How to Get and Compare Moving Quotes

Reviewed by Joey Padgett · Last reviewed September 2026

Get at least three written estimates before choosing a moving company. That's the baseline. Not three phone quotes. Three written estimates based on a real inventory of your belongings.

Here's how to get them, what types exist, and how to compare them correctly.

Why Written Estimates Matter

A verbal quote or a bedroom-count estimate over the phone is a guess. The final bill on a non-binding estimate is based on actual weight. The final bill on a binding estimate is based on what was in the written agreement. Either way, what matters is the written document, not what someone said on the phone.

For long-distance moves in particular, an off-the-cuff phone quote without a proper inventory can result in a final bill significantly higher than expected. Get everything in writing.

How to Get an Accurate Estimate

Request an in-home or virtual walkthrough. The estimator needs to see your belongings, not just hear how many bedrooms you have. Walk them through every room, including closets, the garage, the attic, and the basement. Any area you skip can become a surprise on moving day.

Be complete. Don't hide things because you're embarrassed about how much stuff you own. Everything the mover doesn't know about going into the estimate is a potential change order on moving day.

Tell them about access. Stairs, elevator access, long walks from the building entrance to the truck, narrow hallways, street parking limitations. All of these affect the estimate. Mention them upfront.

Ask about special items. Piano, safe, oversized artwork, pool table, large appliances. These require special handling and often add fees. Mention them during the walkthrough.

Types of Estimates

Non-Binding Estimate

The price can change based on the actual weight of your shipment and any services used. Under federal regulations (for interstate moves), a mover cannot require you to pay more than 10% above a non-binding estimate at the time of delivery. You have 30 days to pay any amount above the original estimate.

Non-binding estimates tend to look lower upfront. Be cautious comparing them directly to binding estimates.

Binding Estimate

The price is fixed at what was agreed in the estimate. If your actual shipment weighs more than estimated, you still pay the agreed price. If it weighs less, you also pay the agreed price.

A binding estimate gives you certainty on the services and items listed. The mover takes the risk if they undercount. Note: if you request additional services not covered in the estimate, or impracticable conditions arise, additional charges can apply.

Binding Not-to-Exceed Estimate

The best option for most consumers. The final price cannot exceed the estimate, but it can go down if your shipment is lighter than expected. This is sometimes called a "guaranteed not-to-exceed" estimate.

Not all companies offer this. Ask specifically.

Comparing Estimates Correctly

When you have three written estimates in hand, compare them on these dimensions:

What services are included? One quote might include furniture disassembly and reassembly. Another might not. One might include packing materials. Make sure you're comparing equivalent services.

What fees are explicitly listed? Stair fees, long-carry fees, fuel surcharges, and elevator fees should appear in the estimate, not emerge as surprises on moving day. If one estimate is silent on fees that another estimates explicitly, that's a gap worth asking about.

What type of estimate is each one? A non-binding estimate that looks 20% cheaper than a binding estimate might actually be more expensive once the scale weight is determined. Understand what you're comparing.

What insurance is included? Released-value protection is standard and included in every estimate. Full-value protection costs extra. If one company includes full-value and another doesn't, they're not quoting the same thing.

Outliers. The lowest quote is worth scrutinizing. Either they've missed something, or they're planning to recoup on delivery. A quote significantly below all others is almost never a bargain.

What Should Appear in Every Written Estimate

Before accepting any estimate, confirm it includes:

Company name, address, and USDOT/MC number
Your pickup and delivery addresses
Estimated weight or volume
Services included (loading, transportation, unloading, packing if applicable)
Itemized fees (fuel, stairs, long carry, specialty items)
Type of estimate (binding, non-binding, or not-to-exceed)
Estimated delivery window for long-distance moves
Valuation/insurance options and their cost
Payment terms

If any of these are missing, ask for them in writing before signing.

Getting Quotes for Long-Distance Moves

Long-distance moves involve more complexity. A few specifics:

Weight-based pricing: Interstate movers use tariff-based weight-and-distance pricing — not a single universal rate. Your estimate should specify an estimated weight (in pounds) and the all-in price for your route so you can compare apples to apples.

Delivery windows: Unlike local moves where the truck arrives and leaves the same day, long-distance moves often have delivery windows of several days. The estimate should state the window. If delivery exceeds the agreed timeframe, review your bill of lading for any provisions on storage or delay compensation.

Binding weight: For a binding estimate to stay binding, you typically need to move the same items listed in the estimate inventory. Adding or removing significant items after signing the binding estimate can require a new estimate.

What to Do With Your Estimates

Once you have three estimates and have verified licensing for each company, narrow to two finalists. Then:

Ask each about anything unclear in their estimate.
Ask each directly: is there anything that might cause my final bill to differ from this estimate?
Ask each what their process is if something is damaged.

The answers tell you as much as the estimates themselves. A company that's relaxed and thorough in answering those questions is a company that answers them every day. A company that gets defensive or vague is giving you information about how they handle problems.

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For how estimates relate to your consumer rights if something goes wrong, see Moving Insurance: What You Need to Know and Binding vs. Non-Binding Estimates. For the full hiring checklist, see How to Hire a Moving Company.