The online moving estimate has become quite popular in the moving industry, offering the convenience of securing an estimate without having to schedule an appointment with a moving company to visit your home. The big question is are they accurate and worth your time? Below is some insight to help better prepare you for using them.

• Include all pertinent information and be as accurate as possible when completing the online estimate form. Anything you do not account for will surely raise the price for the actual move.
• An online moving estimate is a great way to introduce yourself to a mover and “feel out” how they treat their customers. If they respond quickly (within a few hours or by the next business day) and address all of your issues, you’ll have a good sense that they are committed to doing fair business with you.
• These estimates force you take a thorough inventory of your home and the items within it. There may be items to move — grandma’s precious piano or Uncle Joey’s rifle safe — that will require extra attention.  Even if you don’t fill out the form, the questions can provide you with some guidance in thinking about your move.
• An online moving estimate is just what it sounds like — an estimate.  It should be noted that there truly is no substitute for a thorough in-home consultation to address all aspects of your move — it’s the only way to ensure complete accuracy.

In the end, an online estimate can only provide you with a “ballpark” figure of how much your move will cost, and its accuracy is dependent on how thorough you are in documenting the items in your home. For the best service on the day of your move, we suggest that you request an in-home estimate to prevent any big surprises on the big day.