Binding vs non-binding moving estimates

For an interstate household move, federal rules say the mover has to give you a written estimate before you sign the bill of lading, and the estimate has to say whether it's binding or non-binding. That one word decides how much you can be made to pay on delivery day.

The quick difference

• Binding: a guaranteed total price for the items and services listed on the estimate. The mover is allowed to charge you for preparing it.
• Non-binding: the mover's best guess. Your final bill is based on the actual weight of your shipment and the mover's tariff. The mover can't charge you for a non-binding estimate.

How much you can be asked to pay at delivery

• Binding estimate: the mover can't collect more than the estimate amount, plus charges for extra services you requested after the bill of lading was issued, plus any "impracticable operations" charges (capped at 15% of the other charges due).
• Non-binding estimate: you can't be required to pay more than 110% of the estimate at delivery, plus the same kinds of extras. The estimate itself has to say this in writing.
• Anything above those limits gets billed to you later, after 30 days from delivery. It isn't a reason to hold your belongings.

If you offer to pay the amount the rules allow and the mover still won't hand over your goods, the regulations treat that as failing to deliver with "reasonable dispatch," which opens the mover up to delay claims.

When the mover can change the estimate

• You and the mover can agree to amend an estimate before loading. It can't be amended after your things are on the truck.
• If you have more stuff or need more services than the estimate lists, the mover can refuse to honor it, but must deal with it before loading: reaffirm the estimate, write a new signed one, or (for a binding estimate) agree with you in writing to treat it as non-binding.
• If the mover loads your goods without doing any of that, the original estimate stands.
• If the mover thinks extra services are needed after the bill of lading is issued, it has to tell you what they are first and give you at least an hour to decide.

Partial deliveries

If only part of your shipment arrives, the mover can only demand a share of the estimate in proportion to the weight delivered. The rule's own example: 2,500 pounds delivered out of a 5,000-pound shipment means you owe 50% at that point.

What a proper estimate should include

1. Based on a physical survey of your goods, unless you waived the survey in writing and signed the waiver before loading.
2. Clearly marked binding or non-binding.
3. The forms of payment the mover will accept at delivery.
4. Charges for extras like elevators or long carries, worked out before the bill of lading.
5. If priced by volume but billed by weight, a written explanation of how volume is converted to weight.
6. The liability (valuation) election notice.
7. Signed by both you and the mover, with a dated copy given to you.

If a broker gave you the estimate

A household goods broker can give you an estimate only if it has a written agreement with the actual carrier adopting that estimate as the carrier's own. The carrier then has to follow all the estimate rules, including releasing your goods when you pay no more than 110% of a non-binding estimate. Ask the broker which carrier has adopted the estimate. See carrier vs broker.

Which should you pick?

A binding estimate gives you a fixed number, which helps if you're on a tight budget and your inventory is accurate. A non-binding estimate costs nothing up front and could come in lower if your shipment weighs less than expected, but it can also come in higher, up to 110% at delivery and more billed later. Either way, an estimate far below the others is one of the classic scam red flags.