Get Your Free Quote
Book your move within few minutes
Best American Movers
How a Home Moving Quote Works
A home moving quote is an estimate provided by a moving company detailing the costs associated with moving your belongings from one location to another. Here's a breakdown of how it typically works:
1. Initial Inquiry
- Contact the Moving Company: You reach out to a moving company via phone, email, or their website.
- Provide Basic Details: You provide initial information such as moving date, locations (current and new addresses), and an overview of your moving needs.
2. In-Home or Virtual Survey
- In-Home Survey: A representative from the moving company may visit your home to assess the volume and nature of items to be moved.
- Virtual Survey: Alternatively, a virtual survey can be conducted via video call where you show the representative your belongings.
3. Inventory List
- Detailed Inventory: You and the representative create a detailed inventory of items to be moved. This includes furniture, appliances, and other personal belongings.
- Special Items: Identify any special items that may require extra care or special handling (e.g., pianos, antiques, or large, heavy items).
4. Services Required
- Packing Services: Determine if you need full or partial packing services.
- Disassembly and Reassembly: Specify if you require help with disassembling and reassembling furniture.
- Special Handling: Indicate if there are any items needing special handling or equipment.
5. Distance and Logistics
- Distance: The distance between your current and new location is a key factor. Long-distance moves are typically more expensive than local moves.
- Accessibility: Consider the ease of access to both locations (e.g., stairs, narrow hallways, lack of elevator, etc.).
6. Estimate Calculation
- Weight and Volume: The estimate is often based on the total weight and volume of your belongings.
- Labor Costs: This includes the number of movers and the time required.
- Transportation Costs: This covers fuel, tolls, and other transportation-related expenses.
7. Additional Costs
- Insurance: Costs for insuring your belongings during the move.
- Storage: Charges for temporary storage if needed.
- Extra Services: Fees for additional services like unpacking, debris removal, or shuttle services if the moving truck can't park close to your new home.
8. Review and Acceptance
- Written Quote: You receive a written quote detailing all estimated costs and services.
- Review: Carefully review the quote, ask questions, and clarify any doubts.
- Acceptance: Once satisfied, you accept the quote and schedule your move.
9. Binding vs. Non-Binding Estimates
- Binding Estimate: The quoted price is the final price, even if the actual weight or volume is different.
- Non-Binding Estimate: The final cost may vary based on the actual weight or volume on moving day.
10. Final Invoice
- Actual Costs: After the move, the final invoice is generated based on actual services provided. For non-binding estimates, this may differ from the original quote.
- Payment: Make the payment as per the agreed terms (e.g., upfront, on delivery, etc.).
By understanding these steps, you can ensure a smooth process and avoid unexpected charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
It’s generally recommended to start packing as soon as you have an accepted offer and know
your moving date. Larger homes can accumulate a surprising amount of belongings over the
years. Begin with less frequently used areas like attics, garages, sheds, and utility rooms. You
might also consider asking your moving company about their pricing for full or partial packing
services to alleviate the burden. However, it is highly recommended to go through your items
and get rid of some before packing. The last thing you want is to pay to pack and move items
only to throw them away at the new location. Always estimate your new living space and
downsize if needed by donating or selling unwanted items. To sell them locally, you could use
platforms like Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, or local groups. If you have access to your new
home and it’s close by, it’s a good idea to take some boxes with you in the car anytime you
travel there. This will help reduce the volume and hours required for the main move, and you
can reuse the same boxes for multiple trips
Yes, we require emptying of your dresser drawers for the following reasons:
-
Leaving items in the drawers could, in some cases, cause the dresser to be too heavy for the frame during travel and could result in unnecessary damage.
-
Depending on the size, it may not be feasible to keep the dresser upright while bringing it out of the house. In the event that it has to be tipped, items can get jarred. This can lead to problems once you want to use the dresser in your new house.
Preparing appliances for a move involves several steps. For refrigerators and freezers, defrost
them at least 24 hours before the move and clean them thoroughly. Disconnect and secure any
loose parts for all appliances. Consult the owner’s manuals for specific moving instructions and
consider hiring a professional to handle disconnection and reconnection if needed.
For valuable or sentimental items, it’s often best to transport them yourself rather than packing
them with the rest of your belongings. Items such as jewelry, important documents, family
heirlooms, and personal electronics should be kept with you during the move to ensure they are
not lost or damaged.
We recommend to make a reservation 2-4 weeks before the move happens. If you are not sure about a moving date we recommend to make this note for us and still book. We will hold a spot for you and follow-up later to check about the status of your moving plans. Usually we tend to get booked 3 weeks in advance for Fridays, weekends and the last week of each month. We are less busier between the 5th and 12th date of each month.