How to Do Estimates for Moving

Some moving companies will provide moving boxes and packing materials for you

Moving can be a stressful and overwhelming process whether you're moving across the street or across the country. Professional moving companies help customers by providing moving assistance, storage and even packing assistance and packing materials. Using a moving company can also help prevent you from getting injured by lifting heavy objects or breaking valuables. Estimates provided by moving companies are determined by weight, number of rooms or the possible amount of time needed to move. These estimates help potential customers determine how much they will spend on moving.

Instructions

1. Determine how much stuff you will be moving, whether you want insurance and whether you want help with packing or packing materials. Research the moving companies' reputations. Not all moving companies are reputable. Consult review websites, such as Angie's List, or ask a friend for a recommendation. Carefully consider other people's experiences of the reliability of the movers, whether things were lost or broken, whether the estimate quoted was honored and how long the move took. Select two to three companies to contact for a quote.

2. Call the moving companies and provide them with the information you collected. Contact only the moving companies that have a good reputation and can provide you with the services you need, specifically if you are moving across the country or internationally. You will also tell them where you are moving and a range of dates when you'd be willing to move. The operator will provide you with a quote over the phone based on the number of rooms or will send an employee to your house to make the estimate in person.

3. Set up a date for the moving company estimator to come to your house, allowing plenty of time before your moving date. The estimator will gauge how much stuff will be moved and provide you with an estimate. Some moving companies charge by the pound, while others charge by the hour or by the room. Moving companies charging by the pound will estimate the weight of your stuff, then weigh it on the moving day, so the estimate may be less accurate than a moving company that charges by the hour or room.

Tips & Warnings

• Allow four-to-eight weeks before your desired moving date to research and book a moving company.

References

• Moving Company Guide; Choosing a Moving Company