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You believe you’ve selected the best moving companies out of the multiple quotes you’ve gotten. Picking the cheapest one, and feeling good about your decision. Then on moving day, an final invoice shocks you after a day of moving stress. It’s not the amount you’ve agreed to. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Surprise moving charges are one of the top complaints lodged against moving companies. And these changes can be due to predictable causes and also from dishonest vendors.
In this post, we help you understand why moving quotes might change and learn the right questions to ask so you are in control of things before you get your foot in the door and can’t walk out of the deal.
Why Moving Quotes Increase After the Initial Estimate
Moving quotes can change if there were incomplete assessment or information from the beginning. Here are the main reasons why:
1. The Quote Was Based on a Phone Call, Not a Proper Survey
It’s pretty common for new or “advanced” moving companies to give a rough figure or a quote via a phone or video call. Sometimes, they might even quote based on the flat size.
If you’ve received a quote based on your HDB, condo or landed size, you should know that estimates from housing size doesn’t equate to volume.
Reputable movers will conduct an in-person survey because they will be able to assess the volume you’ll have, the access points and any issues that may arise during the move. This way, they will be able to give you a reasonable quote that will not increase during moving day.
2. Access Issues at the Pick-up or Drop-off Point
When there’s no easy and short access to the van, there may be additional charges like:
- Long carry charges
- Stairs fees per flight
Walk-up apartment owners should take note to ask for a black and white quote because of the flight of stairs you have to avoid shocking surcharges.
Some housing estates have long walkways or long sloped pathways to the carpark. If your house doesn’t have close access to the lifts or from the lifts to loading bay, highlight it to the movers as well so they can give you an accurate quote.
3. Extra Items, Bulky Furniture, or Last-Minute Additions
Be sure about things you are keeping or leaving. And anything that may be hidden deep in your storeroom that you want to bring to your new place.
Heavy and bulky items like bookshelves, pianos, safes, wardrobes, tabletops will require additional manpower and special equipment to handle and these usually are chargeable. Let the moving company know when they survey your home in order to avoid delays or additional costs you didn’t expect.
4. Packing Materials and Services Added on the Day
If you’ve assumed that the moving company you’re going with will provide you with packing materials, you might be in for a shock.
During the quotation process, confirm with the moving companies if packing supplies are provided and if so, is it chargeable.
Also, if you require services for packing and unpacking, dismantling and reassembly, always speak to the moving companies about it. Some movers will charge these additional services, while others will not.
At Elite Movers, we provide moving boxes on loan and other packing supplies for free. We understand that it might be a hassle to order packing supplies and be left with boxes after your move so we have our boxes on loan to you during your move.
5. Overtime and Waiting Time
A good moving company should be able to estimate how much time is required to move the volume you have and provide enough manpower to do so. Moves that run longer than the estimated window can trigger overtime charges.
There are a few things that can cause moves to run longer:
- Higher volume of belongings that estimated
- Lift booking delays
- Traffic congestion
- Slow packing process
- Condo moving hours too short
6. Low-Ball Quotes Used as a Booking Tactic
There are moving companies who would deliberately give low-ball quotes to secure a booking with you. Be aware of such tactics because they may add charges once your move is underway and will stop work unless you agree to it and sets you up for more stress.
Just last year, we’ve seen a case where a family had their boxes all laid outside of their new place and it was already night time. The homeowner and the movers were at a stalemate because movers refused to continue working unless the homeowner paid the extra charges.
Always compare at least three quotes and be wary of any unusually low quotes and ask for a detailed breakdown of services covered in your quote.
Understanding the Type of Quote You Are Given
Not all quotes have the same services provided and knowing the difference matters more than most people realise.
Verbal or Rough Estimates
These are non-binding by nature. They exist to give you a ballpark figure and should never be treated as the final price especially if they were given without the mover seeing your actual volume or inventory.
Fixed or Binding Quotes
A binding quote is given after a proper survey or a full photo and item list. It should hold regardless of how long the move takes, provided nothing changes on the ground. Ask specifically whether the figure you have been given is binding, and get that confirmation in writing.
Not-to-Exceed Estimates
Some movers offer a cap where you pay the lower of the estimated price or the actual cost but never more than the ceiling stated. This structure protects you from underestimation while still allowing for a lower bill if the move goes faster than expected.
How to Get a Moving Quote That Actually Holds
The good news is that most price surprises are avoidable with a bit of upfront diligence.
Give the Mover Full Information Before the Quote
For movers who are quoting based on onsite survey, show them everything you want to move and not moving. Inform them about any restrictions or issues that may arise.
For movers who are quoting based on photos or video calls, always send clear photos or a short video of every room including storerooms, balconies, and any items you are unsure about keeping.
Mention lift access, the number of flights of stairs if there is no lift, parking restrictions, and the distance from the loading point to your door.
Compare at Least Three Quotes
If you’ve gotten a quote that’s significantly lower than other quotes, instead of simply picking the cheapest, ask the lower-priced movers what is excluded from their figure, since that is usually where the gap comes from.
Ask for an Itemised Breakdown in Writing
Always get the itemised quote or invoice from your mover. A written breakdown is your main protection if a dispute arise later. Itemised quote can include charges for:
- Extra boxes
- Stairs
- Waiting time
- Heavy items
- Additional stops
- Disassembly & reassembly
Confirm What Is Included
Dismantling and reassembly, wrapping for fragile items or furniture, disposal of unwanted furniture, and storage if there is a gap between move-out and move-in dates should all be addressed explicitly (and in written form), either as included services or as separately priced add-ons.
Keep a Paper Trail
Save your quotation, the item list or photos you sent, and all written correspondence. If the final bill or provided service is different from what was agreed, this record is what allows you to push back credibly. This also becomes documentation if you ever need to raise a complaint with the Consumer Association of Singapore (CASE).
The Bottom Line
Moving quotes typically become more expensive later for reasons that are traceable back to incomplete information. It could be that there’s a change in volume, undisclosed access, or chargeable items and services that were assumed to be provided rather than confirmed in writing. To prevent additional stress and moving-day price surge surprise, always provide clear and detailed information and disclose any issues that may arise; and always ask for breakdown of service in writing before committing.
