How to Choose the Best Moving Company

Choosing the best moving company isn’t about finding the lowest price. You’re trusting a team with your things, your home or workplace, and a day with little room for mix-ups.

A good mover makes the job easy to understand before moving day. It asks the right questions, tells you what’s included, puts the key terms in writing, and plans around the real details of your move. That’s the standard our movers in London, Ontario work to, and this guide shows you how to hold any company to it.

1. Start With a Clear Picture of Your Move

A good quote starts with good information. Before you contact movers, make a short list of what your move involves:

• Your preferred moving date and how flexible it is
• Pickup and delivery addresses
• Stairs, elevators, long halls, loading areas, and parking
• Rough home size and your big furniture
• Fragile, oversized, or costly items
• Packing, unpacking, or storage needs
• Condo, apartment, or building move-in rules
• Any furniture that needs to be taken apart or put back together

Give every company the same details so you can compare them fairly. A studio apartment, a family home, a student move, and an office move all need different planning. Our moving checklist for house essentials can help you build this list.

For a household move, it also helps to know what a complete residential moving service can include before you ask for estimates.

2. Make a Shortlist of Local Movers That Suit Your Move

Start with about three moving companies. Ask friends, family, neighbours, and coworkers who they’ve used. A first-hand tip tells you more than an ad. Each one should have a clear business name, a working website, a street address, direct contact details, and service details you can check.

Before you go further, do two quick checks:

• Search Ontario’s Consumer Beware List for complaints or charges.
• Check whether the mover is certified by the Canadian Association of Movers or listed with the Better Business Bureau. The Government of Canada suggests both checks.

Then see whether the company’s services match your move:

• A house, condo, or apartment move
• A student move
• A senior relocation
• Professional packing
• Storage between possession dates
• Antiques, pianos, artwork, or other fragile items
• Office or commercial moving

The right mover for a small condo move may not be the right choice for a piano, a large home, or an office. Ask about its work on moves like yours. Don’t assume every mover offers the same service.

3. Confirm Whether You’re Dealing With the Actual Mover or a Broker

Before you accept a quote, ask who will actually do the move.

Some businesses are brokers. They book the move and hire another company to do it. Others use their own crew and trucks. Either way, it shouldn’t be a surprise. You should know who is in charge of your things, whose name is on the agreement, and who will deal with any problems later.

The Government of Canada’s moving advice from the Office of Consumer Affairs warns that moves handed off to other companies cause many complaints. If you use a broker, check its track record and whether it’s certified. Find out if it’s on the hook for the whole move. Many brokers don’t cover lost or broken items.

Ask directly:

• Will your own crew do my move?
• Which company name will appear on my agreement?
• Who is my main contact on moving day?
• Who handles questions, damage reports, or claims?
• Is any part of the job done by another company?

A good company should answer clearly and right away.

4. Compare Written Estimates, Not Just Prices

A written estimate is one of the most important things to compare. A good mover won’t charge you for one. Give each mover the same details. Make sure it sees everything that needs to move, in person or by video, before it prices the job. The Office of Consumer Affairs also suggests getting the quote on company letterhead, signed by someone at the company.

A clear estimate should explain:

• Whether pricing is hourly, flat-rate, or set another way
• How many movers and what size of truck are planned
• Whether travel time is included
• What packing, loading, transport, and unloading involve
• Whether taking apart and putting back furniture is included
• Whether boxes, packing supplies, or special tools cost extra
• What conditions could change the final cost
• Terms for payment, deposits, cancelling, and changing the date

Don’t pick a mover just because its total looks lower. A low price may leave out services, time, supplies, or access work that another quote includes. Our guide on how to read a moving company quote walks through each line, and our breakdown of how much movers cost in London, Ontario shows what drives local prices.

The best moving company is the one that gives you enough detail to understand what you’re paying for.

5. Read the Moving Agreement Before You Book

An estimate helps, but the written agreement is what you rely on.

Ontario’s rules say moving contracts worth more than $50 must be in writing and must clearly show the terms. The mover can’t charge more than 10% above the estimate in your contract unless you need more supplies or services and agree to pay more. If you sign the contract in your home, you have 10 days after you receive your copy of the written contract to cancel without giving a reason. A mover also can’t hold your belongings to pressure you into new terms. Review Ontario’s guidance on hiring a mover before you sign.

Before you agree, check that the document clearly covers:

• The services being provided
• The moving date and timing
• Prices for each item, or the agreed pricing method
• Possible extra charges and when they apply
• Payment terms
• Rules for cancelling or changing the date
• Who is liable for your things, and how claims work

Keep a copy of your estimate and agreement. If your move changes before moving day (say you add storage, more furniture, or a new delivery address), ask for the new terms in writing.

6. Ask for a Clear Explanation of Coverage

“Fully insured” isn’t a full answer. You should know how a mover’s coverage applies to your own move.

Ask the company to explain:

• What coverage applies to belongings in transit
• What may be excluded
• Whether valuable items need to be declared in advance
• How to report visible damage or a missing item
• What a claim may need from you
• Whether you can buy extra protection

It’s also worth calling your own insurer to ask what your home policy covers while your things are on the road.

Take clear photos of costly furniture, electronics, art, and fragile items before the move. Keep key papers, medicine, jewellery, and things you can’t replace with you. Our guide on how movers handle fragile and valuable items explains what careful handling should look like.

If a building manager or employer asks for it, check that the company can show a current WSIB clearance. You can confirm a clearance through the WSIB’s clearance service.

7. Match the Mover’s Services to Your Needs

A smooth move comes from a plan that fits the job. Start by deciding how much help you want. Some people want a crew to handle everything. Others only need strong hands for loading and unloading. If you’re weighing that choice, compare DIY moving vs. hiring a moving company.

If you need packing help, ask whether the company offers full or partial packing services. This helps when you’re short on time, moving a large home, or need help with fragile items.

For pianos, antiques, art, delicate furniture, or heavy appliances, talk through each item before you book. These may need special packing, handling, and tools. Specialty moving services are designed for items that need extra care.

If there’s a gap between closing dates, work on the new home, or a late move-in, ask about storage solutions early in your planning.

8. Check Reviews for Real Patterns

Online reviews help, but don’t rely only on a star rating. Read recent ones and look for the same points coming up again: how the crew kept in touch, how careful they were, whether they were on time, and whether the price was clear. A perfect score from a few reviews means less than a steady record across many.

When you read reviews for any mover, look for patterns such as:

• Whether customers say the company kept them informed
• How belongings were handled
• Whether the team arrived when expected
• Whether the scope and price were explained clearly
• How the company replied when a customer raised a problem

Reviews help you trust a mover, but they should back up a written estimate and a clear agreement, not replace them.

9. Pay Attention to How the Mover Talks to You Before Moving Day

How a company talks to you while you book often shows how it will act on the day.

A good mover will ask about access, furniture, dates, parking, stairs, elevators, and special items. These questions aren’t a delay. They’re how it plans your move right.

Before you book, confirm:

• Your moving date and expected arrival window
• Who to contact on moving day
• Parking and loading arrangements
• Elevator bookings or condo rules
• Any furniture or appliances you need to prepare
• How to tell them about changes to access or timing

For London condo and apartment moves, confirm building rules early. Elevator bookings, loading bays, and move-in windows can all affect the schedule. A team that handles condo and apartment moves regularly will ask about these without being prompted.

10. When to Start Looking for a Mover in London

Start as soon as your moving date is fairly firm. Booking early gives you time to compare quotes, book building access, and get the time slot you want.

In London, the student calendar also shapes timing. Demand rises in late summer and early fall when classes resume, and again in April and May when the school year ends. Our guide to student moves and seasonal demand explains how those peaks affect open dates and rates. Weekends, month-end, and holidays are also busy. If your date is flexible, a weekday may give you more choice. See the cheapest day to hire movers in London for more.

11. Watch for Warning Signs

One concern doesn’t always rule a company out, but it should lead to more questions.

Be careful if a mover:

• Refuses to provide written terms
• Gives a price without asking about your move
• Can’t clearly explain who will do the move
• Has no street address or only gives estimates over the phone
• Asks for a large deposit up front
• Pressures you to book before answering your questions
• Won’t explain coverage or possible extra charges
• Ignores stairs, elevators, parking, or special items
• Makes broad promises instead of giving a realistic plan

A reliable mover should leave you feeling informed, not rushed.

Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Moving Company

• Will your own crew do my move?
• What exactly is included in this quote?
• Is the price hourly, flat-rate, or estimated another way?
• What could change the final cost?
• How many movers and what size of truck are planned?
• Are packing supplies, furniture set-up, or special handling included?
• What coverage applies to my belongings?
• What are your terms for deposits, payment, cancelling, and changing the date?

Choose Clarity, Experience, and Service Fit

The best moving company isn’t about one claim, one review, or one low price. It’s the one that listens, explains the job, puts the terms in writing, and offers services that suit your move.

At Merc Movers, we plan moves around the details that matter: your home, access, furniture, timing, and any items that need special care. Whether you’re moving a house, condo, student apartment, office, or fragile items, we’ll help you choose the right level of service before moving day. For a full home, see our house moving services. For a business, see our office movers.

What Customers Say About Choosing Merc Movers

As of September 2026, we hold a 5.0-star rating on Google from 55 reviews. Here’s what customers say after choosing us for their move:

Dheeraj Tejpal, 5 stars: “I recently hired Merc Movers for a long-distance move from London, Ontario to Niagara Falls, and overall it was a smooth experience. The movers arrived on time in London, fully prepared with the right equipment and packing materials. … Pricing was fair compared to other quotes I received. No hidden fees or last-minute surprises…”

Jagseer Singh, 5 stars: “Merc Movers provided a great moving experience from London to Mississauga. The team was professional, punctual, and worked efficiently throughout the process. Their packing was very well done, and all my belongings were handled with care and arrived safely. I’m very happy with their service and would definitely recommend them.”

Brar Amreek Singh, 5 stars: “Merc Moving did a fantastic job with our move. The team was professional, efficient, and handled our belongings with great care. Everything arrived safely, and the pricing was fair with no surprises. They made the whole process smooth and stress-free. Highly recommend!”

These reviews show the same things this guide asks you to look for in any mover: clear updates, careful handling, and a price that matches what was promised.

Get a free moving quote from Merc Movers or call (519) 900-1661.