Moving Company Estimate- How is it Done?

20 May 2010- Your moving cost depends upon how you plan to move! Whether you are doing a self moving or hiring a moving company for all your moving requirements? All this will decide where your moving estimate stands? If you are going to hire some moving company, you must know how moving company estimate is prepared so that you consider all the factors, plan your move well and do not end up paying more to the moving company than is required.

Factors Affecting Moving Company Estimates

As is obvious, moving estimate depends upon the type of move (local or long distance moving) and the types of services that a client wants from the moving company.

Moving Company Estimate for Local Moving

The moving estimate for local moving- that is categorized as a move under 50 miles � is generally based upon the number of crew members that will be required for the job at a flat hourly rate per crew member.

Moving Company Estimate for Long Distance Moving

The moving estimate for long-distance moves are based on the weight of shipment as well as the types of services that the client needs. For example, if the client cannot specify what all household goods have to be moved, the moving company can give a non-binding moving estimate with a guaranteed discount. On the other hand, if the client exactly points out about moving goods, s/he can get a guaranteed price or a "Not-To-Exceed" price estimate.

In the US, a state to state move is regulated by the Federal Department of Transportation, Surface Transportation Board. The interstate moving cost is more or less standard which is generally figured out on the basis of shipment's weight and miles traveled. However, some moving companies give an estimate on the volume or cubic feet the shipment would occupy in the moving van.

Moving Company Estimate for Additional Services

There are many services that are requested by the client from moving company. These services too affect the moving company estimate.

• If the movers provide packing services too, then the moving estimate will include costs of packing boxes and other packing supplies, labor to pack and unpack. If specialty packing is undertaken- like piano packing, art work packing or usage of specialty boxes for packing certain valuable or fragile items- then that cost will also be included in the moving estimate provided by the company.
• Estimate for transportation charges is based on origin and destination service charge (determined by the weight of the shipment, and the origin and destination as the labor costs are not similar in different areas.)
• Third party charges are also included in the moving company estimates- appliance servicing, crating of fine items, disassembly and reassembly of certain furniture, exercise equipment, and outdoor play equipment etc.
• Fuel surcharges levied by the trucking industry based on a percentage of transportation costs is also taken into consideration when preparing the moving estimate.
• Insurance-related surcharges are also included in the moving companies estimates. However, the insurance surcharge on moving estimate does not offer protection against lost or damaged goods. It just allows the company to off-set some of the trucking insurance costs that they pay to the moving trucks that actually transport the household goods.
• Valuation charges- commonly known as "moving insurance" - is also considered while preparing moving company estimate. Moving companies are required by law to have a minimum of valuation protection for the moving goods.

Get your moving estimate through this Quick Moving Quote Form