Binding vs. Non-Binding Moving Estimates
The single most important thing to understand before you book a mover. Get this right and “surprise charges” become almost impossible.
The three kinds of estimate
They sound similar. They protect you very differently.
Non-binding estimate. An educated guess. The final price can go up (or down) based on the actual weight or volume on move day. This is where most “my price doubled” stories come from.
Binding estimate. A fixed price for the goods and services listed. As long as your inventory is accurate, the number you're quoted is the number you pay.
Binding not-to-exceed. The best of all: the price can only go down if you have less than estimated, never up. If a company offers this, take it seriously.
Why non-binding is where surprises live
A non-binding estimate isn't automatically a scam — but it's the door scams walk through.
With a non-binding estimate, the low number that won your business isn't a promise — it's a starting point. A dishonest mover can quote low, then “re-weigh” or “re-measure” on move day and hand you a much bigger bill once your belongings are already loaded.
How to make sure your binding estimate holds
A binding estimate only protects you if the inventory behind it is complete.
- Do a thorough inventory. Every room, closet, garage, attic, and shed. The #1 legitimate reason a binding price changes is items that weren't on the original list.
- Mention the hard stuff. Stairs, long carries, elevators, narrow access, a piano, a gun safe — these affect the job, so disclose them up front.
- Get it in writing. The binding estimate, the inventory it's based on, and what's included (packing, protection) should all be documented before you pay.
Quick questions
Yes — legitimately, if you add items that weren't on the original inventory, or request services you didn't originally list. That's why a complete inventory up front matters so much.
We build your price on the space your items take up on the truck, from a full inventory, as a binding estimate. The number we quote is the number you pay — no revised estimates on move day.