When you hire a moving company, they hand over to the moving estimate based on your moving quote. It is extremely important that you understand this moving estimate fully. The first and foremost thing that you need to consider is that you should have a written moving estimate. If the moving estimate is given over the phone, or verbally, it may not give you a clear picture of the final bills of your moving. This type of verbal estimate may rather be considered as the estimated cost rather than a moving estimate. This estimate is calculated on the basis of the list of items told to the moving company and the company calculates the bill on the average size and weight of the items. But this will not give you a true moving estimate.



So when ever you want a true estimate it is desirable that the representative from the moving company makes a visit at your place and makes a list of the items. If the moving company insists that there is no need of the representative of coming at you place and the bills will be calculated in the end, it is better that you look for another moving company.

It is always wise to negotiate well in advance regarding the extra fees that the company will charge if there are any loading difficulties in certain items. Make sure that your moving estimate states clearly the billing method that the moving company is using. Mostly the billing is made based on cubic feet basis or dependent on per unit weight. It is advisable that you demand the moving estimate to be made per unit weight if you think that your items are not too heavy but they take up good space. If your goods are heavy, it is wise to go for billing based on per cubic feet.

Apart from all this, it is to known well in advance whether the moving estimate given by the company includes packing or unpacking of stuff. Then also clarify well in advance if the company will charge extra for packing materials. Make sure that your moving estimate makes a mention about the loading and unloading charges. If the relocation is for a longer distance, these charges can be hefty. Most of the moving companies charge extra if the distance between your house and parking is greater than a specific amount. If the truck that the company hires cannot be parked near your present house or relocation, the company may charge extra for getting a smaller van for shifting of goods.

Insurance is one point that most of the people are ignorant about. The moving company is bound to make a mention of the insurance of your goods in the moving estimate document. In case the company agrees to pay any kind of discounts, make sure that it is written clearing in the moving estimate to avoid any problems in billing later.