Moving Estimates

Moving Estimates: Essential need for a mover

Moving is a fact of life. No matter what our situation, at some point or other we will be faced with the prospect of moving from one place to another. Like all major changes in life moving causes a certain amount of stress. It is therefore beneficial to us and in our best interests to plan our move properly. One of the things that is of utmost importance when starting the process of moving is to get moving estimates from various moving companies in order to gauge what it is going to cost you to do the actual moving.

Moving estimates may be attained on the phone or online or after having a company representative visit your home and making a physical verification of your moving needs. Phone moving estimates are not very good and though online moving estimates are better, even they are not perfect. The best way for getting moving estimates is to get company representatives to visit your home and give you moving estimates.

When looking for moving estimates first determine the kind of services you are going to require. Surf for the various companies and make a comparison of the various services on offer and then select according to your need.

Types of Moving estimates

Generally moving estimates are of two types – binding moving estimates and non binding moving estimates. For binding moving estimates you are charged a fee whereas non binding moving estimates are available free of cost.

Your mover is required by the FMCSA to prepare a written estimate on every shipment transported for you. Your mover must provide you a written estimate of all charges, including transportation, accessorial, and advance charges. The mover is allowed to amend the estimate of charges before loading your belongings but not after loading the goods.

• A binding estimate is a contractual agreement made by you and the mover; both of you are bound by the charges on this estimate. With a binding estimate, you do not have to pay any more than the estimated amount at delivery. However if you have asked for additional services other than those included in the estimate then you will be required to pay for them at the time of delivery of your goods.

• A non-binding estimate is what your mover believes the total cost will be for the move, based upon the estimated weight of the shipment and the services requested by you. A non-binding estimate is not binding on your mover. It is your responsibility to pay up to 110% of the non binding estimate at time of the delivery. If the cost turns out higher than 110% then you have up to 30 days to pay the balance amount.

What goes into account when determining moving estimates.

When giving moving estimates the movers take into account a few things. One is the weight of the shipment. They then take into account the distance to be moved. They also take into account other factors like accessibility of your home by trucks. This is because if your home is not accessible easily by trucks and they have to be kept at a distance from your home then there will be considerable labor involved in lugging your items from your home to the truck. Movers also take into account things like availability of an elevator in the home or the presence of flights of stairs that need to be negotiated. Obviously lugging furniture across flights of stairs owing to absence of elevators is more cumbersome and hence the moving estimates will be higher.

Moving estimates are also dependant on the type of services you opt for – whether you want everything to be done by the mover from packing, loading, unloading, unpacking, transportation – the whole hog; or whether you want to manage packing by yourself and leave the rest to the mover.

Movers also move vehicles and a closed trailer for transport of your car would cost more than an open trailer.

Make sure you get moving estimates from a minimum of three moving companies before selecting the moving company that is right for you. Moving estimates are a great way to determine the cost of moving beforehand so one may plan one’s finances accurately. It is in your best interests to obtain moving estimates and compare them thoroughly.