To check whether an Ontario moving company is legitimate, confirm its full business name and a way to reach it beyond a mobile number, read its reviews across more than one platform over several years, insist on a written quote based on your actual inventory, and ask for proof of insurance and a WSIB clearance certificate. A real business can answer all of that quickly. Hesitation is the answer.
Our guide to avoiding moving scams describes the warning signs. This one is the other side: the specific checks you can run on a company you are considering.
Confirm Who You Are Dealing With
Start with identity. You should be able to name the company exactly, and that name should be the same everywhere you see it.
- The full business name, matching the website, quote, emails and invoice
- A business email and phone number, not just a mobile and a social account
- A website that explains services, pricing approach and terms
- How long the company has operated, and where
- Marked vehicles and identifiable crew
Read the History, Not Just the Rating
Look for reviews on more than one platform, spread over years, under the same business name. A long, steady trail with some imperfect reviews and thoughtful replies from the company is far more reassuring than a handful of perfect ratings all posted in the same month.
Read a few of the lower ratings. How a company responds to a complaint tells you how it will respond if something goes wrong with your move.
Get a Written Quote Built From Your Move
A legitimate quote follows questions: about your inventory, stairs, elevators, parking and distance. It is usually supported by photos, a video walkthrough or a virtual or in-home assessment, and it arrives in writing before you commit.
- Is it in writing, under the company’s name?
- Does it state the minimum, crew size, included time and additional-time rate?
- Does it explain how travel and mileage are charged?
- Does it say what would change the price?
- Does it explain the valuation coverage included?
- Are payment and cancellation terms written down?
Ask for the Paperwork
A professional mover should not mind being asked for documents. You are asking whether, if something goes wrong in your home, there is a business behind the crew.
- A certificate of insurance — many condo buildings require one before a move in any case
- A WSIB clearance certificate, which shows a business is registered with Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and its account is in good standing — ask whether it covers the crew who will be doing your move
- The terms and conditions or moving agreement you will be signing
- If the company runs larger commercial trucks, ask whether it holds the operator registration that applies to them
Payment That Leaves a Record
Pay by a traceable method — card or transfer — and get a receipt. Be cautious of a large up-front payment demanded in cash, or of any payment requested before you have a written agreement. Stallion no longer requires a deposit on most moves; occasionally one may be requested for a specific job, and we will tell you if it applies.
Notice How They Talk to You
A good mover is curious about your move. They ask questions, explain what they need from you, and tell you plainly when something is outside what they do well. They do not pressure you to decide during the call, and they are comfortable with you comparing quotes.
Where to Check Further
If something does not add up, you can contact the Ontario government’s consumer protection service for guidance before you book. Asking another mover to look over a quote you have received is also reasonable — we are happy to do that, whether or not you book with us.
We publish our starting prices, our standards and our terms, and we are glad to answer every question on this page. Ask us the same things you would ask anyone else.