What a moving quotation should actually itemise — and what a vague one hides

The most common complaint in this industry is not damage. It is the final bill being larger than the number someone said on the phone. That almost always traces back to a quotation that did not itemise, because a single figure gives you nothing to disagree with later.

A proper quotation should let you check every part of it. Here is what should be on it.

Packing material, by type

Not "packing charges". Cartons, bubble wrap, foam sheet, stretch film, wardrobe cartons, and each wooden crate listed individually with what it is for. Crates are expensive and they are the line people most often did not know they were agreeing to.

Labour, as hours and headcount

How many people for how long, at both ends. This is the line that should change if your building's lift is out, and seeing it stated is how you know a later "extra labour" charge is justified or invented.

Transport, with the vehicle size

The route and the vehicle type. If the volume from the survey does not fit the vehicle quoted, something is wrong — either the survey was optimistic or the plan is to make two trips and bill you for both.

Loading and unloading, and access

Floor number, lift or stairs, and the distance from where the vehicle can legally park to your door. A narrow lane the truck cannot enter means a shuttle vehicle, which is a real cost and should appear before the day, not on it.

Add-ons, each priced separately

Dismantling and reassembly, appliance disconnection, storage by duration and volume, unpacking, debris removal. You should be able to strike any of these out and see the total fall.

Insurance, with the declared value

The premium and the value it is based on. "Goods are insured" with no declared value and no premium line is not insurance, it is a sentence.

Tax, shown separately

The pre-tax subtotal, the GST, then the total. Businesses need this split for input credit, and everyone needs it to compare two quotes honestly — one of them may have quoted inclusive and the other not.

And two things that are not line items

A payment schedule, so you know what is due when. And a clear statement of what happens if the scope changes: the right answer is that you are given a revised figure to approve before work continues. Anything vaguer than that is where surprise charges live.