Key takeaways
- Local moves are typically priced hourly; interstate moves price on weight and distance.
- Get binding or not-to-exceed estimates in writing after an in-person or video survey.
- Released value protection pays about 60 cents per pound — effectively nothing.
- Budget for deposits, utility connections, and the first grocery and supply run.
Two pricing models
Local moves within a state are usually hourly: a crew rate plus truck fee, sometimes with a travel-time charge. Interstate moves are priced on shipment weight and distance, plus accessorial charges for packing, stairs, long carries, shuttle service, and storage in transit.
Accessorials are where estimates diverge from final bills. Ask explicitly about stair fees, long carry charges when the truck cannot park close, elevator fees, and shuttle service if a tractor-trailer cannot access the address.
Estimates and consumer protections
Insist on a written estimate after an in-person or video survey — phone estimates without a survey are unreliable. A binding estimate fixes the price for the listed inventory. A not-to-exceed or binding-not-to-exceed estimate caps the price while allowing a lower charge if weight comes in under.
Interstate movers must be registered with the FMCSA and must provide the Your Rights and Responsibilities When You Move booklet. Verify the USDOT number before booking. Refuse any mover demanding a large cash deposit or refusing a written estimate.
Valuation coverage and forgotten costs
Released value protection is included at no charge and pays about 60 cents per pound per article. A 40-pound television is worth $24 under it. Full value protection costs more and requires the mover to repair, replace, or pay actual value. Check whether your homeowners or renters policy covers goods in transit.
Then budget the surrounding costs: utility connection fees and deposits, first and last month plus deposit on a rental, cleaning, packing supplies, mail forwarding, vehicle registration and license updates for interstate moves, and the several hundred dollars in household basics that always follows a move.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book a mover?
Six to eight weeks ahead, more for summer and month-end dates. Mid-month, mid-week moves cost less and get better crews.
Are moving expenses deductible?
For most taxpayers no, under current federal law. Active-duty military moving under orders remains an exception. Some states allow a deduction on state returns.
Should I use a moving container service?
Containers cost less than full-service moving and more than a rental truck, and they shift loading labor to you. They work well for flexible timelines and cross-country moves.
Sources & further reading
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Protect Your Move
- American Moving & Storage Association consumer guidance
- IRS Publication 521, Moving Expenses
Figures and rules change. Verify current requirements with the issuing agency or a licensed professional before acting.