Q. How does the mover know what my shipment weighs?

A. Check out the following information about weigh scales. 

Q. What are the items that a mover WILL NOT move?

A. There are items that a professional mover will not move. You'll have to make arrangements to dispose of those items or move them yourself.

Document

HelpSheet_Things your mover won't move.pdf

 

Q. Why is there a delivery window for my goods to arrive at my new home?

A. A TTG (transit time guide) or “delivery spread” is established by a mover to provide a minimum and maximum window of days in which the mover commits to delivering your shipment safely to your new home. They take into account, the size of your shipment, the number of miles the move is, driver daily work hour limits, number of additional shipments and days to deliver those, driver rest time (especially when going cross country) and in the winter, weather delays.

Depending on the circumstances, if the mover delivers after the last date in the TTG, then there are a series of compensations that the moving company would have to consider to fulfill (hotel rooms, food allowances, etc.). As that will cost some money, the mover is going to do their best to get your things to you in the time the number of days that are allotted.

For example, your shipment is being picked up on July 15 in eastern Canada and you are moving to BC. Your TTG could range between July 25 to August 11 – depending on the size of your shipment.

You are obligated to accept delivery on a day within that spread that will be confirmed on moving day (or shortly thereafter). Generally, once your shipment is loaded into the truck and the driver has been able to confirm your shipment size, he can usually give you a rough idea within one or two days of when he thinks he will be delivering your shipment. The moving company is supposed to be in touch with you at least 48 hours out to confirm delivery date and ask for your payment. And it is common practice that the driver connects with you at least 24 hours out to confirm the time that he will be there and any last-minute details that he may need to know. And depending on the driver, they may provide you with their cell phone number so you can text them during the journey to get a more precise delivery date.

There should not be any additional costs for delivery unless a smaller truck (shuttle) is required because a tractor trailer cannot safely access your new home. However, if you cannot accept your shipment on the day that the mover says he is coming, then there will be additional fees that you will be responsible for that could include temporary storage fees. Unfortunately, you can’t pick a day and ask the driver to deliver on that specific date. The final delivery will be based on the circumstances that occurred throughout the move. If you are unable to be available for the delivery date, you may have to have a friend or relative to accept the delivery on your behalf.

TTG during COVID: Your driver is travelling across the country and you are moving during an absolutely unprecedented moving season-one that we’ve never experienced before. There is likely to be delays, especially as there are a number of household shipments on the same truck as yours and the driver will have to make multiple stops in different provinces all with different COVID-19 rules and restrictions. Please make sure that you read the fine print on the qualifications around the TTG because of Covid. For example, if there is a delay of delivery after the last day in the TTG, and the delay is due to longer delivery requirements for shipments due to COVID-19, is that the moving company’s fault or not and will they cover off additional expenses for you?

Q. What are the implications if my mover offers me short term storage on their truck instead of moving it into storage?

A. Although not common practice, in slower months, it is not unheard of to have the shipment stay on the truck if it is only going to be a couple of weeks. Here are some things to consider whether storing in the truck or in a storage facility.

Storage on the truck: It's okay if it’s only for a couple of weeks - it does reduce the amount of handling of your household goods. Because it’s staying on the truck, it’s one less ‘off the truck’ and then back onto the truck. However, it is important to understand how watertight the truck is. Most trucks are. You should also consider temperature and/or extreme humidity or cold. We suggest that you make absolutely sure how the moving company’s yard is set up. Here are a few questions you may want to ask:

• Is the yard fenced and the gate locked each night?
• Do they have security cameras - with live feeds that work - aimed where the truck will be parked?
• How will the truck be parked? For example, will the back door of the moving van/truck be locked and then backed up against a loading dock door that wasn’t being used? Or if that wasn’t possible, will the truck be backed up against a wall or another truck, so no one could get into the back door of the truck and help themselves to the contents?

Storage inside in a warehouse or storage unit: Having your things brought into a dry, climate controlled warehouse would likely be a better option, to take out the weather variable. This way, your things are brought in, still wrapped in blankets and stored until it’s time to get your goods delivered. One thing that you have to assume will happen is that if your new house isn’t ready when you thought it would be, or there are other delays that put pressure on the moving company to get their truck back in use, they are going to have to bring your shipment indoors anyway - as they won’t be able to keep a truck tied up for weeks and weeks.

It is important to understand what your personal home insurance will cover on a move such as this as well as fully understand what valuation protection you have from the moving company.

Q. Can I ask the movers to remove their shoes before entering my home?

A. As respectful as movers try to be to fit all cultures and customs, it is 100% unsafe for the crews to take off their safety shoes to work in a house. There would be worker’s compensations claims abounding as crews slip on floors and lose their grip coming down stairs carrying huge dressers. Professional movers do their best to protect flooring and stairs with ‘runners’. It is also extremely impractical to conduct a move if the crew has to continually stop to remove their foot ware or stop to put them on. Large or heavy items, like mattresses, sofas, fridges, are much better removed in one continual motion instead of having to stop and restart. The front entry may not have a spot big enough to put down a king mattress or a freezer while the guys tie their shoes. Consider how many pieces are being moved, including boxes. Presume that each item is one trip to the truck. Multiply that by 2 - and that’s how many times the crew has to stop to either put on their shoes or take them off. The move would take double to triple time and end up costing a customer likely a minimum of $1,000 in extra in fees.

Q. What are the rules concerning the transportation of firearms and ammunition in Canada?

A. Always check with the legal authority for the latest rules on this – here’s a link to an RCMP information webpage.  Transport companies may need to obtain a Carrier Licence. There is a phone number on their website if you have questions or need help to understand their rules or forms.