To compare a moving quote in Montreal, check the number of movers, the truck, the time billed, and the travel costs. Add in the special work, supplies, and protection of the goods. A hourly rate alone does not allow for a comparison of the cost of two proposals.
Request a moving quote in Montreal with the same information
Provide the same description for each company. If one estimate includes the appliances, the bed disassembly, and the contents of the storage, while another only covers the main furniture, the charges do not correspond to the same work.
Prepare a list of large furniture items, appliances, and the approximate number of boxes. Add the complete addresses, floors, and access points. Specify the intermediate stops and items that require special handling.
- The desired date and the time constraints at both addresses.
- The stairs, the elevators and the narrow passages.
- The distance between where the truck can stop and the door.
- The furniture that can be disassembled and reassembled.
- The packaging to be entrusted to the team and the necessary supplies.
- The possible need for storage between two transports.
Send photos when the list does not make it possible to understand the volume or the difficulties. Have the estimate corrected if you subsequently add more items or a new step.
Compare the team, the truck, and the tasks involved
Check how many people will be involved in the handling and whether the truck is included. A proposal for two movers does not describe the same service as a proposal for three people, even when the advertised price seems close.
Also, don’t assume that a larger team will always reduce the bill. Ask why it is recommended for your property and access. The work to be done and its organization matter as much as the hourly rate.
For his part Residential moving service, NordTrans currently indicates seasonal cold-weather rates of approximately $110 per hour for two movers and $145 per hour for three, with a 20-foot truck, plus taxes.
Confirm these rates by phone at 514-591-5122 before booking. They depend on the time of year and can be slightly higher outside the Montreal and Laval islands. These prices are not the total cost of your move.
Also ask how the packaging and the work on the furniture are calculated. At NordTrans, the disassembly and assembly of standard furniture are part of the working time. The packaging supplies provided are invoiced separately.
Understanding the billed hours and travel
Specify the starting and ending points of the calculation. At NordTrans, for a local move, the work begins upon arrival at the first address and ends at the end of unloading at the last one. The distance between your addresses is part of that time.
On the islands of Montreal and Laval, the minimum charged is three hours: two hours of work and one fixed hourly travel fee. This latter covers the journey from the parking lot and back. After the first two hours of work, billing is done in 15-minute increments.
Outside these islands, the travel time charged may exceed an hour. Therefore, confirm the calculation for your exact addresses, even if the distance between your old and new residence seems short.
To compare two proposals, separately note the minimum wage, the estimated duration of the work, the travel expenses, and the taxes. Check whether the advertised duration is an estimate or an agreement agreed upon in writing.
Traffic, access, and the actual volume transported can influence the time required. An estimate based on incomplete information must be reviewed before it serves as the basis for your budget.
Identify the costs related to items, access, and travel
Describe the difficulties before accepting the submission. At NordTrans, some unusual or heavy items weighing 80 kg or more, a truck-to-door distance of 60 m or more, as well as passage through a window or balcony, may incur additional fees.
Pianos, exercise equipment and certain commercial equipment must also be reported. Provide the dimensions, the weight if you know it, and photos of the access points. Have the possibility of transport and the applicable conditions confirmed.
For one long-distance moving, NordTrans currently adds a fee of $0.92 per kilometer traveled between your addresses at hourly billing. This rate must be confirmed by phone for your trip. The trip from the parking lot to the first address and the return are counted separately.
If you need storage, ask for details about the transportation and the storage period. A monthly storage fee alone does not allow you to assess the cost of the pickup and final delivery.
Check the protection and booking conditions
The protection of your property deserves a separate line in your comparison. Ask about what is included, how the amount applicable to an item is calculated, and what exclusions apply to your property.
At NordTrans, the basic protection provides a cargo cap of $25,000 and a calculation of $1.05 per pound for an eligible item, without exceeding its actual value, according to the contract. See the conditions’insurance and protection before the transport.
Items packed by the customer as well as certain fragile or valuable items are excluded from basic protection. After prior declaration and approval, a paid special insurance may be offered for certain items. Please specify the coverage chosen before packing.
Finally, check the requested deposit, the payment terms, and the conditions in case of a change of date. Keep a record of the submission and any exchanges that specify your request. Your confirmation should include the addresses, schedule, and services agreed upon.
Frequently asked questions
Does the lowest hourly rate provide the best overall price?
Not necessarily. Compare the number of people, the estimated time, the minimum, the travel and related expenses for your move.
Are the taxes included in the NordTrans rates mentioned here?
No. The indicative hourly rates of $110 and $145 are presented before taxes. Please confirm the applicable rate and calculation before booking.
Is a submission a fixed price?
Ask for it explicitly. For a service billed by the hour, specify the assumptions regarding duration and the elements that can change the bill.
What should be communicated to obtain a more accurate estimate?
Addresses, floors, access, a list of belongings, useful photos, and the services you want. Also, report any changes before moving in.
