Moving Tips from 495 Movers Podcast, “Moving Unboxed,” Episode 2
Listen to the full episode on Spotify.
A 2025 study found that 39% of Americans say the amount they were quoted was not the actual amount they paid for their move. Several factors go into what might cause someone to pay more than what they were initially quoted for their move, including inventory changes, timing, packing, and extra charges.
Host of Moving Unboxed and industry expert, Justin Bruni, shares moving tips about how to avoid these cost changes and how to save money on your upcoming move.
Why do people overpay for their moves?
The Bait-and-Switch
A big reason why people end up overpaying for their move is that some movers are tactically trying to charge more. A number of companies will come in with low-ball quotes and then incentivize their movers to go to the job site and make it more expensive. Justin says, “There is some bait-and-switching going on in the industry. But then there are also opportunities where people don’t understand the estimate, they don’t understand what’s required of them, what’s required of the mover. So understanding your paperwork is really important. And of course, vetting people, vetting the right companies, making sure you’re getting good businesses in your home.”
Inventory
Inventory is a huge factor in cost because if it goes up dramatically, your cost can go up dramatically. To avoid this and ensure you have the most accurate inventory list, always schedule an on-site estimate. Have someone come to your home and do a walk-through of the items you’re moving. Andrea advises, “You want somebody to come out to do an on-site inventory because not every move is the same. If you’re living in a studio or a one-bedroom, you can do your own inventory. Whether you’re recording videos or doing a video call, you want to have an objective viewing of the items. You don’t just want to say, ‘I have a dresser, I have a king bed.’ You want that peace of mind that the movers or moving company know the size of the items, not just the general weight.”
Timing
Timing also matters. A last-minute move is always going to cost more than a move scheduled one month, four weeks, or six weeks in advance. Most movers have very competitive calendars, meaning they will charge you a different price for different days. If you really want to save money, get in early, a couple months ahead, locking in a date. You’ll have more priority in their system.
Packing
Packing is another major factor. Justin notes, “60% of people who move say that’s the worst part, packing the actual boxes. People don’t know how to do it.” A lot of movers offer free packing supplies, which can save you hundreds on your move. So when you’re vetting moving companies, always ask if they provide the packing materials for free.
Get Multiple Quotes
A good rule of thumb is to get at least three moving estimates so you can compare the differences. If one estimate is way off, throw it out. That’s a really good start to realizing if someone’s overcharging or undercharging.
Justin shared a real-life example where they were able to save a customer $1,200 by doing an in-home estimate. He said, “They [the customer] showed me another estimate that a company had given them. Some of the stuff they were being charged for was an overcharge on packing, like multiple TV boxes they didn’t need. The stairs were being charged per trip inside the home. We removed all the extras, built it into our quote, and ended up saving them $1,200!”
So bottom line, overpaying is avoidable, as long as you make it a point to make sure you’re not letting movers or even other businesses take advantage of you. Do your homework, get educated, and you’ll save money.
