Why Professional Quotes Win Moving Jobs
The moving industry is highly competitive, and customers typically collect three to five quotes before choosing a mover. A professional, detailed quote makes your company stand out against handwritten estimates and vague email responses. Customers who understand exactly what they are paying for are more likely to book — and less likely to dispute charges on moving day.
Structuring a Winning Moving Quote
Break your moving quote into clear, logical sections:
- Labor costs — number of movers, hourly rate per mover, and estimated total hours based on home size and inventory
- Truck and transportation — vehicle size needed, mileage rate for long-distance, fuel surcharge, and any shuttle service for narrow streets
- Packing services — full pack, partial pack, or fragile-only packing with material costs itemized
- Specialty items — piano, pool table, gun safe, hot tub, or other items requiring extra crew or equipment
- Access fees — stairs (per flight), long carry beyond 75 feet, elevator reservation fees, or narrow doorway disassembly
- Valuation options — basic carrier liability at $0.60/lb versus full-value replacement coverage
- Storage options — if the customer needs short-term or long-term storage before delivery
Quoting Best Practices for Movers
For local moves, conduct an in-home or video survey before quoting. Sight-unseen quotes based on home size alone lead to inaccurate pricing and unhappy customers. For long-distance moves, the binding not-to-exceed estimate is the gold standard — it caps the customer's cost while protecting you from significantly underestimating.
Include your quote's expiration date (typically 30 days) and note seasonal pricing variations. Summer rates (May through September) are typically 20–30% higher than winter rates due to demand. Being upfront about this prevents misunderstandings.
Always specify what is not included in the quote, such as disassembly of playground equipment, disconnection of appliances, or debris removal. Surprise charges are the number one source of negative reviews for moving companies.
Build Your Moving Quote Today
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