Picture the glass cabinet in your dining room. You’ve listed it on your inventory, and both moving companies have quoted to move it. But who takes the glasses off the shelves, wraps them and packs them into boxes? And who protects the glass doors on the cabinet itself?
Those are two different jobs. One quote might include both. Another might cover the cabinet and assume you’ll have its contents packed before the truck arrives. You need to know does your moving quote include packing. If the quotes look similar, here’s how to tell what you’re getting.
Who does the packing?
Look for wording that says who will pack and what they will pack. A quote that lists “20 cartons supplied” tells you how many boxes you’ll receive. It doesn’t tell you whether someone will pack them.
You can also ask for a split that suits you. You might be happy to pack your clothes and books but want the moving crew to handle your kitchen and glassware. Ask each mover to quote on that same basis. If you’re doing some of the packing yourself, confirm when the boxes will arrive and what needs to be ready on collection day.
Which boxes and materials are included?
Check the quantity and type of boxes, along with what comes with them. For a kitchen, for example, you may need packing paper, tape and cartons with dividers for glasses. If the quote includes a set number of boxes, ask what happens if you need five more. Are they charged individually? Would there also be an additional packing charge?
This is where a short list helps more than a line that simply says packing materials included.
What does protective wrapping cover?
Go back to the cabinet. There’s the wooden frame, there are glass doors, and there may be removable glass shelves. Ask how the crew proposes to protect those parts and whether the materials and the work of applying them are in the price.
Do the same for anything that needs particular care: a large mirror, framed artwork or a marble tabletop. Send a photo and the dimensions while you’re getting quotes. If a mover recommends a crate or specialist packing, ask for that item and its price to appear in writing. You can then see whether both movers have allowed for the same protection.
Can you compare the packing costs separately?
Imagine these two lines on otherwise similar quotes:
Quote A
- 20 cartons supplied. Customer to pack contents.
Quote B
- 20 cartons, packing paper and labour to pack kitchen contents.
If you’re happy to pack the kitchen yourself, Quote A may suit you. If you need the kitchen packed for you, ask the first mover to add that work before comparing the totals. Neither line tells you how the glass cabinet itself will be wrapped, so that’s a separate question for both.
Questions to send with your inventory: Please confirm does the moving quote include packing? What do I need to pack myself, which boxes and wrapping are included, and whether any of my fragile items carry a separate packing charge?
