As the owner of a home staging company in Calgary, I’m in the business of getting your property sold. The process of staging, buying and selling properties includes a lot of moving. So over the years I’ve learned a thing or two about finding good movers. Here are some helpful tips.
 
I know how it feels to deal with movers who aren’t very professional. Part of my home staging services include furniture rental for vacant properties. And since I stock my own staging furniture, I have to get it moved to and from the homes and condos that I stage. Over the years, I’ve certainly had some negative experiences with moving companies.
 
There’s no shortage of bad news stories on the topic. This scratched floor story is just one of many. At the same time, I’ve been fortunate to find extremely reliable movers who I have come to rely on for my home staging business.
 
Here’s some of what I’ve learned:

• Get it in writing, read the details and ask questions to clarify when necessary
• Know the basics – insurance, truck size, hourly rate, availability and cancellation policy
• Clarify whether there are extra charges (and if so, how much) for climbing stairs, fuel, and travel time (even on short moves)
• Confirm how many people will be physically there working on your move
• Know whether workers are covered by Workers Compensation in case of an injury on site
• Understand who is responsible for packing
• Know your payment options – confirm that they accept credit cards
• Check the company’s standing with the Calgary Better Business Bureau

 
As helpful as referrals are from people you trust, it’s always important to do your due diligence to determine a company’s track record before you hire a mover (or any service for that matter). As the Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) states, “Even bad movers have good moves.”
 
CAM provides helpful information on their website including a search for member moving companies in good standing in your area as well as information about consumer alerts. Include them in your research.
 
Getting ready to sell and thinking about adding a home staging company in Calgary to your real estate team? Contact Jen at Set Your Stage for a free personalized Home Staging Assessment today.