There are many professional movers to choose from, from large movers associated with national or international van line organizations, to small companies who may be limited in terms of experience and equipment.

IMF monitors its membership and accepts feedback on its membership. If a member company has an unusual number of complaints then we have the right to remove that mover from our membership.

If not choosing an IMF member company, ask friends and find out what they liked or did not like about their move. Most importantly, ask them if they would use the same mover in the future.

Another source to use is to browse through your Yellow Pages. Keep in mind that being in the Yellow Pages is no indication of quality, or ethical dealings.

However, it does usually indicate to you that the mover has been in business at least one year. Most problem movers commonly come and go under new names, so Yellow Pages or other directory advertisers usually get you away from small problem movers. We suggest you stay away from movers who advertise in newspapers or rental guides, as that is where problem movers tend to advertise.

Choose several moving companies to call for estimates. We recommend having a minimum of two, but it is best to have three or four companies come to your home so you get a better overall view of what kind and types of companies are out there.

There are many variables that affect the cost of a move – and many of these cannot be determined until the estimator makes a visit to your home.

Certain simple, uncomplicated moves can be successfully estimated by telephone, but be aware that any misunderstandings, omissions, additions, or unusual access or loading problems will incur additional charges – regardless of what the estimate states.

After deciding on several movers to call, arrange for each mover to send a representative to visit your home and perform an on-site survey. (It may be hard to get a local estimate on an apartment move because many movers will only come out to do estimates on larger homes.) The representative will go through your home, from basement to attic, physically inspecting all items to be moved.

If you require the mover to pack some or all of your belongings, the representative will provide an estimate of the labour costs and the cost of the packing material.

He or she will make a list of all items to be moved, and estimate both the total weight of the shipment and the space it requires on a truck. They will also inspect the area available for truck parking, and note any special considerations that will have to be handled.

This could include truck access that requires the movers to make either a “long carry” because the truck cannot be parked close to the home, or a shuttle, because it is impossible for the truck that is hauling the shipment to access the property at all.

Other special considerations can include extensive carrying of the shipment up or down multiple flights of stairs, elevator access, and unusual or extra heavy items.

After performing the survey, and discussing insurance options with you, the representative will provide you with a written estimate of the cost of the move.

Keep in mind that the basic estimate is only that – an estimate – or an educated guess. In these circumstances, your actual charges will not be calculated until the shipment has arrived at destination – and you will be expected to pay the bill before the truck is unloaded. Some movers offer a binding estimate.

These estimates run somewhat higher than non-binding estimates, but the advantage of knowing the maximum cost is comforting to some people. Shipments made under a binding estimate are weighed after loading. With long distance moving, if the weight is the same or more than the estimate, you pay only the estimated price. If the weight is less, you pay less. Ask to see the weigh scale tickets from your driver upon delivery. On long distance moves, never move with a mover who charges by cubic footage, as cubic footage can easily be inflated.

After receiving estimates, call your local Better Business Bureau. It is not realistic to expect that there have never been any complaints again a given mover, but it is realistic to expect that a mover handle complaints promptly, fairly and within the law.

Even if the mover is not a member of the BBB, the mover will often have a good record. Avoid using movers who are not properly licensed to do business, or who do not possess legal authority to move your shipment. IMF requires its members to be properly licensed for their jurisdiction.

When you compare movers who have given you estimates, do not rely on the final price alone to make your decision. There are so many variables involved in determining a price that a total dollar comparison is meaningless unless the estimates are comparable in other ways.

Look at some specific areas of your estimates to compare. Start with the estimated weight of the shipment. Are the estimates close? Some variance is to be expected, but wide differences are not.

The backside of many estimate forms will break out how many and what kind of items are to be included. Did the mover include all items to be moved including furniture, boxes, and bulkier items? Are the counts of the different items accurate and consistent between estimates?

Some movers will deliberately “low ball” or undercount items to provide an estimate that appears lower than their competitors’ estimates. Yet, on moving day, the prices will be amazingly consistent. Check the hourly rate or the rate per pound to compare.

Make sure that all of your estimates promise the same level of guarantee for rate protection – either binding or non-binding. If you are using a packing service, how do the estimates compare when you look at the number of boxes required, their individual costs, and the amount of labour necessary to pack them?

On moving day, how many trucks, of what type, and how many men are required according to the estimates? Depending on the type of your move, you may be charged either on a weight and space rate, or on an hourly rate, based on the size of the truck and the number of men required.

While smaller trucks and smaller crews charge lower hourly rates, the advantage is lost if it takes substantially more time to accomplish the move because proper equipment is not used, or if there is not enough help.

Finally, compare the insurance coverage the mover is providing. There are various laws that mandate basic coverage, depending on the type of move and the jurisdiction.

This coverage, however, is inadequate for the needs of many people. Movers offer various types of optional insurance packages at additional cost. These extra coverages should be clearly spelled out on the estimate form, including type, value of the shipment, rate and total cost.

Some estimates will deliberately understate the value of the shipment, or not include any form of insurance in an attempt to show a lower cost. IMF members are required to make available for purchase to their customers a minimum of $50,000.00 Canadian or $25,000,00 U.S. of in-transit cargo coverage.  IMF members must operate under the terms and conditions of local and federal regulations for movers.

Only after making sure all of your estimates are comparable can a decision be made. Compare the costs various movers offer. Consider the rating of IMF, reports you’ve received from the BBB and other consumer protection agencies. Keep in mind that IMF, CAM, and AMSA will only recommend their own members because they know that the recommended mover will generally be better quality. Think about referrals and comments from friends and family. Then, make your selection and call the mover to schedule the move. Important:

When employing IMF member companies!

Independent Movers Federation makes every effort to screen our member companies. This still may not guarantee a perfect move. No one is obligated to choose an Independent Movers Federation member company by using this service.

When a consumer (moving customer) books a move with one of our Independent Movers Federation member companies, both the consumer and the moving company are responsible to each other for all moving arrangements.

These would include the following:

• moving rates (prices)
• insurance
• packing
• timing of move
• storage