Why Do You Need an Accurate Moving Estimate?

As you probably know, proper planning is the key to success. As you also probably know, planning a residential relocation is not an easy task. In fact, moving is notoriously stressful and can make even the best of planers lose their cool. It’s easy to understand why once you consider that you need to organize all aspects of the relocation process correctly, complete all relocation tasks with great care, and provide for all costs associated with this − and pay close attention to every detail if you want to have a chance of success.

In other words, you must plan your course of action, your time, and your money very well. Otherwise, you run the risk of experiencing a nightmare move. One of the biggest issues when it comes to moving is setting the budget. Getting an accurate moving estimate from your Flatbush movers is certainly one of the most helpful things.

Why is it so important to get an accurate moving estimate?

It’s no secret that a move can get really expensive so most people try to find ways to cut costs. That includes reducing the size of the shipment, leaving some of the belongings behind, changing the moving date for the off-season, etc. While all these things help, the ultimate way to save when relocating is to find the best rate possible. And, save money on moving services. In order to figure out which mover will provide the most without a hefty price tag, you must get a moving estimate. But picking a quality moving company with affordable rates can be a really demanding task. So the sooner you start your research, the bigger is the possibility for you to find a reputable moving company NYC. Unfortunately, not every moving company is honest, so you will have to make sure to perform a thorough investigation.

How to make the best out of moving estimates?

Firstly, make sure you research moving companies online. You should check their USDOT number on the FMCSA website, then read online reviews, and eventually, ask for recommendations – we’ll go into more details later on in this text. And once you narrow the selection of movers, contact your top choices and schedule the appointments. Only then you will identify those who have the intention to take your money without providing any professional assistance. On the other hand, a reliable moving company’s goal is to provide the assistance you will be satisfied with, which will make you hire them again and recommend their services to friends, relatives, neighbors…

So, make a strategy and interview the local movers Brooklyn NY in order to make a clear picture of the situation. Don’t hesitate to ask as many questions as you can think of because when it comes to reputable moving companies, the details are crucial. One of the factors that may affect your final choice is a moving cost estimate provided by your movers. An accurate moving estimate depends on various factors: the list of the items you are moving, moving distance, additional moving assistance, moving insurance…

How will your movers assess your moving quote?

If you are dealing with a serious moving company, you can expect an in-home estimate. A moving company representative will visit your home and then assess your household items in order to create a more accurate quote. Being experts, they will search your home carefully and make a precise inventory. You can also discuss some other details that can affect the moving quote – the date of the move, additional services like packing assistance… In most cases, the moving date will determine the quote. So, if you are moving on a budget, show some flexibility when picking a date. Remember that moving during the summertime is always more expensive than during winter. Also, if you are moving at the end of the month, be prepared to pay more. If you need some additional services like a packing service, make sure to get rid of all unnecessary items.

Not only will you save money, but also time and effort. One important thing to keep in mind is that most reputable movers also offer a video estimate, allowing you to walk them through your home via video chat. This can make the estimation process much easier, especially considering the COVID-19 pandemic which makes social distancing a must. So if you’d rather avoid several representatives from different moving companies visiting your home in person, consider choosing a video estimate instead. However, be extremely cautious about over-the-phone quotes, as no credible mover will give you a quote without assessing your household, so if you come across a quote like this, you’re likely dealing with a fraudulent operator.

Binding or non-binding estimate?

Not each moving company calculates moving costs the same way. There are two types of moving estimates: binding and non-binding estimates.

A binding estimate is a guaranteed rate quote. This means as long as you have the items you listed before the move, the price will remain the same. This kind of estimate must be provided in writing before the moving day. You are to pay for the service upon delivery, and in case you fail to do that, your belongings will be placed in storage until you pay the binding estimate, as well as the storage fee. Your movers have to move all the items outlined in the estimate. In case there are some additional goods, have your moving company include them in the estimate, if possible, before the moving day. Otherwise, they can refuse to transport those items or add an extra charge for additional items.

A non-binding estimate is a more common option when it comes to rogue movers. It is an estimated cost of the move, an approximate charge, which is based on pre-estimated weight or time. However, the final cost is likely to exceed the estimated price. The price you will pay must be in accordance with your movers’ tariffs. This type of estimate should be also provided in writing, stating all the services provided.

Knowing the types of estimates will allow you to determine which option works best for you. Also, it will be easier for you to identify rogue movers. A surprisingly low moving quote is usually a sign that something’s wrong. And that you are actually dealing with fraudulent movers.

How to get an accurate moving estimate?

If you intend to use professional relocation services, your movers will provide you with an approximate price so that you know how much you will have to pay for the relocation. However, it often happens that the final price is very different from the initial estimate, to a large extent from the confusion and sadness of the owners of the house.

So, how can you avoid unpleasant financial surprises? How can you be sure that you know the actual cost of moving so you can plan your budget accordingly? Getting an accurate quote takes time and effort on your part, but it’s worth it.

Make sure you deal with licensed and insured movers

It’s no secret that there are some dishonest market participants who offer unbelievably low prices to attract more customers and curb competition. However, once they get a job, they continue to add additional fees and charges for the proposed additional services or unforeseen circumstances, so that the final cost rises sharply and customers are forced to pay much more than they expected.

To avoid such fraudulent extortion schemes, you need to investigate the movers that you plan to work with. And make sure that they are trustworthy professionals – properly licensed with the FMCSA, fully insured and associated, with a history of excellent customer service and a proven track record of quality, efficiency, and safety. You can be sure that such reputable movers will give you an accurate assessment of the move.

Request an onsite assessment

The estimates given online or by phone can give you an approximate idea of your moving costs. But they can never be accurate. Movers should look at your home and the items you want to move to determine:

The shipment

The weight or the size of your shipment directly affects the cost so you may want to leave bulky or heavy items behind and downsize before moving to be able to lower the cost.

Additional services

If you need packing services too, or specialty services for moving large and bulky items, if your home requires long carries or any other extra services, this will also affect the cost. This is especially important if you’re moving over long distances.

Time

The time it will take to move your things is also important, as well as how many movers will you need (in the case of a local relocation).

It is imperative that movers see how many and what items you need to move. As well as any obstacles in your home (such as a staircase) that can increase your rates. Only then can they make an accurate moving estimate and tell you the real value of your move.

Give appraisers all the information they need

To get an accurate estimate, you need to inform the company about all the items that will be moved, about any special processing requirements that you may have, and about any obstacles that you know about:

Show the representatives all the items for moving

Everything that you are going to move to your new home should be shown to mover inspecting your home. Not only large furniture and household appliances but also all kinds of small items and personal items. Do not forget things in the attics, basements, and garages, as well as the contents of cabinets. If something is not taken into account, the final cost will be higher than expected. So you must cover all the items for moving during the walkthrough.

Give specific info

You should be as clear and specific during the walk as possible. Let the evaluator know in simple words exactly what you are taking to your new home. Do not use ambiguous words or phrases or leave room for misinterpretation or confusion. It’s much better to be clear and precise in order to get the best result.

Make an inventory list

Don’t forget to take inventory of the items you need to move before the appraisers come to your home. After completing the survey, ask for a copy of the inventory from each company and compare it with yours to make sure that nothing is missing and everything is correct. It is also a good idea to make a list of items that cannot be moved. Some moving companies even need one to avoid misunderstandings and fraudulent claims. An inventory list will also help you later on when it comes to unpacking since you’ll be able to check if everything arrived at your new home.

Communicate

Make sure that all people who have a say in what you will move are present, such as your spouse, a roommate, or other family members who make decisions. If this is not possible, discuss this issue in advance. Make a final list of all the things that will be moved to your new home so that nothing is added after getting an accurate moving estimate.

Take into account the date of moving

Please note that your transportation costs will depend on your moving date. If you need to move during the peak moving season, or on weekends, or holidays, movers are likely to charge you for placing your preferred date of moving in such a busy period. If you are looking for a lower price, you should be flexible when picking a moving date. Moving during the off-season can have some downsides like bad weather. But, on the other hand, it has the huge benefit of being much more affordable than moving during the peak season. And sometimes, simply changing your moving date to be in the middle instead of the beginning of the month can make all the difference. So, be sure you ask your movers about more affordable dates available.

Ask all the right questions

After getting an assessment, carefully read it and ask about everything that bothers you. From the reasons why it is a higher fee compared to other estimates, to what happens if you need to change the schedule of the move. Moreover, use the opportunity to ask representatives all questions about their company and learn as much as possible about this. Many companies will offer similar prices for your move, but it is the small details that will help you decide which one is right for you. You must also ask what’s included in your estimate because that’s the only way to compare quotes properly. As a result of asking the right questions, you will get an accurate moving estimate and find the best movers for you. From that moment, your move is sure to be successful.