Factors that Affect Your Moving Estimate

If you’re moving, you no doubt have a lot of concerns—and quite a few costs. The last thing you want are surprises when it comes to your moving estimate. That’s why you need the assistance of an experienced and trustworthy mover who will help you to uncoverways to pare down your moving costs, and who will give you an correct estimate of what those expenses will be.

How to Find the Best Company for Your Move in Tulsa

 

First, you need to know not every moving company is the same. Some are seasoned, knowledgeable and trustworthy—others are not. According to Consumer Reports, for example:

“Some moving companies quote lowball prices and then, once the move is underway, hold their customers' property hostage until they pay much more. Others demand substantial deposits and then don't show up, says Katherine Hutt, a spokeswoman for the Better Business Bureau.”

The good news is that you can discover a reputable company to help you move by simply doing a little homework. You can, for instance, verify their credentials (including their carrier number from the Department of Transportation) and read online ratings and complaints.

You should also review their website—the best movers are often recipients of esteemed awards—like the Pinnacle Mover Designation Award and the North American Quality Award—and will often post these awards on their site.

How to Understand the Factors of Your Moving Costs in Tulsa

Many factors affect the cost of your move. For starters, what you pay will be based in part on things like the total weight of your belongings and the mileage to your new home. There are several other items, however, which will affect the total of your moving estimate, including the following 6:

1. Packing and crating costs: Keep in mind, you’re paying the moving company for their time. Certainly, they’ll require more time if you ask them to pack your belongings. You can save money by packing some or all of your possessions yourself. You can cut expenses further by taking apart large pieces of furniture instead of having the mover do it for you. In addition, you’ll be billed more for certain kinds of packing and handling. For instance, if high value things like artwork or a grandfather clock require crating, your cost will be greater.
2. Poor access to your pick-up or drop-off location in Tulsa: If your current or future residence is in a location which forbids access for a tractor trailer truck (for instance, due to a narrow road or a weak bridge), your movers will need to find secondary means to get your things out of your old home or to your new one. For example, they may need to use smaller vehicles to gain access. In this case, you will need to pay the mover a shuttle fee.
3. Stairs or long walking distances: The cost of your move will also be higher if there are very long stairs (or multiple stairs) which they need to maneuver your belongings up or down. You might also have to pay a long-carry fee if the area from the moving truck to the entrance of your residence is greater than 50 feet.
4. Narrow doors or hallways: If some of your items don’t fit through the door or down narrow hallways, a rigger might be required to hoist them through a window. In this case, you could be assessed a hoisting fee.
5. Storage fees: This is one of the more prevalent reasons for increased costs. If you have to store some or most of your things at the carrier’s warehouse because your new home is not ready to be occupied, you’ll need to pay an additional storage fee.
6. Time of year: Summer is the most busy moving time of the year, which means that moving in the summer will be more expensive. You can save money if you can plan your move from September to May. You will also pay more if you move on a national holiday or on the first or last day of the month (this is because rental agreements typically expire at these times, which means more people move then).

Conclusion

Moving companies don’t get a reputation for honesty, authenticity and virtue by accident—they earn it by helping their clients, giving them guidance and working hard to obtain their trust. The most crucial thing you can do to have a safe move and lower your costs is to do business with the kind of moving company which cares about you and your family and will work hard to ensure your complete satisfaction.

To understand more about our residential, office and corporate relocation services, contact us today.