While relocation is exciting for many reasons, it’s also very stressful. It involves a lot of planning, organizing, and decision-making. Not to mention all the costs that come with it. Nevertheless, if you’re well-prepared, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed. One way to do that is to carefully set up your finances for a new home. That entails factoring in everything from new appliances or furniture to moving costs. After you write everything down, it’s time to find out how much it will cost. But be advised that prices vary when it comes to moving services. Therefore, to find the best deal, you should use these 7 tips for comparing moving estimates.
No. 1 Get as Many Moving Estimates as Possible
Moving companies offer a variety of services at various prices. Therefore, to accurately calculate relocation costs, you need to do some market research. Start by identifying all the moving companies in the area. Then ask for moving estimates. The more you get, the higher the chances of finding the best deal possible.
That is a golden rule whenever you need to buy something expensive. For example, if you’re shopping for a new TV, you should never buy the first one that pops up in your Google search results. You have to compare the specifications to identify the best model. Then, you need to compare the prices of various stores for that exact model. Otherwise, you risk getting ripped off. And the same goes for moving services.
No. 2 Look for Quality
There are lots of moving companies out there. But nobody has the time or patience to compare moving estimates from all of them. That’s why you should narrow down your search a bit. That doesn’t mean picking out the ones offering the lowest prices. Because low prices often translate into low quality. Instead, you should identify the ones offering quality services.
A great way to do this is by comparing company ratings and reading reviews. Learning about the experience of other customers is crucial when choosing a moving company. That will enable you to find a team to go the extra mile and make your relocation as smooth as possible. At the same time, it will alert you of potential problems you might encounter during your move.
No. 3 Find Trusted Movers
Unfortunately, there are many fraudulent moving companies on the market. Thus, you must ensure you don’t fall into their trap. One option is to compare the moving estimates. If a company provides you with an offer that is too good to be true, that should raise a red flag. Furthermore, you should also check if the company is legit in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s mover database. Lastly, opt for established businesses rather than new ones because they have more experience and are more reliable.
No. 4 Get the Right Type of Estimate
You can start by asking for moving estimates online or by phone to get a general idea of the costs involved. But if you want to prepare for unexpected moving costs, you’ll need more accurate estimates. Therefore, one of the best tips for comparing moving estimates is to ask for on-site moving estimates.
That means that a company employee will come to your home to inspect everything you want to move. They can identify fragile pieces that require extra care. And they can also identify any potential challenges, such as the absence of an elevator or narrow doorframes. At the end of this inspection, you’ll get an accurate moving estimate that you can compare with others.
No. 5 Compare the Services Provided
Nowadays, most moving companies offer a variety of services. It’s not just about loading, transporting, and unloading your belongings. You can opt for packing and unpacking services which are very helpful, particularly if you have many fragile valuables. Sometimes, these services are even included in the base rate. Movers can also help you with disassembling and reassembling large furnishings to facilitate their transportation. And they can also provide short-term or long-term storage if you need it. So, you should identify the services you need and the moving companies that can offer them.
Unfortunately, accidents happen. So, even if you hire the most trusted and skilled moving company, you should still ask about insurance. Here are three of the most common options:
- The basic carrier liability is usually included in the moving rate because all licensed moving companies must provide it. However, this offers minimum coverage, so you’ll only recoup a small part of the actual value.
- Complete value protection is one of the best options because the movers will have to replace or reimburse the value of the damaged items. That means you’ll be fully covered. However, you’ll have to purchase this insurance separately.
- Third-party insurance is another great option if you’re moving valuable items. In this case, you purchase insurance from a third-party insurance company. The moving company will offer the basic carrier liability, while the third party will cover any additional loss up to the policy limit.
No. 7 Compare Rates
Surely you want to keep the relocation costs at a minimum. Therefore, comparing the moving rates provided in the estimates is key. So, after you’ve narrowed your list of movers to the most reliable ones, it’s time to analyze their rates—factor in all the extra services you require and identify the best offer.
Final Thoughts
You should plan everything, whether you’re moving locally or out of state. That will help you reduce costs and avoid overspending. Furthermore, it will make the entire process less stressful. When finding the right moving company, you should thoroughly research and ask for estimates. Use these 7 tips for comparing moving estimates to find the best offer. But be careful not to fall into the trap of fraudulent or unreliable moving companies. After all, it’s not just the price that counts but also the quality of the services.
