Avoid surprise bills on moving day by understanding how mover quotes work.

The number of people changing residences in the U.S. is at a historic low but if you’re among the 11% who will move this year, you’ll face moving expenses. The cost is minimal if you have access to recycled boxes, a truck and friends willing to help in exchange for pizza. However, if professional movers are needed, the cost can run into the thousands. Many people who hire movers find themselves with a final bill that’s much higher than expected. To avoid billing surprises on moving day, make sure you understand how mover quotes work and what goes into the total cost of a move.

What’s included in the quote?

When preparing for your move, get quotes from three to five moving companies so you can make comparisons. Typical line items include:

• Packing (many people opt to pack their belongings rather than hire movers for the task so they can save money)
• Loading and unloading the truck
• Labor
• Transportation
• Distance and weight (if it’s a long-distance move)

To make sure you get an accurate estimate, make sure the mover knows about stairs or elevators on either end of the move.

Other factors that can drive up moving costs include:

• Shuttling or long carry fees—When large trucks can’t get close to the building, the mover may charge an extra fee to shuttle the customer’s belongings to a smaller truck that can get close. A long carry fee may be charged if they can’t park within 75 feet of the home’s entrance.
• Items that require special handling or care, like a piano, antiques or fine art.
• Disassembly and reassembly of furniture.
• Appliance prep and set up, such as disconnecting and connecting a washing machine.
• Temporary storage—When move-out dates and move-in dates don’t synchronize, daily or monthly storage costs may kick in.

The most accurate estimates result when a mover’s representative visits your home rather than providing a quote over the phone or online.

Hourly or flat rate?

Movers typically offer pricing in two ways: hourly and flat rates. Which you choose depends on the specifics of your move and how comfortable you are with a variable price.

Hourly rates are just what they sound like. Movers charge a set rate for a specific number of movers and the truck. Often there’s a minimum of two to four hours for hourly moving jobs. Hiring movers by the hour can help keep costs down, especially for simple, local moves. However, any delays, like not have everything ready when the movers arrive, traffic jams, or bad weather, can result in a higher-than-expected moving bill.

Flat-rate pricing bundles all the services together and provides more predictability. The bigger your home, the more complex the move (for example, you have lots of stairs or specialty items), the more advantageous flat rates become. Also, flat-rates provide the most protection against unexpected costs for long-distance moves.

Is the quote binding or non-binding?

When comparing quotes between movers, it’s crucial to determine whether they are binding or non-binding documents.

With a binding quote, you’ll know the final price upfront. There may be a clause that the price may vary by up to 5% from the original quote but that is the max you’ll pay. The quote may also be presented as binding-not-to-exceed a certain dollar amount. In both cases, a binding quote avoids sticker shock when the final bill is due.

A non-binding quote is where many people get blindsided by higher-than-expected moving costs. This type of quote allows the mover to add charges based on what happens during the move. Have more boxes than estimated or stairs that weren’t accounted for? These are just two of the many things that can be added to a non-binding quote. Non-binding quotes are often supplied through online calculators or over the phone.

Choosing your mover

When you have multiple quotes in hand, you’re armed with solid information for choosing a mover. It should become clear if there’s a non-binding, low-ball offer that could easily balloon once the move is in motion. Be wary of any quote that doesn’t provide an itemized list of services and fees. And finally, choose a mover who is licensed and insured.