How to Read Moving Company Reviews Before You Hire

Quick Summary

Online reviews help homeowners shortlist moving companies, but fake ratings can make choosing a reliable mover difficult.
Discover seven warning signs of potentially fake reviews, including sudden rating spikes, vague comments and repeated wording.
Explore trusted sources such as Google Reviews, the Better Business Bureau and the Canadian Association of Movers.
Understand what a genuine and trustworthy review history looks like.
Learn additional precautions, including comparing written estimates, checking insurance coverage and avoiding large advance deposits.
Make informed hiring decisions to reduce the risk of moving scams, unexpected costs and damaged belongings.

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When most of us need a mover, we do the same thing. We search online, look at the star ratings and pick the company with the most five-star reviews. It feels like a safe choice.

But here’s the problem. According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB) serving Southern Alberta and East Kootenay, household movers account for six times more fake reviews than any other industry. That means the glowing reviews you’re reading could be written by the company itself, or by someone it paid.

You don’t have to stop trusting reviews. You just need to know how to read them. This guide shows you what to look for, what to ignore and where to check before you hand over your belongings.

Why Reviews Matter More When You’re Hiring a Mover

Between 4.5 and 5 million Canadians move every year, according to the Canadian Association of Movers. Most of us only hire a mover a handful of times in our lives, so we don’t have much experience to fall back on. Reviews end up doing most of the work.

That’s risky, because the moving industry has very few barriers to entry. In Canada, movers are only regulated at the provincial level, and in many places almost anyone with a truck can start a moving business.

The numbers show what can go wrong:

The BBB received nearly 6,000 complaints about moving companies in 2023, with a median loss of $350.
The BBB has also reported that Canadians lose an average of $856 to moving scams.
In 2021, consumers reported more than $730,000 lost to moving scams on BBB Scam Tracker, a 216% jump from the year before.

And those are only the cases people reported. Many people never file a complaint at all, so the real numbers are likely higher.

7 Signs a Moving Review Might Be Fake

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No single sign proves a review is fake. But when you see several of these together, it’s worth slowing down.

A sudden burst of five-star reviews. Real reviews trickle in over months and years. If a company has 40 reviews and 30 of them showed up in the same few weeks, be careful.
Vague praise with no details. “Great service, highly recommend!” tells you nothing. Real customers usually mention the crew’s names, the type of move, the neighbourhood or a problem that got solved.
Reviewer profiles with no history. Click on the reviewer. If they’ve only ever left one review, or they’ve reviewed movers in five different cities in one week, that’s a red flag.
Only perfect scores. Even great movers have the odd rough day. A company with zero three- or four-star reviews may be filtering or burying honest feedback.
The same wording again and again. Watch for repeated phrases, the same spelling mistakes or the same odd sentence structure across different “customers.”
Big gaps between platforms. If a mover has a 4.9 on its own website but a long list of complaints on the BBB, trust the outside source.
Offers to “fix” bad reviews. The BBB has warned that some companies even offer to remove negative reviews for a fee. A business that cleans up its record this way isn’t one to trust with your furniture.

Where to Check Reviews in Canada

Don’t rely on one website. Look at a few different sources and compare what they tell you.

Google reviews. The easiest place to start. Sort by “newest” and “lowest” to see recent complaints, not just the best ones the algorithm shows first.
The Better Business Bureau. The BBB shows a company’s rating, its complaint history and, most importantly, whether the company responded. A mover that answers complaints and fixes problems is a good sign. One that ignores them is not.
The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM). CAM has represented the moving industry since 1969 and keeps a list of member companies that follow its code of conduct. Membership isn’t a guarantee, but it’s a useful filter.
Your own circle. Ask friends, family, co-workers and neighbours who they’ve used. A recommendation from someone you trust is still one of the best reviews you can get.

If the same company looks good on all four, you’re likely on the right track.

What a Trustworthy Review History Looks Like

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Now flip it around. What should good reviews look like?

An established Moving Company usually has a long, steady review history built up over years, not weeks. You’ll see detailed stories from real customers, the odd mixed review and, best of all, replies from the owner or manager. When something goes wrong, a good mover owns it, explains what happened and tries to make it right.

Here’s a quick checklist:

Reviews spread out over a long period of time
Specific details about the crew, the move and the price
A mix of ratings, not just perfect fives
Calm, helpful replies to negative reviews
The same overall picture on Google, the BBB and other sites

To be honest, a 4.7 rating with real, detailed reviews is often a better sign than a perfect 5.0 with nothing behind it.

Reviews Are Only One Step

Reviews help you build a shortlist, but they shouldn’t be the only thing you check. Before you book, take a few more steps:

Get at least three written estimates, ideally from someone who has seen your stuff in person or on a video call.
Ask about coverage. Without extra protection, many movers are only liable for about 60 cents per pound of a lost or damaged item. That won’t go far for a TV or a laptop.
Be careful with large deposits. The BBB warns that asking for a big down payment or full payment upfront can be a sign of a scam.
Make sure everything is in writing, including the price, the date and what’s included.

If you want a simple process to follow from start to finish, this guide on choosing the right mover in five easy steps walks you through it.

The Bottom Line

Online reviews are still useful, but in the moving industry you need to read them with a careful eye. Look for patterns, not just star ratings. Check more than one source. And pay attention to how a company handles the unhappy customers, not just the happy ones.

A few extra minutes of research now can save you a lot of money, stress and heartache on moving day.

Also Read: How to Protect Furniture During a Move: Apartment Packing Guide

Frequently Asked Questions – Moving Company Reviews

Q1. How can I tell if a moving company review is fake?

Look for repeated wording, vague comments, sudden increases in five-star ratings and reviewer profiles with little activity. Multiple warning signs together may indicate suspicious reviews.

Q2. Which website is best for checking moving company reviews in Canada?

Google Reviews and the Better Business Bureau are useful starting points. You can also check the Canadian Association of Movers for member companies.

Q3. Is a five-star moving company rating always trustworthy?

No. A perfect rating does not necessarily indicate reliable service. Read detailed customer experiences, check negative feedback and compare ratings across multiple platforms.

Q4. What should I check before hiring a moving company?

Check customer reviews, request at least three written estimates, verify insurance coverage, understand payment terms and ensure all service details are documented.

Q5. How much deposit should I pay to a moving company?

Avoid companies demanding unusually large deposits or full payment upfront. Always understand the payment terms, obtain a written agreement and verify the company’s credibility before paying.

Courtesy - Featured Image(Magnific)

Author & Expert Review

Written & Verified By: Shekhar Parikh

Shekhar J. Parikh – Co Founder – Gharpedia | Director – SDCPL

Credentials: Director and Consulting Engineer at Sthapati Designers & Consultants Pvt. Ltd., with over 40 years of experience in civil engineering, project execution, and construction management.
Experience: Civil engineering professional with 40+ years of practical experience across Gujarat and Maharashtra, specializing in construction projects, project execution, quality control, and construction management.
Expertise: Specializing in civil engineering, construction management, project execution, site practices, and quality control. He reviews technical content to ensure it reflects practical site knowledge, industry standards, and best practices, while supporting informed decision-making related to property buying, selling, and renting.
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