How Movers Actually Price a Move (And Where Quotes Go Wrong)

Volume beats weight

Trucks run out of space long before they run out of load capacity, so household moves are priced on cubic feet, not kilograms. A sofa and a crate of books can weigh the same and cost very differently.

Access is the hidden cost

A fourth-floor flat without a service lift can add hours of labour at both ends. Narrow lanes that block a full-size truck mean a shuttle vehicle. Honest movers ask about this upfront; the ones that do not are usually planning to bill you for it later.

Read what the quote excludes

Common exclusions are packing material, toll and octroi charges, storage days, and insurance. A quote that looks twenty percent cheaper often becomes the more expensive one once these appear on the final invoice.

Ask for an itemised written estimate and a clause that no additional charge applies without your written approval.