How to Compare Moving Quotes

Getting three quotes is good advice. But if you compare them wrong, you end up choosing based on price alone and getting surprised on moving day. The mover with the lowest number on paper is often the one with the longest list of line items that get added later. This guide walks you through how to normalize quotes so they are actually comparable, what to look for inside each one, and the specific questions to ask before you commit.

Hourly quotes and flat rate quotes cannot be compared at face value. An hourly quote at $150/hour might be cheaper than a $1,200 flat rate for a small local move, or much more expensive if the crew works slowly or hits traffic.

To normalize an hourly quote, get the mover's estimate of total hours (ask for both a low and high end), multiply by their rate, then add any minimum charges, travel time fees, and surcharges. That gives you a realistic range to compare against a flat rate.

For flat rate quotes, confirm exactly what triggers a price change. Weight overages on a local move are rare, but flat rates sometimes include a cap on hours. If the job runs long, some movers will revert to hourly billing for time beyond the cap. Ask explicitly: under what circumstances does this flat rate change?

Every quote should spell out whether the following are included or excluded. If a quote does not address these, ask directly and get the answer in writing.

Packing labor: Are the movers packing your boxes, or just moving them? Packing adds significant time and cost.

Packing materials: Boxes, tape, paper, and specialty materials (dish packs, wardrobe boxes) are often billed separately even when packing labor is included.

Fuel surcharge: Many movers add a fuel surcharge that is not in the base rate. Ask if fuel is included or billed as a percentage of the total.

Stairs: Most movers charge per flight of stairs above the first floor, both at origin and destination. Get the per-flight rate.

Long carry: If the truck cannot park within a certain distance (usually 75 feet) of your door, a long carry fee applies. Ask what triggers it and what it costs.

Elevator wait time: If you are moving in or out of a building with a freight elevator reservation window, time spent waiting is often billed.

Disassembly and reassembly: Beds, cribs, and large furniture often require disassembly. Ask whether that is included or billed by the piece.

Specialty items: Pianos, safes, pool tables, and large artwork typically carry additional fees. Disclose these upfront and get item-specific pricing.

Every licensed mover is required to offer two levels of liability coverage. The difference between them matters enormously if something breaks.

Released value protection is the default and is included at no additional charge. It covers 60 cents per pound per item. A 50-pound flat-screen TV is worth $30 under this plan regardless of its actual value. This is the minimum required by federal law for interstate moves, and many local movers apply the same standard.

Full value protection requires the mover to repair, replace, or pay the current market value for any item that is lost or damaged. Movers charge extra for this, and the rate varies. Some have deductibles. Ask for the full value protection rate and the deductible before comparing quotes.

Some movers offer neither and instead quote "valuation" through a third-party insurer. That is a separate product from liability coverage. Check whether your homeowner's or renter's insurance covers goods in transit, as some policies do.

When comparing quotes, always compare at the same coverage level. A quote with released value is not comparable to one with full value protection.

Suspiciously low estimates are the most common warning sign. If one quote is 30 to 40 percent below the others for the same scope of work, the mover is either underbidding to win the job (and will add charges later) or cutting corners on crew, equipment, or insurance. Neither is acceptable.

No written estimate is a serious red flag. Federal law requires interstate movers to provide either a binding or non-binding written estimate before the move. For local moves, the requirement varies by state, but any reputable mover will put their estimate in writing regardless. Do not hand over your belongings based on a verbal quote.

Large upfront deposits are a warning sign, particularly for long-distance moves. Reputable movers typically collect payment at delivery. A company that demands 25 to 50 percent upfront before they have done any work has significant leverage over you if something goes wrong. Small deposits (under $100) to hold a date are common and acceptable.

Generic company names or no physical address are signs of a broker or rogue mover. Search the company name, verify their USDOT number on the FMCSA website, and confirm they have a real street address. Brokers are not movers. If you are talking to a broker, understand that they will hand your job off to a third party you have not vetted.

For interstate moves, the type of estimate determines your maximum exposure.

A binding estimate locks in the price. If the actual weight or time comes in higher, you pay what the estimate says. If it comes in lower, you also pay the estimate amount. There is no upside surprise, but also no downside.

A non-binding estimate is an approximation. The final price is based on actual weight and time. Federal rules cap how much over the estimate a mover can require you to pay at delivery (typically 110 percent of the non-binding estimate), but the remaining balance can be billed afterward.

A binding not-to-exceed estimate is the most consumer-friendly option. If the actual weight comes in under the estimate, you pay the lower amount. If it comes in over, you pay no more than the estimate. Ask specifically for this type when getting long-distance quotes.

Local moves are almost always non-binding because they are billed hourly, but some local movers will offer a flat rate estimate in writing. Confirm whether that flat rate is binding.

Use this checklist when speaking with or emailing each mover. Document the answers.

1. Is this estimate binding, non-binding, or binding not-to-exceed? 2. What is included in the base rate? (Packing labor, packing materials, fuel, stairs, long carry, disassembly) 3. What triggers a price change on a flat rate quote? 4. What is your full value protection rate, and what is the deductible? 5. Do you have any specialty item fees? (Piano, safe, large artwork) 6. What is your stair fee, and does it apply at both origin and destination? 7. What is your long carry threshold and fee? 8. Will the same crew that loads also unload, or do you use a delivery agent at the destination? 9. For interstate moves: what is the delivery window, and what is your policy if delivery is delayed? 10. What payment methods do you accept at delivery? 11. Can I see your USDOT number and current operating authority status? 12. What is your claims process if something is damaged?

Once you have answers from all three movers, build a simple table with one row per mover and columns for: base price, packing labor included (yes/no), packing materials included (yes/no), fuel included (yes/no), stair fee, long carry fee, full value protection cost, deductible, and estimate type.

Add the full value protection cost to each base price so you are comparing total cost at the same coverage level. Then sort by that adjusted total, not the headline number.

The lowest adjusted total from a licensed, reputable mover with a written binding or binding not-to-exceed estimate is the one worth booking. If the lowest price comes from a mover who failed the red flag checks, move to the next one.