How to Get Moving Quotes Early on in Your Move

get moving quotes is one of the most important things to get early on in your move preparations. It helps you build your budget and plan your official moving date.

Local moves are normally charged by the hour, while long-distance moves are based on weight. Here are some factors that influence your quote: The number of helping hands.

Cost

A good way to understand the cost of a move is by comparing quotes from different companies. A reliable moving company should be able to provide you with a breakdown of costs, including any additional service or mileage fees.

In addition, movers should be able to offer you a not-to-exceed estimate that limits your total moving costs. This will help you avoid surprises and make a more informed decision.

The cost of a move is mostly determined by the volume of your belongings. For example, a two-bedroom apartment will contain more items than a studio apartment. Moving companies will ask you how many rooms and how much furniture you’re bringing, so they can give you an accurate quote. They will also consider any stair charges or packing materials that are required for your move.

Time

There are many online quoting tools that you can use to find out how much your move will cost. Some of these are more accurate than others, so you should read reviews before choosing a company to give you a quote.

Most online quoting tools will ask you about the size of your home, whether it’s an apartment or house, and how many items you’re moving. Some will also ask about any fragile or hard-to-move items you’re planning to take with you.

A more thorough estimating process often involves the company making a trip to your home and looking at your possessions. Then they can estimate the total weight of your shipment and offer a price quote. The quote they give you will usually be either a binding or non-binding estimate.

Distance

Larger moving companies typically allow clients to submit a virtual quote via their website. However, smaller companies may require a phone call or in-person visit to give an estimate. In either case, the quote process will likely require a detailed inventory of all items to be moved as well as details about your space and any challenges that may arise during the move.

If the move is long-distance, movers may charge by weight. Some legitimate movers only use the volume of your shipment to estimate costs, but some unscrupulous ones take advantage of this to overcharge customers. To prevent this, ask your movers to provide a nonbinding moving estimate or a binding not-to-exceed moving quote. This way, if their final bill is significantly higher than the initial estimate, federal law requires them to honor only 110% of that total.

Insurance

Regardless of the type of mover you choose, you should make sure that their insurance coverage is comprehensive. You should also ask about the type of moving quote they offer (binding vs. nonbinding). A moving company should provide you with a written inventory sheet of your belongings to ensure that they are not taking extra items without telling you.

A binding moving quote is a price that movers cannot change during or after the move. It is the best option for less complicated moves. If you are moving long distance, be sure to get a binding quote from companies that charge based on the weight of your shipment. This will help you avoid paying too much money for damages to your belongings. Moreover, be sure to look for additional policies that your mover may offer.

Additional services

It’s also worth checking to see if the moving company you’re considering offers additional services, such as storage. The cost of these services can make or break your move, so it’s important to find out the price upfront.

You can choose between nonbinding, binding and binding-not-to-exceed estimates during the quoting process. The most secure option is a binding estimate, which guarantees a price for your move based on the estimated weight of your items.

Prepare for your in-home estimate by having a list of all items that you will be moving. It will help you save time and money by ensuring that your mover doesn’t take on any unnecessary extra work. Also, be sure to ask about additional charges, like fuel surcharges and packing materials.