| 1. Actual weight of the shipment or labor | | | | |
| time- The final charges on interstate | | | | No packing- You are expected to pack |
| relocation will normally be based on the | | | | everything yourself and the mover will |
| actual weight of the shipment, whether it is | | | | usually only provide moving pads/blankets to |
| more or less than the estimated weight. The | | | | protect your furniture. Some companies will |
| quote that you receive should be based on an | | | | require specific packing for certain items, |
| onsite estimate (unless waived) or a list of | | | | such as shrink wrap for fabric, bubble for |
| items that you wish to move. Anything that | | | | glass etc. some movers will not accept any |
| will be added or taken off the list will | | | | container packing other than boxes (such as |
| affect the price. The final charges will be | | | | bags, totes, suitcases or plastic bins). |
| based on the actual weight of the items to be | | | | Always be sure to read through your quotes |
| shipped. Be sure to check what the charge per | | | | and see if any requirements are specified as |
| any additional pound is, as it may be | | | | you will be charged extra by the movers for |
| different than the basic charge the quote is | | | | re-packing those items and for the packing |
| calculated by. | | | | materials they will provide. |
| | | | |
| On intrastate relocations the charge is | | | | 3. Extra services- Such as additional |
| usually based on the actual time of the move | | | | insurance, storage, extra labor, taxes, fuel |
| with a specified minimum of hours and a | | | | surcharges and processing fees. Additional |
| travel time or truck fee that covers the | | | | services such as additional insurance |
| driving time from the moving company's | | | | coverage and storage will be added to your |
| facility to your origin address and back. | | | | total cost and are probably very clear and |
| Check what the minimum charge is for the | | | | acceptable by you. However, movers may charge |
| hours, if the travel time is fixed or actual, | | | | you extra for stairs, elevators, bulky items, |
| what would be the charge per hour over the | | | | additional stops, hoisting of furniture, |
| estimated time and what increments of time | | | | disassembly and reassembly of furniture etc. |
| you are charged by. You may be offered a flat | | | | Always be sure to check if your quote |
| fee for the move, usually based on an | | | | includes any mentioning of these charges and |
| inventory list. Make sure the quote | | | | if not be sure to get that in writing from |
| specifically indicates that the charge is a | | | | your mover as part of your quote. In |
| flat fee and find out what the charge per any | | | | addition, other taxes and charges may apply |
| additional item would be. | | | | and will normally be calculated as percentage |
| | | | of your total cost, such as taxes, fuel |
| 2. Packing materials- You will usually have | | | | surcharges or processing fees for the use of |
| two options for packing: | | | | credit cards to pay for your move. These will |
| | | | not always appear in your quote but should be |
| Full packing- The carrier (moving company) | | | | mentioned under the terms and conditions or |
| packs everything for you and is responsible | | | | explanation of your quote/services. Again, be |
| to provide all the necessary packing | | | | sure to check if these are added to your |
| materials. All the packing materials and | | | | price. |
| packing labor should be included in the | | | | |
| price. Make sure that the charge is not | | | | In summery, movers may pretty much charge you |
| calculated separately for the packing charges | | | | for anything. Take the time to read and |
| rather than a price per pound (interstate) or | | | | understand your quote, from start to finish, |
| price per hour (intrastate), as that means | | | | including all the small fine print. If |
| that your cost will depend on the actual use | | | | anything is unclear or not specified, be sure |
| of packing materials. | | | | to check with your mover. |