#Movechat Digest: Understanding Estimates

Every Tuesday at 1PM Central Time, Portage Cartage moderates a Twitter-based "movechat" for movers and consumers looking for information on moving.  For today's chat, the topic was 'Understanding Estimates.'  Below is the abridged transcript of the questions and the responses.


Q1: Why do reputable movers want to survey the home visually before giving an estimate?


xpressmovers A1:Simple answer: Every moving company with experience want to avoid unexpected situations.
HolmanMoving Since most movers charge by weight, an in-home survey is still the best way to get a close-to-accurate estimate.
seamlessmoves A1: In WA State, I believe it is required by law unless bidding hourly rate only.
HolmanMoving @seamlessmoves Really? That's great. 
Maritime_Moving  A1 Customers don't know how to estimate the weight of their shipment so it avoids nasty surprises for them and for us.
PortageCartage What do you tell people who ask for a quick ballpark figure over the phone?
HolmanMoving Well, we may be able to give a ballpark, but they have to understand that they won't have a final estimate until we do a survey.
xpressmovers @PortageCartage I love customers that wanna get their price in under 1min over the phone :)
HolmanMoving We really don't like to do that though, it's usually reserved for special cases.
Maritime_Moving  Customers also don't understand about shuttle services, stair carries, pianos, treadmills, 250 lb statues, etc
HolmanMoving @xpressmovers Seriously. Why would we ever want to be accurate about their prized possessions? ACK!
PortageCartage Is there such a thing as a 'typical home'?
HolmanMoving @PortageCartage Definitely not! :-)
xpressmovers @HolmanMoving Some people think moving is very simple thing and would not give us much information. We give them basic idea.
HolmanMoving @xpressmovers Agree. I spend half of my life online answering questions about this very issue.
PortageCartage In a nutshell, the visual survey helps us to understand how much stuff there is AND to be aware of any potential problems.
xpressmovers @HolmanMoving Life is a series of simple events, but it's not simple.

Q2: What information is essential on an estimate?

xpressmovers A2: Pickup/Delivery dates, flexibility, packing, special services, crating and etc. That's the very basic
HolmanMoving Yep, delivery spread is essential, especially in the summer. Binding v. Non-binding.
PortageCartage I hope it goes without saying that the estimate MUST be in writing before any consumer books a mover.
xpressmovers We don't give out non-binding estimates, people get confused and dragged into way too many technical terms.
seamlessmoves We sometimes have to remind clients to include off-site storage units in their survey if they are moving as well.
xpressmovers In the world of communication and technology everything must be signed before something is
PortageCartage It's important to understand any applicable legislation regarding what's required on estimates.
xpressmovers Oops... I couldn't finish my last tweet before I hit the update button...
xpressmovers Before a job is booked or something extra is added it must be supported by a signature authorizing it.
PortageCartage It's crucial that the factors which will determine the final price are detailed on the estimate.
movertim @PortageCartage anything you see should be on there, such as bulky items

Q3: What are some red flags consumers should watch for on estimates?

movertim  missing info, such as the piano in the parlour
xpressmovers A3: Low prices or phrases like "Don't worry, we'll take care of it for you"
movertim or how about all is based on actual"
PortageCartage Or the candlestick in the kitchen. :) RT @movertim: missing info, such as the piano in the parlour
HolmanMoving Definitely asking for a down payment or gratuity up front. Major red flag.
Maritime_Moving missing charges such as shuttle. Especially at origin when a survey has been done.
movertim I love the estimate that forgets to add any of the taxes
seamlessmoves A3: Two or three similar bids and one that is significantly lower. A bid too low has likely overlooked something.
movertim @seamlessmoves The low baller who says actual weight to apply as opposed to firm bids
movinggal I think a big red flag is the price. If it sounds to good to be true, do your extra homework. Chances are it is. 
xpressmovers @movinggal Unfortunately people fall for the low price. I have a fresh story from today. 
HolmanMoving A mover who basis an estimate on cubic feet instead of weight is a red flag.
movertim @HolmanMoving well now 2 schools here, on International all charges based on the cube
PortageCartage @HolmanMoving Interesting... why is cubic feet a red flag?
movertim if ya take the cube, you should be able to covert into lbs
xpressmovers @PortageCartage All movers must give estimates based on weight not cu.ft. It's a law.
HolmanMoving @PortageCartage How do you verify what's in the boxes taking up the space?
movertim @xpressmovers @PortageCartage it's a law where??
HolmanMoving @movertim There are two schools, you are right. But for most US domestic moves, weight is a better measurement.
xpressmovers As far as I know it's in the FMCSA Regulations and tariffs.
movertim @HolmanMoving @movertim weight is the norm, I agree I was playing the devil's advocate
movinggal @PortageCartage That is a shame. I guess we need to do a better job at getting the word out to potential customers.
PortageCartage @xpressmovers Don't get us wrong - we agree that it's better to use weight. It's just good to know why.
movertim The cube only really works well on International going overseas
HolmanMoving It's easier to manipulate cubic feet - why scam movers use it - than it is to manipulate weight (although nothing is perfect).
xpressmovers @PortageCartage I'll see where is I read it and post the article here. I know it's the law from few years at least.
Maritime_Moving @HolmanMoving @movertim  In Canada, moving prices are based on weight unless they go internationally excluding USA.

PortageCartage @Maritime_Moving @HolmanMoving @movertim All the more reason to know the laws that apply where you're moving to/from. 

Q4: Link dropping time: where can consumers turn for help understanding estimates?

movertim  To the honest sales person, that's who
PortageCartage A good resource in Canada: http://mover.net/consumers/index.htm
movertim I thinx in CANADA the CAM has a page for this
movinggal There are several resources online that can help. AMSA, BBB & Movingscams.com.
HolmanMoving I always suggest www.movingscam.com for customers that have questions about the legitamacy of their mover - and the estimate.
PortageCartage This is where @AMSAProMover should be chiming in with a link of their own... hint hint
movertim Bad movers are like terrorists, they should be hung, or jailed
xpressmovers  I agreee @AMSAProMover would tell us about weight/cu.ft. charges.
HolmanMoving I do not like MovingScam's endorsement policy, but I think the pros on board give good advice when they aren't self-promoting.
PortageCartage Another one of our favourites: http://www.moverescue.com/estimate.htm
xpressmovers @movertim Florida should ban all of the moving companies located there. This is where the scammers are.
movinggal I have also wrote a piece on how to avoid moving scams.  Here is the link to it. http://cot.ag/gDo4Z1
HolmanMoving Yep! I'm sure to their victims, they are terrorists. RT @movertim: Bad movers are like terrorists, they should be hung, or jailed
movertim @xpressmovers @movertim sure we chase them away and thay all go South
MovePoint Thanks for posting these great resources !
PortageCartage @movinggal Great post! Short & concise, with lots of further links to explore.
HolmanMoving I bet @reloroundtable has some thoughts on cubic feet v. weight... *nudge* ...
movinggal @PortageCartage Thanks.
HolmanMoving Here is our article on how to avoid a moving scam: http://www.holmanmoving.com/moving-guide/how-to-avoid-a-moving-scam.aspx

Next week's topic will be 'Customer Service.' That's a big issue and is sure to be a lively chat - join in!