How to Spot a Lowball Estimate From Movers

Want your move to go smoothly? Make recognizing and avoiding moving scams a top priority when planning a move. Fortunately, most rogue movers display a number of red flags – one of which is the infamous lowball estimate. Identifying this red flag is the key to saving yourself from the heartache, hassle and extreme inconvenience that come with falling victim to a moving scam. So what exactly are lowball estimates from movers? A lowball estimate is an unrealistically low moving quote from a moving company. Unfortunately, because this estimate is so affordable (and typically too-good-to-be-true), customers may naively accept the quote and hire the mover. Inevitably, this almost always leads to customers being surprised by a much more expensive final bill. While the mover may initially give the customer a cheap quote for moving, the end cost will likely be double or triple that by the end of the move.

To help you avoid this red flag, we’ve provided a few clues (below) that indicate a mover may be giving you a lowball estimate. Best of luck and happy moving!

How do I spot lowball estimates from movers?

The moving company doesn’t actually look at your belongings

They leave out fees and other costs

The estimate is “non-binding”

What do I do if the mover gives me a lowball estimate?

Obtain quotes from other movers – Whether the quote was given over the phone in a matter of minutes or the estimate simply seems too-good-to-be-true, we recommend looking elsewhere for a mover. By obtaining quotes from at least three different moving companies, you should be able to get a good idea of how much the move is actually going to cost you.
Research movers and check reviews –Be sure to research and vet all moving companies that you’re considering. To check out moving company reviews, head to Moving.com’s Moving Company Directory. Our directory includes customer reviews for more than 600 moving companies nationwide as well as information about the moving company’s U.S. DOT number, specific moving services, fleet size, Better Business Bureau rating, any official complaints filed with the FMCSA, and whether the moving company has any association with the American Moving and Storage Association.
Ask questions – If a mover presents you with (what you’re pretty sure is) a lowball estimate, then make sure to ask lots of questions. Examples of important questions to ask: 1) does this estimate include all additional services, add-ons and transportation fees? 2) do you offer binding not-to-exceed moving estimates? 3) do you have customer references I can check? If a mover’s answers leave much to be desired, move on.

What other red flags should I look out for?

Lowball estimates are just one of many red flags to be aware of when hiring a moving company. Other common red flags to watch out for include:

The moving company isn’t properly licensed or insured.
The mover demands to be paid up-front.
The moving company seems unprofessional. They may lack a business address, online presence, business moving company truck and/or business cards. They may also show up late to your home and exhibit other rude behavior.
The moving contract (i.e. the bill of lading) doesn’t look official.
The mover refuses to put anything in writing.
The mover’s reviews are less than stellar or non-existent. The mover may also have a history of complaints from customers. To check a mover’s complaint history, go to Better Business Bureau or look up their U.S.DOT number with the FMCSA.
The contract lacks an option to choose valuation coverage.

How do I find a reputable moving company?

To avoid lowball estimates, it’s important to get quotes from reputable moving companies. Fortunately, our website makes it easy to find the best moving company for the job. To find a reliable moving company, check Moving.com’s extensive network of movers. All relocation companies in our network are licensed and insured, so you can rest assured that your move will be in good hands.