One of the most important steps in planning an aliyah shipment is the pre-move survey. The purpose of the survey is to estimate the volume of your shipment and provide an approximate shipping cost before packing day arrives.
Today, most surveys are conducted remotely using a cellphone video call, Zoom, WhatsApp, FaceTime, or another video platform. While the trend toward video surveys had already begun before COVID, the pandemic accelerated the process, and virtual surveys have become the standard method used by most moving companies and agents.
The survey itself is simple. Using your phone, you’ll walk through your home and show the surveyor the items you plan to ship. It helps to clearly identify what is going, what is staying, and any items that are still “maybes.” The more complete the survey, the more accurate the estimate will be.
Survey results are typically provided within 1–3 business days and include an estimated shipment volume and approximate transportation cost.
It is important to remember that the surveyed volume is not the same as the final shipping volume. Household goods are packed, wrapped, and often palletized before shipment. As a result, the final gross volume is typically 15%–20% greater than the surveyed volume.
Our surveyors are experienced and generally very accurate, but estimating shipment volume is not an exact science. A discrepancy of up to 10% between the surveyed volume and the final packed volume is considered normal within the industry.
In addition to helping determine costs, the survey allows the packing crew to prepare properly for your shipment. Knowing the approximate volume helps ensure the correct amount of labor, packing materials, truck space, and equipment are scheduled for packing day.
A pre-move video survey takes only a short time, but it plays an important role in planning a smooth and successful aliyah shipment.
