Understanding the different kind of moving estimates

Found your dream home and ready to move out? As exciting as it sounds, the whole affair of relocating from one area to another can be a real hassle.

There’s a lot you have to deal with, from packing all of your household goods to finding the right moving company to ensuring that everything is safely shifted to your new home.

 Given all the physical and mental stress that accompanies you during this time, it’s no wonder that most people don’t even bother with drafting a moving estimate for their move.

If this sounds like a problem you might be going through, we’ve got good news for you!

 Today we’re explaining all there is to know about the different kinds of moving estimates, how you can calculate your moving cost, and some key terms you need to keep in mind to ensure that the entire moving process goes smoothly.

What Is A Moving Estimate?

moving estimate

In the moving and relocation industry, a moving estimate stands for a rough calculation of the moving costs you will have to pay to professional movers in exchange for their services.

Before settling on a final company to hire, you’d want to know how much each company is likely to charge so that you can make a well-informed and cost-effective decision.

Hence, a moving estimate is prepared to make a comparison between moving companies.

There are three kinds of moving estimates that you need to be aware of while searching for a good moving company:

Type of moving estimate

Moving cost calculator includes all factor of a moving process that will affect your moving quote. However, the more you rely on professional assistance, the higher your moving expenses will be.

Binding Estimates

A binding estimate is when a moving company guarantees a fixed cost estimate depending on the approximate weight of a customer’s belongings.

You will be required to pay the amount fixed beforehand, even if your belongings ends up weighing either more or less.

This type of estimate is beneficial for the customers as it is generally considered a more accurate and specific calculation than other estimates.

This is due to the fact that full service movers themselves visit you to determine the weightage of your belongings and quote a price according to that weight.

However, a major downside to this estimate is that even if the weight of your household goods has been overestimated, you will still have to pay the fixed price that the company originally quoted.

To ensure that the binding estimate you have agreed to is fair, you should get price quotations from different companies to compare before you make a final decision.

Non-Binding Estimates

A non-binding estimates are the most common type of estimates when moving long distance or moving local.

This  means that the customer agrees to pay for the actual weight of their cargo according to a fixed price per pound. In contrast to the binding estimate, a non-binding price is likely to vary over time.

Your final bill could be either higher or lower than the original estimate, depending on the total hours or final weight of your belongings.

Pro-tip: However, experts in the industry recommend that you avoid companies that only offer this type of estimate as it can be used to exploit customers.

 Moving companies do this by offering you an unrealistically low estimate, and when your final bill turns out to be higher, you will have to pay an additional ten percent along with the original amount estimated.

If you still feel compelled to use a non-binding moving estimate, make sure that you obtain price quotes from several other companies which are licensed, insured, bonded and have good online reputations.

Binding Not-To-Exceed Estimates

The binding not-to-exceed estimate is the most popular amongst customers, especially for those who are looking to make a long distance move.

This is because customers who sign this agreement are fully aware of the maximum amount they will have to pay.

If your items weighs heavier than the original quote, you won’t have to pay any additional amount.

On the other hand, if the weight turns out to be lighter than the original estimate, you will only pay the cost of the actual weight. In other words, you might end up paying less than the price that you originally agreed to.

Calculating Accurate Moving Estimates

Now that we’re aware of the various types of estimates that are offered in the industry, let’s take a look at how exactly you can get accurate moving estimates.

 Typically, the price of a move is influenced by various factors, such as the distance between the two areas, the weight of your belongings, the move date, and any additional services from the company which you may be using.

To make sure that the estimate of all these costs is close to accurate, make an attempt to interview all your professional movers on the same day.

 Drawing up one estimate usually takes up to an hour. Once you’ve shortlisted your selection of moving companies, schedule your appointments as soon as possible so that the details from each interview remain fresh in your mind as you make your final decision.

Furthermore, you’d want to make a list of all your inventory items and categorize them according to the items that you will either be “taking” or “leaving”.

Once you’re finished categorizing them, request a copy of the list from the moving company. Compare their list to your own to review it for accuracy, and make sure that no item has been missed before moving day.

If you have any questions at any stage throughout the moving procedure, do not hesitate to contact the company for further details.

Read more: Moving Company Prices

A Final Word

Moving from one place to another can be quite intimidating, thanks to the mountain of tasks that you have to accomplish before you settle in your new place.

The good news is understanding the different kinds of moving estimates helps with transparency and give you a sensibility of a moving budget.

Be that as it may, it’s essential that you carve out some time to properly estimate any costs that you might incur during this time.

By doing so, you can guarantee that your relocation will be a complete success granted a satisfactory moving experience.