In-Home Estimate or Virtual Survey: Which is best for you?

Whether you are moving across town or across the country, having a accurate accounting of your stuff is critical to your relocation to be set up for success. In recent years, a few Rochester moving companies have broadened their up-front moving estimate process to also have virtual visits. That said, did you know that Corrigan has been leading in virtual surveys for over four years? Since 2018, we have integrated technology and best practices to create the perfect virtual estimation process. While competing moving companies were still learning about best practices, Corrigan didn’t miss a beat when it came to serving our customers and giving them an easy, safe option for the preliminary move consultation. Even though many customers are more comfortable welcoming us into their homes, having the option of a survey performed virtually is here to stay. So now, which survey type is right for your situation?

What is a Virtual Survey, anyway?

Prior to confirming a move with a moving company, will need to have a move consultation so you can learn about their available services and price. Many moving companies now provide the option of performing this initial consultation either virtually or in your home. While other movers have different methods, here’s what to expect scheduling a virtual survey with Corrigan Moving.

Corrigan Moving is a leading agent for United Van Lines, who built their own proprietary virtual platform paired with the Amazon cloud. United Van Line’s platform is so secure it’s used by many government agencies! Ahead of your appointment, all you’ll need to do is download our Virtual Survey App from the Android or iPhone app store. After downloading, you will be set for your appointment!

When your appointment time comes, you will get a text and email message from your move consultant to begin your survey. This message includes a link to the Virtual Survey App. Voila – you have a move consultant ”standing” in your home! They’ll take as much time as needed to discuss the specifics of your move and figure out what is most important to you respecting your relocation. Next, you will hold your phone as you walk through your home, talking and showing what items you’d like to move, the layout of your home, walkways, driveway, etc. When you’ve completed logging all of your belongings, your consultant will create a detailed inventory and move plan just for you.

Fact vs. Fiction

Are Virtual Surveys Accurate?

New technology and learning how to do something always takes time. That said, most moving companies have integrated virtual surveys. Why? Because they work!

“When a move consultant is in a customer’s home, they’re talking with the customer along with creating the inventory. Virtual surveys allow our consultants the chance to review survey videos, think through the best solutions, ensuring accuracy. Being able to rely on that video throughout the move process, to allow the move coordinator to see it, sharing images from the videos with crew members and drivers can really eliminate surprises on the day of the move,” said Ashley Walsh, Head of the Virtual Survey Team for Corrigan.

“I worked exclusively in-home for about 7 years before transitioning to virtual surveys 100%,” continued Walsh. “I personally feel I am more accurate and thorough when working with a customer virtually. It allows me to focus on one thing at a time, which also allows the customer to focus on one thing at a time. They’re more likely to slow down, remember and relay all the details that are important to them, so nothing gets missed.”

Customers who aren’t familiar with virtual surveys may also fear that crucial details, such as if a semi-truck can access the home, will be missed with a survey virtually.

“This really isn’t the case,” responded Walsh. “When a move consultant drives to a customer’s home, they’re making notes before they knock on the door. How long the driveway is, where the truck should park, the best access into a neighborhood, are all things that are important for a moving company. When doing a survey virtually, we have several tools we use to get the same information. We most commonly use Google Maps, Zillow and Google Street View before starting the appointment. We can even measure the exact length of a road or driveway from satellite images. That allows us to know what we’re about to see, and tailor our questions and dialogue accordingly. Essentially, we’re capturing the exact same information as in-home consultants.”

Are virtual surveys faster?

We hear customers often choosing a virtual survey appointment “because it’s faster”. This isn’t necessarily the case! Corrigan move consultants do both virtual and in-home appointments during the business day, so asking for a virtual appointment doesn’t change their availability for you to be seen quicker. If you have to have an after-hours appointment, a virtual survey does give you more flexibility with what appointment times may be available.

When is an in-home survey better?

There are some occasions when having a consultant come to your home is better. Here are some reasons to plan on an in-home move consultation:

 

• If you have a spotty, poor or unreliable Wi-Fi or mobile data connection
• If you own easily damaged works of art, statues, glass tops or collectibles that need exact measurements for crating which can be done virtually, but you will be the one responsible for taking these measurements)
• If you don’t own a smartphone or tablet device

 

Which survey is best for me?

Basically, the choice between an in-home or virtual survey when speaking to a Rochester moving company is all about personal preference. All consultants with Corrigan will offer you both types of surveys and both methods have been very successful for us.

“Virtual surveys are an accurate, convenient option that we’re happy to permanently offer. Allowing our customers to choose which consultation method fits their needs is just another demonstration of how Corrigan Moving Systems prioritizes the customer experience,” said Walsh.

Which will you choose? Contact Corrigan Moving today to set up your free, no-obligation, in-home or virtual estimate!