Working for a company for over 14 years and having had to move also I am always asked the same question, “should we choose a hourly or flat rate binding quote”?
The answer is not that simple and there are arguments on both sides. The client/companies that like the work by the hour tend to think that the movers will work more careful and not rush thus being more careful with the furniture and preventing any damage while catering to the clients needs at a slower pace. The clients/ companies that like flat rate binding quotes tend to think that working for a fixed price is better because there are no surprises when it comes to the price and you will know exactly what you will pay in advance is a great thing especially if you are working on a budget. The fact that there is a higher then normal traffic or its raining will not affect your move price is a comforting factor. The movers also like it since they don’t feel that the client is always worried about then taking brakes and other such things .
The fact is that whether you feel comfortable with an hourly rate of binding price its always better to ask for an onsite estimate since us as the clients don’t have that much experience estimating or listing items. Do your research online and choose a mover with a great online reputation, if something goes wrong these are the movers that will be more responsive since they care about not receiving negative reviews.