Should the Lowest Moving Quote Be Your First Choice? Maybe Not

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Should the Lowest Moving Quote Be Your First Choice? Maybe Not

Staff Writer · Dec 24, 2009

As many families can tell you, a low moving quote is generally not the best criteria for hiring a moving company. Those with experience in relocation know that other factors such as reliability, customer service and much more can save households a lot more than a small difference in the quoted price of the move. When you’re evaluating the moving companies you have found and the prices they are offering, think about the following considerations.

Do Your Moving Quotes Include Extras?

It’s easy to get a collection of free moving quotes online or by calling around, but these telephone or online moving quotes may not factor in extra time spent loading and unloading, specific distances or other factors in your move. Instead, these figures may be somewhat generic, designed to pull in customers may experience rate hikes on moving day. When you see distance moving quotes that look great, follow up with a phone call and make sure that they include the whole package.

Low Moving Quotes: What Does Low Overhead Mean?

In extreme situations, lower moving quotes can mean you’re dealing with a company that doesn’t have very much at their disposal. Trucks and tools may be obsolete, and labor may be paid less than minimum wage in some situations. This doesn’t bode well for your move. Do a little in-depth research and find out what you get for your buck from a particular company.

Local Low Moving Estimates

In some cases, when you’re dealing with smaller companies, an extremely low moving quote can mean that these movers have no idea what they’re doing. Moving companies often price competitively, but quotes that are far off from the norm can indicate that someone who may be moonlighting in the moving industry may not have the experience to take you where you need to go. Again, some thorough research will show whether a low moving quote is a great bargain or a sign of danger.

Does a Low Moving Quote Include Adequate Insurance?

Moving companies often include some kind of moving insurance for limiting the liability of damaged items during transit. Some of the lowest quotes can be relatively insurance-free, and the money spent planning for liability can bump your rates back up. Ask about insurance at the outset and see how it factors into your quote.

Quality Assurance in General

When you hire for a move, you’re often rolling the dice, and when you accept low bids, your gamble gets riskier. The old maxim “you get what you pay for” often holds true for moving companies. But when you find a point person who you can depend on to guide you through the process, whether it’s the owner of a small local company, or a reliable dispatch for one of the big chains, you can stay involved and ask the tough questions up front to know that you have selected a company that will truly get you a bargain on moving day. Rather than passively trusting your move to chance, households can stay involved so that they can rest easy during the transition.

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