Moving Quotes Comparison As before any purchase of products or services, when preparing for a move, one of the first things before hiring a mover is comparing rates and services. There are several ways you can go about that: Look up moving companies in your area (by referrals, online, in yellow pages, etc.) and contact each for a free moving quote. You will have to provide at least some initial information to each (such as date, size, locations and contact info). Or- Use an online service. There are websites and free estimates forms that you fill online with no obligation, providing the initial information for your move. The information you provide is then forwarded to several movers that serve your area and they are supposed to contact …show more content…
Although most professional movers (reputable, experienced, licensed, and insured) go by a pretty standard tariff on local and long distance relocations, there are differences. On local moves, the cost is usually based on an hourly rate. Even if you receive the same hourly rate from different companies, you still need to compare the number of men, the size of the truck, the travel time, the minimum charge, and any other additional or extra fees that might affect the final cost to you (such as: long carry, bulky items, stairs, packing, wrapping, disassembly and reassembly, insurance, fuel surcharges, tolls, taxes, processing fees). On long distance moves, the charges are calculated based on the weight (or sometimes the volume) of the shipment. The initial quote will be based on either an average weight/volume for the size of your home or on a list of items that you provide (in which the average weight and volume of each listed item is calculated to determine the size of your shipment). Again, even if you receive pretty much the same basic quote from different companies, there might, and probably will be, differences. These can be extra and additional charges (for additional weight/volume, delivery times, storage in transit fees, and other extra fees as mentioned