Strategically situated near the Greater Toronto Area and close to the Fort Erie US border, the city of St. Catherines is ideal for trade and commerce.

If you are relocating to St. Catherines, the Garden City, you’ll want to know the best way to move. You probably don’t want to go DIY because you tried it before and it was way too stressful. You also don’t want to experience being bilked by a mover or worse, dealing with a rogue company.

It’s actually easy to avoid rogue movers by hiring only licensed and professional movers that are accredited with the Better Business Bureau. You can also verify members in good standing with the Canadian Association of Movers.

Where do you find these moving companies?

You can connect with professional movers in only 2 quick steps. Fill-out our form with your moving details and you’ll receive moving estimates from 5 professional movers.

How to Keep Moving Costs Down with a Professional Mover

Every person who needs to relocate worries about the cost of moving. Of course, each person will have different priorities when it comes to selecting a relocation method. Some prefer to get the cheapest option while others are willing to pay a bit more for a stress-free experience.

DIY moving is no longer about hiring a moving truck from U-Haul and doing all the hard work.  You can get a moving truck with 2 movers from a moving company at hourly rates. You pay only a little more but you don’t do any heavy lifting or long driving.

Choose your moving services based on your budget

Professional movers let you pick and choose the moving services you actually need so you can keep moving costs down.

You can choose to obtain only transport of your goods, loading/unloading with transport, or a complete moving service with packing, loading/unloading, and transport.

You can also choose to be flexible with moving date and delivery time to reduce moving cost.

Make a DIY Move without the Hard Work

Moving is one of the most stressful situations in life. The reason for this high level of stress is the time, planning, and physical work involved in the process.

People also stress about the high cost of relocation. What you may not know is that the cost of a professional moving service is not fixed; it all depends on the distance of travel and the weight of your cargo, as well as the optional moving services you choose.

If a friend who moved from Vancouver to Montreal says he spent $6,000 for a professional mover, it doesn’t mean you’ll spend the same for your own move to St. Catherines.

For example, moving companies offer the following rates:

• ✓ Moving truck only (driver will not help with loading)
• ✓ Moving truck with movers
• ✓ Moving labor only (customer takes care of transport)

If you are moving to St. Catherines, it is entirely possible to avoid stress by obtaining professional help with all or some of the aspects of your relocation.

Why are you afraid to hire a mover?

You know you can’t do the move on your own but you feel afraid of hiring a mover. You’ve heard so many bad stuff movers do and you are afraid you’ll get scammed.

That is actually a good place to start from because that fear will make you more cautious in choosing a mover.

Professional Movers don’t pull moving scams

However, you should know that professional movers don’t do those bad stuff you hear about. They adhere to strict professional and ethical standards and care too much about their reputation to pull a stunt like over-charging you for a move or holding goods hostage.

Movers who do these unethical practices are not professional movers. But for your peace of mind, it pays to know what to look out for when dealing with a moving company.

Below are 5 most common customer complaints against movers that you should heed and practical tips for avoiding them.

The 5 Most Common Customer Complaints Against Movers

Moving companies offer an invaluable service to consumers. Good movers make relocation stress-free, convenient, faster, and safer.

However, not all moving companies are the same. There are some who, unfortunately, have given people a bad impression of the business.

To avoid an unpleasant experience with a mover, it is important for you to choose a reputable and professional moving company. By doing so, you can ensure that your relocation is cost-effective and efficient.

# 1 – Movers have hidden Charges.

Check moving reviews and you’ll find that one of the most grievous complaints against movers is hidden charges.

Consumers report that some movers have billed them for undisclosed charges such as for stairs, heavy lifting, narrow street, and other miscellaneous items.

Every moving company has a different pricing system. It is therefore critical that you examine closely your moving quote and ask questions about potential add-on charges before your move.

Be Specific with Movers – Ask for a Written Quote

It is also important that you inform your moving company about things such as elevator, stairs, moving a piano, etc.  Your moving company will provide you with a moving estimate based on information you provide.

To be fair, most professional movers have transparent moving rates.

The best solution to avoid this situation is to choose a reputable moving company, ask for a written and guaranteed quote, and arrange for an in-home assessment prior to your move.

# 2 – Late Delivery of Household Goods

The delivery date should be specified in your bill of lading.  Movers are required to deliver your goods on or before this date.  A moving company may be held liable for expenses you incur because of the late delivery of your belongings.  You should keep your receipts and file a claim no later than 9 months after your cargo is delivered.

It is important to ask a moving company about their process for handling claims and complaints before you hire them.

# 3 – Lost or Damaged Items

Professional movers pride themselves in being careful about packing, handling, and moving customers’ belongings.  But accidents do happen. In case your TV, painting, vase, or collectibles get damaged, your moving insurance will kick in.

It is important to check the insurance provided by the moving company. Movers are only required by law to provide basic insurance which is really inadequate at $0.60 per pound. You can check your homeowner’s insurance or buy optional moving insurance for extra protection of your valuables.

Understand the types of moving insurance and your options for your protection.  There are some moving companies that offer more comprehensive insurance coverage as part of their moving service.  These movers may charge higher rates but they give more value.

# 4 – Jacked up moving bill

Ever heard a story of a mover that held someone’s goods hostage until they agree to pay a higher moving bill? This has happened quite often and it usually stems from a customer hiring a mover that provides an unusually low moving estimate.

This is a common scam used by not-so-reputable movers to trick people into hiring them because of their lowest bid.

To avoid this problem, make sure that you hire only a mover that provides a “binding” estimate.  This means the company’s quote is guaranteed and can only be changed to a maximum of 10%, such as when a customer has additional inventory not disclosed to the mover.

# 5 – Deposit Requirements

Some moving companies ask for a deposit to book your moving date.  While not all moving companies require upfront funds, some do especially during summer months and weekends.  Movers need some assurance that they won’t be left empty-handed should you cancel your move at the last minute.

But a deposit should not be a substantial amount and this depends on the estimated cost of your move.  If you are making a long distance move, the deposit amount could be higher. A reasonable deposit would fall anywhere from $100 – $500, depending on your moving estimate.

If you pay a deposit, always ask about the cancellation policy. You should be given a reasonable number of days to cancel without penalty such as 5-7 days prior to your scheduled date.

9 Months to File a Moving Complaint

Many people move to another city and leave boxes unopened for months on end.  Keep in mind that you have only 9 months to file a claim from the completion of your move.

While movers are unloading, do a cursory check of your boxes and try to check for any damage.  Note any damages observed in the mover’s copy of the bill of lading before signing it.  Movers have 30 days to acknowledge receipt of your claim to deny or make a settlement offer.

The best way to avoid dealing with stressful situations involving a mover, hire a reputable St. Catherines moving company. Do a background check with the Better Business Bureau and compare multiple moving companies before you hire one.

How to Find the Best St. Catherines Moving Company

Finding the best St. Catherines’ moving company is critical to the success of your relocation.

It is important to compare multiple moving companies before you make your choice. By obtaining 5 free moving quotes, you get to check on different moving prices and company experience, reputation, and customer service.

Compare Prices, Delivery Time, Insurance, and Extra Charges

Moving quotes should be evaluated not only on price; consider the moving insurance included, the size of the truck, and the number of movers provided. Also, check on delivery time and extra charges that may be added by a mover by asking questions.

Want to find the best moving company for your move to St. Catherines? Fill-out our online request form and connect with 5 reputable and insured movers near you.

Our quotes are absolutely free and no obligation!

You can have a pleasant and affordable moving service with our partner movers serving St. Catherines’ neighborhoods.