Flat Rates Quotes:
Another common local moving quoting process is the Flat rate, or Guaranteed estimate. Many Long Distance movers estimate their moves based on a similar concept. This is where the customer is expected to provide an inventory of the items to be moved in order to accurately determine the costs involved. Many people who have bad experiences with hourly movers prefer this system, although it has it’s drawbacks as well. First, let’s look at the advantages.
Flat rate pros:
When payment time comes due, oftentimes a flat rate is at or near the original estimate, and/or extra charges will have been explained in detail prior to payment time. This makes for less surprises and hopefully less anxiety on move day. When getting a quote, a customer makes an inventory and describes the conditions to the best of their ability for much closer approximation of the final price than an hourly mover can give. This is especially true in the case of larger moves, and often with very small as well (no hourly minimum). An important feature inherent is the ability to dispatch the proper personnel for each job, as they have a good idea of what is going to be involved. While more time consuming during the quote process, this time is often more than made up for on move day. Generally speaking, the more motivated movers choose to work this way, movers unaccustomed to working fast and careful need not apply.
If a customer is careful and thorough, theres no reason a consumer can’t predict their final price to within a small variance if they’re willing to take the time. Once the process is done once, the preceding comparison quotes are much easier and faster. The time savings on move day, again, can be dramatic. Often job times end up taking a fraction of the customer’s last hourly move’s time. This is great for obvious reasons, but before you jump on the “guaranteed quote” bandwagon, there are some negatives to consider too.
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Flat rate cons:
Nope, I don’t mean the movers, but……………..When first getting your flat rate quote, as it takes more time, you’ll wanna document the information conveyed in the form of a written estimate. Who’s to say the estimator didn’t make mistakes and leave off items you could swear you mentioned. Worse, what if the estimator purposely leaves out items and conditions to appear more competitive. Any time you get a Flat, or Guaranteed quote, you NEED to get the estimate in writing to alleviate expensive inconsistencies on move day. A good estimator might seem almost irritating with the barrage of questions you might not think relevant. Have a little patience though, as this is usually a good sign. Once its on paper, carefully check and make certain you covered all your bases to assure an accurate quote. If not, the estimator can adjust accordingly BEFORE move day, this way he HAS to stay competitive. Same day additions can be much more expensive than the pre-determined inventory.
Some other things that can make this type of scheduling less appealing is that often circumstances arise that cannot be pre-determined. Most competitive Flat rate movers include disassembly and assembly of simple items. More complex items however can often incur extra charges. Platform beds, water beds, bridge units, stereos and complex entertainment systems that hourly movers are more than happy to take care of (well you are paying for it) are expected to be done before the Flat rate movers arrive, for your best price. Again, if you let the estimator know beforehand, the charges are usually quite reasonable. Same day charges, as the extra time can cause all sorts of problems for the movers, can often be exorbitant.
Many of the things that Flat rate movers end up charging extra for, are things that are covered by hourly movers in time charged. Things that weren’t considered at quote time (recall the questioning estimator), or perhaps the customer thought they might do themselves, but didn’t get around to them. A consumer is better off taking the time and forethought to cover their bases thoroughly to assure themselves of the best price.
As you can see there are pros and cons to both quote systems. I hope some of this info can help you decide which might be better suited to your needs. While the hourly quote is quick and painless, theres really no guarantee, or sometimes even idea of how long it will take. The Flat rate is more time and thought demanding, and can give a good idea of your final bill, but the customer has to be careful everything is accounted for, including conditions. Either way, get your estimate in writing, make certain of things you will do at the time of quote are done, for your best price. Find a mover, by referral is best, that your comfortable with and has a good reputation. In doing these things, your next move might not turn out to be the nightmare you possibly envision it to be.
All this said and done, the absolute best way to get an estimate, is of course an In-home Walk-through…if your move is large enough to qualify that is. In my next post I will weigh the advantages and disadvantages of this most time consuming but accurate quoting system.
