Why Do You Need to Compare Moving Quotes

How to Find Trustworthy Movers

Finding a mover you can trust is key to a successful move. When comparing moving quotes and moving companies, pay attention to these three things:

1. Whether they are licensed and insured — First and foremost, check the moving company’s credentials. Interstate movers are required to register with the U.S. Department of Transportation. You can check a company’s USDOT Number in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s database.
2. The reviews and ratings in our moving company directory — Our moving company directory makes it easy to see a mover’s Better Business Bureau rating and moversnearyou.info customer reviews. It doesn’t hurt to check the BBB’s website directly for reviews and complaint history.
3. Any red flags — Familiarizing yourself with red flags before seeking moving quotes is a good way to avoid the bad apples. A too-good-to-be-true estimate and an upfront payment requirement are two warning signs you’re dealing with an unreliable mover. Here’s a list of other red flags to watch out for when finding a moving company.

Fortunately, we’ve taken the guesswork out of this process. When requesting online moving quotes on our website, you can rest assured that the national moving companies we work with are licensed and insured.

What Are Common Moving Cost Factors?

Long-distance moving quotes are affected by the following factors:

1. Weight of household belongings — Interstate moving quotes are calculated based on weight. In general, the more stuff you move, the more expensive the move.
2. Distance between origin and destination — The mileage between point A and point B affects moving quotes. In general, the farther the move, the more it will cost.
3. Labor costs — Labor costs vary by state and moving company. Most local movers charge an hourly rate. Interstate moves usually include the estimated cost of labor in the moving quote.
4. Packing costs — If hiring full-service movers to pack and unpack your belongings, be prepared to pay at least a few hundred dollars extra for the service. Moving companies will also include the added cost of disassembling and reassembling furniture in their moving estimate.
5. Liability and valuation coverage — Movers must provide customers with two valuation coverage options: Full Value Protection and Released Value Protection. Full Value Protection is the more comprehensive option. This liability coverage states that if your mover damages or loses an item, they will reimburse you for its current cash value. Released Value Protection is the most basic liability option. It’s included in your moving quote for free and only covers 60 cents per pound of cargo.
6. Additional storage — If you need a moving company to temporarily store your belongings before, during or after the move, this cost will be added to your moving estimate. Storage rates vary by mover, so be sure to ask about rates before agreeing to include this service in the estimate.
7. Moving date and season — Believe it or not, something as simple as your moving date can affect the overall price. Rates tend to be lower mid-month and during the wintertime. Read our tips on finding the cheapest times to move.

How to Use Our Moving Cost Calculator

Not sure how much your move will cost? Our free Moving Cost Calculator is one of the best tools available to anyone preparing to move to a new home. To use our Moving Cost Calculator, enter your origin ZIP code, destination ZIP code, move size (in terms of the number of bedrooms), any packing services needed (none, partial or full), and move date. Click “Show Cost Estimate” to see the estimated cost range and estimated distance of your move. Attached to this estimate, you’ll see a place where you can enter your contact information so that our vetted professional moving companies can reach out to you with moving quotes.

How Are Moving Quotes Calculated?

When requesting moving quotes online, cost estimates are typically computed based on how large your household is (i.e., the number of bedrooms in your home), the date of your move and how far you’re moving. The move details you provide should enable a mover to give you a ballpark estimate for your move. A more in-depth moving estimate often involves the mover making a trip to your home and/or looking at pictures and videos of the home, so they can more accurately estimate moving prices.

The Math Behind Your Moving Quotes

So, what’s the actual math behind your moving quotes?

• Local and intrastate (usually within 50 miles) moving quotes are calculated using the following factors: The estimated number of hours that the move will take multiplied by the moving company’s hourly rate. Customers will also be charged for add-ons, such as packing materials, fuel costs and extra labor services. Some moving companies may charge an all-encompassing flat rate instead of an hourly rate.
• Long-distance and interstate (greater than 50 miles and/or crosses state lines) moving quotes are calculated based on weight because that’s what the Department of Transportation requires. To figure out the actual weight, the truck is weighed before and after it’s loaded with your belongings. In addition, long-distance moving quotes are affected by the distance traveled and any add-on services. Moving companies typically have a set rate per pound and a set rate per mile.

The 3 Different Types of Moving Estimates

Here’s a quick rundown on the three different types of moving quotes offered by moving companies.

• Non-Binding — While a non-binding estimate should be fairly accurate, it isn’t a guarantee. Your final cost will be determined by the actual weight of your belongings, the mover’s published tariff and moving services. Your final bill may deviate slightly from the non-binding estimate, which means you could end up paying more or less than the original estimate. However, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the mover can’t require that customers pay more than 110 percent of the original estimate at the time of delivery.
• Binding — A binding estimate means that the mover guarantees a set price for the move and any extras based on the estimated weight of the customer’s belongings. If the customer agrees to a binding estimate, then they must pay what they were originally quoted no matter what the actual weight ends up being. The advantage to this estimate is that you cannot be required to pay more than the original estimate. The disadvantage is that if the weight of your belongings is less than estimated, you still have to pay the original quote.
• Binding Not-to-Exceed — This type of moving quote is also called a “guaranteed not-to-exceed” estimate. It means that even if the weight of a customer’s shipment exceeds the original estimate, they won’t be charged anything extra. The estimate is the maximum that a customer will be required to pay. On the flip side, if the shipment weighs less than originally estimated, customers will only have to pay for the cost of shipping the actual weight. This type of estimate is the best type of moving quote because it’s the most flexible and the most customer-friendly.

What’s Included in a Moving Estimate?

When seeking moving quotes from moving companies, make sure you know what type of estimate they are sending you (i.e. binding vs. non-binding). Moving estimate templates vary throughout the moving industry, however, most will include a list of services that the mover is providing and a moving/packing inventory list. If you decide to hire the moving company, your estimate should be attached to the Bill of Lading contract. Local moving estimates will also include the mover’s hourly rate. Here’s an example of what is included in long-distance moving quotes:

• Miles
• Estimated weight
• Discount percentage (if any)
• Packing services
• Unpacking services
• Transportation cost
• Fuel surcharge
• Insurance surcharge
• Accessorial service
• Valuation charges
• Storage in-transit service charges

Moving Quotes vs. Online Cost Estimates

So, what’s the difference between official moving quotes and online cost estimates? For starters, inspections for official moving quotes are typically conducted in person or virtually, whereas instant online estimates do not involve an official surveillance of items. With an official moving quote, a mover may come to your house to inspect your belongings and take inventory of household items. By seeing the belongings in person, they’ll get a more accurate sense of how many items you have to move and how much your shipment is going to weigh. They’ll also be able to assess any extra services needed or moving complications, such as steep stairs or elevators.

An instant online moving quote, on the other hand, is usually just a rough estimate based on the number of bedrooms in your home, the distance of the move, and the dates of the move. Instant online moving quotes are helpful because they give you a quick prediction of how much the move will cost. While it’s only a rough estimate, this type of ballpark moving quote can be helpful in planning your moving budget.

In short: official moving quotes are more in-depth, more detailed and more accurate than instant online estimates. However, instant quotes are rough estimates that give you some idea of what the move will cost.

Comparing Moving Quotes and Booking a Mover

We recommend obtaining at least three different moving quotes to compare services and prices before booking a mover. When comparing moving quotes, pay attention to the type of estimate the mover offers (binding vs. non-binding). Make sure you’re comfortable with the estimate. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to just add belongings to your move at the last minute. This will likely cost extra. Make sure the mover has a thorough inventory list of everything being moved, so that there are no surprises when the moving truck arrives.

Why You Should Get at Least 3 Quotes

It’s important to compare at least three moving quotes from three different moving companies before booking a mover. If you’re moving long-distance, the move’s cost is determined by the weight of your shipment. Be sure to tell the estimator which items you will and won’t be moving to ensure the most accurate quote possible. If one of the quotes is out of step with the others — whether it’s much cheaper or much more expensive — this could be a red flag that something isn’t quite right. Remember: it’s not always a good idea to go with the lowest quote. If you want a high-quality moving experience, you may need to pay more for a company with excellent customer service.

How to Save Money on Your Moving Quote

It’s no secret that moving is expensive. Here are a few ways to cut costs and reduce your moving estimate.

• Get rid of belongings and lighten the load — The more stuff you move, the more expensive the move. With that in mind, try donating, selling and trashing unused items before seeking a moving quote. By eliminating unnecessary clutter, you’ll lighten the load and save money on your move.
• Choose a cheaper date and time to move — Dates and seasons affect the cost of your move. Moving companies tend to have increased demand during the summer months as well as weekend dates. If your move dates are flexible, opt for a less expensive day and time to move.
• Pack everything yourself — Opting for packing services increases your moving quote. If you’re looking to save money, and don’t mind putting in the work, pack as much as you can yourself. You can also take the self-packing one step further by seeking free, used moving boxes instead of paying up for new ones.
• Inquire about discounts — Many moving companies offer discounts to customers, including students, military members and AAA members. If you don’t ask, you won’t receive. Make sure to inquire about any and all available discounts during the estimation process.

Step-by-Step Process for Obtaining Moving Quotes

Ready to receive free moving quotes? Here’s how to go about the process:

1. — Tell us about your move — At the top of this page, provide us with your move details – where you’re moving from, moving to, the size of your home, and when you plan to move. On the next page you will enter your contact information so that movers can contact you about your upcoming move.
2. — Schedule a moving survey — Once you’ve given us your move details, we will connect you with up to four movers who can give you a free moving quote. These movers will reach out to you via phone and/or email to schedule your moving survey.
3. — Survey of your items — To get an accurate and binding estimate, the estimator will conduct a walk-through of your home (in person or virtually) to identify all items to be moved and estimate the size and weight of the belongings.
4. — Compare moving quotes and select the best mover for your needs — You should receive free moving quotes from at least three different licensed and insured movers.
5. — Schedule the move with a moving company — Once you’ve compared moving quotes, select the mover that best meets your needs and budget. Keep in mind that all of the movers in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured your belongings are in good hands.

What Moving Add-Ons to Consider

While moving add-ons will likely increase your moving quote, they’re often necessary for a safe and efficient moving process. Moving add-ons include both materials and services. Here are a few examples of common moving add-ons.

• Disassembling and reassembling services
• Packing and unpacking services
• Moving boxes
• Moving supplies, including stretch wrap, plastic wrap, mattress bags, moving pads and packing tape, etc.
• Moving of specialty items
• Additional valuation coverage

Compare Moving Quotes Today

moversnearyou.info allows you to compare moving services and prices among our large national network of moving companies. The algorithm we use matches your move details with the most reliable and qualified movers for the job. Best of luck and happy moving!