A Guide To Interpreting Your Moving Estimate
Before you hire a moving company, you should always get an estimate. This way, there are no surprises when it comes time to pay for the service. The complexity of the estimate will vary by company. Some moving companies will give you one simple page with a few numbers on it, and others will give you a five-page estimate with a lot of text and explanation. Regardless, it's important to read and understand the estimate before you hire the moving company. Here are some terms you might see on that estimate — and their meanings.
Crating
Crating is the action of encasing certain items in wooden crates. Movers may recommend crating for certain delicate or valuable items, and there is often a small extra charge for it.
Cube Sheet
This is a sheet that movers will use to estimate how much space your items will take up. Then based on the amount of space your items will take, they estimate a price. It's called a cube sheet because it estimates cubic feet of space.
PBO
If your moving estimate sheet says "PBO," that means "packed by owner." The estimate is being given with the understanding that you will do the packing. If this is not right and you want your moving company to pack for you, make sure you reach out!
Released Value Insurance
This is the basic type of insurance that most moving companies offer. It ensures you'll be reimbursed for any items that are damaged in the move.
SIT
SIT is an abbreviation that stands for "storage in transit." This is often included in estimates for longer, cross-country moves. It accounts for your items sitting in storage for some time before being delivered. For instance, if you plan on moving out of your home on the 13th but want to move your items into your new home on the 17th, you can pay for a few days of SIT in between.
Warehouse Handling
If your items need to be put in SIT for more than a day or two, they might be unloaded, kept in a warehouse for a while, and then reloaded when you're ready for them to be delivered. You'll then be charged a warehouse handling fee.
If you see any other confusing terms on your moving estimate, ask the moving company to explain them to you. You deserve to know exactly what you're going to pay, and what you are paying for as part of a residential move. For more information about residential moving services, contact a local moving company.