What I'm a little stuck on are the weight estimates. They're all over the map with little consistency so far. As a general rule, we recommend that you request a binding budget or one that is not exceeded whenever possible to avoid a last-minute increase in moving costs. You should consider requesting a visual inspection of your home and inventory from your home to obtain a more accurate estimate.
This also allows you to tour your home with the moving coordinator, ensuring that no items are overlooked. A quote given over the phone or email is unlikely to be accurate. Make sure that the moving company includes a copy of their estimate and inventory sheet along with the bill of lading. Review the inventory sheet to identify any possible inaccuracies that should be reported to the moving company.
As with all contracts, make sure you understand the details and the fine print, including how costs may change, before signing any contract. Once you have a short list, call them or fill out an online form to get an estimate of the cost of moving. According to Consumer Affairs, you should get at least three estimates from moving companies. In addition, quotes based on in-person interactions tend to be more accurate than online quotes (learn more about the questions you have to ask your moving customers in a minute), but connecting to the Internet can be a good starting point to start your consultation.
Please also note that only binding estimates guarantee your price. The survey is not only the first step in the movement process, but it sets the tone for the entire movement. If the survey process isn't high-quality, the customer experience it produces won't be successful for everyone involved. Sales leaders are responsible for training and managing their moving sales team's surveys, including quality control. Are all moving companies taking the necessary steps to maintain and improve the quality of the surveys? Fortunately, improving the experience of customers and surveyors with technology is rapidly becoming a common practice in the moving industry.
Moving surveys are the basis for moving companies' estimates and plans. By creating an accurate inventory of the items to be moved, companies can calculate the estimated weight and packaging needs for each move. Controlling shipping and ownership of origin also helps moving companies identify items that require special handling and determine any accessibility difficulties in removing furniture from the house. The information collected from the survey informs about the company's resource allocation.
Once documented, the surveyor can communicate the resulting move plan to coordinators, operations, drivers, and moving teams. In terms of importance to the customer, the cost estimate is derived from the survey. A highly accurate quote reduces unexpected cost increases during the checkout process and increases your trust and satisfaction with a moving company. The final result? Moving surveys are the determining factor in the customer's purchase decision. It's your chance to evaluate the company and ask questions that influence your choice.
During the moving survey, the customer observes their interactions with the company and determines if the pre-move service is easy, communicative, competent and reliable. The results of the moving survey are the moving company's detailed inventory, cost estimates, and the customer's purchase decision. Therefore, quality and precision are vital. Traditionally, sales representatives conduct moving surveys by driving to the customer's home of origin and taking an inventory in person.
Originally, the surveyor wrote the cubic sheet with pen and paper, but today, most sales representatives use tablets at home. While visiting the house is the best method for observing objects and details of the residence, it is also prone to human error due to manual data entry and lack of visual recording. This is where technology has started to help teams go beyond the reach of digital cubic sheets. For example, with Yembo SmartConsult, surveyors can mitigate human errors by using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate inventory while working with the customer.
In fact, companies like Mohawk Moving & Storage managed to reduce weight variations by 5% with the help of artificial intelligence. Another factor to consider is that household moving surveys are the most time consuming survey method and it's more expensive. So what's another survey option for moving companies? An increasing number of moving companies are conducting surveys through Facetime, Zoom and other virtual video platforms. These remote surveys allow surveyors to monitor the move and eliminate driving costs and time.
However, video surveys make it harder for the surveyor to “see the whole house,” increasing the chance of missing objects, or even entire rooms. This method is highly dependent on both the skill of the surveyor directing the experience and the client's ability to follow instructions. The likelihood of human error is high and there is no resulting visual record. There's a better way to combine the accuracy of home surveys with the convenience of video surveys.
Virtual survey platforms are specifically designed to guide the sales representative and the customer through a dynamic survey process, using artificial intelligence to automatically identify and inventory items. AI-powered virtual surveys are the fastest and most accurate survey method. AI-based software combines deep learning with computer vision and graphics to carry out a highly accurate inventory in real time. In a nutshell, AI learns by doing: it reduces human errors and, at the same time, provides clear guidance to ensure that surveys are complete.
In addition to compiling a cubic sheet, the virtual survey transfer software creates an inventory with images and a video record so that companies can consult it throughout the moving process. Virtual surveys are the fastest survey method and offer a significant cost reduction compared to This method is also the most convenient experience for customers. Underestimating the inventory of a move could result in excessive and expensive shipping, customer service refunds, and the use of more resources than expected. On the other hand, overestimating the move could prevent a sales representative from getting a job during the sales process.
Inaccurate estimates from moving companies also increase claims. Failure to provide appropriate packaging materials, personnel, or third-party resources may result in damage. In addition, only virtual surveys provide a visual record of the state of the objects before they are moved and of the agreed scope. This test can prevent moving companies from having to unnecessarily reimburse customers in the event of disputes related to product changes or pre-existing damage.
Sales managers of moving companies can make decisions to improve the accuracy of moving surveys. The training and improvement of moving surveyors must be an ongoing investment. Arrange for new surveyors to follow experienced representatives. Create processes that ensure that surveyors ask customers the right questions, identify the needs of carriers, and record items that are often forgotten in inventories, such as inside closets or in the garage.
From time to time, managers should follow the example of their surveyors to find areas where they can be improved, as well as use reports to analyze variations in the weight of shipments and identify inaccurate trends. The excellent mobile surveying software is designed to maximize accuracy. Companies should opt for a set of survey platforms with workflows that clearly guide the user, artificial intelligence to automate inventories and reduce human error, and a visual record of the extent of the move and the condition of the items. Using technology to automate the moving process means that surveyors don't need as much previous experience to draw up an accurate survey.
In an interview with Dan Schwabel, he noted that 40% of employers believe that AI-powered survey tools can help employees get up to speed faster and compensate for skill gaps. For example, The Imlach Group invested in Yembo's virtual surveys to expand its business with less experienced surveyors. Not only did they reduce costs, but the accuracy of their surveys increased by 40%. The industry used to believe that an in-home survey was the only way companies could make an accurate estimate of moves.
Of course, the only alternative at the time was a telephone survey. Do you want to know how Yembo can help your company improve the survey process? Set aside some time to do a demonstration with Yembo. With virtual moving surveys becoming increasingly popular, now is the time for moving professionals to take advantage of them. More than ever, moving professionals need survey technology that improves the customer experience, reduces costs and increases productivity.
As we approach 2025, labor shortages remain one of the biggest challenges facing the moving industry. It's a problem that's been brewing. Learn more about our advertising disclosure If you want to avoid surprises on moving day, it's important to choose one of the top moving companies with a reliable reputation. Good long-distance moving companies usually offer a binding quote after making the home inventory, so if you're going to ask for a binding quote, pay more attention to the list of items (also known as a “measurement chart” or “cubic sheet”).”).
Its price is calculated using this list of household items. Still, it's useful to understand both types of estimates. Keep reading to learn about the differences between weight and cubic feet, so you can make an informed decision when it comes to getting quotes for a move. Most moving companies charge for the weight of your belongings, not their volume. The Department of Transportation can easily verify weight-based estimates to make them more reliable.
Most major van lines offer quotes based on the weight of the shipment, but the type of estimate the moving company provides doesn't matter, as long as it's a binding estimate. A fraudulent moving company will find ways to overcharge you, regardless of whether your estimate is based on weight or volume. In the meantime, a good moving company will ensure that the move is priced correctly and will inform you of any scenario in which your estimate of The move may increase. While estimates of the weight of moving companies may vary, their main advantage is that they can be verified in the U.S.
UU. This is a very important distinction between weight-based and volume-based estimates. If you have a dispute with the moving company, you can request a USDOT-certified weight penalty to verify everything. The method for weighing all your things is surprisingly simple.
Crews weigh the moving truck before loading it and then again once everything is loaded. The difference between the two is the actual weight of the move. The cost of moving is determined by the total volume of your items and the physical space they occupy inside the moving truck. To determine the total volume of your items and how much space they will occupy, moving companies multiply their length by width by height.
Unfortunately, common moving scams often involve estimates of moves in cubic feet. Packing the truck incorrectly or using generous measures can increase the total cubic feet of a move. However, some of the best professional moving companies we work with use cubic feet. These measures are also useful for portable container moving companies or for renting moving trucks, as they give you an idea of how much space you'll need to have the right number of containers or the right size moving truck.
As a general rule, each full-size room in your house holds about 1,000 to 1,500 pounds of items. Most moving truck and shipping container companies list their capacities in terms of maximum weight and cubic feet so they don't run the risk of overloading the truck or container. Moving companies use spreadsheets of industry-standard weights and measures to calculate the size of different items. This allows them to provide an accurate estimate of the number of boxes you'll need and the expected total weight or volume of your move.
In other words, the inventory list is what matters most, regardless of whether you're going to get an estimate of the weight or the cubic feet. The final price of your binding estimate will be determined from an inventory list of the actual number of household items you have. As long as the list is accurate, you won't be responsible for additional charges if your items weigh a little more than expected. Get quotes from several moving companies and make sure you're working with a reliable moving company with a solid reputation.
The reputation of a moving company is more important than if that company bases its estimates on weight or cubic feet. Here are some of our best moving options and the types of estimates that matter most for each type of move. A full moving service takes care of loading, unloading and transporting your move. When you request a free quote, they'll send a representative to your home or schedule a virtual visit to take inventory of your items and then make an estimate based on weight or cubic feet. Reputable full-service moving companies, such as American Van Lines and Mayzlin Relocation, offer binding quotes based on the weight of their inventory and have a reputation for excellent customer service.
Container moving companies offer a good balance between full-service moves and home moves. While you are responsible for packing, loading and unloading, the company will transport the container from your old house to the new one, so you don't have to worry about driving. In the case of a moving container company, it's best to calculate the cubic feet of your items to find out what size container (or how many) you need. Some companies, such as PODS, offer containers of various sizes.
Others, such as U-Pack, allow you to rent multiple containers based on your estimated needs. Moving truck rentals are a good option for moving on a tight budget, as long as you have the time and ability to pack, load and transport everything on your own. Quality truck rental companies, such as Budget Truck Rental and Penske Truck Rental, are transparent about the weight and capacity limits in cubic feet of their different truck sizes. It's easier to estimate the cubic feet of your items for a self-made move. Making a rough estimate will help you determine what size moving truck you need to fit everything.
Whether it's better to move by weight or cubic feet depends on the type of move. When hiring professional moving services, it's usually best to get estimates by weight. This is because weight-based estimates can be verified when the moving company obtains a weight fine across the U.S. For a home move, it's best to estimate cubic feet, as this will help you determine the size of the rental truck you need. Moving companies calculate cubic feet using an industry-standard measurement sheet.
This helps them determine how many boxes will be needed to pack everything. For larger items, such as sofas or dining room furniture, they can take actual height, width, and depth measurements to determine cubic feet. You can calculate your moving weight using a moving cost calculator or an online weight calculator. Another simple way to calculate the weight of a move is to follow a moving industry standard.
Each full-size room holds between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds of items. The average weight of a room move ranges from 2,200 to 3,200 pounds. This total includes the weight of the other rooms in the house or apartment. The average move weighs between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds per full-size room.
In a typical two- or three-bedroom home, a total weight of between 4,000 and 9,000 pounds is expected, depending on the total number of items being moved. The big risk of non-binding estimates is that it's difficult to estimate how much those additional items will weigh. In most cases, it makes sense to simply rewrite the binding estimate and agree on a final price. The first thing you need to do to get an accurate mobile estimate for your customers is to gather the customer's inventory.
I refer to this as the myth of the binding estimate and, if you will allow me, let me expand on this idea. The charges shown are those charged only for the services specified in this estimate and for the transfer of the items included in the corresponding inventory prior to the move. If you choose a binding quote or guarantee that it will not exceed the price, be sure to obtain a copy of the measurement chart and make sure that the measurement chart accurately describes all the items you need to move. However, a binding lump sum estimate (or the guarantee that it does not exceed the binding estimate) can easily be used as a fraudulent tactic to lure consumers with a price guarantee, but become a bait tactic and change of tactics on the day of the move.
Trust me, after having done more than 20 moves in my life, getting estimates of the costs of a move is no fun for me. We recommend that you get quotes from at least three moving companies to compare rates and review the exact language of each estimate. The more people you have to help, the faster the move will be, which is important when it comes to hourly rates. Therefore, the customer has a binding price in which it is indicated that it is based on moving a specific list of items, but is not provided with a copy of the list of items to be moved; this is problematic. To help you avoid unexpected moving costs, we've explained the different types of moving estimates and how they can change on the day of the move.
Whether you're doing it over the phone or doing it in person to get an on-site quote, in either case, there's a formula you should follow to get accurate estimates. An increasing number of moving companies are conducting surveys through Facetime, Zoom and other virtual video platforms.
