How to count your stairs, or more accurately how your movers are likely to count them was covered in some detail here in “How many steps in a flight”. Another important and often overlooked detail necessary for accurate estimating is how far the movers will need to carry your goods to their truck. Many people assume this is the same distance that they park and access their dwelling. While it may be, oftentimes it’s not. The movers are driving a truck that’s in excess of 30 feet and sometimes even longer. Movers cannot necessarily access the same way as their customers.  Keep in mind that if the movers cannot park where you had initially hoped, other factors can possibly come into play such as staircases and immovable obstacles.  Make certain to convey any additional flights of stairs and obstacles to your estimator beforehand for your best price.   Long carries can make a significant difference on the final bill as it can be even more time consuming than stairs. In order to get an accurate estimate then, one needs to figure where their movers truck can legally park. I stress legally too because I’ve run across customers more daring than I, more daring at least until realizing that parking fines can be added to the final bill!  Sometimes a shortcut might cut off a long carry, but do keep in mind that the movers will have to carry and/or dolly items through the shortcut making it impossible.  It’s best not count on shortcuts but they might be a pleasant money saving surprise on move day if feasible.

Making sure to get this correct is yet another assurance that your bill will be as estimated. Other times however, the distance is not easily determined and a common example occurs when elevator situation was not properly accounted for by the customer. Remember that the distance is, the total distance that the movers need to carry the furnishings, boxes etc. This is not the distance from the elevator to the door, but also the distance from the elevator to the dock downstairs as well! (now this is where it can become frustrating for both the mover and customer) Some buildings loading docks are underground or otherwise situated where the truck cannot get close and there can be another added distance not initially accounted for.  They will have to carry your belongings this distance and incur charges.

I cannot stress the importance when getting a flat rate quote to count the distance* from your upstairs (or down) door to the elevator, then from the elevator downstairs to the dock. If everyone’s lucky, that’s where the truck will be, if denied access though, then count from the loading to where the truck can reasonably be expected to park. This can oftentimes be a football field sized carry or more in some downtown Highrises where the parking is at a premium and property lines, streets, other buildings etc govern available space when built. While adding all these factors will increase the estimate substantially, it can be far less than a move-day surprise for the movers, always is. Extra time surprises can often require late arrival discounts for their next customers and schedule flip flops that cost time and money.   Any good mover will spot an honest attempt at a fair estimate and breaks are often given with this along with missed steps.   (Of course this last statement is no guarantee but an honest attempt is like a breath of fresh air!)

* “count the distance” the way the movers do. This is to count each step and divide by three. Of course this will vary somewhat the idea is that the average length of a normal stride is about three feet, counting your steps then dividing by three gives you a fairly accurate estimate of distance in feet.