Top Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Moving Company in Calgary

Moving can be a stressful experience, but choosing the right moving company can make all the difference. To make sure you are hiring reliable professionals, it is important to ask the right questions. Here are the top 10 questions to ask before hiring a moving company in Calgary, with practical guidance from MiniMove, a family-owned Canadian mover serving Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, Victoria, and beyond since 1982.

As stated earlier, while Alberta does not require a moving company license on a province wide basis, an honest moving company operating in Calgary should be able to demonstrate to you that they meet three key criteria:


• they possess a wcb Alberta workers compensation clearance certificate; you can independently confirm the validity of this by checking their status on the wcb Alberta website.
• that they carry general liability insurance for a minimum value of two million dollars.
• that they possess cargo or goods in transit insurance that protects your property when being transported by them.


Additionally, if the moving company is affiliated with the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM), the company has agreed to adhere to a code of conduct above and beyond their insurance obligations.

It is imperative to request a detailed written quote that breaks down all expenses associated with the relocation. Be extremely cautious of companies that refuse to give you a written quote and instead want to give you a verbal one. Verbal quotes often result in charges that were not previously disclosed once the relocation is completed. The majority of professional moving companies will generate a written quote via e-mail following a short telephone discussion regarding the size of your relocation, the address where you would like us to pick up your belongings and drop off your belongings, and any potential challenges such as stairs, narrow roads, elevator reservations etc.

Be certain that you understand what potential additional charges may be assessed against you, including but not limited to: stairs, extended distance carrying, packaging supplies, gas/mileage, and/or weekend/holiday rates. Understanding these costs before your relocation allows you to avoid any possible surprise costs on your final bill. Some moving companies also have a required minimum amount of billing hours, i.e., you will be charged for 3-4 hours regardless of how many hours the job actually took to complete. For example, at MiniMove, we bill by the minute with no minimum so you only pay for the time we actually spend working.

Not all moving companies provide the same type of service. Therefore, it is essential to inquire as to whether or not they provide the following types of Services:

This ensures that they can perform your relocation as needed without you needing to hire additional third-party providers.

If you have any fragile or high-value items in need of special care during relocation, please ask the moving company the following questions:


How will my items be packaged at my residence?
Are my items going to be secured separately in the moving vehicle (not stacked underneath heavier objects)?
What kind of protection/insurance do I have if my items are damaged during transportation?


If a moving company provides satisfactory responses to these inquiries, it demonstrates they are well prepared to relocate your fragile/high value items. At MiniMove, our crews are trained to carefully handle your fragile items from grand and upright pianos to flat screen TVs to fine ceramics. Our pianos are moved using specialized dollies equipped with strap-down points. We use individual tv boxes that fit perfectly into our moving trucks. Additionally, ceramic pieces are individually wrapped and placed in dish-pack boxes and never stacked beneath larger/heavier objects.

Using a relocation company who has experience relocating people within Calgary is recommended. Companies who have relocated residents in Calgary understand the layout of the city’s streets, parking regulations (particularly in areas such as the belt line and close proximity to downtown condominium buildings), elevator reservation process in residential towers, and seasonal conditions (such as chinooks) of Calgary. Also, verify if the relocation company maintains its vehicles in Calgary itself versus having them maintained in nearby towns such as Airdrie or Cochrane. If the relocation company maintains its vehicles out-of-town, travel time will likely be invoiced to you in addition to the time spent physically relocating your belongings. For example, travel time can add 30-60 minutes of cost on top of your actual relocation time. At MiniMove, we operate with a Calgary-based crew utilizing trucks stationed within the city limits of Calgary.

Hiring a moving company familiar with Calgary is a smart choice. Local experience means they understand the city’s traffic patterns, parking regulations, and other logistical challenges. Some companies will store their trucks in Airdrie or Cochrane, costing you more in travel time. MiniMove is a local Calgary moving company.

Request information as to what tools and Equipment the relocation company utilizes for relocating your belongings such as dollies, straps and protective blankets. A properly equipped team can more safely and efficiently relocate your belongings. MiniMove utilizes moving blankets, straps, stand-up dollies, appliance dollies, furniture disassembly tools and other specialty Equipment in the relocation process, all inclusive in our hourly pricing with no separate Equipment charges.

A delay could occur due to many reasons including bad weather, traffic congestion, Delays experienced by previous customers' moves, or problems accessing my building such as elevator reservations that have not been made through their office. Find out if they communicate when they are delayed, whether or not they would be able to hold onto your belongings overnight if the move was cancelled at some point during the day, and what costs would be associated with each scenario. A good mover should provide you with details regarding their communication policies and how they handle a variety of scenarios. Do not settle for a generic "we'll take care of it."

Understand how the company addresses damage/loss claims for your belongings. In canada most moving companies provide one of two types of insurance coverage: basic carrier liability (usually .60 per pound) and replacement value coverage (which pays for the full cost of replacing items). Determine what type of coverage is included in your bid, what deductible applies, and who you need to contact in order to file a claim for damages. Minimove provides comprehensive replacement value insurance protection. Contact us to receive information related to the specifics applicable to your relocation.

Things don't always go as planned. Ensure you understand the mover's policies regarding cancellations and rescheduling to prevent paying any unnecessary fees. Many movers require a non-refundable 25-50% deposit upon booking and impose penalties for cancelling your booking close to the scheduled date of your move. Minimove does not require any deposits, nor do we charge any cancellation fees; therefore you are under no obligation to complete your move with us should your circumstances change.

Asking yourself these few simple questions will enable you to select a reputable moving company in Calgary that meets both your requirements and price range. Taking a little extra time upfront to research your options will ensure a safe and efficient relocation process.


Need reliable movers in Calgary? Minimove has provided professional relocation services in Calgary for over 30 years. Call us today at 1-403-770-9887 or obtain a free, no-obligation quotation at http://www.minimove.ca/calgary_movers.

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