Top Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Moving Company

Q: How much deposit is normal for a local move?

For a local move, expect a small deposit or none at all, enough to hold the date. A request for several hundred dollars or more upfront, especially by wire or e-transfer only, is a common warning sign. Always confirm whether the deposit is refundable and how much notice you need to reschedule.

Q: Should I get more than one quote?

Yes, get two or three and ask each the same questions. Comparing the answers, not just the headline price, is how you catch the quote that's low because it excludes stairs, carries no insurance, or has no cap.

Most moving-day disputes trace back to something that was never asked before booking. British Columbia doesn't licence movers, so the range of operators is wide — from insured crews with their own equipment to two people with a rented truck and a Kijiji ad. A short list of specific questions, and knowing what a good answer sounds like, is how you tell them apart before your furniture is on the truck.

Ask these seven. Get the answers in writing — an email or an itemised quote — not just over the phone.

This pairs with 10 mistakes to avoid when hiring local movers in BC and how to find a trusted local mover in BC, faster. For reading the quote itself, see the moving quotes pricing guide for BC and Canada.

1. How is the final price calculated?

Why it matters: an hourly rate that looks low can climb fast on moving day — traffic across the bridges, a long carry from the truck to the door, elevator waits in a tower. A flat or capped price shifts that risk to the mover.

Ask: "Is this an hourly estimate or a guaranteed total? What makes the final number change, and is there a cap?"

A good answer spells out the model clearly: either a fixed price tied to your inventory and addresses, or an hourly rate with a written not-to-exceed figure, the crew size, the travel-time charge, and any minimum. Red flag: a vague "it depends on the day" with no number you can hold them to.

2. What's included in that number?

Why it matters: assumptions about stairs, long walks, appliances and disassembly are where surcharges appear on the driveway.

Ask: "Does the rate cover loading, transport and unloading into rooms? Are there extra charges for stairs, long carries, heavy items, or taking beds apart and reassembling them?"

Typical local moves include and exclude roughly this:

Usually included	Usually extra or a separate booking
Loading, transport, room-specific unloading	Full packing and box supply
Standard furniture, boxes and totes	Appliance hookups and disconnects
Stairs, hallways and normal walkways	Full furniture assembly from flat-pack
Dollies, straps and moving blankets	Pianos, safes, gym equipment and other specialty items
Basic disassembly of beds and table legs	Storage or a hold between pickup and delivery

3. Are the crew vetted, and do they carry insurance?

Why it matters: you're letting strangers carry your belongings and move through your home. If a mover is hurt on your property and carries no coverage, that can land on you.

Ask: "Are the people on the truck your employees or subcontractors? Are they background-checked? Do you carry WorkSafeBC coverage and cargo and liability insurance, and can you send proof?"

A good answer comes with a WorkSafeBC clearance letter and a certificate of insurance without pushback. Red flag: cash-only, no business name you can look up, or reluctance to put insurance details in writing.

4. What happens if something is damaged?

Why it matters: basic carrier liability in Canada is minimal — around $0.60 per pound per item unless you buy more. A 40-pound TV that's destroyed is worth about $24 under that default.

Ask: "What's your liability per pound? Do you offer full-value protection, and what does it cost? How do I file a claim and what's the deadline?"

A good answer states the per-pound figure, offers a valuation upgrade, and describes a claims process with a timeline. Check your home or tenant insurance too — many policies cover belongings in transit or sell a moving-day rider.

5. What's the deposit, and the cancellation and rescheduling policy?

Why it matters: completion dates slip. A rigid policy or a large upfront deposit can cost you hundreds if the date moves.

Ask: "How much is the deposit and is it refundable? How much notice to reschedule without losing it? What's the fee if I cancel the day before, or after the crew arrives?"

A good answer is a small or no deposit and a clear notice window — often a modest fee inside 24 to 48 hours, more once the crew is dispatched. Red flag: a deposit of several hundred dollars or more, especially wire or e-transfer only.

6. Can you share recent references or verifiable reviews?

Why it matters: some operators rebrand to shed a trail of complaints. Reviews tied to real, recent jobs are harder to fake than a star rating on a new page.

Ask: "Do you have reviews from jobs in the last few months I can read, or customers I can contact?"

A good answer points to a body of dated reviews or offers references. Red flag: a brand-new online presence, or a company name that doesn't match the one on the truck and the invoice.

7. Will you do a walkthrough and give a written inventory?

Why it matters: a mover who prices your job sight-unseen — or by video — and never lists what they're taking has room to argue about scope and condition later.

Ask: "Will you do an in-person or video walkthrough before the day? Do I get a written inventory, and do we note any existing damage together?"

A good answer is yes to both. Never sign a blank or generic inventory sheet on moving day.

How to Use the Answers

Ask all seven of two or three movers and compare the answers side by side, not just the prices. The cheapest hourly rate with no cap, no insurance proof and a big deposit is usually more expensive than a slightly higher fixed quote from an insured crew. Once you know exactly what's moving, get an upfront price so there's a number on record before the truck arrives. More on preparing the home is in how to prepare your home for professional movers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do moving companies in BC need a licence?

No. British Columbia does not licence or register moving companies, so there is no provincial list to check. That makes the vetting questions — WorkSafeBC coverage, insurance, a real business name, recent reviews — the practical substitute. Consumer Protection BC handles complaints about deceptive practices.

Why do traditional moving estimates increase on moving day?

Hourly estimates are usually built for ideal conditions. Real days add time: traffic across the bridges, a long carry from the truck to the door, elevator waits in a tower, more or heavier items than described. Each extra hour is billed. A written not-to-exceed figure or a fixed inventory-based price prevents the surprise.

How much deposit is normal for a local move?

For a local move, expect a small deposit or none at all — enough to hold the date. A request for several hundred dollars or more upfront, especially by wire or e-transfer only, is a common warning sign. Always confirm whether the deposit is refundable and how much notice you need to reschedule.

What does basic mover liability actually cover?

Default carrier liability in Canada is roughly $0.60 per pound per item, so a heavy item that breaks is worth very little under that standard. Ask whether the mover offers full-value protection for a fee, and check whether your home or tenant insurance covers belongings in transit.

How can I best prepare my home for a fast move?

Finish all packing before the crew arrives, with boxes taped, labelled by room and stacked. Reserve a parking spot for the truck and book the building's service elevator in advance. A crew that arrives to a fully packed, accessible home spends its time carrying, not waiting.

Should I get more than one quote?

Yes — get two or three and ask each the same questions. Comparing the answers, not just the headline price, is how you catch the quote that's low because it excludes stairs, carries no insurance, or has no cap.

Ask First, Book Second

A ten-minute conversation with the right seven questions filters out most of the operators that cause moving-day problems. Get the answers in writing, compare two or three movers, then lock in a price. Start with an small move or full-home quote once you know what's on the list.

Sources

Consumer Protection BC — Moving companies and consumer complaints (consumerprotectionbc.ca), 2025.
Canadian Association of Movers — Consumer tips and the difference between an estimate and a binding quote (mover.net), 2025.
WorkSafeBC — Clearance letters and coverage verification (worksafebc.com), 2025.
Canadian Association of Movers — Standard carrier liability and replacement-value protection guidance, 2025.