Getting a moving quote should give you a clear idea of what your relocation will cost. Instead, many people end up comparing numbers that don’t cover the same services, only to discover additional charges when moving day arrives.
The problem isn’t always the price itself. It’s what the price includes.
Whether you’re moving across Edmonton or relocating from the city to another part of Alberta, knowing how quotes are calculated and what questions to ask can help you avoid unpleasant surprises.
Don’t Ask for a Quote Without Giving Details
A moving company can’t provide an accurate estimate without knowing what you’re actually moving. Before requesting a moving quote, prepare a basic inventory of your belongings. Include furniture, appliances, boxes, large or unusually heavy items, and anything that requires special handling.
Also provide both addresses and mention details that could affect access, such as stairs, elevators, narrow entrances, long walks from the parking area, or limited truck access. The more information you provide upfront, the less likely the final price is to differ significantly from your original estimate.
Ask How the Company Calculates Its Price
Not every moving company uses the same pricing model. Local moves are commonly priced by the hour, while some larger or long-distance relocations may be quoted at a fixed price based on the move’s size and requirements. Action Moving, for example, bases estimates on factors including the time required, travel, inventory, packaging needs, and the locations involved.
Ask the company to explain its pricing method in plain language. You should know whether you’re paying by the hour, by the weight or volume of your shipment, or according to a fixed quote.
Get Everything in Writing
A verbal estimate is easy to misunderstand. Ask for a written quote that clearly identifies the services included and any potential additional charges. Don’t settle for a single dollar figure with no explanation.
Your written estimate should make it possible to answer questions such as:
- How many movers are included?
- Is the truck included?
- Is travel time included?
- Are fuel or mileage charges included?
- Are packing materials included?
- Are stairs or elevators charged separately?
- Is furniture disassembly included?
- What happens if the move takes longer than expected?
A detailed quote gives you something concrete to compare when you’re evaluating different companies.
Watch for These Common Hidden Fees
A surprisingly low quote can become expensive when additional charges start appearing.
Some potential costs include fuel surcharges, minimum-hour requirements, travel time, long-carry fees, stairs, elevators, specialty-item handling, packing materials, storage, and furniture disassembly or reassembly. These aren’t necessarily unreasonable charges. The problem is that you don’t learn about them until the bill arrives.
Ask specifically about every charge that could apply to your move. For example, if the moving truck can’t park close to your front door, the crew may have to carry everything considerably farther. If you live in an apartment, elevator restrictions could also affect the time required.
Be Suspicious of Extremely Low Quotes
Everyone likes a bargain, but an unusually cheap quote deserves a closer look. A company may appear less expensive because its estimate doesn’t include services another company has already built into its price. In other cases, the initial number may be based on incomplete information.
Don’t automatically choose the lowest moving quote you receive. Instead, compare the scope of work, crew size, equipment, insurance or liability coverage, included services, and potential additional charges. A slightly higher quote that accurately reflects the entire job can ultimately be much better value than a low number that grows throughout the move.
Give the Same Information to Every Company
If you’re comparing several moving companies, make the comparison fair. Give each company the same inventory, addresses, moving date, access information, and requested services. Otherwise, you could end up comparing a quote for basic transportation with another company’s full-service estimate.
Create a simple list before making your calls or submitting quote requests. It will also help you remember important details that could affect the price.
Consider an In-Home or Video Estimate
The more a moving company can see, the better it can estimate the work involved. An in-home assessment allows the company to see your furniture, boxes, access points, stairs, and other factors firsthand. If an in-person visit isn’t convenient, a video survey can be a useful alternative.
Ask What Happens If the Move Takes Longer
For hourly moves, this is one of the most important questions you can ask. Find out what the hourly rate covers and whether there is a minimum number of hours. Ask what happens if traffic, stairs, difficult furniture, or unexpected access issues cause the move to take longer than anticipated.
You should also ask whether the company provides a time estimate and how it handles situations where the actual move takes less time.
Prepare Before the Movers Arrive
An accurate quote can still be affected if the circumstances of the move change. If you’ve added several large pieces of furniture, haven’t finished packing when the crew arrives, or haven’t arranged access to the property, the job may take longer than originally estimated.
Finish as much preparation as possible before moving day. Have boxes packed and labeled, clear pathways, reserve elevators where necessary, and make sure the crew can access both properties.
Choose Transparency Over the Lowest Number
A good moving quote should leave you with questions answered, not create new ones. Take the time to understand what you’re paying for, compare equivalent services, and ask about anything that isn’t clearly explained.
When a company is willing to provide an itemized estimate and discuss potential additional charges before moving day, you have a much better idea of what to expect.
Get a Transparent Moving Quote From Action Moving
At Action Moving and Storage, we’ve been helping Edmonton residents and businesses move since 1988. We provide fully itemized quotes based on an assessment of your move rather than a generic guess, with pricing designed to be transparent from the beginning. Our services include residential, apartment, commercial, local, and long-distance moves, and our trained, vetted crews are part of our own team rather than subcontracted third parties.
We also offer free estimates and a video survey option for customers who prefer to show us their move remotely. Our goal is to give you a realistic moving quote before moving day so you can plan your budget with confidence and avoid unexpected charges.