When someone tells you that an interstate move will approximately cost $4,200, you need to understand that it’s just a rough moving cost estimate. The exact moving cost is difficult to analyze in the first round as several factors including move distance, shipment weight, extra moving services, and company name determine it. And you also need to know that no moving company quote is written on stone. This means you can bring it down by negotiating with the moving company.
But how can you negotiate? The point lies in your skill to bargain for a better deal. How good can you demand a cost cut and what are the points you need to raise to avail of a good discount? Let’s see a few among them.
Get an idea about moving companies
When you have decided to move long distance, collect information about major moving companies operating in your neighborhood. Get an idea about how much the companies charge and whether companies are worth working with.
When you research the moving websites, compare the tariffs and conditions. Pay attention to the overall quality of the website. You need to ensure:
The address is clearly stated
The local address is accurate
The contact numbers are in working condition
The client feedback section exists and it seems accurate
The USDOT number is mentioned
Verify the mover’s licensing and insuring information — registration with FMCSA, BBB accreditation, professional affiliations (such as membership in the AMSA), etc. Check its background to learn the history.
Prepare a moving cost estimate
Make a moving estimate by evaluating the volume of household items you have and find the average cost of moving a household the size of yours across the distance you’re moving. Use a moving cost calculator to get an approximate idea of the price of your move. Use free moving cost calculators available online to get a rough idea about the cost you need to spend.
Gather moving quotes
Collect as many moving company quotes as the more you have in hand, the better your chances to negotiate. Compare the quotes offered by multiple moving companies. Ask for tweaks in the quotes and go for open discussion with companies to analyze how a company responds to your demands.
Start the negotiation process
When you’ve realized that you are dealing with a genuine company, ask for discounts and special offers, use the stiff competition in the market to your advantage, forgo certain services, and compromise on moving dates.
Ask for discounts and promotion offers
Though movers advertise discounts, there’s nothing wrong with personally asking for one. Maybe that’ll fetch you an additional discount of 5% extra. Who knows what’s written in your fortune. Despite having no discounts, companies will be willing to give you an extra cut as no one wants to lose a business.
Let the mover choose the date
Till now, you were deciding the moving date. But this time, ask the mover when he can give you a good deal. Maybe in the winter season when there is less business, a mover will offer you a lucrative moving company quote. Accept it as this is an opportunity to relocate the home cheaply.
Show them the competitive quotes
The price is a decisive factor in the competitive industry and each mover will be willing to cut down the moving company quote to not lose the business. Use this to your advantage if moving rates are not affordable. Tell the company about the multiple quotes you have in the hand. Let them know the lowest bid you received and ask if they can match or beat the price. The mover will offer you a better moving cost estimate.
Negotiation is an art. You need to practice it to grab an attractive moving company quote to relocate the home across the country at a pocket-friendly budget.
