanity by asking the right questions upfront when vetting Calgary movers.
This guide arms you with 10 vital questions to separate proven professionals from potential headaches on moving and storage Calgary.
We’ll cover logistics, capabilities, insurance, and more to spotlight competent movers ready to simplify not complicate your relocation.
Breathe easy by probing prospects on exactly how they promise to care, transparency, and accountability from start to finish.
Let’s jump right into the key things to clarify:
1. Are You Licensed and Insured?
Unlike most services, no official certification governs the moving industry in Canada beyond basic corporate registration. Rogue operators exploit this lack of regulation.
Red flags:
- No GST number or corporate paperwork trail
- Vague about insurance coverage
Before this vague crew touches a tchotchke, scrutinize documentation proving legitimate licensed and insured status.
2. What Packing Supplies and Tools Do You Use?
Experienced companies invest in premium quality materials engineered specifically for smoothly transporting household items over long distances.
Watch for cheap newsprint paper prone to tearing, thin bubble wrap that pops easily, and dull box cutters at risk of damaging contents when unpacking.
Quality gear protects. Flimsy supplies fracture.
3. Do You Own Your Trucks?
Many lowball bidders bait with unrealistic prices knowing they don’t own the equipment to move you. Instead, they rent U-Hauls or outsource to shifty last-minute contractors.
Concerns:
- Damaged uninsured rentals
- Unreliable outsourced movers
- Bumped from priority access
Ask for truck images, ownership papers, and onsite storage proof. Customer possessions deserve better than sketchy black vans tapped the morning of the move.
4. Who Handles Claims for Lost or Damaged Items?
Despite best efforts, accidents happen. While good providers work hard to prevent mishaps, the true test comes with making things right if the unthinkable occurs.
Professional movers assume full liability for valuables in their care with direct, streamlined compensation should anything go awry minus depreciation.
Storming the castle risks leaving you one broken plate away from the relationship ending frustration. Make sure policies and processes provide accountability along with restitution.
Get granular on coverage scope, premiums, exclusions, claims procedure, and better beforehand. Surprise heartbreaks may prove priceless.
5. Do You Offer Binding or Non-Binding Quotes?
The initial moving quote sets expectations but holds as binding or non-binding depending on the method:
- Non-binding = Rough estimate from home walkthrough. Final price tabulated after loading by cubic volume/weight measurements. Could swing +/-40%.
- Binding = Guaranteed not to exceed. Price locked after an initial in-home visit.
While binding quotes limit shock, added protections mean companies build in bigger buffers adding to cost.
Clarify the business model upfront. If non-binding, prepare for variability.
6. What Training Do Staff Undergo Before Moving My Belongings?
You need assurance the strangers infiltrating your home can properly handle expensive items from pianos to pets.
Ask:
- What certification programs do helpers complete if any?
- How long is the initial onboarding/apprenticeship?
- What specialist training occurs for unique goods like art, appliances, and tech?
- How frequently does additional instruction happen?
Look for structured supervised progress milestones – not just tossing unskilled laborers into the deep end alone. Your memories deserve obsessive care, not haphazard handling.
7. Can I See a Sample Inventory List Template?
Any decent outfit documents each box and piece of furniture moved. But vague scrambled chicken-scratch notes spell future decoding disasters when trying to locate specific tubs.
Make sure companies tag logically according to:
- Resident owner
- Room of origin
- Basic contents/components
Ask to sample redacted logs that demonstrate coherent cataloging easy for customers and crew to follow.
8. Do You Offer Climate-Controlled Storage?
When closing gaps between old place and new, clean, monitored long and short-term storage simplifies life greatly.
Verify precise indoor conditions maintained year-round. Equipment capability and proven experience minimize risks of temperature/water damage.
Tour facilities beforehand if possible. Three months of “roughing it” snags less when you peek at provisions.
9. Can I See a Sample Contract?
Before signing, examine terms with a fine-tooth comb. Beyond the quoted cost per mile and minimum hours, focus on:
- Deposits/payment structure
- Cancellation policy
- Insurance liability caps
- Dispute resolution
A rock-solid contract laser focuses on reasonable expectations while allowing outs if the relationship sours.
10. What Differentiates Your Company?
Any old Don, Dick or Stanley operates a truck but true professionals stand out through credentials and care. probe what earns trust beyond emptied Buzzword bingo cards.
Listen for:
- Longevity/family legacy marks
- Repeat customer percentages
- Specialized training milestones
- Safety awards held
- Community involvement
At day’s end, you need assurance that cherished heirlooms stay protected. Arm yourself with insider techniques to separate reputable movers from scammers in Calgary and beyond.
