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How much does a professional moving company cost?
There are a few factors to consider when evaluating the potential cost of your move. Location, amount of items and size of the home are a few to keep in mind.
The size of the home simply refers to how many rooms the company will have to service and how many floors they have to manage. Particular items like bedroom sets or workout equipment may have to be disassembled to transport, which may incur additional fees. Some professional moving companies may quote you a flat rate for the entire service, while others may charge by the truckload. It’s important to thoroughly research and vet the companies you’re choosing from to make sure you get the best experienced and best-rated company that will get you the most bang for your buck!
Understanding your quote
A moving quote is an estimate of the total cost of a move. Moving companies typically calculate quotes by considering several factors:
- The size and weight of the items being moved
- The distance between the pickup and drop-off locations
- Any additional services required (such as packing, loading assistance, disassembly/reassembly)
- The process of gaining access to the property
There are also Binding and Non-Binding estimates.
A binding estimate won’t change based on the inventory and scope of services, provided that the origin and destinations remain the same. That doesn’t mean it’s unchangeable. If you add items to your move or add services after signing the moving estimate, these changes can incur more charges.
For a non-binding estimate, the variation between the written estimate and the final bill is even greater. The estimate, in this case, is only meant to serve as an estimate. You’ll pay the actual cost once it’s been calculated after the move, regardless of what the estimate said. This is more common with interstate moving costs.
Hourly rates, or time and materials estimates, are typically the loosest estimates that exist in the moving industry. These move estimates are used more commonly for local moving costs. In essence, the moving company is saying, “Based on our experience, we think it’ll take this long and these materials (like moving boxes or equipment) to do this.” However, the reality on move day might be quite different. In this situation, these bids are not firm, and they’re not meant to be taken as such; it’s essentially an educated guess provided by an experienced moving company.
As a customer, it’s best to be prepared for that going into the move. You’ll be billed on whatever time and materials were required after everything was completed. Remember, being fully aware of the scope of your move and well-informed from researching companies is critical to having a smooth and budget-friendly experience.
Moving company “must haves”
When hiring a moving company, the most important things to look out for are proper licensing and insurance, detailed written estimates, positive online reviews, in-person inspections, a clear understanding of services included and potential hidden fees, and a cancellation policy. Moving can be a stressful ordeal for anybody; making sure the company you hire checks all your necessary boxes will save you time, money and peace of mind.
- LICENSING and INSURANCE: A properly licensed company will have all the necessary paperwork/permits needed to operate legally. Insurance will protect you, your home and your belongings from any potential accidents caused by the moving company.
- IN-PERSON ESTIMATES: It’s almost never a good idea to get an estimate from someone who hasn’t seen the scope of the job in person. Pictures can be deceiving and video walk-throughs always tend to miss important details. To make sure you get an accurate estimate, it’s highly recommended to have a qualified agent from the company you may hire to come on-site and see it for themselves.
- SERVICES OFFERED and HIDDEN FEES: Typically, a moving quote will cover transportation, packing/unpacking boxes (if requested), furniture wrapping, and loading/unloading. But there are potential additional fees that could be incurred depending on the items you need moved. If things need to be disassembled and reassembled, if there are multiple floors to the home if the moving truck must be parked far away from the entry to the house due to property limitations and cancellation fees. Every company is different, so fee amounts will vary along with what is and isn’t included in your initial quote. Always remember to ask specific questions to the company so you have a clear and concise estimate for your move.
- CANCELLATION POLICIES: These policies vary from company to company, so make sure to read the fine print carefully. Most reputable moving companies require a deposit to hold the move, but it’s usually refundable if canceled within a certain number of days. Some moving companies don’t allow cancellations after the customer’s property has been loaded onto the truck. Some moving companies may require a refund of half or more of the total price, regardless of the reason for cancellation. Others may offer partial or full refunds depending on when the cancellation occurs. Remember, always read the fine print!
Doing your due diligence will pay off greatly in the long run. There are many companies out there to comb through and finding the best one for you may be tedious, but the work will pay off. Be as meticulous as possible in your research and ask specific questions to the company to make sure no stone is left unturned. Moving your entire home from point A to point B is a huge undertaking and you’ll want the peace of mind that it’ll get done properly and on time. Make sure to write down your questions and expectations so that you don’t forget to discuss them with your chosen company.
GO WITH THE PROS!
The Estate Pros are consistently ranked among the top estate-related services in Michigan. We specialize in assisting individuals and businesses who are in need of residential, retail and commercialestate services..
The Estate Pros is an industry authority with hundreds of years of combined experience amongst our ownership and staff. Our owners, sales teams, and support staff are held to the highest standards of professionalism and experiential service.
The Estate Pros pay meticulous attention to detail as we handle every aspect of your estate from start to finish. Our experts will work with you from the initial free consultation to the complete execution of your move and everything in between.
Thinking about moving? Contact the Estate Pros!!!
Thinking about moving? Contact the Estate Pros!!!