Europa Movers Toronto

6-24 The East Mall,
Toronto, ON M8W 4W5
416-604-9904

How to Better Read a Toronto Moving Estimate

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When reading a moving estimate / moving quote given to you by your Toronto moving company, it’s important that you understand to read it properly, which can also help you select the right Toronto movers for your needs and your budget.

How to Read Moving Estimates - Toronto Movers

  1. How is a moving estimate calculated? – There are several aspects which affect how Toronto moving estimates are calculated, so it’s important to know how your Toronto moving company is comes to their figure. The aspects in question are:
    • Weight
    • Volume
    • Number of rooms
    • Degree of moving difficulty (large or heavy objects)
    • Time and labor required

    Watch out for estimates based on weight (usually for long distance moves). Some items – especially pieces of furniture – can be deceptively heavy which means the calculated weight provided in an estimate may fall short of the actual weight confirmed at the licensed weigh station. If so, you will have to pay the extra costs. Comparing the weights offered by competing Toronto movers is very important, with the lightest being probably the least accurate.

  2. Take telephone estimates with a grain of salt – How can a Toronto moving company’s estimate be accurate when no one from that Toronto moving company has seen what has to be moved? Yes, you can get a general idea of what the job entails over the phone, but when weight is a key factor in calculating the cost, you are bound to be off and can forget about an accurate Toronto moving estimate.
  3. Onsite estimate is a key indicator – All reliable Toronto moving companies should send a representative (estimator) to take a look at what and how much needs to be moved. This is the best way for them to assess the weight, required manpower and, ultimately, likely cost. But it’s also a chance for you to meet the moving company and get an indication of the quality of work you would be paying for.Are they knowledgeable, friendly, and positive? Or, are they sketchy on details, distant and unfriendly, and do they speak badly of competitors. Also, did they arrive on time, or were they 30 minutes late and offer a variety of excuses? The estimate process can take about an hour, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to assess the assessor.
  4. Get it all in writing – As with estimates in most other sectors, getting a Toronto moving company estimate in writing is all-important. Once it is written (in the contract) and signed by you and the mover, the company cannot increase the price by any more than 10 per cent regardless of weight or other operational costs. Most reputable Toronto movers will do so as a matter of procedure, and without hesitation. If I had to ask for one, I would then be very unimpressed.
  5. It’s your money so quiz them – While you have them in your home, ask them to clarify some key issues. I’d recommend 6 questions below in particular, though you may have more depending on your situation.
    • Is the estimate binding or non-binding?
    • How long is the estimate valid?
    • Are there additional surcharges? These can include parking problems, road access, street accessibility, delivery time restrictions or if there are any stairs or elevators involved.
    • What is the estimated delivery time and will the driver give you prior notice?
    • What would be the packing policy of the company if you decide to pack yourself?
    • What are the charges for additional weight?
  6. Seek a binding estimate – It’s worthwhile getting a binding estimate, which means the price stated on the written estimate is the price you pay. The risk is if the calculated weight is too high, you’ll end up paying more. But if the calculation is low, you’ll save money.Refusing to agree to a binding price is a little suspicious, firstly because the actual difference paid is rarely very much, and secondly because it may mean that a moving company intends quoting a low weight to secure the contract, then only for the actual weight to push what you pay way up – which is actually fraud.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to our residential or commercial moving and storage services in Ontario and across Canada.

What to Look for in a Moving Estimate

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When it comes to assessing the value of a moving company estimate (or moving quote), it’s important that you understand the significance the estimate has, which can also help you select the right movers for your needs and your budget.

  1. How is an estimate calculated? – There are several aspects which affect how the estimate is calculated, so it’s important to know how a moving company is going to come to their figure. The aspects in question are:
    • Weight
    • Volume
    • Number of rooms
    • Degree of moving difficulty (large or heavy objects)
    • Time and labor required

    Watch out for estimates based on weight (usually for long distance moves). Objects – especially furniture – can be deceptively heavy which means the calculated weight provided in an estimate may fall short of the actual weight confirmed at the licensed weigh station. If so, you will have to pay the extra costs. Comparing the weights offered by competing movers is very important, with the lightest probably the least accurate.

  2. Take telephone estimates with a grain of salt – How can a moving company estimate be accurate when no one from the moving company has seen what has to be moved? Yes, you can give a general idea of what the job entails over the phone, but when weight is a key factor in calculating cost, you are bound to be off. This means you can forget about an accurate estimate.
  3. Site estimate is a key indicator – Moving companies should send a representative (estimator) to take a look at what and how much needs to be moved. This is the best way for them to assess the weight, required manpower and, ultimately, likely cost. But it’s also a chance for you to meet the company and get an indication of the quality of work you would be paying for. Are they knowledgeable, friendly, and positive? Or, are they sketchy on details, distant and unfriendly, and do they speak badly of competitors. Also, did they arrive on time, or were they 30 minutes late and offer a variety of excuses? The estimate process can take about an hour, so you’ll have plenty of opportunity to assess the assessor.
  4. Get it in writing – As with estimates in most other sectors, getting a moving company estimate in writing is all-important. Once it is written (in the contract) and signed by you and the mover, the company cannot increase the price by any more than 10 per cent regardless of weight or other operational costs. Reputable movers will do so as a matter of procedure, and without hesitation. If I had to ask for one, I would then be very unimpressed.
  5. It’s your money so quiz them – While you have them in your home, ask them to clarify some key issues. I’d recommend 6 questions in particular, though you may have more depending on your situation.
    • Is the estimate binding or non-binding?
    • How long is the estimate valid?
    • Are there additional surcharges? These can include parking problems, road access, street accessibility, delivery time restrictions or if there are any stairs or elevators involved.
    • What is the estimated delivery time and will the driver give you prior notice?
    • What would be the packing policy of the company if you decide to pack yourself?
    • What are the charges for additional weight?
  6. Seek a binding estimate – It’s worthwhile getting a binding estimate, which means the price stated on the written estimate is the price you pay. The risk is if the calculated weight is too high, you’ll end up paying more. But if the calculation is too low, you save money. Refusing to agree to a binding price is a little suspicious, firstly because the actual difference paid is rarely very much, and secondly because it may mean they intend quoting a low weight to secure the contract, then only for the actual weight to push what you pay way up – which is actually fraud.

Call Europa Movers Toronto (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or commercial moving needs to and from the GTA and Metro Toronto area.

How to Get an Accurate Toronto Moving Estimate

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Every move is unique in its own way and each move will always be different. Generalized guidelines for pricing can be followed based on square footage and how many bedrooms a home has, but to get a more accurate Toronto moving estimate we really need to consider the following factors:

  • Volume. Someone who has lived in a home for 30 years vs. someone who has only lived in a home for 5 years will definitely have different moving expenses even if they have similar size homes, as the volume of items contained within will vary greatly.
  • Access to the pick-up location and drop off location will also drastically affect the flow of the move. Although most people may think the access to their home is fairly generous, they don’t realize that when we are moving items all day, each and every step that is added to the equation prolongs the move, and ultimately leads to a larger final bill.
  • Loose items are a time killer. In order to avoid lengthening of the move (and an increase to the final bill), box everything you can.
  • Travel time always needs to be considered and understood properly and to help you understand how it works, here is the breakdown. The “travel time” on a move is typically a flat fee that is added on the final bill. It is a necessary charge, and clients need to understand that there is a cost in running a truck and crew even if they have not officially arrived at their home for a move. It should not be confused with the time the movers spend travelling between addresses, as this is considered a part of the move and is covered under the hourly rate.
  • Preparing furniture for a move is another area that may affect your Toronto moving estimate. When dealing with furniture, it is very important to assess the weight as well as how delicate the piece may be. Obviously when dealing with heavy antique items, prep time will significantly increase or even double since much more attention and care are needed when prepping and transporting items.
  • Moving crew number: when it comes to supplying a moving crew, less does not necessarily mean cheaper as when it comes to man power, efficiency is the key. Many clients mistakenly opt for less crew members when booking their move because on paper the lower hourly rate may seem like a more logical choice to save money. A professional moving company can help to make a recommendation on the optimum size of the moving crew, and there are times when a 3 man crew is a better choice than a 4 man crew, and vice versa.

How to Ensure an Accurate Moving Estimate

The best thing you can do to ensure a moving quote is accurate is to fully discuss what is coming on the move with a professional moving company, especially when receiving a quote over the phone. A professional moving company will ask the right questions in order to make sure they get any necessary information.

About our Company

Europa Moving and Storage Toronto is a professional moving company operating out of Toronto ON, providing high quality local moving services throughout Toronto and GTA.

Call us (416) 604-9904 for a FREE Consultation in regards to your residential or commercial moving needs to and from the GTA and Metro Toronto area.