How to Choose a Moving Company in BC: What to Check and What to Avoid
Choose a BC mover by checking five things: a written quote with crew, truck, rate and minimum; insurance in writing; WorkSafeBC registration; reviews you can verify; and clear terms for damage claims. Be wary of vague phone quotes, large cash deposits and companies that will not put terms in writing.
Updated November 5, 2026
What should I verify before hiring a mover in BC?
Anyone can put a moving truck on the road, so the checks below matter more than a polished website. Ask for each item in writing and keep a copy.
A written quote
It should name the crew size, truck size, hourly rate or flat price, minimum hours, travel time and tax. A price given only by phone or text is not enough.
Insurance in writing
Ask what liability coverage the mover carries, how it is calculated and what it excludes. See [moving insurance and damage claims in BC](/guides/moving-insurance-damage-claims-bc).
WorkSafeBC registration
BC employers with workers are generally required to register with WorkSafeBC. Ask whether the company is registered and in good standing. WorkSafeBC issues clearance letters that confirm an account's status.
A business licence
Ask whether the company holds a current business licence for the city it operates from.
Reviews you can verify
Look for recent Google reviews with names and detail, and read how the company replies to complaints. A handful of perfect reviews with no detail tells you little.
Crew and equipment
Ask whether the crew are employees, whether the company uses its own trucks and whether furniture protection such as pads and blankets is included.
What are the red flags when hiring movers?
- A price given without asking about stairs, elevators, inventory or distance.
- A rate far below every other quote. Very low hourly rates can be offset by slow work or extra charges.
- A large cash deposit demanded upfront, or payment only in cash.
- No written quote or contract, or terms that change on moving day.
- No company name on the truck, the quote or the invoice.
- Refusing to explain insurance or how damage claims work.
- Pressure to book immediately before you have compared quotes.
Hourly or flat-rate quote: which is better?
Neither is better in every case. The right choice depends on the kind of move, and what matters is that the terms are written down.
Hourly rate
Typical for local moves. You pay the hourly rate for your crew and truck for the time the job takes. It is transparent, but you want the minimum hours, travel time and tax stated up front. See our [pricing page](/pricing) for an example.
Flat or fixed price
Common for long distance moves. You pay a set price for a defined inventory and route. If your inventory or access changes, the price can change, so be accurate about what you are moving.
Estimate versus quote
An estimate is a best guess and can rise. A written quote states the terms the mover is committing to. Ask which one you are getting.
Questions to ask every mover
- What is the hourly rate or total price for my crew and truck size?
- Is there a minimum number of hours, and is travel time charged?
- What does the price include, and what costs extra?
- What insurance do you carry, and what does it not cover?
- Are you registered with WorkSafeBC and in good standing?
- Will you work with my strata's elevator and move rules?
- How do I report damage, and how long do I have?
- How do you handle payment, and when is it due?
How Surrey Movers handles this
We put crew, truck, hourly rate and terms in a free written quote before you commit. We explain what is included, what is extra and how insurance works before moving day. If you are comparing quotes, request ours and put it next to the others line by line.
Not sure how many movers to quote for? See how many movers you need, or check typical totals in the cost by home size guide.
Plan your Surrey move with us
Local moving
Apartments, condos and houses across Surrey and the Lower Mainland.
Condo moving
Strata elevator bookings, loading zones and careful moves in Surrey condos and townhouse complexes.
Packing services
Full or partial packing with proper boxes, wrap and labelling.
Moving prices
How much do movers cost in Surrey? Hourly rates and typical totals.
Moving in: Surrey City Centre, Newton, White Rock
More moving guides
Moving Insurance and Damage Claims in BC
Mover liability versus your own insurance, what is usually excluded and how to make a damage claim.
How Much Does a Move Cost in Surrey by Home Size?
Typical crew, hours and total cost for a studio, 1 to 4 bedroom homes and houses in Surrey.
Moving Checklist for Surrey, BC
A week-by-week checklist from booking movers to settling in, with BC-specific steps.
Common questions
How many moving quotes should I get?
Two or three written quotes is enough. Compare the same items in each one: crew size, truck size, hourly rate, minimum hours, travel charges and tax, not just the headline rate.
Is the cheapest mover the best choice?
Not necessarily. A low rate can come with a slower crew, a smaller truck or extra charges. Compare the total for your inventory and read the terms.
What should be on a moving quote?
Crew size, truck size, hourly rate or flat price, minimum hours, travel time, tax, what is included, what costs extra and how insurance works.
Should I choose an hourly or a flat-rate quote?
Hourly quotes are typical for local moves and flat or fixed quotes for long distance. Either can work if the terms are in writing and you give an accurate inventory.
How far ahead should I book a mover in BC?
Book 2 to 4 weeks ahead, and earlier for month-end, weekends and summer. Short-notice moves are sometimes possible, so call to check.
Get a free moving quote
Tell us where you are moving and when. We reply with a written quote, not a ballpark. Prefer to talk? Call (604) 674-7874.