Moving house
Compare moving quotes on the same terms
Moving quotes are comparable only when every company priced the same job. Send each one the same inventory, date window, access details and packing needs, then compare them line by line. Questions about contract terms or liability go to the company or a qualified advisor.
A text to start with
I have three moving quotes for [date window], from a third-floor walkup to a house with a driveway. I've pasted each quote below along with my inventory list. Put them in a table with the same rows: inventory assumed, crew size, hourly or flat rate, stair or long carry fees, packing, materials, and exclusions. Flag where a quote seems to cover less than my list, and give me questions to send each company.
Example request. Change the details to fit your situation.Reading the comparison
The cheapest total often hides a smaller inventory or missing stair fees, so compare what each quote assumed before you compare prices. Look for items marked as excluded or "priced on arrival," like a piano, disassembly or an extra stop. A table can only use what the quotes say. If a company left a fee blank, the reply should mark it unknown and leave the number empty. Wording about insurance, valuation or cancellation has to be read in the actual documents, and a summary can't interpret it for you. Confirm dates and deposit terms directly with each mover.
Get revised quotes in writing
Send each company the same follow-up questions in writing and ask for a revised quote that covers your full inventory. Keep their replies in one place, with the date each arrived. When the revised quotes come in, paste them back and rebuild the comparison before you choose a mover.