How to Get Best Movers Quote | Tips to Cut the Cost of Moving!

The cost of living in Canada is skyrocketing, and there appears to be no end in sight. If you are living in big cities like Toronto or Ottawa, the story becomes even worse.

In fact, according to Statistics Canada, 45% of Canadians reported facing difficulty in meeting 

their daily needs.

Source: Statistics Canada

With these day-to-day difficulties, it is common that people have to carefully plan their expenses so they can survive the high cost of living in Canada. Similarly, if you are moving home in any of the Canadian cities, you have to consider all the options to save your hard-earned money diligently. One of the best ways to save money is to find a low-cost mover’s quote with the best moving services. This will ensure that you don’t have to dig a hole in your pocket and have to sacrifice on the quality of the service.

However, finding an affordable moving quote is not as easy as it seems; only a real expert can provide inside details on how to get the best moving deal.

As a professional moving company, we have several years of experience in helping people move within Canada. This can provide you with detailed tips to help you move on a budget.

So, without any further delays, let’s discuss all these strategies.

How to Negotiate with a Moving Company?

Negotiation is an art that comes with practice, but it isn’t a Herculean task. Here are the key steps that you need to follow to better bargain with movers:

Step 1: Prepare Yourself

Do Your Research on Average Movers’ Quotes in Your Region 

Know what the average cost of movers is in your area for the type of service you require. Consider all the elements that affect the company’s will to negotiate, such as time of the month, recent sales, and demand. This will help you with the basic strategy to give your offer. 

Set Your Priority on How Much You Can Spend

Make your budget firsthand, how much are you willing to spend, maximum limit or walk-away point. This way, you will not pay beyond your set limit or have to compromise because of the mesmerising words of the sales guy. 

Prepare for Plan B

Keep all your options ready, in case the bargaining does not go your way. This will help you to negotiate on terms, or you can walk away since you have other alternatives also.

Understand Movers

Try to understand the company’s needs, their process, and the fundamentals of working. Does the company want you to sign the moving contract quickly? Are they in a hurry to achieve their sales target? These details can come in handy to create a strategy.

Step 2: Consider Value Over Price

Doing the negotiation should be beneficial for both parties involved. Ensure that you find the solution that is agreeable to you and to the moving company, not just beating them on price. This will help build better relations.

Step 3: Master the Process of Negotiation

What to Say to Movers to Lower Price

1. I have an “X” budget

Saying straightforwardly that you have this much budget will signal your strong stance and give a strong position in the negotiation. Getting your desired cost for moving is tough, so don’t be afraid to secure the discount you need.

2. Is this the best moving cost you can give?

Ask this question to the mover and keep silent. This will put pressure on the sales guys to carry on the conversation with a concession. This is an old and trusted trick employed by people to get the suitable service cost.

3. I can agree to this moving cost if you can give free packing

Posing this negotiation question to the mover doesn’t give you a direct price benefit. However, you can gain significant value for free service or an additional perk.

4. Your competitor is offering “X” cost, so I’ll pay “X” now

Most companies are willing to capture the market. Hence, they can agree to the price quoted by the competitor to retain you and win the business. But ensure you have done accurate and latest market research, so they are unable to refuse your moving company quote.

5. How much can you drop the price to meet my needs?

During your conversation, you will reach a point when you need more information to proceed. Thus, you can put this question so the sales guy can reveal the extent of negotiation room.

However, the phrase should not be asked at the beginning since this can signal your desperation.

Essential Questions to Ask to Uncover Hidden Fees

Except for the questions mentioned above, you can also ask additional queries that can expose any hidden costs if added to the mover’s quote:

Ask – Detailed information on the Movers’ Estimate.

Having a detailed written estimate will help you understand each expense added to the final bill. Hence, you can check these charges one by one and can negotiate with movers if they are necessary.

Ask – If They can Customise Services as Per Your Needs

If your mover is able to provide a tailored moving service as per your needs, then there is no better way to lower the cost of moving. However, you have to handle certain tasks of your own. For instance, if the company offers lower fees without packing service, you will need to handle that aspect yourself.

Ask – If They Levy Additional Cost For Fuel, Packing Cost, Long Carry Fees

Some movers keep the general fees low, which signifies that they offer lower fees. But at the time of the final bill, they put additional charges in the form of fuel, loading from stairs, or long-hauling charges. This can increase the amount of budget you have planned. So ensure they don’t have any of these charges.

How Right Timing Can Help You Save Money on Moving?

Moving at a suitable time is also the best strategy to save money during the move. For instance, if you are moving during winter or any situation when people are busy with any festival, there are high chances that the moving cost would be low. Thus, being flexible with your moving date and scheduling during a less busy period, you can negotiate better with the company and get a favourable moving rate.

Carefully planning the timing of your move can result in significant cost savings, which can help you plan your move affordably.

Tips For Negotiating With Movers

When negotiating with your movers, you can follow these additional tips to make the process smoother.

Ask for a Discount

During the low business season, various companies offer deals and discounts to attract new customers. Check if your local moving company provides any of these discount offers. 

A professional moving company always has good deals and offers for its customers during the low season. However, if they don’t have an offer, you should always openly ask about them.

Choose only Important Services

Movers calculate the cost considering all the services they offer as per your needs. But if the prices are exceeding the limit, you might need to consider the services offered by the company. 

Review the moving estimate provided by the company and the list of services they will perform. After reviewing, you can remove the service you don’t need. Then you can ask the movers to resubmit the estimate if this has reduced the cost.

Try your bargaining skills again

There are high chances that you may be unable to crack the deal on your first attempt. However, you don’t need to feel demotivated; take your time and negotiate with another company. Who knows, you might connect with a representative who offers a better discount. 

So, you should always give second chances and negotiate with your packers and movers.

Conclusion

Moving to Canada isn’t easy, but with a strategic approach, you can handle it without spending too much. By using the tips mentioned, you can better negotiate with the movers while getting quality moving services.

The key lies in being well-informed and adequately prepared. Consequently, a successful move is not just about finding the cheapest deal; it is about finding the balance between the right price and reliable services. With these strategies in mind, you can easily tackle the difficulties of moving and ensure you stay in your budget.