What is a Cube Sheet?
I wrote in an earlier entry about how taking inventory is the first and most important step to getting an accurate moving quote. That inventory is typically taken using a “Cube Sheet“. Nowadays more and more movers are using handheld inventory devices to take your inventory but it’s the same basic process and the same math is used to determine the cubic feet and the weight of your belongings.
The document that we’ve provided here has all the information you need to figure out exactly how much your stuff weighs. That weight will be used to determine the estimate given to you by the moving companies. Exactly how it factors in to that estimate will depend on whether you’re moving interstate or intrastate and if it’s intrastate then also what state you live in and possibly where in that state. But at least you’ll know where you stand with regards to the weight. It can help you make sure you’re not being given an estimate that is too low (“low-ball”) or too high (“rip-off”).
How to use it
The Cube Sheet is a very simple document but it can be a bit time consuming to use as you’ll need to basically take an inventory of your entire house. As I’ve mentioned in a previous blog article about completing an inventory of your household goods, it is essential that it’s done completely and accurately.
1. Print the PDF version of a moving companies sample cube sheet.
2. Walk through each room of your house and make a mark for article in the room in the number of pieces column on the sheet.
3. Multiply the number of pieces you have by the cubic feet per piece. Then just carry the numbers down to the column subtotals and add all the subtotals to get a Grand Total for all columns.
4. Multiply the Grand Total for Cubic Feet by a factor of 7 (this is the industry accepted weight of each cubic foot of household goods in number of pounds) and you’ll get your total your estimated total weight.
Optional: Instead of completing steps 3 & 4 by hand you can transfer your written inventory to the cells in this Excel version of the cube sheet found here which will do the math for you and sum up all of the totals.
NOTE: Remember that this is only part of what goes into the final estimate but it is a very big part. Additional factors include where the move will occur, the distance traveled, if the movers will have to walk a long way to the truck (“long-carry”) or if there are stairs or an elevator involved. Additional insurance and other issues may also affect the end price.
