For people who may be moving for the first time using Professional Moving Companies in Southlake, the process of an in-home survey may be a bit confusing. Understanding the importance of this, and what to expect, will be important before actually booking your first appointment.
The in-home survey should only be completed by moving companies you are considering on your short-list of possible movers. Three is typically a good number to consider, as you should be able to have a complete understanding of the price range and services with three reputable companies.
The Purpose
The purpose of the in-home survey is to allow moving companies to get a complete understanding of what is included in the move. Simply saying that you need to move a 4 bedroom home doesn’t provide information as to the type of furniture, the number of boxes and the overall weight of the shipment.
With the in-home survey, the movers can also determine if you have any items that will need additional equipment to move. This may include pianos, pool tables, large antique furniture items or big home theater equipment and electronics.
With this information, the moving companies will prepare a binding or not-to-exceed estimate. The binding estimate provides you with your total cost, regardless of the weight on the truck, while the not-to-exceed estimate will charge you the lower of the estimated price or the actual weight.
The Process
To get started, the representative of the various moving companies will show up at your Southlake home on a pre-set schedule. He or she will simply walk through the home with you and inventory what is to be moved.
The representative will need to look in closets, storage areas and even in the garage or any outbuildings if they contain things for the move. The rep may tell you if specific things cannot be moved on their trucks. They will also indicate if there will be an additional fee for moving specific items or requiring special types of additional services.
After the walk-through is completed, each of the moving companies will provide a written estimate that is either the binding or not-to-exceed option. You then have the time to compare the different estimates and make a choice as to which offers the price and services you need.
It is never recommended to hire moving companies who avoid doing the in-home survey, or who indicate they can provide an estimate just based on information you provide over the phone. This results in a non-binding quote, which means the cost of the move can be significantly more than the estimate, leaving you with a more expensive move than you bargained for.
