Many different factors affect your moving quote. The size of your home and number of boxes, stairs or elevators at both locations, packing supplies, and even your move date will all factor in.
If you receive a non-binding estimate, the company is not allowed to charge more than 110% of that amount at delivery time. That’s why they need to see your home in person before quoting you.
Estimates
Moving quotes NYC, or estimates, are a way for movers to tell you how much your move will cost. They are usually non-binding, meaning they don’t bind the movers to the final price. However, the final price cannot exceed 110% of the estimated amount. In addition, a good moving company should give you a full itemized cost breakdown. This is important because it can help you save on your relocation expenses by taking out items that weren’t included in the estimate.
The cost of your move will depend on a variety of factors, including the size of your home and its contents. You should also consider whether you need to purchase additional insurance or services. Lastly, you should perform a complete home inventory before hiring a mover. Moving companies use different methods to calculate the cost of a move, so you should be sure to understand what’s involved. Some movers charge by the hour, cubic feet, or weight.
Pricing
A mover’s pricing is often determined by the size of the home, its volume, and the weight of your belongings. It can also be influenced by the access to your home – for example, stairs. If the movers need to hoist your items through a window or over a fence, these extra services will be quoted and charged separately.
Whether you get a binding, nonbinding or binding-not-to-exceed estimate will also influence the price of your move. If the company gives you a binding estimate, they must honor it as long as nothing extreme changes.
If you are receiving multiple quotes and one is dramatically lower than the others, this should be a red flag. A low quote may indicate that the moving company underestimated their costs or will add on hidden fees. Ideally, you should gather quotes from at least three different companies. This will help you make an informed decision about which company to hire.
Services
A good mover will offer a full range of services, and these should be included in your moving quote. This will include packing, disassembly and reassembly of furniture, crating, and auto transport if necessary. Some full-service quotes on movers also provide storage, which will incur additional charges.
When comparing quotes, make sure you’re comparing apples to apples. A lower-priced company may be underestimating their time or the number of employees they’ll need to handle your move. Be wary of movers who charge by weight, as this can lead to overcharging on moving day.
Your movers should also provide a written inventory of everything they’ll be moving for you, sometimes called a cube sheet. This will help you see exactly how much your move is going to cost, eliminating surprises on Moving Day. Some movers also charge extra for certain situations, such as when the drop-off and pick-up locations are separated or hard to reach (tight street, stairs, etc). These are called shuttle charges.
Contracts
If movers give you a non-binding estimate, federal law states they can’t charge more than 110 percent of that initial quote once your belongings are delivered. However, they can also give you a binding not-to-exceed moving quote that sets a maximum amount your bill shouldn’t go over. If your items end up weighing less than they estimated, you’ll pay the lower amount.
The size and weight of your belongings, as well as the distance between the move’s origin and destination, influence the price of your moving quote. Additional services and specialized needs like a tight location or stairs can also add to the cost.
For a comprehensive moving quote, companies will usually conduct an onsite inspection. This allows them to provide more accurate pricing. Be sure to get all the terms and conditions of your contract in writing. You don’t want any surprises on your final bill. This will also include information on any additional charges that may be incurred.
