Rules
The following rules come from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) and must be observed by your moving company when preparing and implementing a binding estimate:
Description of Shipment and Services
The binding estimate must accurately describe the shipment and all the services the company will provide. If you asked the moving company to provide additional services, such as long carry charges, shuttle service or flight charges, the company must bill you separately for these charges following your move. At the time of delivery on your moving day, the moving company cannot charge you more than the amount of the binding estimate. A binding estimate must be in writing and a copy must be given to you before you move.
Payment
Payment is due at the time of delivery. If you agree to a binding estimate, you must pay the amount due by cash, certified check, money order, or cashier’s check, at the time of delivery. Your mover can agree to payment before moving, to extend credit, or to accept a credit card. This is up to the moving company. If you can’t pay the mover upon delivery, the company will place your belongings in storage until you can pay the binding estimate. The storage fees are your responsibility, and you will be charged.
Recordkeeping
Your mover must retain a copy of the binding estimate and attach it to the bill of lading.
Clarity of the Contract
The moving company must clearly state that the estimate is binding to you and your mover. Each binding estimate must also clearly state that the charges are only for services outlined in the estimate.
Right to Refuse
Before loading your household goods, if the moving company thinks you have additional belongings not stated in the estimate, the mover can refuse you service. Make sure everything you need to move is clearly outlined in the estimate. If you need to add items, tell your mover so you can work out an agreement before they start to load your shipment.
Accepting the Contract
Once the moving company agrees to move your belongings, they must either confirm the binding estimate, negotiate a revised written binding estimate listing the additional household goods or services or add an attachment to the contract, in writing, stating you both will consider the original binding estimate as a non-binding estimate. Again, avoid any “add-ons” if you can. It can lead to a higher-priced move and could result in not having a mover on moving day.
Additional Charges
Once your mover loads all your household belongings, they have agreed to the binding estimate and no changes can be made or additional costs added, except for agreed-upon additional services and charges. As stated earlier, these additional charges must be billed after the shipment is delivered. Only the binding estimate can be charged upon delivery.
Not-To-Exceed Estimates
The very best option of all binding and non-binding estimates is the binding not-to-Exceed estimate. It means that if the actual weight of your shipment is more than the written estimate, you still pay the amount quoted. However, if the actual weight is less than the written estimate, you pay the lesser amount. If you ask for a binding not-to-exceed estimate, you’ll never pay a higher price than what’s on the estimate. Your price can only go lower. Whenever you get an estimate, always ask for a binding not-to-exceed.
