When planning a long-distance move, one of the most important things to know is how costs are calculated. However, the way interstate moving companies calculate prices can be different, which can be confusing to customers. The two main ways movers estimate costs are by weight or by the space (cubic feet) your items take up. While both methods seem similar, they’re not. There are big differences in accuracy, fairness, and how clear the pricing is. Did you receive a moving estimate by weight or cubic feet, and need answers? We’re here to help you make the best decision for your interstate move. Here’s why reliable interstate moving companies use weight, not cubic feet, for their estimates.
The Key Difference: Weight vs. Cubic Feet
Weight is a clear and easy-to-measure amount. After your items are packed and loaded onto the moving truck, the truck can be weighed at a certified weighing station, both before and after loading. The difference in weight shows a precise and verifiable figure that can be used to calculate your moving costs.
Cubic feet refers to the total amount of space, or volume, your belongings take up in the moving truck. While it may sound simple, estimating by volume leaves room for a wide margin of error, since it’s based on how well your items are packed, the shape of objects, and how much empty space is left in the truck. Cubic footage is often more difficult for customers to verify, creating opportunities for disagreements.
Why Brokers Use Cubic Feet
In the moving industry, there is a distinction between moving brokers and carriers. Brokers are intermediaries between customers and the actual moving company. They often estimate costs based on cubic feet. Moving brokers often estimate costs based on cubic feet because it’s faster and easier. They may look at your rooms and guess how much space your things will take up. But this isn’t always good for customers.
Cubic footage estimates can be inflated if the packing is inefficient or if items are loaded in a way that takes up unnecessary space. This could mean higher costs for the customer, with no easy way to prove whether the volume estimate was correct.
Why Carriers Use Weight
By contrast, carriers, the actual moving companies that handle and transport goods, usually prefer to base estimates based on weight. This method is much clearer. The weight of the truck before and after loading can be verified at certified weigh stations, giving both the carrier and the customer an exact number. This method is often required for interstate moves because federal laws protect customers who use weight-based pricing.
The Importance of Pricing by Weight
- Accuracy and Fairness: Weight is an exact measurement. Once a truck is weighed, the results are final. This means customers know exactly what they are paying for, leaving little room for mistakes or unfair charges.
- Transparency: Weighing is a standard and regulated process. Weigh stations provide paperwork that shows the exact weight of your items, so both the customer and the company have a clear, written record. This also helps in resolving disputes.
- Regulatory Compliance: In many states and at the federal level, moving companies that price based on weight are required to follow certain guidelines, including providing weigh station tickets to customers. These regulations offer customers additional protection.
- Avoiding Overcharges: Pricing by cubic feet can often lead to higher costs, especially if the moving company or broker packs the truck inefficiently. Since weight isn’t affected by how items are packed, it’s a more reliable way to ensure customers aren’t overcharged for wasted space.
How Weight-Based Pricing Protects Consumers
When customers move across state lines, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) protects them. The FMCSA requires interstate moving companies to give customers either binding or non-binding estimates based on weight. Moving companies that use weight-based pricing must weigh the truck at a certified scale, and customers can ask for the truck to be weighed again if they think the initial reading was incorrect.
There are no similar protections for cubic footage estimates. There’s no clear way to measure how much space your belongings will take up on a truck until it’s packed. With weight, consumers can easily check if the estimate is accurate.
Conclusion
Were you provided a moving estimate by weight or cubic feet? When choosing an interstate moving company, it’s important to know how they calculate their estimates. While cubic feet estimates might seem quicker and more convenient, they often leave room for error and can result in higher costs for the customer. Pricing by weight is clearer, more accurate, and easier to verify, offering consumers peace of mind. For these reasons, reputable interstate moving companies—and particularly the carriers who perform the moves—usually prefer to price by weight. This not only protects the customer but also creates a fairer, more straightforward pricing system.