Wondering what to ask a moving company before hiring in Winnipeg? Start with licensing and insurance, how they calculate pricing, and what add-on fees apply. Find out who will actually do the move, what happens if something breaks, and whether your date is confirmed in writing. A few pointed questions separate trustworthy companies from the rest.

Most people hire a moving company once every five or ten years. That's not nearly enough practice to know what a good answer sounds like, or what should make you walk away. The questions below are the ones that actually matter. Ask them on the phone, ask them again at your in-home estimate, and write the answers down. Any honest mover will be happy you did.

1. Are You Licensed, Insured, and BBB Accredited?

Start with the basics. A real moving company in Manitoba operates as a registered business and carries liability insurance on the work they do. Both should be easy for them to confirm.

Ask if they're a licensed business operating in Manitoba.
Ask for proof of liability insurance. A reputable company will email you a certificate without hesitation.
Ask if they're accredited by the Better Business Bureau of Manitoba, what their rating is, and whether they have any complaints on file.
Look up their Google Business profile and read recent verified reviews.

Red flag: vague answers, "we're working on it," or no verifiable online presence at all. If a mover can't show you proof of insurance, they don't have it.

2. How Do You Calculate Pricing, and What's Not Included?

Surprise charges are the single most common complaint about movers. The fix is simple. Ask exactly how the bill is built before you book.

Hourly, flat rate, or by weight and volume? Local Winnipeg moves are usually hourly; long-distance is usually weight or volume.
What's included in the base rate? Travel time, fuel, blankets, tape, and shrink wrap are common questions.
What add-on fees apply for stairs, elevators, long carries, or specialty items like pianos and safes?
Is there a minimum charge? Many local movers in Winnipeg apply a 2- or 3-hour minimum.
Will you receive a written estimate, and is it binding or non-binding?

For context, local moves with a two-person crew and a truck typically run somewhere between $100 and $200 per hour in Winnipeg, depending on crew size, truck size, and the time of year. Anything wildly cheaper is usually a sign that the real bill will arrive later.

Red flag: a price quoted over the phone with no inventory review, no written estimate, or pressure to sign before you've read the contract.

3. Will You Do an In-Home Assessment?

A phone-only quote is almost always wrong, because the person quoting has no idea how much stuff you actually own or what your hallway looks like. A good mover wants to see the job before committing to a number.

Ask whether they offer a free in-home walkthrough, or a video walkthrough if you'd rather not have someone in the house.
An in-person estimate accounts for volume, specialty items, parking, stairs, elevator access, and your floor plan.
A binding quote based on a real walkthrough is far more reliable than a five-minute phone estimate.

Red flag: a company that refuses to come see your items and insists on quoting blind.

4. What Happens If Something Gets Damaged?

Even careful movers have accidents. The question isn't whether anything will ever break. It's what happens when something does. You want a clear answer in plain English, not a shrug.

What is their basic liability for damaged or lost items? In Canada, the legal minimum is typically $0.60 per pound per item, which is very low. A 30-pound TV would only be covered for $18.
Do they offer additional valuation or replacement protection, and what does it cost?
Are owner-packed boxes covered? Many policies exclude or limit coverage on boxes you packed yourself.
Who handles claims? The moving company directly, or a third-party insurer?
What's the deadline to report damage after the move?
Do their workers have workers' compensation coverage? You don't want a back injury on your stairs becoming your problem.

Red flag: "we're so careful it never happens" with no written claims process.

5. Who Will Actually Be Moving My Stuff?

Some companies aren't movers at all. They're brokers who book your job and then sell it to whichever crew is cheapest that day. You should know exactly who will be in your home.

Will the crew on moving day be the company's own employees, or a subcontractor?
Are the workers full-time and trained, or temporary day labour?
Does the company conduct background checks on its movers?
How long has the typical crew member been with them?

Red flag: "we coordinate the move" with no specifics about who actually shows up.

6. What Are Your Payment and Deposit Terms?

Large cash deposits are one of the clearest warning signs in the moving industry. Legitimate companies are paid for work they've already done.

Is a deposit required to hold your date? Many reputable Winnipeg movers don't require one at all.
What payment methods are accepted? Cash, credit card, e-transfer, cheque, or invoice?
What's the cancellation and rescheduling policy? Is the deposit refundable if you have to push the date?
When is final payment due? At the end of the job, or before they unload?

Red flag: a large cash-only deposit, full payment demanded before the truck is unloaded, or any pressure to pay outside of normal business channels.

Any company can write whatever it wants on its own website. Independent reviews are how you check if the marketing matches reality.

Ask for two or three recent references from moves similar to yours in size and distance.
Look at their Google reviews sorted by newest, not by highest rating. Look for patterns, both good and bad.
Ask roughly how many moves they completed in the last year.
Check the BBB profile for any complaints and how they were resolved.

Red flag: almost no online reviews, a flood of five-star reviews with no detail, or a refusal to provide any references.

8. Will You Confirm My Move Date in Writing?

A verbal confirmation isn't worth much on moving day. You want your date, time window, crew size, and truck size on paper.

Will they send a written confirmation of your move date and arrival window?
What happens if they need to reschedule, and who covers the cost if they push you?
For long-distance moves, what's the delivery window, and what causes delays?
How many other jobs is the crew running on the same day? Back-to-back jobs are fine, but you want to know.

This matters even more during peak season. June through August is the busiest stretch in Winnipeg, and movers book up fast. If you're moving in summer, get the confirmation in writing as early as possible.

Red flag: "we'll call you the day before" or any reluctance to put the date in writing.

9. Do You Move Specialty Items?

Pianos, hot tubs, pool tables, gun safes, and aquariums all need specific equipment and trained crews. Not every mover is set up for them, and the wrong crew can do real damage.

Ask specifically about any specialty items you own.
Do they have the right equipment, such as piano dollies, straps, custom crating, and stair climbers?
Do their crew members have actual experience with that item, or is it their first time?
How does it affect the price? Specialty items almost always carry an extra charge, and that's normal.

Red flag: "yeah, we can move anything" with no specifics about how.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I ask a moving company before hiring them?

Ask about licensing, liability insurance, and BBB accreditation, then ask how pricing is calculated and what add-on fees apply for stairs, elevators, or specialty items. Find out who will actually do the work, what the damage claims process looks like, and whether your move date will be confirmed in writing before you book.

How do I know if a Winnipeg moving company is legitimate?

Check that they're a registered Manitoba business with verifiable liability insurance, accredited by the Better Business Bureau of Manitoba, and have a real Google Business profile with recent reviews. Legitimate movers will provide proof of insurance on request and offer a free in-home or video estimate before quoting.

What is a binding estimate versus a non-binding estimate?

A binding estimate is a guaranteed price. What you're quoted is what you pay, as long as the inventory and services don't change. A non-binding estimate is the mover's best guess, and the final bill can go up or down based on actual time and weight. Binding estimates protect you from surprise charges.

How much do local movers cost in Winnipeg?

Local moves in Winnipeg with a two-person crew and a truck typically range from about $100 to $200 per hour, depending on crew size, truck size, and the time of year. Most movers also have a minimum charge of two or three hours. Summer rates tend to run higher because demand is highest from June through August.

What should I do if a mover damages my furniture?

Document the damage with photos before the crew leaves, note it on the bill of lading, and report it to the moving company in writing as soon as possible. Most companies have a strict claims deadline, often 30 to 60 days. Keep all paperwork from the move, including your inventory list and the original estimate.

Need Help With Your Upcoming Move?

Now that you know what to ask a moving company before hiring, here's a Winnipeg mover that welcomes every one of these questions. We're a BBB-accredited moving company with an A rating and zero complaints, and our three co-founders have over 50 years of combined experience in the moving industry. We offer free in-home estimates with no deposit required. Call us at (204) 296-2223 or request a free quote online. We'll happily walk you through every answer above before you ever sign anything.

—What to Ask a Winnipeg Mover Before Hiring Them