Moving Estimate Template
A moving estimate is a document provided by a mover that indicates how much a moving job will cost. The estimate helps a prospective client to decide whether or not to hire a particular contractor.
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Moving Estimate Terms to Know
- Cube sheet: This is a list of the items that will be moved and how many cubic feet they will occupy in a truck.
- Flight charge: This is the charge that movers add on when they have to climb flights of stairs. Generally, movers will charge $50 for each flight of stairs beyond the first.
- Packed by owner (PBO): This is a term moving contractors use to indicate a customer has already packed their items into boxes and prepared them for moving. When items are not PBO, the cost of a move is higher.
- Peak season: Typically, a moving contractor’s busiest season is between May and the end of September. This has to do with the school calendar; most families move when the kids are not in school.
Average Times for Local Moves
- Studio apartment: 3-5 hours
- Two-bedroom apartment: 5-7 hours
- Three-bedroom house: 7-10 hours
Do Movers Get Paid Up Front?
Most movers get paid once a job is complete. However, some moving contractors require a deposit upfront as a means of ensuring a client won’t cancel at the last minute. Generally, a deposit ranges from $100 to a few hundred dollars, depending on the total cost of the move.
How to Create a Moving Estimate
It’s helpful to get a sense of the space you’re moving out of and the types of furniture and materials you’ll be moving, so many moving contractors give in-person quotes or request thorough photos of the workspace. When doing a walk-through, take note of how many rooms are in the space and the square footage of the building. Next, list everything you’ll be moving: furniture, appliances, electronics, building materials, etc. This will give you an idea of the equipment (e.g. trucks, ramps, dollys) and packing materials you’ll need. The next thing to factor into your estimate is the distance between the space you’re moving things out of and the space you’re moving them into. You’ll also want to consider such factors as whether the materials that need to be moved are easily accessible. Are they up many flights of stairs? Is there an elevator? Are any items fragile and will they require a separate trip? An online calculator can help you estimate the cost of a move, such as this one or this one.
What Should a Moving Estimate Include?
A moving estimate should include the following features:
- Contractor’s contact information
- Date of the move
- Origin and destination of the move
- Estimated cost of the move
- Estimated time move will take to complete
- How many movers will be required
- Estimated cost of packing materials
- Estimated cost of insurance
- Date on which estimate will expire