A blurry photo and an incomplete video force guesswork. And when companies have to guess, the price fails.

When you contact a moving company without images — or with unclear ones — the estimate you get back is approximate at best. The team has to calculate without seeing the actual size of your furniture, the access conditions, or the tricky spots in your space. The result: a price that may change on moving day because reality didn’t match what was assumed.

The fix is simple: a few well-done shots, taken in under 10 minutes, that give the company everything it needs to provide a real estimate. This guide shows you exactly what to record and how to do it.

Why Photos and Videos Improve Your Quote

A good quote depends on three variables: the volume of what’s being moved, how long the job will take, and the conditions of the space. The first two you can communicate in words — but the third, the actual access conditions, almost always needs images.

With clear photos and video, the company can:

• Estimate time more accurately based on what actually needs to be moved.
• Identify difficult access points, stairs, or narrow hallways in advance.
• Determine whether additional people or equipment are needed.
• Give you a price that doesn’t change on moving day.

What to Record: Room by Room

Living room and dining area

Record the main furniture pieces from angles that show their real size: sofas, tables, chairs, shelving units, and TVs. If you have a sectional sofa or a large dining table, show it next to the exit door so it’s clear whether it fits through without disassembly.

Bedrooms

Show the mattress (with its size visible), the bed frame, full wardrobes or closets, and any standalone drawers or modular units. If there are children’s beds with bunk or trundle structures, record those in detail.

Kitchen

Focus on the appliances being moved: refrigerator, washer, dryer, built-in microwave. Show whether they’re connected or disconnected, and whether there’s room to maneuver around them.

Home office or study

Desks, office chairs, bookshelves, and electronics. If there are large monitors or desktop setups, record them in detail.

Storage rooms, balconies, or garage

These are the most underestimated spaces. Record everything that’s there, even if it doesn’t seem like much — stacked boxes, tools, luggage, sports equipment. It all adds volume and time.

Access Points: The Most Important Part of the Video

The contents of the apartment matter, but access conditions are what most impact the time — and that’s exactly what gets underestimated most when quoting without images.

The front door and exit hallway

Record the entrance door from both inside and outside, showing its width. Walk with the camera from the door to the elevator or stairs so the distance and hallway conditions are visible.

Stairs (if any)

If the building has stairs, record a full flight showing the width, step height, and whether there are turns or landings. This is key for estimating the additional time per floor.

The elevator (if available)

Show the inside of the elevator: width, depth, and height. Some elevators look large but won’t fit a double mattress or a three-seat sofa. Knowing this in advance prevents surprises.

Parking area and distance to the entrance

Record from where the truck would park to the building entrance. If there are visible restrictions — signs, bollards, controlled access — include those in the video.

Tips for Making Your Footage Useful

• Record in good lighting. Open curtains and turn on lights before filming. A dark space hides important details.
• Don’t move the camera too fast. Pan slowly so each piece of furniture and access point is clearly visible.
• No editing needed. A straight phone video, unfiltered and uncut, is perfectly fine.
• Add context with voice or text. If recording video, narrate as you go: «this sofa won’t fit through the door without disassembly» or «there are three steps before the elevator.» That information is very valuable.
• Add still photos for specific pieces. For large furniture or specific access points, a clear photo complements the general video well.

What Information to Include With Your Images

Photos and videos work best when paired with a few basic details:

• Number of rooms and floor number at origin and destination.
• Whether there’s an elevator and whether it needs to be reserved.
• Approximate distance from the parking area to the entrance.
• Tentative moving date.
• Any furniture you already know needs disassembly.

With the images and this information, the company has everything it needs to give you an accurate estimate — no back-and-forth, no last-minute questions, and no adjustments on moving day.

10 Minutes of Recording Can Save You Hours of Uncertainty

You don’t need video production experience or the latest smartphone. You just need to walk through your space calmly, record what’s there, and show how it’s accessed. With that, the company can calculate the real time, the team size needed, and give you a price that holds.

Every move is different. The estimate depends on volume, access conditions, and the date of service. We recommend quoting with photos and video for the most accurate price possible.

Ready to get a precise quote? Share your photos or video with the Magno Moving team and get a detailed estimate with no surprises.