What Goes Into a Moving Estimate?

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Brittney Dulin-Rogers
Frank Lanigan
Feb 14, 2025
Icon Time To Read4 min read
Icon CheckReviewed ByRebecca Edwards

Brittney Dulin-Rogers is a Move.org writer covering moving and relocation, with a background in freight shipping and extensive firsthand experience with cross-country moves.

Before you decide whether or not to hire a full-service moving company for your move, it’s a great idea to receive a moving estimate from a few companies in your area.

A moving estimate, or quote, gives companies a clear picture of what you’re moving, how many movers you’ll need, and the overall logistics. These in-home or virtual consultations tend to be more accurate than online moving cost calculators.

With a free estimate, you can:

  • Compare pricing between different companies
  • Create a detailed inventory of what you plan to move
  • Get expert advice on ways to cut costs
  • Understand the difference between estimate types, including binding vs. non-binding quotes, and what factors impact your final price
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Is a DIY move a good fit for you?

Before gathering some estimates to compare, it's helpful to perform a home inventory so that you know what’s going with you on moving day.


The debate: in-person, video, or phone estimates

There are three main ways to get a moving estimate: in person, by phone, or via video call. While phone and video options are more convenient, in-person estimates are still the most accurate.

That said, video estimates have become increasingly reliable and are often the best middle ground between convenience and accuracy.

When choosing the right option, focus on one thing: which method will give the mover the clearest understanding of everything you’re planning to move. For smaller moves, like a studio or apartment, a phone or video estimate is usually more than enough. But if you have a larger home, more items, or unique logistics, an in-person walkthrough may be worth it.

If you’re confident that a phone or video estimate fully captures your move, either can be a smart and efficient choice.

Benefits of an in-person moving estimate

In-person estimates stand out for one main reason: accuracy. It’s easy to forget items during a phone or video call, and there’s a higher chance something gets overlooked if the estimator isn’t physically there.

While scheduling an in-person visit can take a bit more effort, it allows the mover to fully assess your belongings and any potential challenges. You also get their undivided attention, which can lead to a more precise quote and fewer surprises on moving day.

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Are you moving locally?

If you’re moving across town or in-state, check out our list of the best local movers in your area.

Additionally, an in-person estimate can actually help lower your overall cost. When a mover can see your items firsthand, they may spot opportunities to disassemble furniture or pack things more efficiently, which can save space on the truck and reduce your price.

Being on-site also gives you the chance to ask questions in real time. You can walk through specific items, confirm loading and unloading details, and talk through logistics for moving day. It’s also a great time to be upfront about your budget and ask about ways to cut costs, like self-packing or available discounts.

No matter which estimate type you choose, you’ll need to be present. While it might be tempting to do a quick phone estimate on the go, relying on memory for item sizes or inventory can lead to inaccurate quotes and unexpected costs later on.

Heads Up
Watch out for companies that charge by cubic foot

Reputable professional moving companies (especially interstate movers) don’t charge by each cubic foot of space your belongings take up. Instead, they charge you based on the weight of your shipment. Be sure to double-check your moving estimate to see what metric the company uses to calculate prices. When getting an estimate, pay attention to this and other moving scams you may encounter.


What should a moving estimate include?

For local moves, pricing is typically based on the number of items you’re moving, the time it takes to load and unload, and how much space your belongings take up on the truck.

For long-distance or interstate moves, distance and travel time play a much larger role in the overall cost.

Here are the key factors that go into a professional moving quote:

  • Total weight or volume of your inventory
  • Amount and size of furniture
  • Number of movers required
  • Accessibility, such as tight spaces or items that are difficult to move (for example, a sectional that won’t fit through a doorway)
  • Distance of the move, including fuel and travel time
  • Route between locations (some regions or rural areas may cost more)
  • Stairs or elevators involved, often referred to as a flight charge
  • Time of year, with peak seasons like summer typically costing more
  • Additional services, such as packing, furniture disassembly, or specialty item handling
  • Storage needs, whether short-term or long-term
  • Moving coverage options, including Basic Released Value Protection and Full Value Protection

Because every move is different, pricing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Estimates are tailored to your specific situation. For a deeper breakdown, check out our guide on average moving costs.

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Tip: Get an itemized cost breakdown

In most cases, a moving company will give you a full itemized cost breakdown. You must get this to see where your money is going—if a company won’t provide it, it’s best to move on to a company that will so that you aren’t overcharged. Companies often keep a separate inventory for high-value items, so ask about specific pricing for your valuable furniture.


What’s the difference between binding and non-binding estimates?

A binding estimate means the price you’re quoted is the price you’ll pay on moving day, as long as your inventory stays the same. Even if you remove items before the move, your cost typically won’t decrease.

However, if you add items after receiving your estimate, your price can increase. For example, if movers arrive and find additional furniture that wasn’t included, you should expect to pay more.

This is why it’s important to be as detailed as possible when listing your belongings. The more accurate your inventory, the more reliable your estimate will be. For larger moves, an in-person estimate can help ensure nothing is missed.

A non-binding estimate, on the other hand, is more flexible. The final cost is based on the actual weight of your belongings, the time and labor required, and any additional services provided, meaning your total can change on moving day.


The takeaway

Whether you choose an in-person, phone, or video chat estimate, be sure that you feel like your move is completely captured in your moving estimate. An accurate estimate and clear communication between you and your moving company will help to ensure an efficient moving day.


Moving estimate FAQ

The time needed to get your written estimate is roughly the same for all three options—on average, it takes around 45 minutes. That said, every estimate comes down to how big your current home is and how many household goods you need to move.

Whichever option you choose for an estimate, make sure your house is clear of clutter and that furniture, especially large pieces, is accessible for your moving coordinator to see or measure.

You can schedule either estimate by filling out a form online or simply giving your moving company a call. We recommend filling out the form—it takes all of two minutes, and a representative calls you back to set up a time for an estimate anyway, regardless of your method of choice.

The date of your move will likely affect whether or not your moving company of choice is available, so we recommend scheduling an appointment as soon as you decide to move or once you know when you’re moving. You can sometimes be charged extra for an expedited move, so be sure to give the moving company plenty of notice.

A good rule of thumb is to schedule your estimate at least four weeks before your preferred move date.

No, moving companies are required to give no-cost estimates. But moving companies recognize the value in providing estimates—they establish rapport with customers and help those customers make informed decisions about booking.

To be on the safe side, we recommend scheduling three estimates with three different companies so you can compare prices, find trends between each estimate, and then pick the best option for you.  Please take a look at some of our top 5 moving companies to start your search.


Brittney Dulin-Rogers
Written by
Brittney Dulin-Rogers is a writer with a background in blogging, radio marketing, and FTL/LTL shipping. She’s spent years turning real-life experience into writing that’s practical, approachable, and easy to connect with. In her twenties, Brittney moved more times than she can count, all thanks to her free spirit and love of new beginnings. Most recently, she packed up for a cross-country move from South Carolina to Utah in 2021 — and then back home again in 2024. Now settled (for the moment), she writes about moving with the kind of insight that only comes from living it. When she’s not writing, she’s probably wandering through a HomeGoods aisle, watching a true crime documentary, or driving her kids to the next thing on the schedule.