Is there really even a good comparison???

We don't think so.

Stallion Moving Providers is the right choice!

More on the Stallion Quoting Process:

 All of our quotes involve a 3 step process as follows:

1. Answer our Detailed Questionnaire
2. Complete an Item List
3. Submit a Visual Reference

The more upfront and honest the information you share with us, the more accurate your quote will be. Even small details can play an important role in moving quotes and will help you to be prepared for the real cost of moving. 

Pricing Your Move

How Stallion Pricing Works

At Stallion Movers, we like to do things differently than other companies and that includes the way we quote. We provide you with an upfront Base Price including anything required to complete your move. We do not want our clients to be surprised once the move is completed, therefore the Base Price is all-inclusive calculated from all of the information we have obtained. 

Quotes are calculated based on:

• The necessary number of Relocation Specialists (Movers)
• The yard to yard distance and travel time
• Equipment needed
• List of items
• Approximate hours the job should require (we do our best though we cannot predict unforeseen delays)
• And anything else that may be required

Although we do our best to include all foreseeable costs in the Base Price, sometimes things change and moves do not go as planned. We are all just humans! From time to time, the job may take longer than expected and mentioned in the quote.

Some causes of time delays are:

• Traffic (we know how great the “fun 401” can be)
• A forgotten storage unit in your building 
• Additional items added
• Not being prepared for the move (we understand, moving is a lot of work)

Just in case any of those time delays occur, along with the Base Price and included hours, we also provide an hourly rate. 

Stallion Summary

BASE PRICE (Includes # of Relocation Specialists, included hours, All other job factors)

+

HOURLY RATE (simple hourly rate after the included hours expire)

Why do we do it this way?

Throughout years in the Moving industry, and plenty of experience testing out different pricing models, we have found this method to be the most fair for both you, the customer, as well as for us as a business. We have ZERO hidden fees, and aside from the additional hourly rate, there are no surprises when the move is completed.

When a moving provider is used:

Every Stallion Movers job is priced with all given information. The more information provided, the more accurate a quote is given. Please remember that the quote is just an estimate. At no point can we account for every variable in your move, even if you provide the most information. There are factors outside of our control on move. For a short list of those factors outside our control; please review our terms & conditions.

Your moving quote will include an estimated price, a time estimate, a size of vehicle estimate, and a number of movers estimate.

You are required to pay 30% of the total move cost fee upfront, to solidify your move date. This fee is non-refundable so please only book if you are serious about using our service.

What will my total charges be on delivery:

What is left owing on delivery of your goods will be the 70% remaining cost + any extra lawful charges. Sometimes our providers do send invoices but be ready to pay on the day of your move.

What are extra lawful charges?

As a quote is just an estimate, the factors that would cause an increase in fees are the following: If the time goes over the estimate, if a larger vehicle or more work is required, if you request extra services, or supplies, among other things. Below is a breakdown of the fees.

Breakdown of how the final price is determined:

Quoted/Estimated Price & Timeframe

• 30% fee due upfront to book your move
• 70% remaining of the quoted price due on move day
• +Any Extra Charges Below

Extra charges that may apply on move day and be added in addition to 70%:

(THESE FEES ONLY APPLY IF THE MOVE FACTORS ARE CHANGED OR THINGS OUTSIDE OF OUR MOVING PROVIDERS CONTROL - You can request a list of additional fees that may be involved prior to your move. Again the more information provided, the better and you will receive the most accurate quote we can provide!

+ Hourly Rate after time has elapsed (Can range from $130-200/hour - This rate WILL be provided prior to your move in your contract)

+ Insurance (If Applicable - This can be discussed directly with your provider prior to moving)

+ Materials Fee(If Applicable - This can be discussed directly with your provider prior to moving)

+ Additional Services (If Applicable, such as packing - This can be discussed directly with your provider prior to moving)

+ Additional Fees (If Applicable, such as a stair fee - This can be discussed directly with your provider prior to moving)

+ Any other lawful charge related to your move or storage rental

+ HST (13%)

= Total Price

How Other Moving Companies Pricing Works

There are many other reputable companies, some who belong to CAM (Canadian Association of Mover) and others who do not, who use other pricing models. If another company uses the pricing methods mentioned below it does not necessarily mean they are not good, or are not pricing their jobs fairly. Overall, we have found that other pricing methods can cause issues, and there are some moving companies who “scam” customers by using these models.

The Hourly Rate

The classic hourly rate. This is probably the most well-known pricing method in the industry. Many reputable companies use this model, and do offer great services. This usually includes a minimum charge of 3-4 hours. It seems straightforward, and can be fair if the rates are around the $180-$300 per hour mark. 

Lower rates can stem from the following:

• Not being a part of professional organizations
• Little to no overhead or expenses 
• Off-season/slow time

We recommend being cautious of extremely low rates, as it is difficult to operate a legitimate business, which means it just might not be one. For example, on google and marketplace, we have seen $89/hour for 2 movers, $120/hour for 3 movers, etc. These businesses typically accept cash only as well.

Weight

Many National and International Trucking companies will charge a fee based on the weight of the items. It is generally fine to quote this way, especially if you get a NOT TO EXCEED PRICE. Not to exceed means that the cost will not exceed the quote. Many times, it is not based on a “not to exceed price”, so it is rarely an accurate quote until your items are actually weighed. Your items and furniture weigh a lot more than you may think. A surveyor may come in and create a list of your items and based on formulas, they may say that your stuff weighs approximately 5,000 lbs but in actuality, your items weigh closer to 15,000 lbs. The formulas used are just averages, and therefore are often incorrect. Take a look around your room, if you have a couch, loveseat, tv stand, tv, side tables, and some knickknacks, chances are you might have 2000 lbs worth of furniture right there, and that is only one room.

Flat Rate

One price fits all right? Wrong. Many times, a flat rate is great but many times a flat rate is an extremely inappropriate way to price jobs. Flat rates are usually wild guesses. Flat rates may work for small deliveries because there are a couple items and there are usually no surprises. Moves in general are usually full of surprises so it is unlikely that a company can account for all of this based on a flat rate for the job beforehand. We know you want to have a final total so you can budget for your move, however, it is best to stay away from flat rates or you risk any hidden fees.

Cubic Feet

Outside of weight, some companies will charge based on the cubic feet/floor space of your items. Sometimes this is accompanied by a weight charge, as well, but just like pricing by weight, this model is used by larger trucking companies to see how much they are able to fit when travelling a distance. Companies need to maximize loads, therefore, they need to account for how much they can bring. As with weight, it is hard to get an accurate measurement of the cubic feet. Overall, it is best to assume the price will change when the job is completed.

Things to keep in mind when getting quotes

Did they schedule an in-home or virtual visit, or at least request pictures and a list?

If a company does not at least get pictures, there is ZERO way to accurately quote your move. Many professional companies, including van lines, will just require a list. If this is the case, make sure to get a NOT TO EXCEED quote as you do not want to be caught on the hook for thousands. Can a quote really be accurate if the company is unaware of the items being moved without seeing them?

Are they requesting in detail all aspects of my move?

The moving company should want to know EVERY aspect of your move, be it access to your home, what you have, are there elevators involved, and so on. Why? Because a company cannot prepare and plan for your move in general and within a certain time frame if they do not know every detail. At Stallion Movers, we require almost an annoying amount of information before we quote. Why? With all the information, we want to give you the MOST ACCURATE quote possible.

Are they being reasonably responsive?

If a mover cannot respond to you within a reasonable amount of time, typically 48 hours (minus weekends), then you should start questioning whether they will be reliable on your actual move date.

Have I checked C.A.M. & BBB websites?

The moving industry is not regulated. Most reputable companies are supported by the Canadian Association of Movers and Better Business Bureau. Those companies are a part of the only Government trusted Associations in the industry, and this is a great place to make sure they are being accurate with their information. If an issue arises, typically it can be reported and resolved through one of these associations. They have very strict rules when it comes to operating a legitimate moving business. This shows that the moving company has taken the time and effort, and they care about the service they are providing. 

However, if the local moving company you choose is not a part of these associations, it does not mean they are not a quality and reputable mover. It does however mean that they are not beholden to the same rules, or accountability as Stallion Movers, and other companies who are a part of these associations.

What is your gut telling you?

It is incredibly important to gauge how you feel after speaking to, or meeting your potential companies in person. Your body and subconscious are great at alerting you to threats; in this case, those threats are scams or potential issues. If you feel uneasy about a potential company, even though they may be cheaper, go with the company that is giving you the good feeling. You would be amazed how often your subconscious makes the right call. Listen to your gut!

Have I seen their reviews or talked about them to a trusted source?

Many times it is great to check out reviews on multiple websites, however, unfortunately not all reviews can be trusted. Some companies pay for quality fake reviews, and/or pay to put poor reviews on other company websites. That means that reviews are getting increasingly difficult to trust. Google and other companies are cracking down on this occurrence, though only so much can be done. Some companies may persuade customers to give real reviews in the moment before they even leave the job. This puts customers in an awkward situation because despite being unhappy with the service, the review may state otherwise. A best practice is to make sure to check multiple sources, looking for consistent reviews or even call company references if you are interested in how someone’s move actually went. If you were referred to them by a friend then you can usually trust that they did a good job!

BEWARE: Hidden Fees

Oh those not so sweet hidden fees. Our industry is plagued by them, and they come in many forms. Firstly, you should know that all movers have the right to request payment BEFORE they unload your items. So those horror stories where movers demand more money before they take your items off the truck are legally backed by the government regulations for transportation. It is kind of scary if you do not have a contract with your moving company. The reason hidden fees are a major issue is because there is no regulation on the industry in this way. Companies can say one thing, yet demand another before you get your belongings back.

These hidden fees are always on top of what you have already paid, and also added on regardless of the pricing method used. Hidden fees can range from stair upcharges (fee for each stair climbed per worker), weight, KMs, fuel premium, materials fee (as a percentage of the total), special items, special treatment of items, load clearance, safety (dangerous maneuvers), crawl space/attic, padding, equipment, etc.

When it comes to Stallion Movers pricing, it is all inclusive and takes into account these things that typically get added after and can make your bill explode in price. (This is again why we require more information before providing a quote.)

BEWARE: Bait Pricing

Companies will bait you in with a low price to encourage you to book your job with them. In essence, they will price a job very low causing you to believe that you are getting a great deal, only to later discover hidden fees and additional charges. Usually, your belongings will not be returned until the extra fees are paid. Sadly, we get several calls a month regarding people who have been taken advantage of or “tricked” into paying more once the move is completed.

Approximate In-Town Prices based on size of your home

There are additional factors that WILL change the exact cost, and these prices should be used as a guideline for your move. Factors that will change the price include but are not limited to: access to home, apartments and elevators, seniors residences, stairs, out of town and travel, 2 day moves, level of padding, house or townhouse, etc. These prices are meant to be guidelines in terms of moving. They are sustainable and provide enough income for businesses to survive and pay their employees a fair living wage.

Room $700 - $950

Studio $950 - $1150

1 Bedroom $1150 - $1450

2 Bedroom $1450 - $1850

3 Bedroom $1850 - $2250

4 Bedroom $2250 - $2600

5+ Bedroom $2600 - $3000+

Final Pricing Notes:

Stallion Movers prices jobs as fairly as possible with the information we have. We take into consideration all aspects of the job. Even the best moving companies can make mistakes, and we cannot account for things like weather, issues on the job, extra customer requests, or other things that may arise. With that in mind, we leave ourselves a little room by having the hourly rate after the base price for the job. This ensures we can focus on making your day the best moving day it possibly can be without any issues. We ensure the appropriate amount of time is scheduled for your job and will not leave until it is finished to your satisfaction. Though our quotes may seem higher upfront, that is only because we do take into consideration all factors of a job before hand. However, when the job is complete, our quote is typically in line with what other companies of our size charge as well.

For more on real value and moving as a trade.... Click here!