Comparing moving quotes feels like comparing $800 to $1,200—obvious choice, right? Wrong. That cheaper quote excludes gas, insurance, materials, and overtime. The expensive quote includes everything plus wine and cheese. Neither quote means what it says. After analyzing thousands of LA moving quotes, here's how to compare actual apples to apples instead of apples to kumquats.
Quote Format Variations
Binding estimate:
- Fixed price guaranteed
- No surprises possible
- Premium for certainty
- Detailed inventory required
Non-binding estimate:
- "Not-to-exceed" pricing
- Can go higher
- Hourly rate basis
- Cheaper initially
Binding not-to-exceed:
- Fixed maximum price
- Can go lower
- Best of both worlds
- Rare but ideal
Know which type you're comparing
Hourly Rate Deception
Company A quotes: $119/hourCompany B quotes: $159/hour
But wait:
- Company A: 3 movers, 6 hours = $2,142
- Company B: 4 movers, 4 hours = $2,544
Different crew sizes = different totals
Always calculate total estimated cost
Inclusion Variations
Quote A ($800) includes:
- Labor only
- Basic tools
- Nothing else
Quote B ($1,200) includes:
- Labor and truck
- Full equipment set
- Materials
- Gas
- Insurance
$1,200 quote actually cheaper
List what's included vs excluded
Material Costs Hidden
Free materials claims:
- "Shrink wrap included" = $25 value
- "Wardrobe boxes provided" = $50 value
- "Floor protection" = $30 value
Missing materials costs:
- Blankets: $150 rental
- Tape: $25
- Dollies: $40
- Tools: $30
Add $200-300 to quotes without materials
Gas Fee Variations
Gas fee structures:
- Flat fee: $30 (most common)
- Per mile: $2/mile
- Percentage: 5% of total
- Included: No separate charge
Same move, different fees:
- 20 miles × $2 = $40
- 5% of $1,000 = $50
- Flat $30 = $30
Normalize by calculating actual cost
Travel Time Differences
Portal-to-portal (better):
- Clock starts at your door
- Ends at destination
- No surprises
Dock-to-dock (cheaper initially):
- Travel time billed separately
- "Prep time" charged
- Loading time extra
Travel time can add 1-2 hours cost
Insurance Variations
Basic coverage:
- $0.60/pound (worthless)
- Often included free
- Legal minimum only
Enhanced coverage:
- 1-2% of declared value
- Actual replacement value
- Deductible applies
- Additional cost
Factor insurance cost into total
Crew Size Impact
2-mover crew:
- Takes 8 hours
- $119 × 2 × 8 = $1,904
3-mover crew:
- Takes 5.5 hours
- $139 × 3 × 5.5 = $2,293
4-mover crew:
- Takes 4 hours
- $159 × 4 × 4 = $2,544
More movers ≠ more expensive always
Overtime Considerations
Standard quotes assume 8 hours max
Overtime scenarios:
- After 8 hours: Time and a half
- Saturdays: 25% premium
- Sundays: 50% premium
- Holidays: Double time
Large moves often go overtime
Ask about overtime policies
Minimum Hour Requirements
Common minimums:
- 3 hours standard
- 4 hours (if over 30 miles)
- 5 hours (complex moves)
Impact on small moves:
- 2-hour move still costs 3-hour minimum
- Efficiency penalties
Factor minimums into calculations
Additional Services
Common add-ons:
- Packing: $25-45/hour per person
- Unpacking: $20-35/hour per person
- Disassembly: $15-25/piece
- Assembly: $20-35/piece
- Piano moving: $150-300 extra
Quote with and without add-ons
Location Factors
Difficult access charges:
- Stairs: $25-50/flight
- Long carry: $50-100
- Elevator wait: $25/hour
- Parking violations: Your cost
Some quotes include, others don't
Peak Season Adjustments
Summer moving rates:
- 25-40% higher
- Weekend premiums
- Holiday surcharges
- Supply and demand
Compare quotes from same time period
Company Reputation Factor
$800 quote from sketchy company:
- Unlicensed operation
- No insurance
- Hidden costs appear
- Damage likely
- Real cost: $2,000+
$1,200 quote from professionals:
- Licensed/insured
- Transparent pricing
- No surprises
- Quality service
- Real cost: $1,200
Cheap often costs more
Payment Terms
Payment structures:
- Cash discount: 5-10%
- Credit card fees: 3-5%
- Deposit required: $50-200
- Balance due: At delivery
Factor payment costs into comparison
Comparison Worksheet
For accurate comparison:
Quote 1: Company A
- Base rate: $____
- Crew size: ____ people
- Estimated hours: ____
- Materials included: Y/N
- Gas fee: $____
- Insurance: $____
- Add-ons needed: $____
- Total estimated: $____
Quote 2: Company B(Same calculation)
Quote 3: Company C(Same calculation)
Red Flag Quotes
Avoid quotes that:
- Significantly below market
- Lack detail
- Require large deposits
- Won't specify inclusions
- Change during conversation
- Pressure immediate signing
If it seems too good to be true...
Questions for Each Company
Ask every mover:
- "What exactly is included?"
- "What are potential extra charges?"
- "How do you handle overtime?"
- "What's your damage policy?"
- "Can I see insurance certificate?"
- "Are there any other fees?"
Compare answers, not just numbers
Market Rate Reality
LA moving rates 2026:
- Budget: $119-139/hour
- Standard: $149-169/hour
- Premium: $179-199/hour
Quotes way below = something missingQuotes way above = overpriced or premium
The True Cost Revelation
Cheapest quote problems:
- Hidden fees emerge
- Service quality poor
- Damage common
- Time overruns
- Real cost higher
Value-priced quotes:
- Transparent pricing
- Professional service
- Predictable costs
- Quality equipment
Compare total experience, not just price
Timeline Impact
Rush jobs cost more:
- Same-day: +50%
- Next-day: +25%
- Peak times: +30%
Plan ahead saves money
Get True Quote Comparisons
Moving quotes comparison requires detective work to uncover real costs. That $400 price difference disappears when you add materials, gas, insurance, and overtime to the "cheap" quote. Professional apples-to-apples comparison reveals actual value.
SOS Moving provides transparent quotes with all inclusions specified. Our estimates detail materials, gas, potential overtime, and any additional services. Compare our comprehensive quote to others—we're confident in our value proposition.
Confused by competing quotes? Call 909-443-0004 for a detailed estimate breakdown. We'll explain exactly what's included, potential additional costs, and help you understand other quotes. True comparison protects your budget and expectations.
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