Technology takes the guesswork out of moving estimates

By Chuck Resnick
July 28, 2015

One of the things people find frustrating about moving is not having an accurate estimate for the cost of the move.

Too often, a mover will go to a home and after walking through the rooms and asking a few questions, will write out an estimate for the move for the customer. 'A thousand bucks,' they’ll tell them. How does the mover know it will only be a thousand dollars? They say they have done enough moves they just 'know' that 'a thousand bucks' will cover the move.

The problems come when the job is larger than the mover thought it would be and they don't schedule enough staff or trucks for the move; or they forgot to note that some furniture needs to be taken to another location, adding time and extra kilometres to the job. Suddenly, the cost of the move goes up, well past that original 'thousand bucks,' as does the anxiety and stress level of the customer who is looking for a smooth relocation to a new home.

The Canadian Association of Movers (CAM) recommends that anyone thinking of moving needs to insist on being provided with an accurate estimate, one that is not just a 'best guess.' They recommend that any estimate should clearly show how the moving costs are calculated, including the number of boxes to be moved, weight and distance and cost per hour, as well as how extra charges will be calculated if items are added at the time of the move (more than was originally agreed upon), and the cost of any additional stops that need to be made along the way.

With today's technology there is a better way to give people a more accurate estimate for the cost of their move and for movers to schedule the right number of people and trucks needed on the day of the move. This would take the guesswork out of moving estimates and dramatically reduce the stress involved in moving to a new home.

About Chuck Resnick

Chuck Resnick is Vice President Marketing and Operations for Two Men And a Truck - Canada, a division of Heron Capital Corporation.Visit www.twomenandatruck.ca

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