Local service guide
Long-Distance Moving in Laval: Plan and Hire
For Long-Distance Moving from Laval, compare 2 or 3 movers, request a home assessment and written estimate, and settle truck or container access before booking. Québec’s consumer protection office recommends these estimate and comparison steps. Laval requires authorization for many public-space obstructions, so ask the City which process applies to your proposed loading setup and assign responsibility for it in writing. [1] [2]
Compare written estimates for the same move
Start with an inventory that includes furniture, boxes, appliances and items requiring special handling. Describe stairs, elevators and access at both addresses. The Office de la protection du consommateur advises giving detailed information about the premises and requesting an in-home assessment with a written estimate for a move to another city. [2]
Ask each company to separate transport, packing, storage, loading and unloading in its proposal. Have it explain the basis for the price and how it would charge for changes to your inventory or access. Ask about travel from the warehouse: the consumer office warns that customers commonly pay for that time. [2]
For a long-distance trip, record the pickup date, delivery window and contact person. Ask whether the company will transfer your belongings between trucks, use another carrier or hold the shipment in storage. Agree on who will tell you about delays and what happens if you cannot receive the shipment on the proposed day.
Verify the carrier and protection for your belongings
Ask for the legal business name and identify the company that will transport your shipment. Québec’s consumer office recommends checking whether a mover using a heavy vehicle appears in the Commission des transports du Québec register. The CTQ provides an online company-record lookup that includes operating rights and safety-rating information. [2] [3]
The CTQ states that, subject to exceptions, anyone operating a heavy vehicle in Québec registered in Québec or outside Canada must register. If the carrier’s registration situation is unclear, ask the CTQ which verification applies to that operator before relying on a registration claim. [3]
Request evidence of coverage for transported belongings and civil liability. The consumer office recommends checking for basic coverage on the goods and civil liability insurance of at least CAD 1 million. Ask the mover to explain deductibles, exclusions, compensation limits and the claim procedure in writing, including how it treats items you pack yourself. [2]
Resolve loading access before committing to equipment
Tell the mover whether it can load from private property or needs public space. Laval says a container or other device encroaching on the public right-of-way requires an occupation permit in most cases. Its rules cover sidewalks, traffic lanes, shoulders and bicycle paths. Confirm the proposed equipment, location and duration with the City before choosing a street-based setup. [1]
Laval distinguishes permits from declarations for certain short or off-peak obstructions. Do not assume your moving truck qualifies for an exception. Give the City a description of the operation, then record who will submit the application, arrange required signage and pay the charges. The City requires you to receive the permit before occupying the roadway. [1]
Ask the mover to assess the route between the truck and your door. Measure entrances and discuss where large furniture will turn. If the proposed truck cannot use the agreed loading location, ask for a revised plan and price before accepting the booking.
Keep control of the contract and handover
Request a written contract that includes the mover’s promises. The provincial consumer office says movers must send a written contract within 15 days when you conclude the agreement by phone or online. It also warns that you do not have a general 10-day period to change your mind after signing. [2]
Discuss the deposit before paying. The consumer office recommends paying no advance or a small amount where possible. For a payment requested more than two months ahead, it advises checking for a trust account and making the cheque payable to the business in trust. [2]
Before pickup, photograph furniture and appliances, keep an inventory and carry important documents and valuables yourself. Reserve the elevator and arrange for someone to attend at departure and arrival. These steps follow the consumer office’s moving-day guidance. [2]
If you discover damage or dispute a charge, preserve photos, paperwork and messages. The consumer office advises trying to reach an agreement first, then considering a formal demand if negotiations fail. For damaged furniture, it recommends obtaining a professional’s written repair-cost assessment. [2]
Laval daily local-street occupation fees by occupied width
Local details that affect your job
Apply through Laval’s Mon dossier before occupying the street
For a permit application, Laval directs residents and private businesses to check its strategic high-density road-segment map, then apply through Mon dossier. Create an account if needed. The City publishes a 10-business-day review period, increasing to 15 if traffic-signal intervention is necessary. Build that time into your container or loading plan. [1]
Check container placement and the conditions for free occupation
Laval says containers and other obstacles must not block sidewalks or bicycle lanes, impede private entrances or visibility, or restrict hydrant access. On local and collector streets, the first 24 hours of occupation are free only when the entire occupied area lies within space where street parking is permitted during that period. This condition excludes arterial roads; confirm permit issuance and signage charges separately. [1]
Handle overlapping electricity dates as separate service needs
Hydro-Québec offers separate options to change a service address, add an address or terminate a contract without transferring it. If you will hold both homes during the move, review the add-address option rather than treating the move as a single transfer. Hydro-Québec advertises a CAD 25 saving for changing an address through Customer Space. [4]
Resolve these issues before accepting an offer
| Your situation | Next step | What to settle |
|---|---|---|
| Moving to another city | Request a home assessment and written estimate, as the consumer office recommends. | Inventory, access details and the price basis. |
| Container will occupy public space | Confirm Laval’s permit requirements before booking. | Applicant, placement, signage and charges. |
| Mover uses a heavy vehicle | Check the operator’s registration situation and consult the CTQ record where applicable. | Carrier identity, operating rights and safety information. |
| You will hold two homes at once | Review Hydro-Québec’s add-address and transfer options. | Service responsibility at each address during the overlap. |
Your hiring checklist
- Prepare one inventory and access description for every quote request.
- Ask who will transport the shipment and handle any storage or transfers.
- Obtain written coverage details and ask how to submit a damage claim.
- Resolve truck or container placement with the City before booking equipment.
- Assign responsibility for permits, signage and access arrangements.
- Record pickup, delivery, payment and cancellation terms before signing.
- Photograph belongings and keep documents and valuables with you.
- Coordinate electricity dates and arrange someone to attend both handovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for the move?
Use a written estimate based on your shipment and both properties. The consumer office recommends a home assessment for a move to another city. Ask for the total scope, warehouse travel charges and the method for pricing changes before comparing offers. [2]
Does a moving truck need a Laval street permit?
Ask the City about the exact setup. Laval requires permits for many public-space occupations and allows declarations for certain limited obstructions. Describe the truck, occupied space, duration and timing rather than assuming a short stop qualifies. [1]
Does CTQ registration prove my belongings are insured?
Check them separately. The CTQ register concerns heavy-vehicle operators and includes operating-rights and safety information. The consumer office recommends separate checks for coverage on transported goods and civil liability insurance. [2] [3]
Can I cancel within 10 days after booking?
Do not assume you can. Québec’s consumer office warns that there is no general 10-day change-of-mind period for a moving agreement. Read the cancellation terms before you sign and ask the company to record any promised flexibility. [2]
Sources and scope
This guide combines the sources below with practical planning guidance. Figures apply to the stated geography and period; request a written quote for your property.