Movers in Ottawa: questions people ask before booking

The form asks where from, where to, what moves and when. We pass it to one independent Ottawa mover, which calls you, asks about stairs and access, and gives its own price. If it cannot take the date, we ask you before another company sees your details.

Ottawa Moving Desk is a request service. The truck, the crew, the price and the contract belong to the independent company that calls you. Ask that company on the call for its legal name, the crew size, and the terms in writing before you agree to a date.

List both ends with the floor and whether there is an elevator, the size of the home, any heavy or awkward items such as a piano or safe, and a date with some flexibility. The company reads this before it calls, so a clear note shortens the call and gives a closer first number.

Consumer Protection Ontario advises three of them, from different companies, and says to be clear about what each includes, such as packing or only items you packed yourself. Ask each company what happens if its truck breaks down or traffic delays the move.

Yes, when it is worth more than $50. Ontario lists what the paper must carry: who the mover is and how to reach it, each service with its price, the total, the dates and how you pay. Read it the evening before the crew arrives.

Some companies set a flat fee. One Ottawa firm charges $250 for items over 275 lb, such as a piano, moved only between main levels, because of liability costs. Others price by piano type and stairs. Name every heavy item in the request. The piano page has the details.

Hydro Ottawa asks for the moving request at least 10 business days before the move. Existing customers use MyAccount with the old and new addresses and the move dates. The final bill arrives about three weeks after move-out, and billing at the new home starts on the move-in day.

Ontario says you must update the driver’s licence and vehicle permit within 6 days of your address changing, and the health card within 30 days. Both changes are free online or at a ServiceOntario centre. A vehicle permit replacement fee may apply if you do not bring your existing permit.

You buy it before the move. Online it starts 5 days after purchase for residential customers, and 3 days when bought at a post office. A 12-month move within Ontario is listed at $100.75, with $126.25 across provinces. You need government photo ID, and base pricing covers up to 4 names.

Sixty days at least, on Form N9, for a monthly tenancy with no fixed term, per the Landlord and Tenant Board; the end date has to be the last day of a rental month. Mailing adds 5 days. Check the end date before you book the truck.

Pick a day inside your last rental month so the unit is empty when the term ends. Ask the next landlord or building when keys are available and book the service elevator at both ends. Put the key date and elevator times in the request.

Many companies list packers at the same hourly rate as movers. One Ottawa firm prices 2 packers at $119 an hour and 3 at $165 an hour plus HST. Say in the request what you want packed and if you will supply boxes. See packing services.

Labour-only crews load or unload a truck you rent or a container you own. One Ottawa firm lists 2 movers without a truck at $119 an hour and 3 at $165 an hour plus HST. Ask whether the minimum and the travel hour still apply. More on moving help.

Ontario’s advice for moving day: be ready when the crew arrives, carry jewellery, artwork and personal documents yourself, watch the pickup and delivery, and note missing or damaged items before the movers leave. Keep that note with your copy of the contract.

Your details go to one independent local moving company per request and are used for that request only. Requests are kept for 24 months, then deleted. You can ask what we hold, have it corrected or deleted. The Privacy page explains how, and we reply within 30 days.