How local moving estimates work
Most local moves are priced by the hour, and the same numbers decide the bill: how long the crew works, how many people are on it, and what the carrier charges for travel, materials and minimums. Each rule below is published by a state regulator and labelled with the state it applies to.
What goes into an hourly estimate
- Washington — Washington prices moves of 55 miles or less on the number of workers, the time to load, move, and unload, and an hourly rate; longer moves are priced by weight and distance.
- Washington — Washington's tariff prices local moves as a truck-and-driver rate plus a charge for each additional worker.
- North Carolina — North Carolina bills moves of 35 miles or less hourly based on workers, vans, and time; longer moves are billed by weight and distance.
- North Carolina — North Carolina lists packing, appliance work, and bulky items among services that can add to the cost of a move, including some hourly moves.
When the clock starts and how time is rounded
- Washington — Washington movers may bill time from when the truck leaves its terminal until it returns, or a flat travel time instead.
- Washington — Washington movers record time in 15-minute increments unless they have filed to use one-minute increments.
- Washington — Washington customers can't be charged for breaks or interruptions caused by the mover's crew.
- North Carolina — In North Carolina the hourly clock runs from arrival to completion at the destination, travel may be charged, and time is rounded up to the quarter hour.
Minimum charges
- Washington — Washington's standard minimum is one hour on weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and four hours for requested moves outside those hours, on weekends, or on state holidays; movers may file shorter minimums.
- Washington — In Washington, overtime happens only at the customer's request, after a written overtime estimate and the customer's written consent.
Binding, non-binding, and not-to-exceed estimates
- Washington — In Washington a final bill can't exceed a non-binding estimate or supplemental estimate by more than 25%; a binding estimate guarantees the price for the listed items and services.
- Washington — Washington movers must have the customer sign a supplemental estimate before performing services the original estimate didn't cover.
- North Carolina — North Carolina allows non-binding, binding guaranteed, and binding not-to-exceed estimates; on a non-binding estimate you may pay 110% at delivery and the rest within 30 days, and changes are recorded on a signed addendum.
- Texas — Texas movers must give a written binding or not-to-exceed proposal before loading that states the most the customer could be required to pay.
How to compare estimates
- Washington — Washington's commission says an estimate is only as accurate as the information the customer provides.
- North Carolina — North Carolina's commission advises getting written estimates from several movers and giving all of them the same information.
- Texas — Texas tells consumers to report stairs, long carries, and elevators to get an accurate estimate.
Where these rules come from
- Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
- North Carolina Utilities Commission
- Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission Tariff 15-C (household goods)
- Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission consumer guide to moving
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Each rule above applies inside the state named beside it. Other states regulate intrastate moves differently, so confirm the rule where you are moving before you rely on it.