Phone Estimates vs. In-House Quotes



When acquiring quotes from moving companies, you may discover that some movers do things in a different way than others. You may or may not be familiar with the three different kinds of price quotes that you get from a moving company - binding estimates, non-binding price quotes, and binding not-to-exceed quotes.

But how moving companies offer quotes also differs, and can considerably impact not only your preliminary quote, however the total amount of loan you spend for the move when everything is stated and done. Read on to learn the difference between getting a price quote over the phone or in-person at your house.

How phone estimates are carried out
Phone estimates, while typical, are not the preferred method for getting quotes from a moving company for a variety of reasons, except for under a handful of situations.

The walk through. Since it seems like such a simple service, many people will phone a moving company and stroll the salesperson on the phone through all the rooms in their house, describing the quantity of furniture, boxes, clothing, and so on that will be included in the move.
The quote. The moving business then offers the customer with a quote, which is typically a very low price quote that seems enticing to the client.

The move. All is well and excellent up until the end of the relocation, when the client gets the final costs and sees that it is practically double the amount he was priced estimate over the phone. While in some cases this scenario belongs of a bigger moving fraud rip-off that is designed to deceive the customer from the beginning and hold products hostage up until he or she pays the total, it can also be because of an honest misconception of the full scope of the move. This can lead to extra charges and costs that were not originally prepared for.

To avoid both of these possible circumstances, it's typically best to prevent phone quotes completely.

Benefits of phone price quotes
Obviously, similar to anything, there are benefits and drawbacks to receiving an over-the-phone price quote. Here are some reasons why getting a phone quote may work better for you:

It fasts and easy. Possibly the most apparent benefit to getting a phone estimate is the fact that it's far more convenient to talk to an agent and receive a quote over the phone, instead of scheduling time for somebody to come to your house and take a look at all of your valuables-- especially if you're busy with your relocation planning and do not have a great deal of free time.
You're proceeding brief notification and don't have time for an in-person quote. Naturally, this example is a rare scenario that may take place if you're forced to move on really short notice. If you simply got a promotion and have to cross the country in 5 days to begin training for your new position, your only option might be to receive an over-the-phone quote.
Your relocation is relatively small. Another time when an over-the-phone quote may not be such Move On Moving a bad idea is when you don't have too much things to take with you. It can be quite challenging to inventory the contents of a big move over the phone, however if you're moving a small one-bedroom house with a number of boxes and furniture pieces, a phone price quote should be sufficient.

How internal price quotes are carried out
In-house quotes are usually more structured and efficient when compared to phone price quotes

A client will call up a moving business to ask for a quote. The sales agent on the phone will then set up a visit when the movers can come out to the consumer's home to take a look at the rooms and the items being moved.
When the movers reach the clients home for the price quote, they will do a walk-through and go through each space extremely thoroughly, making notes of exactly here what is consisted of in the move and estimating the total weight of the shipment based upon exactly what the customer is moving.
From this careful surveying of the house, the movers reach a preliminary rate based upon all of the elements included.

Advantages of in-house estimates.
Here are the benefits of in-house quotes:

It's precise. Enabling the movers to come to your house and study your personal belongings provides a better idea of what the move requires, allowing them to offer you with the most precise price quote possible.

Getting a precise initial estimate can potentially save you hundreds, in some cases even thousands, of dollars down the road. The movers will understand precisely what you will be moving and you will not be hit with any last-minute surprises on the moving day.

You will get to fulfill the movers in person. This is extremely useful, as it enables you to evaluate specific elements of their business that you wouldn't be able to just by speaking to a sales representative over the phone.
You can evaluate their professionalism. Talking with them about the relocation and inquiring any pertinent moving questions will allow you to judge their professionalism and understanding of the moving market. Understanding these things can conserve you from possible headaches later down the road.

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