Moving is quite an expensive affair, so when planning a relocation, you will certainly be looking for efficient ways to cut down the moving costs. And since cheap movers provide a great chance to save on your move, you will probably be hunting for affordable moving services.
So, when you get estimates from several moving companies and see an offer that is considerably lower than the others, you may be eager to accept it. Choosing a mover based on the price alone, however, can be a serious moving mistake.
There are movers out there who offer lower estimates to attract more customers and secure more jobs. Once they begin work though, the price starts to increase and ends up much higher than initially estimated. Or, the fraudulent movers don’t even show up on moving day and just disappear with the money from the deposit.
Fortunately, it is easy to avoid such nightmare moving scenarios – you just need to know how to spot lowball estimates and steer clear of potential moving frauds.
What is a lowball estimate?
A lowball estimate is an incredibly low quote from a moving company. Tempted by the affordable price (that is usually too good to be true), credulous people may accept the offer and hire the mover.
This is one of the most common types of moving scams – unethical movers make very low offers to lure unwary customers and then either vanish with the deposit or add extra charges for alleged accessorial services, unforeseen difficulties during the move, etc. The moving contact is already signed and it is too late to look for another moving company anyway, so the customers have no choice but to pay the exorbitant price (that could be double the original quote).
In a different scenario, a low-ball estimate may signify incompetent movers – a moving company that offers unusually low quotes may not be properly licensed and/or adequately insured, may not have quality moving equipment, may not offer specialized moving services, etc. Cheap moving labor may also mean the movers are not really trained professionals and don’t have the experience and skill required to perform a safe and efficient relocation.
See also: Why cheaper is not necessarily better when moving house
How to spot a lowball estimate?
To protect your move and avoid moving scams, you need to know how to recognize a lowball estimate. Here is what to look out for:
1) Moving companies that don’t request details about your move
A moving company can never provide a realistic e estimate without knowing all the specifics of the job. There are too many variables that can affect the final price – not just the relocation distance and the number of bedrooms you intend to move – so the movers need to know all the details of your move in order to give you an accurate quote (the number and type of items you have for moving, the peculiarities of the pick-up and delivery locations (layout of the property, stairs, elevators, parking rules, physical obstacles, etc.), any special requirements you may have, etc.).
If the movers are quick to give you a low quote without asking too many questions about your move, you should stay away from them.
2) Movers who don’t come to perform a visual survey of your home
In order to prepare an accurate estimate, the movers need to see the items you intend to relocate, discuss your relocation needs and preferences with you, assess possible difficulties, and determine what accessorial services will be required for a safe and smooth relocation.
If the movers don’t perform a physical or virtual survey of your home (come to your house to look at your belongings in person or request photos and videos of your items) and give you a quote online or over the phone, then more than likely, this is going to be an inaccurate quote.
3) Movers who don’t provide written binding estimates
If the movers give you a non-binding estimate or if there is no written record of the estimate, then the quoted price can easily change by the end of your move – the movers can always say that the weight of your belongings exceeded their original estimate, that there were unforeseen circumstances and/or unexpected difficulties during the move, etc.
To avoid such unpleasant financial surprises, you’re advised to request either a binding estimate or a binding not-to-exceed estimate. That way, you’ll know the maximum amount of money you may need to pay for your move and will be able to budget accordingly.
See also: Types of moving estimates
4) Moving company estimates that don’t include extra services and their rates
When comparing offers from different moving companies, you need to know what exactly the estimates cover – read the fine print to see what is included in the quote and what is left to be calculated in additional fees. An estimate from a reputable moving company should include all the services that your move requires and all the applicable fees – accessorial services (packing and unpacking, hoisting services, shuttle services, storage-in-transit, split pick-up and/or delivery, etc.) and their rates, fees for gas and transportation, labor costs, additional insurance, etc.
If any of these things are left out, the extra fees will be added to the initially quoted price at the end of your move and your final relocation cost will skyrocket. You should, therefore, avoid moving companies that try to hide extra fees and other additional charges.
Additional useful information: Hidden moving costs
Without a doubt, if you spot a low-ball estimate, you need to walk away from it and consider other moving companies until you find a trustworthy relocation partner.
How to avoid lowball estimates?
Fortunately, there are many things you can do to avoid getting overcharged on your move:
- Get recommendations and references – The best way to find a reputable mover is to get word-of-the-mouth recommendations. So, ask around – reach out to family and friends for advice or use the social networks and local forums to get opinions and feedbacks from people who have recently moved. You can also check reputable sites like MyMovingReviews and Yelp for verified reviews from previous customers of different moving companies – a mover who has overpromised and/or overcharged will have plenty of negative reviews and low-star ratings;
- Research movers well – Be sure to research all moving companies you’re considering as potential partners – look at their online profiles (websites, media pages, etc.), verify their licensing information, check their BBB ratings and complaint histories, etc.;
- Watch out for red flags of moving fraud – no specific information about the company, bad reviews and low ratings, invalid USDOT number or MC license, no in-home survey and no questions about your move, unusually low estimates, large deposits, incomplete or inaccurate paperwork, insurance issues, etc.;
- Get quotes from several reputable companies and ask for on-site estimates – Obtain quotes from three or four high-rated moving companies (so you can get a good idea of the average price of your move) and request on-site binding written estimates;
- Get accurate moving estimates – When a moving company representative comes to your home to see the items you have for moving, be sure to:
- Provide them with full and clear information – show them everything you want to relocate, point out specialty items that need special care, pay attention to possible difficulties and obstacles, etc.;
- Discuss the specifics of your move – any desired or necessitated extra services, special requirements, insurance options, pick-up and delivery dates and times, possible additional charges, etc.;
- Get as much information about the company as you can and ask about anything that concerns you (See also: Questions to ask movers)
Make sure you have everything in writing!
- Review the mover’s paperwork – Once you compare the offers (in terms of price, included services, special conditions, etc.) and choose the best mover for you, read through the paperwork (Bill of Lading, inventory list, valuation addendum, etc.) to see if you understand and agree with everything written in it. Check if all the details of your move are clearly and correctly stated in your moving contract and be sure to never sign a blank or incomplete document.
The bottom line: If a mover presents you with an estimate that seems too good to be true, you should raise your guard – something is probably off. You may want to look elsewhere – to ensure your safe, smooth, and successful relocation experience, you need to consider not only the price, but also the trustworthiness of the mover and the quality of service they provide. A higher estimate by a licensed, insured, and reliable moving company may, in fact, save you money in the end (as well as plenty of time and headaches). Choose smartly and protect your move!
