Last updated: October 2026
By Let’s Start Moving • Updated October 29, 2026
What a video quote needs from you
A video moving quote is based on what the mover can see and what you explain during the walkthrough. The recording does not need to look polished or professional. It needs to give a realistic view of the inventory, the route from each room to the vehicle, and anything that could require extra people, time, protection, or equipment.
Start at the front entrance and follow the path a large item would take. Then show every room, storage area, balcony, garage, basement, shed, or office included in the move. Finish outside by showing parking, loading access, stairs, ramps, gates, driveway clearance, or the distance between the building and the truck.
For a useful virtual moving estimate, the reviewer should be able to answer five questions:
- What is moving? Show furniture, appliances, boxes, loose items, and anything that may be added later.
- How much is moving? Give counts for boxes, totes, bins, chairs, tables, and other repeated items.
- How does it leave? Show doors, hallways, stairs, elevators, turns, corridors, gates, and loading areas.
- What needs special care? Identify glass, artwork, antiques, electronics, heavy pieces, pianos, hot tubs, and appliances.
- When and under what restrictions? Mention target dates, elevator reservations, quiet hours, parking rules, and your packing plan.
Ottawa movers may use a video quote when a visit is inconvenient or when a visual walkthrough can clarify unusual access and item size. A video does not remove your responsibility to disclose the items and conditions that affect the move. If something changes after recording, send an update rather than assuming the original quote still covers it.
For broader preparation, an Ottawa moving services guide to quote preparation also recommends sharing photos or video for unusual access and item dimensions. That is useful context, but your own recording should remain specific to your inventory and building.
Before you record: a 10-minute preparation checklist
A short preparation period makes the final video clearer and reduces the chance that you will need to film sections again. You do not need to empty rooms or stage your home. Instead, make the existing layout visible and identify the areas that a mover cannot safely infer from a doorway.
Gather the basic tools
- Smartphone: Charge it, clear enough storage, and use a setting that produces clear video. Horizontal recording can make wide rooms and hallways easier to see.
- Tape measure: Keep it available for doorways, stair widths, elevator interiors, low ceilings, and bulky items.
- Flashlight: Use it for storage rooms, basements, closets, garages, and dim corridors.
- Room list: Write down every area before you begin, including spaces that contain only a few items.
- Notes app or paper: Record measurements, item counts, dates, and questions as you go.
Make the route visible
Turn on lights and open curtains where appropriate. Move only small obstacles that prevent a safe view; do not rearrange furniture in a way that gives a misleading impression of the route. Open doors to closets, garages, storage rooms, elevators, and side entrances that will be used on moving day.
Mark uncertain items with a note such as “moving,” “staying,” or “maybe.” This is especially helpful when a room contains furniture belonging to a landlord, roommate, tenant, or business department. Include items you expect to sell or donate if there is a reasonable chance they will still be present on moving day.
Choose a consistent filming order
A fixed route is more reliable than walking randomly from room to room. A practical order is the front entrance, main living areas, bedrooms, kitchen, bathrooms, office, basement, garage, storage spaces, and finally the exterior route to the loading location. If the move has both an origin and destination that need review, label which property each video covers.
Do not film private documents, payment information, access codes, alarm credentials, or personal information visible on screens. You can show where a code, concierge desk, or key is required without recording the code itself.
How to record the walkthrough step by step
The best video quote walkthrough is deliberate rather than rushed. Hold the phone with two hands when possible, walk slowly, pause before turning, and let the camera see the whole space. Narrate what the viewer needs to know instead of filling the recording with unrelated conversation.
Step 1: Introduce the property and the move
Begin by stating whether you are filming the origin or destination, the type of property, the floor, and the approximate move date. You can say: “This is a two-bedroom apartment on the third floor. We are moving the contents to a house, and the target date is flexible by several days.” If the date is fixed, say so.
Show the main entrance from the outside or inside, then identify how the movers will enter. Mention whether the entrance is at street level, reached by stairs, connected to a parking garage, or accessed through a side door. If you are recording in a high-rise or commercial building, explain where the service elevator or loading dock is located.
Step 2: Walk the complete exit path
Before showing individual items, trace the route from the largest or heaviest room to the vehicle. Film the front door, hallways, turns, stair landings, elevators, ramps, gates, and any long carry. A wide shot shows the setting, while a closer shot can show a narrow section or low ceiling.
Point out details that may not be obvious in a moving quote: a sharp turn at the bottom of stairs, a narrow landing, a door that does not open fully, a sloped driveway, a long corridor, a locked lobby, or a loading zone that is not directly beside the entrance. If a route differs for an appliance or sectional sofa, explain that difference.
Step 3: Film every room from left to right
Stand near the entrance of each room and make a slow pan from left to right. Identify the room, state what is moving, and distinguish packed items from loose items. Pause on large pieces rather than sweeping past them in the same motion as small objects.
A useful narration sounds like this: “Living room: one 84-inch sofa, one loveseat, a coffee table, a television, a media console, two floor lamps, and twelve medium boxes. The television is fragile and is not packed yet. Everything shown is moving.” This format gives the reviewer inventory, condition, and packing information together.
Step 4: Count repeated items
Count boxes, totes, bins, chairs, stools, filing cabinets, bookcases, and other items that affect volume. If a stack is difficult to count, show it from two angles and give an approximate total. Separate wardrobe boxes, book boxes, heavy tool bins, and unusually large cartons when their size or weight differs from ordinary boxes.
Do not rely on a statement such as “the rest is in boxes.” A room full of small boxes may require a different loading plan from a room containing a few large, heavy containers. If packing is incomplete, estimate how many additional boxes you expect and say that the number is an estimate.
Step 5: Pause on large, fragile, or heavy items
Give each important item enough time to be identified. Include sofas, sectionals, armoires, wardrobes, dining tables, exercise equipment, safes, stone furniture, large mirrors, artwork, antiques, glass cabinets, and appliances. State whether the item can be disassembled and whether you expect the mover to perform that work.
For furniture with removable parts, show the joints, legs, doors, or sections if practical. You do not need to take anything apart merely to record the video. Say whether the item is already disassembled, whether tools are needed, and whether parts will be kept with it.
Step 6: Finish with exterior and building logistics
End the recording by showing the loading point. Film the driveway, curb, parking lot, loading dock, garage entrance, ramp, sidewalk, gate, and approximate carrying distance. Mention restrictions such as a reserved elevator, a loading appointment, a building protection requirement, a height limit, or limited curb access.
Do not assume that a short indoor route means an easy load. A move can be affected by a long distance from the apartment to the dock, a narrow garage entrance, several flights of exterior stairs, or a building policy that limits the available time. These details help the mover plan the vehicle, crew, sequence, and protective supplies.
Which measurements matter most?
You do not need to measure every object in the home. Prioritize measurements that answer whether a large item can pass through the route without excessive risk or disassembly. Measure the item and the limiting point, then say both measurements while filming.
| Measure or show | Why it matters | How to present it |
|---|---|---|
| Large item dimensions | Helps assess volume, handling, and whether sections need to separate | Give length, width, and height for sectionals, armoires, appliances, and exercise equipment |
| Doorway width and height | Shows whether bulky furniture can enter or leave safely | Measure the usable opening, not just the door slab |
| Stair width and landings | Reveals turns, carrying space, and clearance for tall items | Film the full stair route and identify narrow landings or low ceilings |
| Elevator interior and door | Determines whether items fit and whether multiple trips are likely | Show the interior, door opening, height, and any booking restriction |
| Loading and carrying distance | Affects staging, timing, and access to the vehicle | Walk from the building entrance to the permitted loading point |
For a tight turn, show the turn rather than reporting a number without context. A 32-inch opening may be adequate for one item and unsuitable for another depending on height, depth, packaging, and the space available to rotate it. If you are unsure how to measure a difficult area, film the approach and state that you would like the estimator to review it.
Examples of useful measurement notes
- “The sofa is approximately 84 inches long and the hallway is 36 inches wide.”
- “The basement stairs are 31 inches wide, with a low ceiling near the bottom turn.”
- “The refrigerator is counter-depth. The kitchen doorway is 32 inches wide, and the doors may need to come off.”
- “The service elevator is shown here. The building requires a two-hour reservation, and the loading dock is down this corridor.”
Measurements are most helpful when they are current. Re-record or update the estimator if renovations, construction, furniture purchases, blocked access, or building rules change the route.
How to document packing and specialty items
Packing status affects both the inventory and the time required on moving day. During each room, say what is packed, what is loose, and what you want the moving company to pack. Do not describe a room as “mostly packed” without identifying the remaining fragile or oversized items.
Explain the packing plan
- DIY packing: State how many boxes are complete and identify anything still loose.
- Partial professional packing: Point out artwork, televisions, glass, electronics, wardrobes, or other areas for which you want help.
- Full-service packing: Show the complete inventory, including closets, cupboards, storage rooms, and items that need special wrapping.
- Uncertain packing: Identify the item and explain what decision remains, rather than leaving the estimator to guess.
A consumer moving expectations guide makes an important point: a quote is based on what the surveyor saw, and adding items afterward can affect the price or arrangements. That principle applies to a video survey as well. The more complete your recording is, the less likely it is that the final inventory will differ from the estimate.
Call out specialty items clearly
Specialty items deserve a close view and an explanation of their route. For a piano, identify whether it is an upright or grand style, show its location, and film stairs, turns, railings, exterior steps, gates, and driveway access. For a hot tub, show the deck, stairs, yard gate, surface changes, and any obstacle that could affect removal.
For treadmills and other fitness equipment, show the model or approximate size, whether it folds, and the narrowest part of the route. For refrigerators, washers, dryers, ranges, and other appliances, identify the item, show the route, and mention whether doors or handles may need to be removed. Do not disconnect gas, water, or electrical services solely for the recording.
Also identify safes, pool tables, stone tops, large aquariums, unusually heavy tool chests, commercial fixtures, and fragile collections. The objective is not to make the item sound difficult; it is to give the mover enough information to plan safe handling and bring appropriate equipment.
How to make a video quote more accurate
A video quote becomes more useful when it is paired with clear written details. Along with the recording, provide the move date or date range, origin and destination type, floor information, parking or elevator restrictions, packing needs, and any items that may be added or removed. Keep a copy of what you submitted so you can compare it with the written estimate.
Ontario consumer guidance recommends asking for an all-in quote that identifies the hourly labour rate and the number of movers involved. The exact treatment of a quote can depend on the type and distance of the move, so ask what is included, what could change the amount, and how additional work is handled. A video can improve the information available to the mover, but it should not replace a clear written description of the agreed services.
Questions to ask after submitting the video
- Did the estimator receive and review every part of the video?
- Does the estimate include all rooms, storage areas, boxes, and specialty items shown?
- What crew size, vehicle, equipment, packing supplies, and protective materials are included?
- Are stairs, elevators, long carries, disassembly, reassembly, or appliance work treated separately?
- What happens if the inventory or access changes before moving day?
- Which building reservations, permits, parking arrangements, or protective requirements are my responsibility?
Let’s Start Moving provides local and long-distance relocation services for households and businesses across Ottawa and surrounding areas. Its video-quote option is intended to help assess volume and distance when an in-person review is not convenient. The estimate still depends on the details supplied and should be confirmed if your plans change.
Keep a simple inventory summary
After recording, create a one-page summary with room names, approximate box counts, large items, specialty items, packing status, and access notes. This gives you a quick way to report changes. For example, if you sell a sectional but add a treadmill, the estimator can see that the volume and handling requirements changed in different ways.
Use plain descriptions instead of vague labels. “Six medium book boxes and one 90-inch sofa” is more useful than “some boxes and a couch.” If you do not know a measurement, write “not measured” and ask whether the video angle is sufficient.
Common video quote mistakes and quick fixes
Filming only the main rooms
Garages, basements, balconies, closets, storage lockers, sheds, and office storage are easy to omit. Add every area to your room list before recording. If a space contains nothing that is moving, show it briefly and say so.
Showing furniture without its route
A clear sofa shot does not show whether it can leave through the stairwell. After filming the item, walk the likely exit path and highlight turns, door widths, low ceilings, and exterior steps.
Moving too quickly
Fast panning creates blurred footage and makes dimensions difficult to judge. Walk at a normal pace, pause at doorways, and hold the camera still for a few seconds on large or fragile pieces.
Leaving packing status unclear
Say whether boxes are packed, partly packed, or expected to be added. Identify fragile items that need professional protection. This lets the mover plan time and supplies instead of making assumptions.
Forgetting the destination
The origin may be easy to access while the destination has stairs, a narrow driveway, a long hallway, or a building reservation. If the destination is occupied, film it separately or provide current photos and measurements for the limiting areas.
Failing to update the quote
Send an update after buying furniture, changing buildings, losing a loading reservation, adding packing, or discovering construction. Re-record only the affected area when the rest of the inventory is unchanged.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a video quote walkthrough be?
Many homes can be shown in about five to ten minutes when the recording follows a fixed route and focuses on relevant details. A larger home, commercial space, specialty move, or complicated building may require more time. Completeness matters more than hitting a particular duration.
What should I say during a video moving quote?
Identify each room, list the major items and approximate counts, state what is packed, and describe the route to the vehicle. Mention dimensions, stairs, elevators, narrow turns, loading restrictions, specialty items, target dates, and any uncertainty. A consistent room-by-room script is easier to review than disconnected clips.
Do I need to measure every doorway and piece of furniture?
No. Prioritize bulky or awkward items and the points where the route looks tight, including doorways, stairwells, elevator openings, low ceilings, and sharp turns. If an item is especially large, heavy, fragile, or difficult to disassemble, measure it and show its complete path.
Should I include items I might sell or donate?
Yes, mention “maybe” items and explain when you expect to decide. The estimator can then understand the primary inventory and the possible change. Update the quote once the decision is final, especially if the item is large or requires special handling.
Can some boxes remain unpacked when I record?
Yes. State which rooms or items are still unpacked, how much remains, and whether you want professional packing. Include a realistic estimate of additional boxes rather than leaving the change unmentioned.
What if my apartment building requires an elevator booking?
Show the elevator, lobby, loading dock, and route between them, then provide the booking window if you have it. If the building introduces a new time restriction after the video is submitted, notify the estimator promptly so the schedule can be reviewed.
Send a clearer video quote request
Prepare your room list, measure the tightest points, and record the route from the home to the loading area. A complete walkthrough gives Let’s Start Moving the information needed to discuss volume, access, packing, crew planning, and timing with fewer surprises.
Request a video quote from Let’s Start Moving after checking that your recording includes every area, specialty item, and access restriction that could affect the move.