When you are planning a house move, the quotation is one of the first things you ask for. You need to know how much the shifting will cost and whether that amount fits your budget.
But while checking the price, also take a little time to see what the mover has included. Will the team unpack your belongings at the new house? Is tax already counted? What happens if you need to change the date?
Today, let’s discuss what should be written in a packers and movers quotation before you pay an advance.
First, check what the quotation is actually promising
If the mover has given you an amount after hearing only that you live in a 2BHK, ask whether it is an initial estimate. They may still need to see your furniture and understand the work before quoting for the complete move.
After a home or video survey, the quotation should refer to the items and services you discussed. Also ask whether the price is agreed for that work or whether something still needs to be checked. If the amount can change, you should understand why before booking.
The Department of Consumer Affairs includes clear price information under the right to be informed. So, asking the mover to explain the amount is a normal part of choosing the service. The quotation explains the offer. You will also need an acknowledgement when you pay and the appropriate bill or invoice for the service.
What should be written in your packers and movers quotation?
1. Validity of the quotation and company information
First check that the quote states which business you are booking. It should have the name, address and contact details of the business along with GSTIN where applicable. If GST is being charged, check that number and the supplier’s details on the official GST portal.
Also see that your name is correct and the quotation has a reference number and date. Ask how long the quotation remains valid, especially if you have not yet fixed your moving date.
If one business takes the booking and another team carries out the move, ask who will answer your questions and handle any problem. You should know whom to contact after paying.
2. Your item list, addresses and vehicle arrangement
Keep the item list used for the quotation with the quotation itself. Check that it includes the furniture, appliances and fragile items you discussed, along with the assumed number of cartons. If anything is added or removed later, let the mover know and get the list updated.
Then check the details of both homes. The floor numbers, lift access, parking distance and society timings matter because the team needs to know how your belongings will be carried in and out.
For the vehicle, ask what size or capacity is planned and whether the price covers one trip. If it is an intercity move, also clarify whether your belongings will travel in a shared truck or a dedicated truck.
Also get a pickup date and delivery window. If a delivery date is an estimate, be sure you understand the expected window, not that it’s a definite date.
3. Packing, loading and the work at your new home
When the mover quotes for shifting, ask them to explain the work included from pickup to delivery. This should cover the packing material, packing labour, loading, transport and unloading that you have booked. If the material allowance is limited, ask what happens when more cartons or wrapping are needed.
Also discuss what the team will do at your new home. Carrying the cartons inside does not necessarily include opening them and placing everything. If you need unpacking or furniture placement, have that written into the quotation.
For example, if the team dismantles your bed before loading, ask whether the same price includes putting the bed together at the new house.
AC removal or installation, electrical work, storage and vehicle transport should also be discussed if you need them. Ask which of these jobs are included and which will cost extra.
4. The total price and any charges still to be added
For the price, start by checking the amount for the work you have booked. If the mover offered you a discount on the phone, see that it has also been counted in the written price. Then ask whether GST is already included or will be added, and check the tax rate and amount shown.
Also ask how insurance, tolls, parking and other applicable charges are being handled. If a charge cannot be fixed yet, ask how it will be calculated and whether an estimate or limit can be given.
When a quotation says 'all-inclusive,' get these details clarified within that quotation. You should be able to understand what the total includes and which amounts, if any, remain payable.
You can also read about GST on packers and movers if you want to understand the tax treatment in more detail. For checking your quotation, start by making sure the service amount, applicable tax and payable total are clear.
5. The situations in which the price can change
Sometimes the requirements change after the quotation has been prepared. Suppose you add a large cupboard that was not on the original item list. The mover may need to reconsider the packing or vehicle arrangement. Tell them about the cupboard before moving day and ask for the revised amount in writing.
Also discuss any charges for waiting, extra carrying or difficult access. If a waiting charge may apply, ask when it starts and whether it is calculated by the hour, day or another period.
If you have already told the mover that there is no lift, make sure this has been considered in the quotation. You should not have to guess whether the stairs were accounted for.
Ask how any proposed change in price will be explained and agreed before the extra work is carried out.
6. The insurance being offered for your belongings
If insurance is included in the offer, ask which insurer will provide it and what value of your belongings is being proposed for cover. The quotation should also make clear whether an insurance charge is included or payable separately.
You should know where to check what the policy covers. Ask whether the cover includes the handling you need, such as loading and unloading, and where the exclusions and deductions are explained.
Also agree on which policy or certificate you will receive and when it will be issued. Ask whose name the cover will be in and whom you should contact if there is a problem.
If the mover offers its own help with damaged goods, ask whether that is a company promise or insurance arranged with an insurer. This helps you understand what is actually being offered.
7. How much should you pay now, and when is the rest due?
Before paying the advance, ask the mover how much they need to confirm your booking. Then ask when you have to pay the remaining amount. Both amounts and when they are due should be written in the quotation, so you know what money you need to arrange. Make sure the advance will be adjusted against the total, and ask what booking or reservation that payment confirms.
The payment stage matters too. If the balance is due before loading, you should know this when you book. Get the agreed schedule written down so you can arrange the payment in time.
Before you send the money, contact the company through its official number or contact channel and ask where you should pay. If the account shows a different name, then ask the company whose account it is and why you are being asked to pay there.
After paying, ask for an acknowledgement that shows how much you paid, the date and which booking the payment is for. If the mover is registered under GST, ask for the appropriate receipt voucher with the required details. CBIC’s receipt guidance explains what that document should contain.
Keep your bank or UPI transaction record as well. Your transaction record shows the transfer, and the mover’s acknowledgement confirms that the payment has been recorded for your booking. Also ask what bill or invoice you will receive for the move.
8. Cancellation, rescheduling and refund terms
Even when you have planned the move properly, the date may need to change. So, before booking, ask how much notice you need to give for cancellation or rescheduling.
Ask what amount may be deducted, whether any part of the advance is non-refundable and whether changing the date costs extra. If a refund is due, you should know how to request it and when the company says it will be processed.
Also ask what happens if the provider cannot carry out the confirmed booking.
For a BOXnMOVE booking, read the booking terms alongside your quotation. These explain payment and cancellation conditions, as well as circumstances that can affect the estimate. If something in your quotation and the terms appear different, get it clarified before paying.
Compare the final amount, not just the first price
Let’s use two made-up prices to explain this. Both quotations are for the same belongings and work, but one leaves unloading outside the first amount.
| What you are comparing | Quotation A | Quotation B |
|---|---|---|
| Amount first quoted | ₹14,000 | ₹16,000 |
| Unloading at the new home | ₹2,000 extra | Included |
| Comparable amount before tax | ₹16,000 | ₹16,000 |
| Applicable tax and any other conditions | Confirm separately | Confirm separately |
At first, Quotation A looks cheaper. Once you add the unloading charge, both reach the same amount before tax.
This is why you should compare the work included in each offer. After checking that both movers are offering the same work, see whether any tax or other charges have to be added to their prices. Then you can compare how much you would actually have to pay to each mover.
Before you pay, keep copies of what was agreed
Before paying the advance, keep a copy of the quotation and the list of goods the mover has agreed to shift. Also keep the booking terms and any messages in which the mover explained the price or agreed to do extra work.
If the mover has agreed to do something but has not written it in the quotation, ask them to add it before you pay. The written quotation should explain the same work that you discussed with them.
When the booking confirmation and payment acknowledgement are issued, keep those with the same records. This makes it easier to explain what you booked if a question comes up later.
For a house shifting quote with BOXnMOVE, share the items you want to move, both addresses and the work you need help with. Giving these details at the start helps the team understand your requirements and prepare the quotation for your move.
FAQs about packers and movers quotations
1. Is a packers and movers quotation different from an invoice?
No, the quote and the invoice are not the same thing. The quote is there so you can see what work the mover is providing and how much they are charging for it. The invoice/bill lists the charges for the service.
2. How much advance should I pay to packers and movers?
Advance amounts can be different for different movers. So first of all find out how much you need to pay to confirm the booking. Also ask when you have to pay the rest and what happens to your advance if you cancel.
3. Does an all-inclusive quotation include GST and insurance?
See, when a mover says ‘all-inclusive,’ you should still ask what they have included in that price. Ask clearly whether GST and insurance are already counted in the total or whether you will have to pay for them separately.
4. Can the quotation change after a home or video survey?
Yes, the quote can change if you add more items or ask the team to do more work after the survey. Ask the mover why the new price has been set before agreeing to it and get a new quotation from them.
5. Can I accept a quotation sent on WhatsApp?
Yes, you may accept a quotation which was sent on WhatsApp. First, read it properly and see if the price, booking terms and the work you asked for are clearly written out. Keep the quote and messages with you and check with the company on the payment details.
6. What should I do if the mover asks for an extra charge that was never mentioned?
If the mover asks for an extra charge, first ask what it is for and why it was not mentioned before. Then write to the company, explain your concern and keep its reply. If you still cannot sort it out with them, you can contact the National Consumer Helpline.
