How to Get an Accurate Moving Quote in Montreal
Why Most Moving Quotes Are Inaccurate
The most common complaint about movers isn't the price — it's that the final bill didn't match the quote. This usually happens because the customer didn't provide complete information, or the mover gave a phone estimate without seeing the actual inventory. An accurate quote requires detailed information about your belongings, access, and logistics.
In Montreal specifically, common quote-busters include: undisclosed stairs, forgotten basement or garage items, larger-than-described furniture, and July 1st timing that wasn't factored into the estimate. You can avoid most of these surprises by being thorough upfront.
7 Steps to Get an Accurate Moving Quote
1. Do a complete room-by-room inventory. Walk through every room, closet, and storage area. List major furniture pieces and estimate the number of boxes. Don't forget the basement, garage, balcony, and storage locker.
2. Note all access details. What floor are you on? Is there an elevator? How wide are the doorways and stairs? Where will the truck park? The same information for your destination. 3. Identify specialty items. Pianos, pool tables, safes, aquariums, treadmills — these need to be explicitly mentioned because they require special handling and pricing.
4. Request in-home or virtual estimates. A phone quote is just a guess. An in-home visit or video walkthrough lets the mover see exactly what they're dealing with. Most reputable Montreal companies offer free virtual estimates via FaceTime or WhatsApp. 5. Get quotes from 3-5 companies. Compare apples to apples: same inventory, same dates, same services. If one quote is dramatically lower than the others, ask why — it could mean they're cutting corners or planning to surprise you on moving day.
What Your Moving Quote Should Include
A reliable moving quote should clearly list: the date and time window, number of movers and trucks, pricing model (hourly rate with estimated hours, or flat rate), included services (furniture disassembly, wrapping, stair fees), excluded services (packing, storage, specialty items), and taxes (GST + QST = 14.975%).
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Ask specifically: "Is this the total amount I'll pay, including all taxes and fees?" If the answer is vague, push for clarity. A reputable mover will give you a binding flat rate or a detailed estimate with clear terms about how hourly charges are calculated.
Red Flags in Moving Quotes
Cash-only operations with no written quote are a major red flag. Extremely low quotes (30%+ below competitors) often lead to day-of price increases. No business registration number (NEQ in Quebec) means the company may be unlicensed. Vague pricing with no breakdown of what's included should be avoided.
Always verify that the company has proper insurance (ask for a certificate), a physical address (not just a phone number), and reviews from real customers (Google, Facebook, or Déménagement.ca). A 5-minute verification can save you thousands in a worst-case scenario.
