Moving Quotes: An Apple to Apple Comparison

Moving Quote ProcessThe key to a successful move is to choose the right professional moving company to do the job. Whether you are moving with your family or you’re relocating your business to a new state, it is critical to find the best people to help you make the task less stressful and daunting. Moving will cost you a lot, and you want to make sure you are spending your money on the best moving company possible. You want to obtain at least four quotations from various moving companies, then make a reasonable comparison of the things each company has to offer. By doing this, you can save yourself from disreputable companies that will rob you of your money, time, and energy. Keep the following factors in mind when comparing the estimates from each moving company:

Weight, Miles, and Hours

Study the estimate and check if they have the same information about the expected load, miles, expected hours, and the number of crew members. You have to consider the type of moving company you will get an estimate from. For instance, you should work with a long-distance moving company if you are preparing for a long-distance move. When it comes to the number of workers and the expected hours, it will mostly be based on the moving company. Some companies charge a flat rate for a certain amount of hours and bill you per hour for the succeeding hours thereafter. However, this can be disadvantageous on your part because it will lead to a higher moving charge. Another thing is the mileage calculation. It should be clearly shown for each estimate to ensure that there will be no additional charge per mile on the day of the move.

 

Storage, Insurance, and Add-on Services

Look for additional services that do not appear on all the quotes you have in hand. It will not be an apple-to-apple comparison if one estimate has packing materials included, while the others don’t. You should be keen on any add- on services because they usually are the game-changers. Watch out for insurance coverage, distance, and fuel, as well as storage space and time. You should ensure that each estimate has the same inclusions to avoid getting yourself scammed by a low-ball offer from a company, then asks you for extra payment for additional services that weren’t included in the quotation, when things are done. If the cost of mileage or fuel is added, you need to see to it that they are of the same range across all the estimates.

Other Things to be Aware Of

Be wise when studying the moving quotes you obtained. Always question a quote that is too high or too low because probably, there is something fishy with them. To give you a clear idea of how the pricing goes with a moving service, you should get at least 4 to 5 estimates from equally competent companies. If you see that one rate is substantially lower than the others, verify with the company the factors they included in the estimate to see if it matches the ones presented by the rest. If not, these variables may drive your rate up as soon as the move commences.

On the other hand, if the rate of a company is significantly higher than the rest, make sure they did not include services that weren’t part of other companies’ estimates. Take time to confirm if the moving companies have licenses and if they have enough manpower to complete the task on hand. Finally, if the offer is too good to be true, it probably is.

Ask Questions and Ask for Revisions, If Needed

If you can’t make an accurate assessment of the estimates for the reason that they don’t have the same inclusions, don’t hesitate to seek assistance from the moving companies and make revisions with the estimate. You have all the right to ensure that every detail is taken care of. After all, this is your relocation you are talking about, and you want to make sure every aspect of it is handled correctly so that you can have a smooth and successful move. You can check online reviews from each company’s previous customers and see what they have to say about the overall service of the company. Don’t always make the price the deciding factor, and take into consideration the professionalism of the company and the way they treat their customers.