Every moving quote is a promise about a day that hasn’t happened yet. Most of the time the day goes fine. The real test of a quote is what happens when it doesn’t: the elevator is out, the rain starts, or the couch needs a second look at the doorway.
Here’s how pricing works across the industry, how ours works, and the questions worth asking wherever you get a quote.
Three Ways Moves Get Priced
Hourly
You pay for the time the crew is on the clock. It can be a good deal for a small, simple move with easy access on both ends, where there isn’t much that can go sideways.
Binding estimate
A price tied to a specific inventory list. It works well when you know exactly what’s coming with you well ahead of time and nothing about the move is likely to change.
Ours
A guaranteed flat rate
FlatRate invented the guaranteed flat-rate pricing model in 1991. Your price is set before the truck is booked, and whatever happens on moving day is our problem to solve, not a surprise on your invoice.
What Your Price Is Built On
We look at four things, usually in a quick virtual or in-home walkthrough:
- What’s moving. The furniture, the boxes, and the piano your uncle swears is worth something.
- Access at both ends. Stairs, elevators, driveways, parking, and how far the truck sits from the door.
- Packing. Whether we pack everything, some things or nothing.
- Distance and date.
That’s the whole list. Once we have it, the number is set.
What won’t change your price
- The day running longer than anyone expected
- Traffic, a slow elevator or a long carry from the curb
- Weather. If it rains, that’s our problem
- Needing more hands. If the job calls for an extra mover, we send one
What can
- Adding items that weren’t on the list
- Changing the date, address or services
Both need your OK before anything changes.
Since 1991
The price quoted is the price paid.
Five Questions to Ask Any Moving Company
Is this a guaranteed price or an estimate?
What exactly would change it, and when would I find out?
Is packing included, or billed separately?
Will your own employees do the move, or a third party?
What happens if the job takes longer than expected?
Ask all five wherever you get a quote, including here. A company that prices honestly won’t mind the questions.
Happy Moving Day.
Planning a fall move? See your number before you commit to anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a guaranteed flat rate move?
With FlatRate Moving, your price is set before the move is booked, based on what’s moving, access at both ends, packing, distance and date. It doesn’t change if the day runs long.
Can a flat rate moving price go up on moving day?
With FlatRate Moving, only if you add items that weren’t on the inventory or change the date, address or services, and only with your approval first.
Is a flat rate move more expensive than paying by the hour?
It depends on the move. Hourly pricing can come out lower on a small, simple job and higher on one that runs long. A guaranteed price from FlatRate Moving is a known number either way, which makes it easier to budget.
What questions should I ask a moving company before booking?
Ask whether the price is guaranteed or an estimate, what exactly would change it, whether packing is included, whether the company’s own employees do the move, and what happens if the job takes longer than expected.