Questions, plainly answered.
The things people ask before they trust a calculator with a big decision. If yours isn’t here, send it our way.
How does the moving calculator estimate cubic feet?
Each item in the catalog has an industry-standard cubic-foot value derived from common dimensions and packing efficiency for that piece of furniture. We sum those values across the rooms you select, then add a 10–15% buffer for awkward shapes and packing material. The total is the volume a mover would quote against, not your raw furniture footprint.
Is MovingCalculator.io free to use?
Yes. The calculator and the saved-quote planner are free for consumers. Moving companies that want a themed embed of the calculator on their own site can sign up for free as well. Every embed includes a small attribution link back to MovingCalculator.io.
How accurate is the truck size recommendation?
Accurate enough to ballpark a one-truck vs. two-truck job and to push back on under-quotes. We index each truck size against its real cargo volume and compare against your buffered cubic feet. For a binding mover quote, expect a walkthrough or video survey to refine the number. That is industry standard and shouldn't be skipped on a long-distance move.
Can I save my estimate and come back later?
Yes. Two ways: every estimate produces a shareable URL with the calculator state encoded into it, so you can bookmark or send it. If you create a free planner account, your estimate is saved server-side and you can track multiple mover quotes against it for side-by-side comparison.
Does MovingCalculator.io sell my data to movers?
No. Lead routing only happens when you intentionally submit your contact info through a mover's themed embed of the calculator. In that case the lead goes to that one mover, not a marketplace. The estimate itself never leaves your browser unless you save it to a planner account or share the URL.
What's the difference between binding and non-binding mover quotes?
A binding quote is a fixed price the mover commits to, based on a documented inventory; you pay that amount even if the actual volume comes in higher. A non-binding quote is an estimate that recalculates against actual weight or volume on move day. Convenient for the mover, risky for you. Long-distance and full-service moves should generally be binding.
What does the 15% buffer cover?
Packing material (bubble wrap, blankets, boxes for loose items), the awkward void space between rectangular items, and the small things you forgot to enter. Most professional surveys add a similar buffer because real cargo never packs at 100% efficiency.
How do I embed the calculator on my moving company's site?
Sign up at /movers, complete onboarding, and copy the iframe snippet from your dashboard. The themed version uses your business name, logo, primary color, and a CTA you choose. Lead emails route to the contact email on your account.
Why is the calculator free for moving companies?
A fair thing to ask of anything free. The calculator helps your own site turn visitors into quote requests, and those go straight to your inbox. In return, the embed carries a small “by MovingCalculator.io” credit. That visibility is how we grow, and we earn from optional featured directory placement, never from your leads or your data. You get a lead tool at no cost; we get a little reach.
Do you keep or resell the leads my calculator generates?
Every quote request from your embedded calculator goes to you, and only you. We never sell leads, share them, or route them to another moving company. We do store a copy so your dashboard has a backup if an email misfires, but it stays private to your account. The full commitment is in our privacy policy.