Binding vs Non-Binding Moving Estimates in Massachusetts

Why the type of estimate matters

Two quotes can show the same number and mean very different things on move day. One is a promise about the total. The other is the mover's best guess, and the final charge is worked out from the mover's published rates after the job. Knowing which one you were handed tells you how much room the final bill has to move.

What Massachusetts says

The state's guide Moving Within Massachusetts is written for moves that start and end in the state. It says every household moving company must hold a DPU operating certificate, and it tells you to confirm that the number is current before you hire anyone. The guide covers how to check in how to check a mover is licensed in Massachusetts.

On estimates, the guide makes three points. A verbal estimate over the phone or by email is non-binding. A written estimate from a representative who comes to your home is one of your strongest protections against overcharges. And an estimate is not a bid or a contract, so the final bill depends on the hourly rate, packing and any extra services that were part of the job. The guide also notes that hourly moves can include a travel-time charge between the loading and unloading points.

Massachusetts movers file their rates with the DPU as a tariff, and those filings are public. That is where the exact terms live, including whether the mover offers a binding estimate for in-state work. The terms differ from company to company, so ask for them in writing.

What federal rules say about interstate moves

Moves across state lines fall under the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's household goods rules in 49 CFR Part 375. They are worth knowing as a reference point, but they are not the rules for a move that stays inside Massachusetts.

• The mover must give you a written estimate before the bill of lading is signed, and it must say whether it is binding or non-binding.
• A binding estimate must state that you and the mover are bound by the charges, and it guarantees the total cost for the quantities and services shown on it.
• A non-binding estimate must be a written estimate that tells you the final charges follow the mover's tariff, and it must say you will not be required to pay more than 110 percent of the estimate at the time of delivery.

What to ask before you accept a quote

1. Is this estimate binding or non-binding? Ask for the answer in writing.
2. Did someone see everything that is being moved? A quote built from a phone call cannot account for a packed attic or a second storage unit.
3. What is the hourly rate, and is there a travel-time charge?
4. What counts as an extra, such as stairs, long carries, packing materials or a shuttle truck?
5. Where do I find the mover's tariff, and does it say what happens if the job runs over the estimate?
6. If I add items before move day, does the estimate change in writing?

Getting an estimate

To compare movers fairly, give each one the same list of rooms, stairs, specialty items and dates. Our guide to what affects the cost of a Cape Cod move lists what to ask. See how local moves on Cape Cod work, or read the overview on our moving page. To ask about a move, request a quote or call (508) 400-5788 any time, 24 hours a day.

Common questions