Binding Moving Estimate
One of the most common questions we receive in our inbox has to do with moving estimate types. There are many different kinds of moving services to request on your estimate, which sometimes gets confusing, but there are also many types of estimates. Estimate types, once you take a moment to understand them, are very simple. An initial internet or phone quote gives you an idea of general prices. An in-home estimate gives you a firm quote that you can confidently budget against if it is binding.
A Binding Moving Estimate
- The mover may charge you for providing a binding estimate which must clearly describe the shipment and all services provided.
- When you receive a binding estimate, you cannot be required to pay any more than that amount. However, if you have requested the mover to provide more services than those included in the estimate, such as destination charges (i.e., long carry charges, shuttle charges, extra stair carry charges, or elevator charges) often not known at origin, the mover may demand full payment for those added services at time of delivery.
- To be effective, a binding estimate must be in writing and a copy must be made available to you before your move.
- If you agree to a binding estimate, you are responsible for paying the charges due by cash, certified check, traveler’s check, or bank check (one drawn by a bank on itself and signed by an officer of the bank) at time of delivery unless the mover agrees before you move to extend credit or to accept payment by charge card. If you are unable to pay at the time the shipment is delivered, the mover may place your shipment in storage at your expense until the charges are paid.
A binding moving estimate protects you and your budget by providing you with hard numbers against which you can apply your budget to.