How residential moving quotes are built
Local moves are typically priced by the hour; interstate moves are usually based on weight or volume, mileage, and services.
- Crew size, truck access, stairs, elevators, long carries, packing, and storage all change the total.
- A complete inventory — including closets, garages, attics, and storage units — produces the most accurate estimate.
- A video or in-home survey gives estimators more to work with than a phone description.
Before you accept an estimate
- Ask whether the estimate is binding, non-binding, or binding-not-to-exceed.
- Confirm who performs the move and whether any part is subcontracted.
- Get every promised service and fee in writing.
More detail
Mention safes, pianos, exercise equipment, glass tops, and anything needing disassembly. Compare the same inventory and service level across every quote you collect.
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Extra charges to plan for in a home move
Price varies with labor rates, inventory, and access rather than a single national average, so plan around the services most often missed.
- Cartons and packing labor are often quoted separately from transport.
- Appliance preparation, shuttle service, and elevator or building fees can add to a tariff.
- Storage-in-transit may be needed if delivery dates shift.
Ask each mover for a complete tariff or fee schedule and identify what could change on moving day. Your actual inventory and current local labor rates matter more than any online average.
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Questions to ask before signing
Verify the company's authority, then read every document before it's signed.
Ask before you book
- What is excluded from this estimate?
- How are claims filed, and what deadlines apply?
- What deposit is required, and is it refundable?
- Will my shipment share space with other customers' goods?
For interstate moves, verify the carrier or broker through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and ask for its USDOT number. For in-state moves, check your state's regulator instead.
More detail
Read the order for service and bill of lading before signing. Never sign blank or incomplete documents, and keep copies of the inventory, estimate, valuation selection, and payment terms where you can reach them during the move.
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Red flags and insurance basics
Be cautious of refused inspections, large deposits, or pressure to sign quickly, and understand that valuation coverage is not homeowners insurance.
Red flags
- Refusing an in-home inspection for a sizable move.
- Requesting a large cash deposit.
- Using a generic greeting instead of the company's legal name.
- An unusually low estimate with missing inventory or fees.
- Pressure to sign immediately.
| Type | What it covers | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Released value | Limited, based on weight | Minimal coverage, lower cost |
| Full value protection | Repair, replace, or compensate per contract | Higher-value shipments |
More detail
Ask your insurer whether an existing policy covers goods in transit, and document high-value items before packing. Full-value protection is still subject to deductibles and exclusions.
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How to choose between your final quotes
Put estimates side by side and reconcile every difference before choosing, since the same services are often categorized differently.
- Confirm pickup and delivery addresses, dates, inventory, stairs, elevators, parking distance, and requested services match on each version.
- Correct errors in writing rather than relying on a phone promise.
- Verify the company's legal identity, operating authority, and complaint history, not just price.
Final checks
- Compare identical inventories and services.
- Ask for written corrections before signing.
- Keep payment receipts and all contract versions.
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