Moving Quotes: Compare Apples to Apples

By Julie DeLong, A-1 Freeman Moving Group 

Weight, Miles, and Hours

Confirm the details of your quotations to ensure that they are all for the same expected weight, miles, number of personnel, and also expected hours. If you are getting quotes for a long-distance move to Houston, ensure that you are working with a distance moving company rather than a moving company who cannot transfer items interstate. Estimations pertaining to number of workers as well as hours may vary based on the business. Several moving companies bill you a flat fee for up to a particular amount of hours, and after that bill a per hour fee per crew member for each hour after that. This can lead to a costly increase in your moving charges. Likewise, distance needs to be distinctly shown as well as calculated for all estimates, to ensure that there is no per-mile addition to the quotation afterwards.

Storage, Insurance, and Additional Services

While comparing your quotes, look for added services which do not appear in all your quotations. You can't make a legitimate apples-to-apples evaluation if one quotation contains packing and materials, and the others don't. Watch out for any other add-ons, including insurance, storage space and time, mileage and gas. When each of the estimates are arranged the same way, with the exact same inclusions, you're less inclined to be taken in by a mover who gives a lower quoted charge and then nickels and dimes you with buried service fees and extras. If mileage or fuel costs are to be additional, make sure that the quoted prices are inside the same range on all quotes.

Other Items to Be Aware Of

When examining your moving quotations, be skeptical of very high or really low estimates. You should have a spread of 4-5 estimates, to provide you with a distinct notion of the average charge for your move. If a rate is substantially below the rest, verify to be sure that the details of that quote match the others, and that there aren't any extra fees, distance expenses, or hourly charge restrictions that may add to the cost once your move is started. Similarly, when a quote is significantly more than the rest, make positive they are not overestimating time or mileage, and that they haven't included services that are not contained in the other quotations. Inspect to ensure that all your moving companies have adhered to any licensing regulations, and that they will be quoting enough manpower to complete the move in a timely fashion. Remember, if an estimate appears too good to be true, it probably is.

Ask Questions and Do not Think Twice to Ask for Modifications

In the event that you are not capable of making a precise assessment for the reason that some or all your estimates possess not consistent services, don't be afraid to reach out to the moving companies with exact changes to the quotes. This is your move, and it is essential that you have all the information you need to make the ideal decision. Ask for a copy of each estimate in writing, so that you can quickly make side by side comparisons. Make sure that all your estimates have the same conditions. Finally, check out reviews online. Previous customers will frequently leave good and bad reviews, including specifics of obscured expenses or things they overlooked in their own estimates. Checking the testimonials is a good final step prior to deciding on an estimation.

For additional guidance on finding the right moving company in Houston for your move, look at A-1 Freeman Moving Group today! We offer long distance and local moving for numerous residential, commercial, and corporate customers. Give us a call today for a quote, and let our experienced staff assist you with your future move!